Per Diem Not for me

Published

  1. If you've ever worked as a Per Diem RN, did you find it to be monetarily rewarding?

    • 15
      Yes
    • 3
      No

18 members have participated

Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

hello everyone,

i have a question. is it just me? or, is there more per diem positions than permanent ones?

frankly speaking, i'm not happy about having to be a per diem rn because:

1. i'm always floating around. i like consistency with my surroundings.

2. i'm only called to come in when needed. the hospital i work at (and i'm sure most hospitals) utilize the float team for coverage because they are on a permanent basis. once the nursing office has depleted that source then they will give me a call.

3. because the job is not consistent, neither is money. the entire month of may and june i have not made one cent. this is unacceptable. therefore, i find myself aggressively looking for employment elsewhere, however, most hospitals are looking for per diem as well. i never thought the market for rns would be so difficult.

4. god forbid any of us get sick because per diem nurses are not offered any health insurance. with kids at home this is not an option.

being the sole provider, i need a miracle right now because the creditors are not sympathetic.:uhoh3:

i live in brooklyn, ny and if anyone knows of a descent place to work that are hiring permanent rns please let me know. my particular area of interest is l&d and i guess med/surg since it is what i'm currently doing.

thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The economy of SW MS and SE LA is stagnant. There are no jobs here. For every job vacancy announced, there are dozens of applicants. Working conditions are not good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CEN, CPEN, RN-BC.

I love per diem! I have per diem jobs at two different hospitals. One guarantees me 24 hours a month with the flexibility to bid on extra shifts within my unit. The other guarantees me 16 hours a month with the ability to bid on extra shifts within my unit, as well as identical units in all of its sister hospitals. So far I've worked as little as 40 hours a month, and as much 160 hours a month.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

Thats wonderful that it works for you but unfortunately that's not the case with everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I liked it, but I had my husband to rely on for the real cash. Now that I'm a primary bread winner, my wallet would be pretty thin if I was a per diem.

Can you relocate?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hear you. All the per diem staff nurses I know are either:1. a secondary income with a spouse providing the benefits like health insurance. These are the stay at home moms with jobs, or the semi-retired. Or

2. Nurses with a full-time job who work per diem for extra income.

I can see the source of your frustrations. Good luck in the job hunt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

http://jobs.onwardhealthcare.com/job/?id=22420&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Indeed100

did u check in staten island? also since you have experience, did you think about travel nurse?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm from your area, and i'm always looking up job ads for Rn's and Lpn's(for myself :) ), so if I see anything i'll send it your way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I only work PRN and I love it, but I do have times, like you mentioned, where it is hard to get hours at work. To increase my odds of having hours I got a second PRN job so that if census is low one place I can try to pick up at the other place. So far this tactic works great as I never have less than 2 12's a week and could work more if I wanted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

I am not an RN yet but I imagine i'd like prn, then again my hubby to be has a real good paying job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes PRN can be trying but my organization lets us put our selves on the schedule for hours BUT prn is first to be canceled. I love prn because there is no commitment and higher pay. I by insurance independently from aetna. Also whwn I am not on a travel assignment I pick up prn shifts to supplement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Thats wonderful that it works for you but unfortunately that's not the case with everyone.

So then why the poll? :confused: I love working prn jobs and make at least $10 an hour more than my regular job's pay. They have allowed me to almost double my base salary every year so I can't say anything bad about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion