Per Diem Nurses?

I went from full time to per diem abut two months ago and love it. The one nice aspect of my unit's handling of per diem hours is that I schedule myself at least 6 shifts per month. I usually don't get called off unless we are low census which does not happen very often. I like to schedule for 2 shifts per week and then if I get called of 1-2 days per month, I am o.k. with that. I do not get any benefits with the per diem position, but the pay is around $52.00/hr which is nice. I believe the biggest benefit for me is the flexibility to work when I want to work (either by increasing or decreasing my days)

Is labor pool the same as per diem? I've seen a lot of hospitals with labor pool positions open. I am a new nurse so I don't know if labor pool would be good for a new nurse. I am also in school right now working on my RN to BSN.

Most of the PRN people at my job are nurses who used to work there, but now want less hours. Many of us have young kids and didn't want to put them in daycare. $52 per hour is crazy. I make exactly the same prn as when I was not and it is less then half the $52 the other nurse quoted. I can only dream of hitting the $30 markl.

I switched from full-time to part-time to per diem on my unit. I love it. I didn't need benefits which I have from my husband. All I have to work is at least 2 shifts per month, then I can self schedule myself whenever I want along with other nurses. I usually work once per week, since I'm completing my bachelor degree in nursing and am busy studying. This flexible schedule allows me to go on vacation when I want, meet with friends etc. and I don't have to ask for time off anymore, either. Once I finish my bachelor, I plan to find another job and keep my per diem job as well. Float nurses in my hospital earn more than me, I'm considered a unit per diem nurse and have to float only if there is a true need. I make 40$/hr.

$52/hr? $40/hr? Wow! I make $18.80/hr as an RN in the ICU and the PACU. What state do you work in?

WOW, $18.80 for advanced care!? I made a lot more than that as a grad nurse, and that was in 1997, and without any specialty training or floating!

I'm in Ohio, where are you? I had no idea that there are RNs out that getting paid such low wages! How terrible!

I make just over $40/hr in the ER, the float nurses and per diem nurses who work with me make A LOT more than that.

$52/hr? $40/hr? Wow! I make $18.80/hr as an RN in the ICU and the PACU. What state do you work in?

$18.80??!!!! Are you a LPN?? I've never heard of a Registered Nurse in this time and age making $18.80. Where are you from? You need to get out of that job and no RN should work at $18.80 per hour. If one facility thinks it can get away with paying nurses that kind of rate, the rest will try to follow. I'm sure they think because we are women we can work for peanuts because we have husbands, or boyfriends taking care of us. That's bull!! We are professions caring for the sick and deserve to be paid like professionals!!

^^^ lol, the last job I worked at I was making $19.10/hr as an ER nurse/new grad. Now I'm making 23.74/hr at another facility.

Oh man.....I am a nursing student.....in ontario. Some of my classmates picked up jobs in nursing homes making $18-22/hr being a PSW and dietary aid.....I am doing patient transfer making 18

I work the ED in Florida, 2 years experience, $21.40/hr is my base. Working per diem at the other local hospital making $36/hr without benefits.

$18.80??!!!! Are you a LPN?? I've never heard of a Registered Nurse in this time and age making $18.80. Where are you from? You need to get out of that job and no RN should work at $18.80 per hour. If one facility thinks it can get away with paying nurses that kind of rate, the rest will try to follow. I'm sure they think because we are women we can work for peanuts because we have husbands, or boyfriends taking care of us. That's bull!! We are professions caring for the sick and deserve to be paid like professionals!!

As a new grad in Florida a few years ago, that's what I would have started at in the hospital setting if I hadn't moved out of state. I've had a few hospital jobs throughout the southeast and the pay has been better, but not much. Right around $20-21/hour base pay for new grads is pretty standard here. It is what it is.

LPNs with years of experience were making MUCH less than $18.80 in the same facilities.

You also have to take into consideration cost of living as well. TN seems pretty similar to the Florida rates...