Per Diem Nursing. What's the 411?

[Andrea727]

I have just accepted a per diem position in the PCU. I understand what agency per diem is. But what does it mean to be per diem in the same hospital for one unit? Pros? Cons?

Thanks in advance,

Andrea

[Sour Lemon]

I have just accepted a per diem position in the PCU. I understand what agency per diem is. But what does it mean to be per diem in the same hospital for one unit? Pros? Cons?

Thanks in advance,

Andrea

For me, it's being the first to get canceled, and the first to get floated. In the past two months (about eight working days), I have only worked on my unit one day. Other times, I am canceled at least half of my scheduled days. Despite these things, per diem is still a great deal to me. I can choose my own schedule, never have to wait to see if time off is approved, and I work minimal holidays (one major and one minor- both of my choosing).

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

I am with the hospital's float pool. (Sour Lemon might as well be, too). Being assigned to a specific floor means nothing. If the warm body holds a valid license, then off you go to the area in need.

I set my own schedule, no holidays, required to work a set amount of weekend shifts, not full weekends, every 8 weeks, and the overtime is there for the choosing for those of you who want it (definitely NOT me).

It's an awesome position to be in around the holidays and summertime when everybody is trying to get time off...I don't have that problem. I am rarely cancelled (darn it!) because I never put myself in a position of going into overtime. They have to beg me to squeeze a second day during any given week....and I still say no. I absolutely love the thought of saying, "don't call me; I'll call you".