Per Diem/PRN pay national comparison

[guest769224]

Hey all,

I am curious how prevalent this is. I work per diem as a nurse in my state and in exchange for forfeiting the usual benefits the hospital provides, am compensated with a higher hourly wage.

I have no PTO, no tuition reimbursement, no medical insurance coverage from the company (I buy private), or other benefits most nurses have. Although I do have a 401K match.

I recently learned that some states and areas pay their PRN and Per Diem nurses the exact same as a FT or PT nurse makes. I don't think that is fair considering how those RN's have no privileges or access to receive benefits.

My question is... does your hospital/area/state pays PD/PRN nurses more per hour?

Or do the nurses on the unit all make the exact same regardless of FT, PT, PD status?

[guest769224]

Are you still eligible for shift differentials and overtime (40+hrs) pay?

While I'm a nursing student, I'm still interested in topics that may be important to me in years to come. I already have health care coverage and I'm already in a sweet position, retirement wise.

However, if I could work per diem and get 401K matching, I'd be all over that.

Yes, I receive weekend differentials and OT pay as well. You can work per diem and get a 401K match with certain companies. You know where I am referring to.

[DowntheRiver]

I live in Central Florida and work in outpatient Oncology.

Nurses per diem at my facility make $10 more an hour than a starting RN II. No benefits, no tuition, no PTO. However, if you work an average of 32+ hours a week for a year you are eligible for benefits, but I think that is due to the Affordable Healthcare Act, not my company. Still no PTO, so if you want off that's ok but if you need to keep benefits you have to work extra hours another week. We have many per diem house floats who work 32 hours a week and receive full benefits. With per diem, they are not eligible for merit increases and the rate is non-negotiable. They do not receive cost of living increases like we do. They are always first cut since they are the most expensive.

ETA: This is a flat rate and years of experience and/or certifications do not matter - it is non-negotiable.

So tl;dr: yes, nurses at my facility who are per diem make a significant amount more.

[Kallie3006, ADN]

My first hospital the per diem nurses had a tier to choose from- tier one- no pay change one shift per eight week schedule commitment up to tier 4 with base +10. We could also sign a 13 wk contract with our base + tier pay and 4k completion pay. We "bid" on our shifts and the unit supervisors would approve or deny. We were first called off with agency although that was rare. No benefits, vacation but did have 401k match.

Where I am now does flat rate based on years experience, no annual or cost of living increase. We can also do contacts committing to 3 shifts per week and average difference is between 15- 18 hr difference from FT or PT employees. Or weekend contract for + 5 hour. No benifits, vacation but with 401k match and certifications paid for (ACLS, PALS, TNCC ect) we just dont get hourly pay for the certificates.

The ability to make my own schedule though is priceless

[NurseCard, ADN]

Nurses in my area typically get paid more for PRN, but since I've never

had a PRN job in a facility anywhere (except for when I did agency),

I don't know what they get paid.

This is just what I have always known to be true.

[NurseYoshi]

The facility I work at (or within) pays more to prn nurses because they get no benefits. I think they can get a 401k set up and have free access to the wellness centers if they sign up for the hospital wide yearly wellness checks. Prn nurses get 10-20% more per hour, but it's only $2-$4. Which I suppose adds up after a while (especially with shift diff).

[Rayngler]

Yes, the PRN float job without bennies I took was base pay $25 an hour plus up to $20 incentive. Some shifts I made above $50 because of nights and weekend add ons. But, hospitals are changing this now in some areas where there are lowering the incentives and doing more float in house so it costs less for them.

[CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P]

I have no benefits but 401k (with a hilariously little balance) and I do get a pay differential in lieu of benefits. About $2.00-$2.25/hr. I like being able to schedule when I want and since it's my second career I need the flexibility.

[Dean Uguan]

Our facility pays per diem nurses 20% greater than equivalent nurse in a benefited position.

On occasion I've seen that in Facebook posts, for non-nursing vacancies, from your facility. It's good to know that's an option for the nursing staff.

[guest769224]

Well, based off the replies, it appears that it is very localized and I consider myself fortunate to be in a good location that offers such an opportunity. Then again, I have only been an RN for 3 years, so the per diem wages are up quite a bit from what I would be making full time. But the PD rates in my area are more than what a 20 year RN veteran makes per hour. Our wages are transparent.

[Mithrah]

While I am not technically called PRN, that's basically what I am. I get no benefits. No healthcare, no PTO, no sick or vacation, and I could get 401k but I am not signed up. I'm part time and work for $27 an hour. Last year I worked every holiday and they refused to pay me time and a half. So weekends I make $27/hr. Christmas Day paid $27/hr.

I'm not happy at all with this. But my current personal situation has me here for awhile longer.

There was a time I made $50/hr and had 5 weeks vacation a year and paid $5/ pay period for HMO insurance.

Life takes a turn sometimes. Just have to roll with it.

Please don't tell me to quit. I know that's my plan as soon as I can.

The ultimate compensation is *where* you live.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

I took a $10/hr pay cut going from PD to full time. I turned 26 and needed the benefits.

[guest769224]

I took a $10/hr pay cut going from PD to full time. I turned 26 and needed the benefits.

Could buy private insurance. I did that at age 26. It's really affordable actually. Full medical, dental, and vision, for $250/month. Which for me, that is less than half of what I gross every per diem shift I work. It's doable. Then again, I'm young and healthy and didn't choose a plan with lots of extras.