Per diem: Pros and Cons

OC_An Khe · Nov 17, 2008

It's a question of which you value more. Flexibility in schedule, more free time when you want it and economic security.

Economic security goes beyond just health care insurance. There are all sorts of other economic considerations such as paid time off, base level of income, retirement benefits. etc. PRN during economic slowdown can also be dicey in the amount of hours you would be able to get.

That said it really is a personal choice based on your unique situation and which you value more.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Nov 17, 2008

You may also want to consider loss of vacation and sick days with going per diem.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

Have you considered part time? With some exceptions, part time employees collect full time basic benefits.

I work per diem. I make sure I put a sum away for retirement. I have insurance from another source but it's not as good. I love my independence. Nursing isn't the center of my life anymore. Now life includes nursing. My health is better. Relationships have improved. It's great if you can swing it.

BellaRosey · Nov 17, 2008

Is it possible to work a full time job and PRN on your days off? Does anyone have more than one job?

Flare, ASN, BSN · Nov 17, 2008

pros: flexible schedule

you get paid more

not as many "mandatories" depending on your location

Cons: flexible scheduling can sometimes limit your hours when you want to work

you tend to get cancelled for the day before the f/t or p/t nurses

no benefits

I worked pd for years and enjoyed it. But I didn't need the benefits then

Belle Rosey - You may be able to get a side job working perdiem depending on your full time job. Some unions (if your full time job is unionized) will not let you get a pd job if you are getting paid to be a full time nurse - other places don't mind. You'd be safest to shoot an email to your HR person if you have any doubt about your full time job's policies if you are thinking about picking up a second job.

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 17, 2008

I love per diem. Although I don't have the benefits with full time, I have an increased hourly wage which makes up for the loss in my situation.

I love what RNKittyKat said. I do have multiple PRN jobs (3 total), so if one slows down, then I pick up more shifts at another. I may work FT in the future once my kids are older, I would like to try another area of nursing, but will not accept a transfer without the appropriate training and that usually requires FT employment.

For now, per diem is great for me.

rnlately · Nov 17, 2008

Is it possible to work a full time job and PRN on your days off? Does anyone have more than one job?

I work full time in a physician's office M-F with no hands-on patient contact which is the reason I took on a PRN bedside position at another facility. I work a couple of 4hr shifts a week and will sometimes go in an extra evening if they really need the help.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 17, 2008

I love my per diem job, the money is great and its so nice not to be sucked into the politics, but I also have one that provides insurance etc. Keep in mind that health benefits, vacation, sick time etc. can account for around 30% of your wages so that adds some points to your regular job. :)

Eirene, ASN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

I love my per diem job, the money is great and its so nice not to be sucked into the politics, but I also have one that provides insurance etc. Keep in mind that health benefits, vacation, sick time etc. can account for around 30% of your wages so that adds some points to your regular job. :)

Jules-- may I ask what type of facility you have your PRN job at? I've been thinking about per diem work at the prison once I have a year or so under my belt.

BJZMom · Nov 17, 2008

I currently work as a Public Health nurse Monday through Thursday. I also work 4 or 8 hour per diem shifts in a mother/baby unit a few times a month. I love the variety.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 17, 2008

I agree with the other posts. Just be sure you are prepared for the downswings in work availability. At my hospital right now, a lot of per diem employees are getting almost ZERO hours of work. Our census has been down for a while now and some of them are getting desparate for the income.