Per diem?

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Specializes in Infusion.

I have worked per diem as an LPN for years while I was back in school.  I was always able to just let my employer know my schedule and they would work around it.  
 

I have a new per diem as an RN now, and the manager is wanting to dictate my schedule.  But the kicker is, I keep getting called off for low census.  Four weeks now of no shifts at all.  BUT, when I advised I would no longer be available on 2 days per week (as I accepted a 2nd per diem position, since I do need to make some money), she is upset that I am not at her beck and call.  
 

This does not seem reasonable to me.  I wanted per diem for flexibility.  Even her full and part time staff is not getting as many hours as they were hired for.  I don’t understand why she even hired 2 per diem nurses when there is not enough work in the clinic.  
 

Am I being unreasonable?  I only took the 2nd position because I need some income.  
 

Thanks!  

 

 

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Specializes in school nurse.

Of course you're not being unreasonable.

"I keep getting called off. I need to work. Are you saying that you will guarantee me the hours I book...?"

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1 hour ago, freesia29 said:

she is upset that I am not at her beck and call.

Oh well. Her disappointment really is her own problem. I also wouldn't facilitate per diem work by letting someone know my schedule so that they can do anything they want with it and then not need me. What they need to know is which days you are willing to pick up shifts at their facility. Make sure you provide the amount of availability required by the per diem agreement you made with them. If you need to provide availability for 12-16 hours a pay period and one weekend a month then pick your weekend, let them know which one. Provide a minimum of 12 or 16 hours of availability for each pay period, the days of your choosing.

Also I wouldn't be put on call. Tell them you don't do that and will work at your other job if they don't need your help. OC is the worst thing going (okay, not the worst, but not good). It's waiting around for pennies on the dollar.

I'd tighten things up if I were you; that's the whole benefit of being a per diem employee.

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Per diem should be mutually beneficial. It sounds like they have all the benefits in this case. Offer what you have to offer without causing yourself hardship. If they don't agree, what are you losing? A job that you never actually work at?

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Not at all unreasonable. Per diem employees are the first to be called off for low census at my facility as well. You are per diem for the benefit of flexibility, and a facility uses per diem employees to save themselves on the cost of benefits. Your manager can be annoyed all she wants, that doesn't affect you unless she finds a reason to let you go. Good luck. 

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I've been exclusively per diem for nearly ten years now.  I work at three locations.  I schedule ahead, and it's very rare that I'll take a last minute call unless it involves incentives.  You'll figure it out.

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Specializes in Infusion.

It’s been a month now of being called off.  The policy for this company is a minimum of 4 shifts per month.  So, I put in my notice.  My other per diem job needs me 3-4 days per week, and honestly I like the work there better.  
 

I gave 2 weeks notice, and they responded I needed to stay until May 1 because they have some vacations scheduled in April.  WOW!!?

I couldn’t believe they actually responded with that.  I will not do that.  To be strung along for another 6 weeks to cover a couple of weeks and then what, no more shifts again?  When I could be making money somewhere else.

I can’t believe how manipulative some people are.  
 

I have worked per diem for years, and never had this happen.  They always want you to work more hours.  Not keep you on call.  

 

 

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This is perfectly reasonable. From the employer's perspective. 

Your time is a commodity the employer would like to buy.  They decide what conditions they are willing to offer, you decide what you will accept.  Like in any transaction, you can negotiate, and make a counter offer.  Either party can stick to it's original position, or you can compromise.

How many people she hired, what kind of deal they get, etc... has no bearing on how this affects you.  When you buy a car, do you really care about what the dealer's expenses are?  Hopefully not.  

 See what the best deal she has to offer for the commodity of your time, then see if somebody can give you a better deal.  If you need the money, and have no better options, you may need to accept a bad deal.

I worked per diem/travel for about 10 years in a row, with most of my work in 2 facilities.  One job treated me well, flexible with my schedule, generally reasonable.  In return, they got a high level of commitment, and I would try to accommodate any important needs they identified.  That was the basis for a long term relationship, and I am currently there full time.  The other job treated me essentially as a booty call.  Using me when it was convenient, making no accommodations.  That worked out fine for me.  The feeling was mutual, and they got no commitment from me, no response to their staffing needs, etc.  I did not feel used, or like they had any obligation to treat me differently.  But, the manager did often seem disappointed when I matched my commitment to theirs.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
17 hours ago, freesia29 said:

It’s been a month now of being called off.  The policy for this company is a minimum of 4 shifts per month.  So, I put in my notice.  My other per diem job needs me 3-4 days per week, and honestly I like the work there better.  
 

I gave 2 weeks notice, and they responded I needed to stay until May 1 because they have some vacations scheduled in April.  WOW!!?

I couldn’t believe they actually responded with that.  I will not do that

Holy cow, that employer has some nerve!  Be available,  on your terms, until the last day of your notice. Then never look back

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You owe them nothing but notice of your resignation which you gave. Put them in your rear view mirror.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
9 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Holy cow, that employer has some nerve!  Be available,  on your terms, until the last day of your notice. Then never look back

Make sure to keep a copy of your resignation, and forward one to corporate just in case your manager decides to lie

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