per diem while on travel assignment

NedRN · Jul 20, 2013

Sure, some workaholic travelers do it, but the question is why? If your sole goal is to make money, rather than see new places, the place is irrelevant and you would be better off taking a rapid response type assignment with 48 plus hours guaranteed. If you are a more traditional traveler and just want a few more hours, you can usually make a better rate than per diem by working overtime (assuming you negotiated a good OT rate and the hospital is willing - which many are in my experience). Less stress too. You can also select assignment base on OT available, rather than big city assignments where per diem is more likely to be available.

BluntForceTrauma · Jul 20, 2013

I have considered it, but like Ned posted, it's usually more pay involved with working OT..also less stress. No new learning of another environment, paperwork, online testing etc.

Hopefully your hourly rate is enough to see a difference with time and a half.

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2013

Just curious to see if anyone does per diem at other hospitals while on travel assigment?

I've thought about it as an option since I can easily do an outpatient dialysis clinic and work with the same company in any city. But i would much rather do overtime at the hospital, problem is that I can't always get it. I think working 3 days at hospital plus one day elsewhere still leaves enough time to see places. Plus in my time off I could work for the same company in my home base. I guess you could do this for money. I just recently talked to a guy who worked 6 days (3 with travel job and 3 per diem) out in California. He said he saved $100k doing that for one year. He said it wasn't fun but it was worth it. Sounds tempting for someone like me who wants to save for a house!

ERjunkie38 · Jul 22, 2013

Thanks for all the info guys. Definitely food for thought.