Perdiem as fulltime?

[evil03midget]

Hello everyone. Not sure if this is where to ask this question but here it goes. I work full time at a hospital. I work 12 hours overtime to get by with bills. I put in and got a perdiem job at another hospital system. Minimim requiements of 24 hours a month. It pays $12 more an hour. My husband and I were thinking, why not work the perdiem job as full time. I could make the same amount of money working 3 days a week there as I do working 4 days here with no weekend or holiday requirements? Downfall...no benefits. A good friend of ours gets health insurance on their own (family of 5) for $250, which is less than is taken out of my paycheck now. Anyone else do something like this? Oh and no my husband isn't able to get insurance though his job. Then I think about what if I'm sick, it goes unpaid. Anyone else know of any other things to think about as well?

[NCmcMan]

O dear,, I don't think I would like this experience very well. LOL

In the world of per-diem, minimum requirement means what the OP has to sign up for. Almost no per-diem job will guarantee an employee hours.

The OP has to make herself available for at least 24 hours every month. She may end up getting anywhere between 0-24 hours of work that month.

That's the risks of relying on per-diem for full-time work: it's only when they need you. When it's good, it's really good. When census is down, you're the first ones cancelled or asked to flex off. Plus the no-benefits, no PTO, etc. You have to calculate if the risks are worth it for you.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

O dear,, I don't think I would like this experience very well. LOL

^It depends...

If you work per diem where you have access to more than one floor, best chances are that you will be able to make out with MORE money.

It also helps to have two per diem jobs, as another poster stated.

I did that for three years successfully. I made top tier money as a LPN, making as much as a RN with five years experience as a RN in my area. I was able to vacation for a month, and have bills paid, disposable income, private insurance, and keep my retirement package sound.

[evil03midget]

It's a per diem job for a hospital system covering 5 hospitals. I haven't started yet besides orientation and I'm already getting emails about great needs and offering an extra $20 more on top of my base pay. I do know it can have it's ups and downs since I'm sure people are on summer vacation now and such and so that maybe why there is a greater need now, but that's promising.

[poolrn14]

I know this is an old post but I see it's still open for comments.

I've been per diem with a hospital for a little over a year now and was only cancelled once in that time frame until this month. Seems a slow period and also seems that they've hired a TON of prn staff this year. I've been getting cancelled every week so I've spoken with a local agency for per diem work. My question is do you think I will fare better with the agency (they staff for HCA hospitals) as far as cancellations or with a different hospital per diem? Someone said they recommend working 2 prn jobs. Are you doing it with an agency or hospital directly?

I see a competitor of ours has a per diem shift open. You would be floated to up to 3 locations as I often do now at current facility.

Also (I'm in FL), do you all know what the slow periods are usually here or perhaps (generally) in other locations? I'm licensed in GA and FL and I'm considering traveling during slow periods.

[NedRN]

Summertime is slow season, at least in south Florida. Every every agency and hospital is different about booking. Some hospitals may book you just in case they need you and cancel at the last minute. You will learn quick enough!

[godbless-yute]

I've done this for the past few years. Before I was married I paid for my insurance out of pocket, but still took home more than I would if I was full time. Now my husband takes care of the benefits.