Question about per diem?

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 8, 2005

Per diem is also called in some places :

"prn"

"as needed"

"casual"

"on call basis"

You really need to ask your human resources department and/or department manager what "per-diem" means there. What are you "required" to do? Most hospitals have a commitment policy of at least 2-4 weekend shifts per month, and 1 or 2 holiday shifts per year (often alternating). Your HR dept or manager can best answer this question for you.

From my experience: Most "per diem" positions promise you nothing except a pay differential (over and above "regular" employees of 10-15%, usually). These positions are usually NOT benefitted either---meaning, you are on your own for medical coverage, tuition assistance and you will accrue no paid time off, (PTO) nor be guaranteed any shifts at all. You generally will be asked to fill in for vacationing "regulars" or fill "holes" in the schedule.

Ask them all these things----and Good luck. I work Per diem and love it. But it's not for those needing a set schedule or number of hours per pay period! You may get many, or none, depending on schedule variances and staffing patterns/busy-ness of the unit!

SWRN84 · Jul 8, 2005

I worked prn in home health for a couple of years. PRN means different things to different facilities or agencies. I did not have a set number of days I was required to work. They used me when they needed me. Most weeks I would stay busy 3-4 days per week, but then there would be weeks here and there when they didn't need me at all. They used me a lot on weekends to fill in and help out, but I was not required to work weekends or take call, which is one of the reasons I liked the job. I am also in the position of needing to work financially, so it was difficult at times when the schedules were low. I had a lot of work in the summer, filling in for vacationing nurses, etc. A couple of my friends work in hospitals prn. They have tiered prn positions, and each tier has a different shift/weekend/holiday requirement, but is still basically the same....you work when they need you. And there are usually no benefits with prn. You usually get a higher rate of pay, but no medical, no vacation accrual. I was eligible for the 401K though. I agree, if you really need a set number of hours, prn would not be the best choice. As far as working 2 prn jobs, you could do it, but it takes a lot of coordination on your part with your schedule. I tried that in home health and it got to be too much. Trying to figure out which days I was working where.....and when I did visits for both places in the same day because they both needed me, it was crazy. Good luck with your decision.

Katillac, RN · Jul 8, 2005

Can someone explain "per diem" to me? Is this "as needed?" I'll be working as a CNA this fall and was told by our local hospice coordinator that CNA's are hired and work "per diem". They cannot guarantee me a set number of hours per week. Hospice is REALLY where I want to be, but I also need a set amount of hours per week to pay the bills! I'll be attending school in the evenings working toward my ADN but want to work days as a CNA.
Would it be possible to work hospice when they need me, and also work per diem at the hospital? How picky can you be about shift days and times?
I really want to find a way to make this work. Thanks for any input!:)

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't work per diem for two places, however you need to understand that there will likely be times when the two will conflict. Depending on how big a pool of per diems the two places have, they may put a lot of pressure on you to work a given shift when they are short, so it may help to decide in advance which one is going to have priority. It's also not a good idea to tell the one when they call you to work, "I can't, I'm scheduled at my other job." A simple, "I'm very sorry, but I'm not available on that day," is the better bet.

I'll share with you that many places will hire you as per diem, and as it becomes apparent that you are a fit with them, you may find yourself working a regular pattern of shifts with them. It pays off to be super flexible and really put your best foor forward, especially at the beginning. The people who do a good job and who are available when they call are the ones who get the most shifts, but per diem work won't guarantee you a set number of hours, at least initially.

Again, good luck with this.

Kat

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 8, 2005

Also, being "perdiem" in more than one place can mean you have to attend more meetings and continuing ed training etc. "Per diems" are not immune to these institutional requirements. Remember the time commitment to each position and be sure you can fulfill what they require. It can be a hassle, holding down more than one perdiem position. I can personally attest to it as I have experience doing this.

Oh, and what the poster said before me I have found to be absolutely true. I have been "perdiem" at one place for 6 years and am treated more like a "regular" employee than perdiem. They really treat me well and call me a lot for "extra" shifts. They even set me up for a regular gig every Friday night----I just work that one shift each week regularly and others as I want to. I have met my weekend shift requirement, yet secured a fairly steady paycheck doing this and it's working out pretty well. Plus, I have been welcomed and included as a member of "regular" staff more or less. I have enjoyed this position a lot through the years.