Should New LPN Do Per Diem?

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · May 15, 2010

Per diem/On call was all that was available at the time and my facility offered it so I took it. Now I am part time.

You will learn on the job but you have to a have a super super supportive team of nurses to help you learn on the job. I am still learning more and more everyday that I work.

You really should have a good orientation and being partnered with another LPN for awhile(I had 10 shifts orientation before they had me fly free). I am not sure if an agency is able to provide this. Nursing school clinical and real world nursing are two different worlds.

April, RN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

I agree with the above post... will this agency give you an orientation period? You NEED training as a new grad. Agency nurses are expected to hit the ground running in any facility or unit they agree to be placed in. I would think that would be overwhelming and unsafe for a new nurse!

organicbeauty · May 15, 2010

They said I would be on a slower paced floor kind of one on one so I'm not sure...

dblpn · May 15, 2010

Hi Everyone,
I come on this board alot to read info but this is my first time posting. I am a new LPN Grad and I've had my license for about two months now. I went to school and got my original license in Ohio. I just relocated to Charlotte, NC and have been here a little over a month. I have been applying to jobs everywhere but I am not getting any response back. It seems like all the jobs I see they say you must have experience...but how will I get experience if nobody wants to give a new grad a chance? This is so discouraging...well I also applied to a staffing agency and they called me today about some per diem work. I was debating it because I thought I would need experience to do this type of shift. I was talking to my mom and boyfriend and was thinking I should just take it when they call again. I am just very nervous since I have never worked as a nurse before and my experience is only during clinicals and preceptorship during the last month of school, but nobody else is calling and I have been thinking just review my assesment skills and things like insulins and have a little "cheat sheet" and give this a try? Any suggestions and tips would be greatly appreciated!

I know job hunting as a new grad is very frustrating. you're willing to take anything that is offered so you can pay the bills. however, as a new grad working per deim particularly with an agency might not be such a good idea. most, if not all agencies here typically want at least a year of experience. and i don't think many facilities are willing to piggyback a new grad from an agency that they're paying a ton of money to. don't risk your license. stick with a facility where you will get proper orientation and even if its part time TAKE IT its better than nothing. today i was offered an evening shift which i really dont want but i can get in the door and possibly get on days. also, i was called for a charge nurse position at another place that i'm interviewing for on thursday. so dont give up just hang in there things will work out for you. :)

April, RN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2010

also, i was called for a charge nurse position at another place that i'm interviewing for on thursday.

I'd also be weary of a facility that needs to put a new grad in a charge nurse position. The charge nurse should have experience since they are the "go to" person.

dblpn · May 15, 2010

I'd also be weary of a facility that needs to put a new grad in a charge nurse position. The charge nurse should have experience since they are the "go to" person.

Most LPN's in long term care facilities are in charge nurse positions. so i'm not weary of that at all. besides i was a charge CMT and never had any problems, thank God! we were taught charge nurse skills throughout our LPN program and at the end we had a leadership course that really prepares you for the charge nurse role. so i don't doubt my ability to do the job, but i am a little nervous though. :)

Nurse_Tricia, LPN · May 15, 2010

I am a new nurse myself, however I had been in the Healthcare/ Homecare Staffing for 13+ yrs prior to midlife crisis change of career. I would recommend NO NO NO.. If it is an agency, there is small chance of any orientation to the facilities. Not only that, you will be outsourced to several different facilities so there will be no continuity. And anyone who has ever worked agency will say that normally (not all the time- but in most occasions) the agency personnel get the worst of the worst assignments. Staff are not likely to help out as they figure you are making more than they are and why should they help you. I would question any staffing agency who would not want or need 1 yrs. experience. Any agency with a good reputation will need 1 yrs experience, it cuts down on liability. I would never, never have hired a new nurse.

Being a new nurse myself, I am just now, after 2 months in same facility, mostly on same unit getting to the point where I feel comfortable with my med pass and don't feel like I need to call in the am to see if everyone is still alive. Now, if you choose to do prn/ per diem in a particular facility, then that is different. they should take the time to orient you as you will be in there facility just different units/ days/ shifts, etc.

It is probably a mom and pop agency that offered you the position. Most, if not all National or large agencies have regulations about 1 yrs. experience.

Hang in there.. The right job will come along... Good luck!!!

jaxnsanjose · May 15, 2010

I work in Corrections and our staff is about half and half state employees and registry/agency. I am state and I got 6 weeks of training so as a new grad that worked well for me. Our agency nurses get about 2 days so make sure the agency is going to be specific about what training you will get so you don't end up in over your head. Good luck!

neutrophil · May 15, 2010

I worked registry as a CNA, I am now a nurse. I don't think that a new nurse should work registry. It is not the same being in clinicals and being a nurse. You don't know the patients, you don't know where the meds are. If you are are called to a sight it is because they are short, the hospital or LTC, does not know that you are a new nurse and they don't care, they just want a body. Many times registry will get the most difficult patients, because you are getting paid more than the staff. As a new nurse you don't know a lot of the paper work that is needed, especially if there is and incident. A fall, a skin tear, an elopement. Then you have the alert charting, the weekly summaries, the medicare charting, apart from the med pass. The treatments. Remember if they call you it's because they are short. So, I would try another avenue. Good luck.

organicbeauty · May 15, 2010

Thanks for the input everyone...the agency is Maxim Staffing they said they are also looking for contract and direct hire work for me also, but I'm just getting nervous because nobody calls back when I follow up or the person just tells me if they are interested they'll call you. By the way, the LTC facility that I would have went to per diem through the agency is one that I applied to for a position and had an interview with the nurse supervisor a couple weeks ago. It went really well and the supervisor said he wanted to bring me on PRN and would submit my info to the DON but I havent heard back from them....so I just don't get it?? I had applied for a postion at the county jail, the lady left me a voicemail to call her to set up an interview - I called her the same day left her a message saying I was returning her call to set a time to come in and she never called back??? I just don't understand...I am getting so stressed out...I have been on unemployment since being in school and it is going to be running out in about a month and I'm afraid that if I don't get a nursing job soon I'm just going to have to take any non-nursing job to support myself and my daughter....sigh...which is a big let down because I don't want to do that....I didn't put my time and energy into going back to school to not be working in my field....

Nurse_Tricia, LPN · May 15, 2010

Hang in there. I would not go through the agency to that facility. Because what will happen is if they want to hire you, they have to buy you and that is not likely to happen. Call the nurse supervisor again and just kindly say you know things must be busy but are very interested in a position with their facility and if they still had prn opening and what would be the next step. sometimes, especially if they are using agency it can be crazy and it just may have slipped his/her mind. Showing follow up could be a plus in their book too. Hang in there, the right job will come. Good Luck!!!!