Per Diem Nursing 101

From high job satisfaction to abundant employment opportunities, there are several compelling reasons to become a nurse. However, while nursing may be one of the safest career paths when it comes to job security, it’s also a demanding profession that requires a great deal of patience, dedication and compassion.

But what if you’re a nurse who also happens to be a new parent that would prefer to spend more time at home? Or perhaps you’re approaching retirement and would like to keep your nursing license active? Luckily, there’s an option out there that can accommodate any of those circumstances. Enter per diem nursing.

Per Diem Defined

In Latin, “per diem” translates to “per day” or “for each day.” So, what is per diem nursing, exactly? In the healthcare industry, a per diem nurse is hired to work on a day-to-day basis or as needs present themselves. Hospitals and care facilities often rely on per diem nurses to fill vacancies in the schedule. Working per diem means different things depending on the organization. For example, a per diem nurse may be called into work the same day another nurse calls out sick.

In other cases, per diem nurses are pre-scheduled to cover for full-time staff members who are on vacation, maternity leave or any other type of extended leave. Per diem nurses are also hired for seasonal staffing coverage during times when patient care demand spikes.

Why Work Per Diem?

Per diem nursing is an effective staffing solution for both clinicians and healthcare institutions.
Working on a per diem basis is a great way to maintain a flexible schedule, generate income and gain valuable clinical experience in a variety of healthcare environments. Per diem nursing can also help you get your foot in the door and test the water with positions in fields that interest you.

And due to the increasing needs in hospitals across the country, per diem nurses are in high demand. Any time a facility has a shortage or crisis that can’t be managed by their permanent staff alone, they look to per diem nurses to jump in.

Start Your Per Diem Journey Today with Aya

If you love nursing but want more flexibility and a better work-life balance, it may be time to consider per diem. Connect with one of our recruiters today to learn more about per diem nursing and find out if it’s a good fit for you!