When you work as a per diem nurse, your income can fluctuate. Ultimately, where and how often you work will dictate how much you earn. But there are many things you can do to max out your income as a per diem nurse. With the right approach, you can earn the income you want in per diem nursing.
Now, let’s look at five things you can do to earn as much as possible as a per diem nurse.
1. Work on Holidays
You can sacrifice your holidays to work in nursing on a per diem basis. When you do, you may find significant demand for your services. And, when you work on a holiday, you may be able to earn much more than you could during a traditional shift.
2. Offer to Work Overtime
You can earn overtime pay once you push past 40 hours in a workweek. Keep in mind that working overtime can be physically and mentally taxing. If you start to feel the effects of burnout, take some time to yourself. Otherwise, you risk making mistakes when you are taking care of patients. These mistakes can ultimately put your patients in danger.
3. Maintain Your Flexibility
Be open to taking on a per diem nurse job as soon as it becomes available. An emergency may often lead a hospital or another healthcare facility to seek nurses immediately. At these times, healthcare facilities may be willing to spend big to add top talent immediately. Thus, if you are flexible, you can capitalize on last-minute work opportunities as they come up.
4. Consider Jobs in Small Towns
You may be tempted to pursue per diem nurse roles in big cities. However, healthcare facilities in small towns need nurses as well. These facilities will often pay a premium to hire quality nurses. You may find many opportunities if you are open to jobs in small towns. Once you accept a per diem nursing job in a small town, you may be able to earn above-average wages, too.
5. Negotiate Your Rate
Whenever you evaluate per diem nursing job opportunities, be willing to negotiate your rate. If you have advanced nursing skills, you may be able to come to terms with a higher pay rate than what was initially offered. Of course, if you plan to negotiate your rate, you must plan ahead. Perform research to find out what other per diem nurses are earning. In addition, it helps to consider what benefits an employer will offer as you try to secure the best income possible.
Want to Find a High-Paying Per Diem Nurse Job? BOS Medical Staffing Can Help
BOS Medical Staffing has extensive experience in the healthcare field. We can connect you with employers in need of per diem nurses. Plus, we can help you secure fair compensation for any per diem nursing role. Explore our job board today to determine the available per diem nursing jobs.