The Perks of Per Diem

Per diem is the Latin phrase for “per day.” In the nursing world, a per diem nurse is used by a hospital or healthcare facility as needed – usually in times of higher patient volume, like flu season. This kind of temp nursing isn’t as common as standard nursing employment, but it has many perks for nurses in or around the Alpharetta area. Here are just a few of the many benefits of per diem:

You Can Earn More Money

Since employers do not have to offer benefits to per diem nurses, the per diem nurse can typically command a higher wage than traditionally employed nurses. Therefore, a per diem nurse can usually make more money per hour than their full-time counterpart.

Many nurses take on per diem roles as side gigs on their time off from their full-time nursing jobs. This is a great way to make extra cash.

You Can Explore New Specialties

Maybe you’re interested in critical care or ICU work. Maybe you want to get a feel for outpatient care or hospice work. Taking on a position as a per diem nurse is a great way to explore these fields that your “day job” might not provide, and you just might be able to get your foot in the door if you’re looking to make a change from your full-time job.

You Can Maintain Your Skills in the Field

Per diem work is also a great way to maintain your skills and keep up with the latest and greatest news in the ever-changing world of medicine. Maybe you’re taking some time off from nursing to raise a family; perhaps you’ve transitioned into an administrative role and don’t spend as much time with patients. Working a few per diem shifts here and there can keep you current and make you a little extra cash at the same time.

You Can Improve Your Work-Life Balance

Since you’re not beholden to the more rigorous scheduling of the typical full-time nursing job, you can pick up shifts when you’re able to. For many nurses, that’s an important factor for balancing their careers and their lives outside of work.