Last updated: November 5, 2026
Behavioral health nurse staffing usually comes down to two questions: how long you need coverage, and how far ahead you can plan. Per diem nurses fill individual shifts as the need arises, while contract nurses commit to a defined assignment at one facility, often around 13 weeks. Many providers use both, per diem for short gaps and contract for longer ones.
What is per diem nurse staffing?
Per diem staffing means a nurse works shift by shift, as needed. The American Nurses Association notes that “per diem” is Latin for “per each day,” and that per diem work is scheduled as needed after the nurse shares availability. It may be a single day or several days in a row (American Nurses Association).
For a facility, that means coverage without a long commitment to any one nurse. For the nurse, the same source points out that a per diem nurse is not guaranteed a specific number of shifts. Both sides trade certainty for flexibility.
What is contract nurse staffing?
Contract staffing means a nurse agrees to work a defined block of time at one facility. In plain terms, that is a fixed-length assignment with an agreed start and end, and sometimes the option to extend. PRN Health Services describes typical contract assignments as about 13 weeks, with predictable work at one facility and possible extensions (PRN Health Services).
Contract personnel who travel to a facility from farther away are usually called travel nurses. BOS Medical Staffing offers per diem, contract, and travel nursing opportunities, so a provider can discuss which structure matches the need rather than choosing one model for every situation.
Behavioral health nurse staffing: how do contract and per diem compare?
The staffing platform Nursa publishes a comparison of flexible staffing options for facilities (Nursa). It is written by a vendor, so treat it as one perspective, but its framework is a useful way to organize the decision. Four factors matter most in a behavioral health setting.
Flexibility. Per diem is the most flexible model because each shift stands alone. Contract assignments trade some of that flexibility for steadier coverage across a set period.
Continuity. Behavioral health units depend on staff who know the routines of the unit and the way the team communicates. A single contract nurse stays for the whole assignment, so the team sees the same face week after week. With per diem, a unit may see many different nurses, which makes consistency harder to maintain. Continuity also resets whenever a contract ends.
Onboarding. Any nurse who is new to your unit needs orientation, whether that nurse works one shift or thirteen weeks. Per diem puts pressure on orientation, because it has to be quick and repeatable. Contract nurses give you more days to benefit from the time you invest, but they also start with less familiarity with your equipment and policies than your own employees.
Commitment length. Per diem carries no long-term commitment to any individual nurse. Contract assignments run for a set period, so your forecast of the need matters more.
When does per diem fit a behavioral health unit?
Per diem tends to fit coverage that is short, uneven, or hard to predict. Examples include filling a shift left open by a callout, covering a few days of planned leave, or adding a nurse during a busy stretch on an inpatient psychiatric unit, a crisis stabilization program, or a residential treatment program. The American Nurses Association lists vacations, sick leave, and extended medical leave as common reasons a unit brings in per diem coverage.
Per diem works best when your orientation process is organized enough that a nurse can become useful quickly. A one-page unit overview, a clear point of contact for the shift, and a short walkthrough of where things are kept all help.
When does a contract assignment fit?
A contract assignment tends to fit a need you can describe in weeks or months rather than days. Common examples are a vacancy you are actively recruiting for, a leave that will run several months, or a program that is adding capacity for a season. Because the same nurse stays for the assignment, your team has time to build working familiarity, and your orientation effort is spread across many shifts.
Contract works best when you can describe the schedule, the unit, and the length of the need clearly at the start. If the need is likely to change quickly, a shorter or more flexible arrangement may serve you better.
Can a behavioral health provider use both per diem and contract nurses?
Yes. Many providers use contract personnel to hold a steady base of coverage and per diem nurses to fill the gaps around it. This keeps the core team stable while leaving room for short-notice needs. A staffing partner can help you think through the balance, and you can revisit it as your census, programs, and open positions change.
If you serve patients across Georgia, the same planning questions apply in any part of the state: how long is the need, how predictable is it, and how much orientation can you build in? To learn more about how BOS Medical Staffing approaches this setting, see our behavioral health staffing page, or read how our Hire Talent process starts.
What should you settle before the first shift?
Whichever model you choose, a few practical items make the first shift smoother. Decide who greets the nurse and who answers questions during the shift. Prepare a short orientation outline covering the unit layout, how the team communicates, and where policies are kept. Confirm the schedule and expectations for the assignment in writing with your staffing partner. Clear expectations on both sides make it easier for everyone to focus on the work.
Frequently asked questions
What does per diem mean in nurse staffing?
Per diem means “per each day.” A per diem nurse works individual shifts as the need arises, scheduled around the nurse’s availability, without a long-term commitment from either side.
How long is a typical contract nursing assignment?
Sources commonly describe contract assignments as about 13 weeks, sometimes with the option to extend. The actual length depends on the facility’s need and what you agree to in writing.
Which behavioral health settings use per diem and contract nurses?
Providers in inpatient psychiatric units, crisis stabilization, and residential treatment can all use either model, depending on the length and predictability of the coverage need.
Are per diem nurses and contract nurses the same thing?
No. A per diem nurse fills individual shifts as needed, while a contract nurse commits to a defined assignment. Many providers use both for different needs.
Request healthcare staff from BOS Medical Staffing
If you are planning coverage for your behavioral health program, we would like to hear about it. Visit our Contact Us page to request healthcare staff and tell us about your unit, your schedule, and the length of the need.
