The word “per diem” originates from a Greek word that means per day. Per diem nurses are usually given an assignment for one whole shift or one whole day or more. That’s why they are called per diem nurses and they work as they are needed, in short, they are on-call workers. If you are a nurse and want to explore more about per diem jobs then you can check on reliable per diem nurse jobs and find a good staffing agency to work with.
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Is per diem nursing worth it?
There can be many reasons why a per diem nursing job can be a good choice. Know more about the pros of a per diem job so you can decide if this job is indeed for you.
Reasons to Take Per Diem Nurse into Consideration
- Get higher pay
Pay for per diem nurses are higher than for regular nurses since they can not be given the benefits a regular employee can give then they are compensated with higher pay. When you choose to become a pr Diem nurse you can earn faster and higher without having to work long hours.
- Enjoy a more flexible Schedule
The schedule for per diem nurses is very flexible since you can work for two days and take a rest for a week! This kind of schedule is impossible for regular nursing jobs, but with per diem nursing jobs it is a normal setup. Per diem nurses can request a break after their assignments without having to worry if they still have a job after the said vacation. They can also decline assignments if they won’t fit into their schedule.
- Get the Exposure you need
Per diem nurses will be assigned to different healthcare facilities which gives them the chance to try different working environments and have the chance to learn new skills, techniques, and equipment usage. This exposure can broaden their knowledge and skills as a nurse and is essential for advancing their career.
- Have the opportunity to travel
Per diem nurses can be assigned outside their residence and enjoy working in another area with free accommodation. Staffing agencies provide housing for their per diem nurses when they get assigned somewhere far. This opportunity can give per diem nurses the chance to explore new places without spending much.
- Meet potential colleagues
Meeting people within the same industry can help nurses grow their potential circles by having people who can help them make their career a direction. Some per diem nurses are offered employment and even mentorship from people they meet on their destinations.
How does per diem nursing work?
Most per diem nurses works under staffing agencies. The staffing agencies serves as their employers and they are the ones who handle their contract, pay, and assignments. Per diem nurses are hired and screened just like a regular employees applying for a job. The recruiter will weigh and measure if they are fit for the nurses their partners are looking for. They also accept potential nurses in their agency for future employment. Per diem nurses are usually lined up ready to be given assignments.
What Does a Per Diem Nurse Practitioner Do?
Perform physical examinations
Physical examinations can contribute to discovering the condition of the patient. As per diem nurse practitioners, they have to conduct physical examinations on their patients. This way they can give their reports on the unusual signs that can be seen in their patients.
Educating patients in Disease prevention and awareness
Patients have a higher risk of acquiring infectious diseases, as per diem nurse practitioners, it is part of their duty to educate their patients so they can be aware of what to do to protect themselves from getting an infectious disease.
Interpret the patient’s behavior
The patient’s behavior can be interpreted in many ways and this is one of the duties of a per diem nurse practitioner. They have to be observant when they are looking after their patients so they can easily check the problem on their patients.
Cover other Duties
Since they act as replacements, per diem nurse practitioners should know what duties are assigned to the one they replaced since they have to cover for them. The jobs that are assigned to the nurse on duty supposedly will be handled by the per diem nurse practitioner.
As a per diem nurse the duties and responsibilities will still be the same as regular nurses, however you can have a better work-life balance. Now that you have idea about what per diem nursing job is, you can determine if the job suits you and your career goals.
