Navigate Flexibility: Per Diem Travel Nursing – Pros, Cons, and Meaning

Medely provided this article.

One of your strengths as a travel nurse or allied professional is the ability to show up for a new assignment and adapt to fit the situation at hand. That versatility also makes you a valuable per diem nurse—someone who can step in to deliver critical patient care when a healthcare facility comes up short on staff.

Many healthcare workers take per diem nursing shifts or travel assignments, but there are also great reasons to consider doing both! Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of taking on per diem jobs during a travel nursing assignment and what it can mean for your career plan.

What is a per diem nurse?

In healthcare facilities, per diem nursing—also known as PRN, an abbreviation for pro re nata, which means “as needed” or “as the occasion arises”—means picking up extra shifts on a temporary or on-call basis. In some facilities, this can mean booking jobs when you have time; in others, it may bring just a few days a month. That variety is what makes it such a perfect solution for nursing professionals looking for more.

Pros: The benefits of per diem shifts for travel nurses

There are many different reasons to pick up per diem shifts while on a travel assignment. You may be motivated to:

• Take control of your schedule. Combining travel nursing assignments with per diem shifts gives you a lot of flexibility, allowing you to take on as much work as you want without tying yourself to a full-time position.
• Earn extra money in a short period of time. Travel assignments are known for their financial incentives; per diem assignments also typically offer higher hourly rates. Earning extra cash through per diem shifts can help maximize your earnings.
• Cross-train for the role you want. A catch-22 for travel nurses is that you get assignments based on the experience you already have, which can make it difficult to try something new. If you’re interested in a different specialty or want a broader perspective by working with different facilities, per diem jobs can help you get that extra exposure.
• Keep your skills and expertise sharp. Per diem nursing offers a chance to flex your skills in different areas, so you can avoid getting rusty if your assignments tend to focus on a particular specialty.
• Check out a facility before your next move. Book shifts in a new facility if you’re considering a long-term assignment there in the future—it’s a great way to test the waters.
• Make new connections. Being away from home as a travel nurse can get lonely. Adding extra hours with per diem jobs can help introduce you to new people and new patients if you aren’t keen to spend your downtime by yourself.

A few hours per week of per diem work can do a lot to move your professional and personal goals forward. But before you start accepting per diem temporary assignments, there are a number of things to be cautious about.

Cons: Consider this before adding per diem shifts to your schedule

If you’re interested in adding PRN nursing jobs to your travel nursing assignments, it’s important to be transparent with your travel nursing agency—even if you book per diem shifts through a different agency or directly with the facility.

(If you’re a Medely travel pro, we’ve got you covered! We offer per diem, local assignments, and travel assignments with facilities across the country.)

Your success as a travel nurse or allied professional hinges on effective relationships with the agencies, facilities, and healthcare workers you work with. Communicating with your agency about your long-term goals can help you establish a solid plan while protecting you from potentially damaging situations. For example:

• Conflicts of interest or contractual breaches. Every contract is different, and it’s important to be clear about any potential constraints on your travel assignment, such as a non-compete clause or requirement to be readily available.
• Scheduling mishaps. Imagine that you inadvertently take a per diem shift at the same time as a contract shift or get called in by the contract facility to come in when you’re in the middle of a per diem shift. Situations like this don’t just impact your reputation—in the worst circumstances, it could lead to a canceled contract or leave you at risk of a nursing license complaint.
• Burnout. Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Working per diem shifts can be part of a nursing professional career that’s challenging and rewarding—but in order to bring your best self to work, it’s important to put your well-being first.

Is PRN nursing right for you?

Per diem jobs help healthcare professionals own their schedules while providing crucial care in hospitals, clinics, and other facilities when it’s needed most. Find out how per diem jobs can boost your career and learn about opportunities available in your area. Check out the travel nursing jobs available to you on Medely.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.