What’s most important in a role — consistency or flexibility?
When looking for a nursing job, it's important to understand the different types of positions available. Two common options are per diem and part time.
At first glance they seem very similar; however, there are some key differences that can impact your compensation, career, and lifestyle. Let’s explore the distinctions between per diem and part-time nursing positions to help you make an informed decision about your next role.
What is a per diem job?
Stemming from the Latin phrase meaning “for each day,” per diem nursing positions are used to temporarily fill gaps in staffing. This includes covering call-offs, holidays, times of increased patient demand, or instances of short staffing.
This nursing role offers numerous benefits that not only give nurses more flexibility in their daily lives but more autonomy.
“Most per diem roles require a minimum number of hours you need to work per month in order to remain an active, per diem employee,” said Tana Bao, MSN, FNP-BC, NP-C, APRN, a former per diem nurse from Boston, Massachusetts. “From there, what is nice is you can pick up shifts if [and] when they become available if you choose to.”
Some highlights of this nursing role include:
- Flexible schedules: Nurses can choose schedules that suit their lifestyles. “You can work as much as you like or as little (as long as you meet your minimum required hours),” said Bao.
- Higher pay: The earning potential for per diem nurses can be higher compared to a full-time or regular part-time employee, according to Bao. Similar to travel nurses, these nurses can receive incentive pay in addition to a higher hourly pay rate because they fill shifts at the last minute or as needed.
- More experience: Because these roles require nurses to work where they’re needed, they gain experience in a variety of healthcare settings. This gives them exposure to new specialties and diverse patient populations.
- Independence: This role also offers more autonomy, so nurses can choose their assignments and work independently. This is helpful for nurses who prefer a more self-directed work environment.
“As a nurse practitioner, I worked per diem in an infusion clinic and had to commit to at least one regular eight-hour day/week,” Bao said. “However, many weeks, depending on my schedule, I could pick up shifts when I needed/wanted to. I was also getting nearly full-time hours, if I wanted to, most weeks.”
What is a part-time nursing role?
Part-time nurses work regular shifts, usually with a set number of hours per week. These nurses may work anywhere from 20-to-30 hours per week; however, this can depend on the state they live in, the facility, and their employment agreement.
Ruth Mielke, DNP, APRN, CNM, is a part-time certified nurse midwife in California and highlighted a few advantages of part time, including:
- Benefits: According to Mielke, part-time roles typically offer certain benefits at a prorated cost. This includes medical, dental, and vision insurance and is based on the number of hours you work.
- Less burnout: Part-time schedules can help decrease burnout. Nurses that worked fewer hours per week were less likely to experience burnout, reported one study.
- More experience: Because these shifts offer fewer hours than full-time roles, those working part time can explore other areas of nursing. Part-time roles offer some flexibility where it can be possible to have a second job in a different area of nursing, so nurses can have variety, said Mielke.
- Consistency: One central aspect of part-time nursing is consistency. These positions usually provide a set number of hours per week. This can be an ideal position for parents with small children, people with other obligations, or for people reaching retirement age looking to cut back, said Mielke.
What are the differences?
According to Bao, one main difference between part time and per diem is benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off.
“Generally, per diem roles do not come with benefits, so if this is important to you, it might not be a good fit,” she said. Consequently, some part-time nurses may receive certain benefits; however, this can depend on the employer.
Unlike part-time positions, hours worked in per diem roles aren’t consistent or guaranteed. “You may end up with minimal hours depending on your employer's staffing needs,” said Bao. “There is technically never a guarantee you can work more hours than what you’re committed to. In some pay periods or months, you might only get the minimum hours of work you’re required to do.”
Part-time nursing positions may also come with some limitations. These nurses may have less flexibility in their schedule compared to per diem nurses.
“The disadvantage is that you must work the required number of hours in a pay period, or you usually have to take PTO,” said Mielke. “If you’re called off, some places allow you to take unpaid time off instead of using up PTO. You may or may not have flexibility regarding what shifts you work.”
Both nursing positions have their own unique advantages and drawbacks. When considering your next job opportunity, it's important to weigh these factors and determine the best position that aligns with your needs.
Are you interested in part-time or per diem roles? Whether actively seeking a new role or assessing your next steps, explore Nurse.com's talent marketplace to help match your experience and skills to the best-fitting role.
