Today’s nurses have so many options available for creating their ideal work situation, and knowing the difference between Per Diem and Travel Nursing is important. As you begin the search for your next position, you may find various requirements for working hours. There are nursing positions that are full-time, part-time, travel opportunities, flexible schedules, per diem, and other unique situations. Each of these has its pros and cons depending on what your personal goals are. Many nurses choose to work either per diem or a travel position because of the flexibility it gives them. Both of these positions allow you to create your own schedule, but there are very big differences between the two.

The Difference Between Per Diem and Travel Nursing – Per Diem is PRN

Abbreviations can be like a secret language between only those that know them. Practicing nurses are very familiar with the medical abbreviation PRN. You likely even write this to family members when you leave notes to them at home, and they have no idea what it means. These abbreviations have been used way before the modern-day shortcuts. In the event someone is reading this that has not yet taken their medical terminology class, PRN is a shortcut for as needed. This is often used by physicians when they write prescriptions for various types of medications that the patient could take when they need it (like a medication for pain.)

When you look at a position that is Per Diem, it means they will call you when they need you. In many instances, a per diem position can quickly fill up your schedule as there are many people that “call off” for their shift for various reasons. The good news is that working per diem also puts you in control of how much or little you want to work. You may find your contract requires a certain threshold of hours per month, but in general, you can accept or deny work as it comes to you. If the facility calls you on a Saturday morning for an available shift, but you already have plans, you can decline to work that day.

Here are a few good things about per diem nursing:

• Each Day is Yours – Work only when it is convenient for you.
• Meet New People – Different shifts mean different staff members and doctors you will work with.
• Gain Experience – Build your resume with a wider variety of work.

There are also not-so-good things:

• Your phone will be busy and saying no can be difficult for some people.
• It’s difficult to develop expert-level experience in a particular nursing space since you aren’t there every day.
• You may feel like an outsider to the regular staff members.

Travel Nursing Requires Commitment

When taking on a travel nursing role, you will have a contract that defines the length of your position and the required working schedule. This contract is very different from a per diem role where you could choose to work a shift or not based on your personal schedule. The negotiated contract between yourself, your agency, and the healthcare facility will be your guide for that particular job. It will tell you when you must report to work, how many hours per day, the location in which you will be living, and for how long the engagement will be in place. When the contract has expired, you will move on to the next position and establish a new contract either with the same facility or at a different location. This gives you the flexibility to work for a certain length of time, and then not work at all until you are ready for the next engagement.

Here are a few good things about travel nursing:

• Travel! You get to not only visit places but live there and really appreciate the location.
• Shorter Contracts – Most travel nursing engagements are for just about three months. After that, you are free to move on to something else.
• Higher Pay – Travel nurses typically make more per hour than nurses that remain local.
• You will be gaining experience for your future choices.

There are also not-so-good things:

• You will not know where to hang your toothbrush. Living away from your home can cause some people to feel ungrounded.
• New connections will quickly fade once you move on to the next position.

Know What You Want/Need

Knowing what you want/need right now and what you may want/need in the near and far future will help you in deciding the best position for you. Things will likely change along the way, but having some loosely formed plan will allow you to get the most satisfactory result from your nursing career.
Your goal may be to work as much as you can to save money for a future purchase or retirement. You may have other life commitments that working full time causes your work/life balance to become unbalanced and need a flexible schedule. Travel may be a passion of yours, and having an opportunity to work in a different place makes you happy. Any of these, and many others, may describe your preferences for a nursing career. The best news is you can take on the position you want and work when and where you want. Creating some direction for yourself will help you to narrow down the types of positions you want to take on.

Engaging with an agency like Trek Healthcare Staffing will help you better understand the types of positions available to you. Contact us to get started on a flexible schedule that meets your goals.