Per Diem Nursing vs. Part-time: Which Suits You (2024)

Today's nursing roles offer a tremendous number of options when it comes to work settings and schedules. Registered nurses can choose between full-time staff positions, per diem nursing, travel nursing, part-time roles, job sharing situations and other types of schedules.

For nurses seeking the utmost flexibility in their professional and personal lives, the options often narrow down to per diem nursing and part-time nursing.

Both offer distinct advantages, catering to different needs and lifestyles. If you’re currently trying to choose between part-time and per diem nursing, the following comparisons can help you find your ideal fit in terms of scheduling options, work-life balance, and professional growth.

Per Diem Nursing

Per diem nursing offers unmatched flexibility, allowing you to work on your own terms while earning excellent compensation. As a “gig” healthcare worker, per diem nurses have the opportunity to enjoy an excellent work-life balance, gain valuable experience, and explore new places.

Pros & Cons of Per Diem Nursing

Per diem nursing schedules are all about flexibility and freedom. A few of the advantages of per diem work include the ability to choose your shifts and which days you work. This means you can also choose the days you don’t want to work, allowing more time for family commitments or personal pursuits.

Working per diem also allows you to gain experience working with different colleagues, in different units, and sometimes with different equipment. This can help you learn and grow in your profession, gaining confidence in your skills.

Per diem nurses can also enjoy a full range of employment benefits when working with Nursefinders, including 401k, health, dental, vision, and more. Not all per diem agencies offer the same, so be sure to check before signing a contract.

Part-Time Nursing

The key differentiator between part-time nursing and per diem nursing is that part-time work is usually defined as 20-30 hours per week, and it is a permanent, staff member position. This equates to around two to three shifts per week depending on how many hours are in each shift.

Part-time nurses can enjoy a stable but reduced workload compared to full-time employment. There is little uncertainty since the part-time hours will be defined in advance by the healthcare facility.

Pros & Cons of Part-Time Nursing

Some of the advantages of part-time nursing schedules include consistent hours and standard employment benefits. Some facilities may only offer limited benefits to part-time workers, however, so be sure to check with your employer.

Some of the more challenging aspects of part-time nursing include the limited flexibility, decreased earning potential, and less camaraderie with other staff members. Part-time nurses also don’t typically get to experience a variety of work settings where they can enhance their skills, like per diem nurses can.

Choosing Your Ideal Nursing Schedule

Every nurse has different requirements and needs when it comes to selecting their ideal nursing schedule. A schedule that works for one nurse might not work for the next. It all comes down to your personal circ*mstances and professional career goals.

If you are looking for something besides a full-time, permanent position, both per diem nursing and part-time nursing can provide some viable options. You can choose between more consistency or more flexibility, and working with one employer vs. gaining experience with different facilities and health systems. Before you choose, be sure to connect with the per diem staffing agency or human resources department to get the full picture of what you can expect.

Apply for Per Diem Nursing Jobs with Nursefinders

Nursefinders can connect you with per diem nursing opportunities that allow you to tailor your work schedule to your personal preferences. From day shifts to nights—and from single shifts to short-term projects that last for several weeks—you can choose what suits your lifestyle. You’ll also gain diverse experience by working in different healthcare facilities.

Ready to get started as a per diem nurse? Browse per diem nursing jobs that match your experience and qualifications, or apply today to get connected with a Nursefinders recruiter.

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FAQs

Per Diem Nursing vs. Part-time: Which Suits You? ›

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.

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Is per diem similar to part-time? ›

What qualifies as part-time will depend on your employer's definition and ranges from company to company. Part-time jobs have a set schedule ranging from 1 to 30 hours per week while per diem doesn't have a set amount of hours. Since hours can fluctuate, your pay will benefit or suffer, as a result of this.

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What is the difference between a PRN and a part-time nurse? ›

Similar to a substitute teacher, a PRN healthcare nurse works only when called to fill a vacancy. This could be when a nurse calls in sick, takes a vacation day, or other special circ*mstances. On the flip side, a part-time nursing job generally comes with a guaranteed number of hours that must be worked each week.

Is a per diem job worth it? ›

You won't get benefits in the traditional sense when you work per diem (such as retirement, paid vacation, and sick days), but there are still plenty of other benefits to be had – including flexible schedules, higher hourly rates, and the ability to diversify your skills and experience.

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Is PRN nursing worth it? ›

Pros. PRN nursing is a great way to get or get your foot in the door if there isn't a full-time position available or keep your foot in the door if you need schedule flexibility related to other factors. You'll often hear about nurses 'going PRN' while they attend advanced degree programs.

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Why does per diem get paid more? ›

Pay: Due to the inconsistency in hours, some per diem employee roles pay more than if the role were to be completed by a traditional employee. This means that per diem employees can work with multiple companies at once and potentially earn more money working the same amount of hours.

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Is per diem taxed differently than salary? ›

Is per diem taxable? For employees, per diems are not considered wages and, therefore, are not taxable. There are a few caveats to this. First, employees must submit an expense report that includes dates and location of the trip and the business purpose of the trip.

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What are the disadvantages of per diem? ›

Cons of Per Diem

First, per diem rates may not cover all expenses incurred during business travel. This means that employees may need to cover expenses out-of-pocket for anything not covered by per diem but still necessary for their trip.

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Why do PRN get paid more? ›

That's because PRN nurses work temporarily and get to decide how much they want to work. In other words, PRN nurses cover shifts according to the needs of a local healthcare facility. Consequently, per diem nurses can choose when they want to work with no contracts and excellent pay.

Is per diem on top of salary? ›

Do I include per diem payments in my employee's wages? Per diem payments are not part of the employee's wages if the payment is equal to or less than the federal per diem rate and the employer receives an expense report from the employee.

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What are the negatives of PRN? ›

Lacks Benefits and Consistent Income

For PRN nurses, there's no guarantee of consistent hours. Work schedules are usually set ahead of time, but if a shift isn't busy, PRN nurses might be asked to leave early, which means fewer hours and less pay.

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Is it better to be full-time or PRN? ›

PRN shift employees may not get the health benefits that a full-time employee receives, but they are typically offered more than their counterparts from their chosen facility because that facility isn't having to pay them benefits as well. In turn, the facility is saving money. It is a win-win situation.

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What are the cons of working PRN? ›

Lacks Benefits

Meaning, medical insurance, sick days, paid time off (PTO), and retirement plans are not typically included as they are with full-time nursing jobs.

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Is per diem the same as per hour? ›

Per diem workers' schedules can vary significantly from week to week. They don't have guaranteed set amount of hours and usually aren't eligible for benefits. They're paid per diem rates for the days they work, rather than hourly wages or salaries.

What is per diem considered? ›

What is per diem? Per diem is an allowance paid to your employees for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred when travelling. This allowance is in lieu of paying their actual travel expenses. 2.

Is per diem per day or hour? ›

A per diem, from the Latin for “by the day,” is a daily allowance paid to an employee to cover costs incurred while on a business trip. Covered business expenses typically include accommodation, food, and incidental expenses such as fees and tips for services.

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Is per diem the same as overtime? ›

Legally, a per diem employee is just an hourly employee and eligible for overtime so your per diem rate can only cover the first 8 hours of work. Federal law and most other states have only a weekly overtime calculation for time worked over 40 hours. However, California has daily overtime plus weekly overtime.