Dive deep into the pros and cons of per diem nursing.

<p>Welcome to the inaugural post of our 12-week series delving into the world of per diem nursing! If you&rsquo;re new to this area or are considering making the leap, you&rsquo;re in the right place. Today, we will explore what per diem nursing is all about, how it differs from traditional nursing roles and how partnering with an organization like Cross Country Medical Staffing Network (part of Cross Country Healthcare) can offer you unparalleled advantages.</p>

<h2>What is Per Diem Nursing?</h2>

<p>The term &quot;per diem&quot; comes from the Latin &quot;per day&quot; or &quot;for each day,&quot; and this type of nursing work offers precisely that: daily assignments compared to traditional 13-week travel contracts. Essentially, you work when you want, where you want. This provides the flexibility to choose shifts that work around your personal life and other commitments, a benefit rarely found in traditional full-time roles.</p>

<h2>The Perks of Per Diem</h2>

<h3>Flexibility</h3>

<p>The most attractive feature of per diem nursing is flexibility. You&#39;re not tied to a 36-hours a week or more type of schedule; you can work nights, weekends or just holidays if that suits you. This flexibility extends to location as well. You&rsquo;re not bound by geography, especially when you partner with a nationwide organization like Cross Country Healthcare, which offers various assignments across various states.</p>

<h3>Diverse Experience</h3>

<p>Per diem roles allow you to work in different healthcare settings, from large hospitals to LTACs and smaller clinics. This diversity can be a fantastic way to gain extensive experience quickly, improving your skill set and making you more marketable.</p>

<h3>Competitive Pay</h3>

<p>Typically, per diem roles offer competitive pay rates, sometimes even higher than full-time positions, due to the absence of benefits. If you want to maximize your earnings, per diem work can be the way to go.</p>

<h2>The Challenges</h2>

<h3>Unpredictable Workload</h3>

<p>One of the significant drawbacks is the uncertainty in the volume of work. Your income can be unpredictable since you are not guaranteed a fixed number of hours. That&#39;s where agencies like Cross Country Healthcare come in handy. You can line up back-to-back assignments and take advantage of block booking and local contracts which can mitigate the risks of low workload.</p>

<h3>Limited Benefits</h3>

<p>Most per diem roles don&rsquo;t come with the same health benefits and paid time off as full-time positions. This is something to consider if these benefits are crucial for you.</p>

<h2>How Cross Country Healthcare Fits In</h2>

<p>A trustworthy staffing agency can be your lifeline in per diem nursing. Cross Country Healthcare offers a wide array of job opportunities and resources like continued education, skill assessments and even some health benefits, depending on the assignment.</p>

<h2>Wrapping It Up</h2>

<p>Per diem, nursing offers an avenue for those seeking flexibility, competitive pay and diverse experiences. However, it also comes with a set of challenges that require proactive management. Partnering with an experienced staffing agency like Cross Country Healthcare can give you a significant edge in navigating this exciting field.</p>

<p>Stay tuned for our next post, where we&#39;ll delve into the secrets of achieving a stellar work-life balance in per diem nursing!</p>

The Basics of Per Diem Nursing: A Flexibility Like No Other