With an adventurous spirit and a bit of planning, per diem travel nursing can be an exciting and lucrative career path for nurses seeking variety and flexibility. Per diem travel nursing is a unique path for registered nurses (RNs) in the USA who seek flexibility, adventure, and potentially higher earnings compared to traditional staff nursing positions. As a

per diem travel nurse

you work temporary assignments at various healthcare facilities across the country. You're not tied to a long-term contract with one facility, but rather choose individual shifts based on your preferences and availability.

Pros of Working as a Per Diem Travel Nurse:

Handsome pay: Per diem rates can be significantly higher than traditional staff nurse salaries, often ranging from $35 to $63 per hour depending on location, experience, and specialty.

You Choose: when and where you work, creating a work-life balance that suits your needs. Travel opportunities: Explore new places and cultures while earning a good income. Diverse clinical experience: Broaden your skillset and knowledge by working in different healthcare settings.

What is Per Diem Nursing?

Nurses who work temporary assignments at local healthcare facilities, typically filling in for absent staff or covering short-term needs. Schedule: Choose individual shifts or short stints based on your availability and preferences. Offers work-life balance and control over your schedule. Benefits: Usually receive hourly pay without benefits like health insurance or retirement plans.

What is Travel Nursing?

Nurses who work with staffing agencies can travel around the country to help hospitals and clinics in need. They stay for short periods (3 months) to fill gaps in their nursing staff, especially in places where there aren't enough nurses available. Schedule: More structured than

per diem

with set contracts and schedules for each assignment. Benefits: Typically receive higher hourly pay than per diem nurses, along with travel stipends and sometimes housing assistance. May also be eligible for health insurance and other benefits offered by the travel agency.

Finding the Right Gigs

Befriend the ultimate matchmakers: Trice Healthcare.

Build relationships with recruiters: They'll be your job-hunting allies, understanding your preferences and finding gigs that align with them.

Some Differences Between Travel Nursing and Per Diem Nursing

While both travel nursing and per diem nursing offer flexibility and freedom to registered nurses in the USA, they have some key differences in terms of commitment, location, pay, and benefits:

Commitment:

Travel nursing: Requires longer-term commitment with contracts typically lasting 13 weeks (although some can be shorter or longer). You'll be expected to fulfill the entire contract unless mutually agreed upon termination. Per diem nursing: Offers greater flexibility with individual shifts or short stints of varying

Location:

Travel nursing: Takes you out of your comfort zone, allowing you to explore new cities and states across the country. You'll need to arrange for temporary housing during each assignment. Per diem nursing: Keeps you within your local area, working at nearby healthcare facilities. You'll likely commute from your usual residence.

Pay:

Travel nursing: Generally offers higher hourly pay compared to per diem nursing, often with added stipends for housing, travel, and sometimes meals. Per diem nursing: Pay rates can vary, but typically they're lower than travel nursing rates and without additional financial perks.

Benefits:

Travel nursing: Some travel agencies may offer health insurance and other benefits to their nurses. Housing assistance might also be available. Per diem nursing: Typically, per diem nurses don't receive benefits through the healthcare facilities they work for. Some agencies may offer additional benefits, but it's less common.

Conclusion

Per diem travel nursing offers nurses a flexible alternative to traditional staff positions. With the ability to pick and choose assignments that fit your schedule and interests, you can experience new places and expand your skills as a nurse. Though per diem work comes with less stability and benefits than permanent roles, the trade-off for many is the freedom and often higher pay rates.

The obvious choice is to choose Trice Healthcare as we take care of your every need. Whether medical facilities require