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Per Diem Nursing - On Assignment

Per diem agencies rarely are in short supply in major cities-sometimes you can choose from as many as 30 or 40-but how in the world do you know which is the best one? One word: reputation.

Sarah Donahue began per diem nursing a few years ago and she can't stress enough the importance of an agency's reputation. "All of a sudden I was representing my own person," she says. "I needed to be working with professional people who understood both my needs and the hospital's."

"Hospitals tend to call on a number of agencies to fill openings," adds Jean E. Rappoli, MHA, RN, Operations Manager at Cross Country Local. "So you want to be sure you are working for the one that's at the top of their contact list."

Because there are so many options for per diem work, it's easy to get what you need from a particular agency. Many agencies will accept your travel limits-that is, how far you're willing to commute to a job-and they may honor your choice of hospitals at which you will accept work. Some per diems register with several agencies, as well with the employment pool of a local healthcare system, in order to increase their chances of working where they want. Just be sure to check out all the requirements, pay rates, and benefits before signing with a facility or an agency.

Once you are on the job you'll have unlimited learning opportunities. You'll fare better, says Donahue, if you're upfront about your abilities and aren't afraid to ask questions. (Better to ask a question than to make the wrong assumption.) "If it's my first time at a facility, I make sure I introduce myself to those in charge and let them know I'm new," she says. "I don't expect special treatment, but that way they are prepared when I ask questions about how their facility handles certain procedures and situations."

Donahue also suggests that flexibility and a sense of humor are essential in new situations. There are times when shifts get canceled at the last minute or when you are floated to a new, unfamiliar area. The best per diem nurses can roll with the punches-within reason, of course. "I left one agency because they kept assigning me to a facility that would inevitably cancel at least every other shift," says Donahue. "Now I work with an agency that better understands my needs and offers more professional placements."

If you are looking for a little adventure close to home, per diem work is an excellent opportunity. And if you are a traveling nurse or regular staff nurse, it's a great way to pick up extra cash during your regular assignment. As long as you can be flexible, the opportunities are there for the taking.