There are many exciting opportunities in the nursing career these days, with one of these being per diem nursing. Per diem nurses are not employed in one set location. Instead, they will take on short-term positions in different units, hospitals, or other medical facilities. Some of these nurses may work regularly with one hospital but are called in to fill needs in various units.
This kind of position comes with much more freedom, schedule choice, and, in many cases, better pay. Although, some people may be given a per diem rate that they are not happy with. This begs the question, can nurses negotiate a better rate with per diem nursing agencies?
Let’s examine how per diem nursing works and whether nurses can get a higher rate through agencies.
How Per Diem Nursing Agencies Operate
The long and short of this industry is that per diem nursing agencies will work with medical facilities to place professionals where needed. However, the rate at which per diem nurses are paid can depend on the agency, facility being worked with, and location. Many facilities will have a set rate that they are willing to pay for per diem nursing, which can also limit the agency in how much they can offer. However, this is not to say that it is impossible to negotiate.
Asking for a Higher Rate for Per Diem Nursing Jobs
When a nurse is delivered a job opportunity with an undesirable rate, they have a couple of options. Firstly, they can ask for a different position, offering more than the first one. This may be all it takes to find per diem nursing jobs with an ideal pay rate. However, this becomes more difficult if limited positions are available with healthcare facilities set at a certain rate.
Realistically, per diem nurses have the right and ability to ask for an increased per diem rate from the agency. However, this does not mean that it is guaranteed to be granted. The agency can contact the facility to see if they would be willing to increase the rate. This will not always work out, especially if it is requested before taking the position. On the other hand, some facilities may have a regular per diem nurse that they may be willing to increase the rate to keep around.
Build Rapport Within Per Diem Nursing
One of the most successful actions for per diem nurses is to build a rapport with the agency and healthcare facilities. When a per diem nurse shows they are an excellent addition to the team when needed or that they have ample experience, agencies and facilities may be more likely to increase the rate when asked.
At the end of the day, a per diem nurse can ask for a better rate, but establishing a record of experience and success will make it less likely to be turned down.
CynaMed is Here to Help Expand Your Per Diem Nursing Career
If you are looking to get into per diem nursing or are looking for an agency, Cynamed is here to help. We are located in Pittsburgh and are the first locally owned staffing agency. Our ultimate goal in placing healthcare professionals is to find career opportunities they are happy with.
If you have any questions about us or our open positions, you can reach us at 412-325-3420 or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to helping you find suitable positions and expand your nursing career!
FAQs
The agency can contact the facility to see if they would be willing to increase the rate. This will not always work out, especially if it is requested before taking the position. On the other hand, some facilities may have a regular per diem nurse that they may be willing to increase the rate to keep around.
Can you negotiate per diem rates? ›
The negotiation process plays a crucial role in securing this agreement. Varying Rates: Per diem rates can vary significantly depending on the location, cost of living, and even the specific client's policies.
Can you negotiate pay with a staffing agency? ›
According to work.chron.com employees should “Present your supporting documentation for review and then ask for the rate you desire. If the recruiter counters with a lower rate that's higher than the original, consider and accept it, or continue to politely emphasize your value.
How to ask for a higher salary offer in nursing? ›
How to ask for a raise in your current nursing position
- Prepare and plan your negotiation strategy.
- Practice, practice, practice! ...
- Justify your salary raise request with proof of tangible growth.
- Timing matters. ...
- Summarize your contributions and participation.
- Highlight both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
Because per diem nurses often work on short notice, they usually receive higher compensation than nurses working in full-time positions. Per diem nurses are confident in their nursing skills, and facilities willingly pay for that expertise.
Can per diem ask for a raise? ›
Realistically, per diem nurses have the right and ability to ask for an increased per diem rate from the agency. However, this does not mean that it is guaranteed to be granted. The agency can contact the facility to see if they would be willing to increase the rate.
Should per diem employees 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.
How do you politely ask for a higher salary offer? ›
"I'm very excited about the position and know that I'd be the right fit for the team. I'm also excited about your offer, and knowing that I'll bring a lot of value to the table based on my experience that we discussed during the interviews, I'm wondering if we can explore a slightly higher starting salary of $80,000.
How do you ask for a higher salary when offered a promotion? ›
Start by expressing your appreciation and excitement for the promotion, and then explain why you believe you deserve a higher salary, using the data and examples you collected. Avoid making comparisons with other employees or demanding a specific amount.
How do you negotiate higher than expected salary? ›
Provide a relevant example from your past that can persuade the hiring manager to increase your income. Outside of income, you can also negotiate benefits, time off or other valuable perks. Put together a few talking points before you contact the employer, and be as specific as possible.
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.
Is per diem on top of hourly pay? ›
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.
How much should I get paid per diem? ›
Per diem rates in California
| County | Lodging | Meals & Incidentals rate |
|---|
| Lassen County | $98 | $59 |
| Los Angeles County | $182 | $74 |
| Madera County | $139 | $69 |
| Marin County | $189 | $74 |
54 more rowsFederal per diem rates consist of a maximum lodging allowance component and a meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) component. Most of CONUS (approximately 2,600 counties) is covered by the standard rate of $166 ($107 lodging, $59 M&IE).
Can I pay less than the federal per diem rate? ›
Do I have to pay the federal per diem rate? You can pay more or less than the federal per diem rate. However, if you pay more than the federal per diem rate, the excess will be taxable to the employee.
Is PRN pay negotiable? ›
In reality, nurses looking to accept a new position can negotiate salary. However, it is important to point out that negotiating salary doesn't mean you'll always get what you want; there are some job types where it simply won't work and other nursing jobs where it isn't an option.
