Staff vs. Per Diem vs. Travel Nursing

Staff vs. Per Diem vs. Travel Nursing

Becoming a nurse can be extremely fulfilling, as you get to care for people who need it. There are many ways to practice this profession, depending on the kind of experience you want and the level of commitment you’re willing to give. This article details the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a staff nurse, per diem nurse or travel nurse to help you decide which would best fit your lifestyle.

What Is a Staff Nurse?

Becoming a staff nurse is the most common career path, and it’s usually the first step to starting your career. As a staff nurse, you can gain experience and work in roles that require direct patient care in a variety of areas. You work directly for the facility as an employee with a set full-time schedule.

Pros of Staff Nursing Jobs

If you're thinking of becoming a staff nurse, here are some benefits to consider:

• Job security: Staff nursing is ideal for those looking for stability. Staff nurses get consistent work hours, so you won’t constantly be on the lookout for gigs to fill up your calendar.

• Benefits: Staff nurses can receive traditional benefits from their employers, such as paid time off, retirement benefits and health insurance.

• Career advancement opportunities: Your employer may pay for you to get certifications and earn credentials. And because you’ll be working in one facility, you’ll be more involved with your team, get to build relationships and have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities.

Cons of Staff Nursing Jobs

Despite its benefits, staff nursing is not for everyone due to:

• Lower pay: Staff nurses typically have lower base pay compared to per diem and travel nurses.

• Less flexibility: As a staff nurse, you don’t get to decide what type of work fills your plate, and you’ll have less control over your schedule.

• Limited growth opportunities: Because you’ll likely be dealing with similar types of patients, you may not get challenged as much compared to if you were a per diem or travel nurse.

What Is a Per Diem Nurse?

A per diem nurse is an “as-needed” or “local” nurse — a supplemental staff member called to fill gaps in roles. Per diem nurses are essential during busy times of the year, such as flu season or around the holidays. If you become a per diem nurse, you’ll work on an as-needed basis. You’ll typically schedule your shifts the same day, but you may schedule some ahead of time depending on your availability. You may work with a specific facility, within a health system or even pick up shifts across a number of facilities.

Pros of Per Diem Nursing Jobs

Becoming a per diem nurse can be enticing due to:

• Flexibility: Scheduling shifts based on your availability or preferences gives you flexibility that staff nurses don’t have. It’s ideal if you want to be more independent with your career path. You can also avoid working on holidays or the weekend. While you can choose your own schedule regularly, some nurses work per diem on top of their regular full-time job.

• Higher pay rates: Per diem nurses are in demand due to nurse shortages. Because you’ll be filling in last-minute, your hourly rate is typically more than a staff nurse’s rate.

• Opportunities to work in different settings: Per diem nurses have the opportunity to try different settings, such as schools, clinics and nursing homes.

• Networking opportunities: Because you’ll be working in different settings, you get to build and grow your connections, which can provide great career opportunities.

Cons of Per Diem Nursing Jobs

Before you take on this career path, consider the following potential drawbacks:

• No benefits: As a per diem nurse, you’re considered a temporary team member. You won’t have the benefits typically available to a staff nurse.

• Inconsistent income: You’ll be managing your own schedule, but that doesn’t mean there will always be available shifts. Your scheduled shifts can also be cancelled by the facility, so you can’t guarantee your working hours. You may experience inconsistent income as a result.

• Limited job security: While per diem nurses are in demand, there may be long periods where your services are not needed.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

Becoming a travel nurse is potentially the most adventurous option of the three. You can travel across the country for a job. Although it’s not a traditional, full-time employment option, you can get travel jobs that last for several weeks or months, with an option to extend.

Rather than being employed by the hospital, travel nurses work directly for an agency, like Trustaff. For the duration of each assignment you are considered a full time employee of the agency, though you'll be working at different facilities. When your assignment ends, you can take another or take as much or as little time off as you'd like.

Travel nursing offers the unique opportunity to move a new city after every job, spend time in different regions near family or friends and have greater control over your career opportunities.

Pros of Travel Nursing Jobs

Here are the advantages you can expect as a travel nurse:

• Higher pay: Compared to staff nurses and per diem nurses, travel nurses have higher base

  salaries and bonuses.

• Travel opportunities: You can choose where to travel and do some sightseeing during your time off. You won’t have to feel tied down to one city, and you'll get to explore the world as part of your job. Part of your pay as a traveler includes compensation for travel and housing costs.

• Opportunities to work in different settings: Because you’ll be working in many locations, you’ll get exposed to different work environments and situations, which can help you improve your skill set. You can also

  connect with diverse people and build a robust professional network.

• Benefits: Travel nurses typically receive comprehensive benefits similar to a traditional job, such as health insurance options for you and your family, employee discounts and more.

• Job security: As a travel nurse, you often get a guaranteed number of hours. Plus, many facilities are in need of travel nurses due to the ongoing nursing shortage.

Cons of Travel Nursing Jobs

Becoming a travel nurse is undoubtedly exciting, but make sure to consider the potential drawbacks:

• Temporary travel assignments: You’ll have to find a new travel job every time you finish an assignment, or petition your current facility to extend, however there are limits to how long you can stay. Travel assignments can also sometimes get unexpectedly canceled by the facility.

• Undesirable schedules: Since you're covering a gap in the facility's staff, it's likely that you'll have to work on holidays and weekends, and scheduling can sometimes be inflexible. Additionally, if you travel far from home, you’ll be away from friends and family for a set period, which

  can sometimes cause homesickness.

• Minimum level of experience: You may struggle to find job opportunities with limited experience. Nurses typically need one to two years of experience before they can become travel nurses, and more in advanced specialties.

Comparing Travel, Per Diem and Travel Nursing: Why Travel Nursing Is the Best Choice

Each path has pros and cons, but travel nursing is often considered the best choice because it offers the best pay, great flexibility, comprehensive benefits and a variety of experiences. Here's a quick breakdown comparing per diem nursing, travel nursing and staff nursing.

When choosing to become a travel nurse vs. a staff nurse, travel nursing may be the better option if you are a little further along in your career and prioritize a high salary and more flexibility. It suits those who are adventurous at heart and have a personal goal of traveling. When comparing per diem and travel nursing, travel nursing provides a higher salary, better benefits and more job security.

Achieve Your Travel Nursing Goals With Trustaff

Trustaff can help you take your professional nursing career to the next level. If you’re ready to become a travel nurse and embrace a new adventure, we can help you out. We’ll connect you with high-paying travel nursing positions, guarantee your weekly hours and provide you with comprehensive benefits, such as healthcare coverage, bonuses and more. We’ll assist you every step of the way, so it won’t be a problem if you’re a first-time traveler. Explore available jobs or fill out an application today.