Working as a per diem nurse can be a dream. Some nurses even agree that per diem nursing is the key to happiness, offering an ideal balance between work and life. That’s because per diem nursing allows a nurse to build their own schedule and cover shifts at their convenience. Therefore, per diem work can be the perfect match for nurses who crave both scheduling flexibility and a competitive nursing hourly wage. Due to these factors, the shift away from traditional full-time nursing is growing. With that said, per diem nursing can leave some nurses feeling isolated. While per diem nursing enables a nurse to not be tied to specific shifts or hospitals, it can also leave nurses unable to form meaningful relationships at work. Furthermore, due to the spontaneous nature of per diem scheduling, nurses who work per diem may have a hard time building their communities outside of work.
What Is a Per Diem Nurse?
The Latin term per diem means “per day.” Similarly, PRN stands for the Latin pro re nata, meaning “when required.” Per diem or PRN nurses have the freedom to elect the hours, days, and the number of shifts they would like to work. Nurses who work per diem can pick up shifts where coverage is needed in a variety of medical settings. Additionally, per diem nurses can indicate availability and pick up shifts quickly using this smart per diem staffing app. On top of that, per diem nurses have great earning potential and can make very high hourly pay. That said, per diem nursing can result in a nurse moving from one assignment to another and switching medical facilities often. Accordingly, per diem nurses may lack enough time to make friends with coworkers and form significant relationships. Hence, per diem nursing can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Tips on How to Not Feel Lonely as a Nurse
Do nurses feel lonely? According to a recent study, around 40 percent of nurses reported feeling lonely. The study goes on to define loneliness as “an experience of distress that arises when the quality or quantity of available social connections is insufficient to meet one’s emotional needs.” With that said, many other factors may contribute to feeling lonely such as nurse burnout and the general stress of nursing responsibilities. Yet, maintaining and building strong relationships have proven over and over again to be a foundational part of health and well-being. With all that in mind, below are the best ways to avoid loneliness as a per diem nurse:
Make Friends with Coworkers
Feelings of loneliness in nursing are common. At the same time, nursing is considered one of the most emotionally rewarding jobs in the world. That’s because, day in and day out, nurses have the opportunity to heal and change the lives of their patients. That said, nurses must also take care of their own mental health. One of the best ways a nurse can keep feelings of loneliness from knocking at their door is to build strong bonds with other people. This means not only making sure that you carve out time in your schedule to spend with friends and family but that you also learn how to make friends as a per diem nurse. And while switching up your work environment as a per diem nurse can prove to be challenging when it comes to making new friends, simple gestures like introducing yourself and saying “hi” on a new assignment can go a long way. Other ways to break the ice are making eye contact, being proactive, and saying “yes” to social invites from colleagues. For other great tips on how to make friends with coworkers, make sure you check out how to make friends as a per diem nurse here.
Learn a New Hobby
One of the perks of being a per diem nurse is allowing for more free time outside of nursing. So, if you are a per diem nurse and discover that your free time is starting to feel lonely, perhaps it’s time to learn a new hobby. Learning a new hobby is a good way to engage your mind and keep it sharp. Some nurses have shared their love of gardening outside of nursing, doing photography, or getting themselves pumped for cross fit classes. These types of hobbies can fill up time outside of per diem nursing in a productive and healthy way. If you are looking for a new hobby as a per diem nurse, you can check out Reddit’s forum of nurses talking about a few of their favorite recreational activities here.
Self-Care for Nurses
Caring for patients all day can leave little room for something that all per diem nurses need: self-care. Therefore, if you are a per diem nurse and are feeling a bit blue, make sure you take inventory of your daily self-care activities. Self-care actions can be anything from nourishing your body with healthy foods to penciling in a bubble bath. Self-care can also include building a consistent workout routine or planning a weekend getaway by yourself, with family, or with friends. In the end, taking care of yourself outside of your per diem nursing gig will set you up for healthy and positive mental well-being.
When in Doubt, Reach Out
A profession in nursing can be challenging both for traditional full-time nurses as well as for per diem nurses. It’s always best, therefore, if you are feeling lonely as a nurse, to reach out for assistance from professional mental health services. Additionally, several dynamic mental health wellness apps offer therapy services and confidential virtual support for nurses. You can check out a list of those here. In any case, remember that while feeling lonely from time to time is all part of being human, it’s okay to reach out for help when times get tough! Moreover, giving yourself the chance to relax, build relationships, and make time for self-care activities will help keep loneliness at bay. Finally, give yourself a pat on the back and be proud of yourself: You're doing outstanding work as a nurse!
