“Summertime, and the living's easy.”
This phrase is especially true if you want to pick up PRN nursing jobs and earn more cash.
That's because PRN or per diem nursing positions are short-term jobs that come with competitive pay rates and flexible scheduling. Lucky for you, per diem nursing jobs are bountiful across the US during peak seasons, including summer months.
As summer rolls in, along with holidays, such as July 4th and Memorial Day weekend, so do requests for leave from regular staff nurses. These holidays often come with increases in the number of patients visiting the emergency room (ER). Plus, if you are a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse, you may already know that more babies are born during the summer, particularly in August, than at any other time of year. All these scenarios call for more per diem nurses to help with coverage.
Are you looking to earn additional income and gain more nursing experience? Keep reading for a few more reasons to pick up PRN nursing jobs during summer break.
When Does Summer Break Start?
Woohoo! It's almost summer break, when many parts of the country start to warm up, and children and college students have a break in the school year. Summer break usually begins somewhere in May and ends in early September.
How long is summer break? The amount of time students have for summer break can vary, but it usually lasts between two to three months. Understandably, nurses who are parents may require more time off to spend with their kids. Others may want to take time off to enjoy the warm weather. Therefore, hospitals and medical centers nationwide may hire per diem nurses to fill the scheduling gaps.
Reasons to Pick Up Per Diem Jobs during Summer Break
The high pay rates are one significant advantage of working per diem jobs in the summer. Aside from great pay, here are other benefits of picking up per diem jobs during summer break:
1. Enjoying flexible schedules
Another attractive aspect of working summer jobs as a PRN nurse is scheduling flexibility. Hospitals contract per diem nurses on an as-needed basis. PRN nurses can pick and choose shifts that best fit their schedules. This flexibility can be particularly helpful for nurse parents who want to enjoy quality time with their kids while also earning enough money to cover everyday living expenses.
2. Saving up for a vacation
Hello, summer holiday! On top of a flexible schedule, working to save up for a vacation is a great reason to pick up PRN jobs during summer break. Camps, hotels, and flights can all add up fast, not to mention all the activities you will want to do on your summer getaway, so saving for a vacation is a must. Luckily, per diem nurses usually earn far higher hourly rates than their staff counterparts.
3. Working in diverse healthcare settings
One of the advantages of working as a per diem nurse is the experience you can gain from working in a range of healthcare settings. Whether you are a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN), or registered nurse (RN)—or hold another nursing credential—you can expect to encounter diverse patient populations, requiring you to adapt your nursing skills accordingly. By working in multiple medical settings, you can also expect to gain valuable experience that will look great on your nursing resume by the end of the summer.
4. Networking with other nurses
Working as a per diem nurse during summer break is a fun way to network with other nurses. Picking up multiple shifts in different hospitals or other healthcare facilities allows you to work with different nurses, sharing skill sets and learning from one another. Not only can networking help you gain more experience in the field and find more nursing job leads, but it can also lead to a long-lasting friendship or two.
Pick Up the Best Per Diem Shifts This Summer Break
School's out for summer, requiring many nurses to stay home with their kids. It's time for per diem nurses to take advantage of the opportunities that spring from the need for seasonal staffing coverage. There are many benefits to picking up per diem nursing jobs in the summer, such as working a flexible schedule, gaining experience in the field, or even saving up for a vacation. Just make sure you soak in some sun and take a break occasionally; you deserve it.
Are you a nurse looking to get ahead in spite of the summer heat? Use Nursa to find healthcare facilities looking to fill per diem shifts in your area today.
Stay up-to-date with the latest nursing trends by reading our blogs about the best water bottles for nurses and which scrubs are most popular for healthcare workers.
