The Pros and Cons of Hiring Per Diem Employees in Healthcare Facilities

The healthcare industry faces ongoing staffing challenges, from fluctuating patient loads to unexpected staff shortages. To adapt, many facilities are turning to per diem employees in healthcare—professionals who work on an as-needed basis. These roles offer unmatched flexibility, but like any staffing strategy, they come with both advantages and drawbacks.

Understanding the pros and cons of hiring per diem healthcare employees is essential for facility administrators, HR professionals, and even job-seeking healthcare workers considering this dynamic path. This article explores both sides to help healthcare leaders make informed staffing decisions.

What Are Per Diem Employees in Healthcare?

Per diem (Latin for "per day") employees are typically hired on a day-to-day basis without a set schedule. In healthcare, these roles are common among nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), medical assistants, and allied health professionals. Facilities use per diem workers to cover shifts due to absences, seasonal surges, or sudden increases in patient care needs.

The Pros of Hiring Per Diem Employees in Healthcare

1. Workforce Flexibility

One of the greatest benefits of per diem employees is flexibility. Facilities can adjust staffing levels according to real-time patient needs, avoiding overstaffing or understaffing. This is especially beneficial in emergency departments, long-term care, and rehab facilities.

2. Cost Efficiency

Per diem employees are typically paid a higher hourly wage than full-time employees but do not require benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, or paid leave. This model can help facilities manage costs, especially when benefits packages are a large part of full-time employee compensation.

3. Reduced Burnout Among Full-Time Staff

Hiring per diem staff can relieve pressure on full-time workers, helping reduce overtime hours and prevent staff burnout—a major concern in healthcare. It also allows permanent staff to take needed time off without leaving the facility understaffed.

4. Speed and Simplicity in Hiring

When facilities partner with a reputable staffing agency, finding per diem employees becomes fast and efficient. Agencies manage vetting, credentialing, and placement, helping hospitals stay fully staffed without lengthy recruitment cycles.

5. Trial Opportunities

Per diem roles can serve as a “working interview” for both the employer and the employee. Facilities can assess a per diem worker’s skills, professionalism, and culture fit before offering a long-term role.

The Cons of Hiring Per Diem Employees in Healthcare

1. Lack of Continuity in Care

Since per diem employees may work at multiple facilities and not on a consistent basis, they may lack in-depth familiarity with patient histories, protocols, and team dynamics. This can impact the continuity and quality of patient care.

2. Limited Loyalty and Engagement

Per diem workers are less likely to be emotionally invested in the organization compared to full-time staff. They may not attend team meetings, participate in facility culture-building activities, or stay updated with internal policy changes.

3. Scheduling Uncertainty

Because per diem workers are not guaranteed to accept every shift offered, there’s an element of unpredictability. Facilities may find themselves scrambling last-minute if a per diem worker declines a shift.

4. Training Gaps

Facilities must occasionally spend time orienting per diem workers to their systems, technology, and protocols—even if briefly. This onboarding effort can be repetitive and time-consuming if turnover is high.

5. Compliance and Risk Management

Improper classification of per diem employees (e.g., mixing per diem and full-time responsibilities) can lead to legal and compliance risks. It’s essential for healthcare facilities to clearly define roles and ensure policies are followed to avoid misclassification.

Balancing the Pros and Cons

Per diem employees in healthcare can be a strategic asset when managed effectively. The key is having a reliable source of talent, structured onboarding processes, and clear communication. Many of the drawbacks can be minimized with strong partnerships and systems in place.

How EmpowerCare Can Help

At EmpowerCare, we specialize in connecting healthcare facilities with qualified, compassionate per diem professionals who are ready to support your team on short notice. Our rigorous screening, credentialing, and placement processes ensure that you get talent who are skilled, reliable, and a strong cultural fit.

Whether you’re facing a staffing emergency or planning for peak seasons, EmpowerCare provides flexible and scalable staffing solutions tailored to your needs.

Visit EmpowerCare to learn more about how we can help your facility thrive with dependable per diem staffing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are per diem employees considered part-time or full-time?
A: Per diem employees are distinct from both part-time and full-time roles. They work on an as-needed basis without a fixed schedule or guaranteed hours.

Q: Do per diem healthcare workers receive benefits?
A: Generally, no. Most per diem workers do not receive health insurance, paid time off, or retirement benefits. However, some staffing agencies may offer limited perks.

Q: Can per diem staff become full-time employees?
A: Yes. Many facilities use per diem roles as a trial period before offering permanent positions, making it a great way to assess compatibility.

Q: Is per diem staffing suitable for all healthcare settings?
A: Per diem staffing is especially beneficial in hospitals, urgent care, long-term care facilities, and rehab centers—essentially anywhere that experiences variable patient loads.

Q: How do I ensure quality when hiring per diem employees?
A: Partnering with a reputable staffing agency like EmpowerCare ensures that candidates are thoroughly vetted and matched to your facility's unique requirements.

In conclusion, Hiring per diem employees in healthcare offers both opportunities and challenges. When used wisely, this flexible staffing solution can improve workforce efficiency, lower costs, and support patient care without overburdening full-time staff. However, it’s essential to have the right infrastructure and partners in place to address potential downsides.

By choosing an experienced agency like EmpowerCare, healthcare facilities can confidently manage per diem staffing needs while maintaining the highest standards of care.