What facilities should know about per diem staffing
Where per diem fits alongside travel and permanent hires.
Wise Medical Staffing Team3 min read
What per diem is actually for
Per diem fills single shifts: call-offs, census spikes, and the gaps around holidays and school breaks. It is the fastest lever you have, and the least suited to covering a long-term vacancy.
If the same gap recurs every week, a contract or permanent hire will cost less and disrupt the unit less than covering it shift by shift.
Build a regular pool
Facilities that request the same clinicians repeatedly get staff who already know the unit, the charting system, and where the supplies live — so the shift costs the permanent team far less supervision.
Tell us who worked well and we will prioritise them for your future requests.
Give as much notice as you can
Same-day requests get filled, but the pool is whoever happens to be free. Requests placed several days out draw from clinicians who can choose their shifts, which usually means more experience on your unit.
Standing requests for known busy periods are the most reliable approach of all.
