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This question is about what a nurse does.
PRN vs. per diem
The difference between a PRN and per diem is that PRN is an abbreviation for the Latin term "pro re nata", which means "as needed" or "as circumstances arise", while per diem is also a Latin term which means "by the day". Both terms relate to types of nurses and they have many similarities and some differences.
PRN is a common term used in employment, especially in the healthcare field with nurses in particular. This term can be tagged onto a nurse. A PRN nurse is only needed in specific medical situations where their expertise is required. This normally results in a highly flexible work schedule. Most PRN nurses are used to cover for full-time nurses that are absent.
Per diem often refers to a set amount of money that an employer gives an employee per day to cover various expenses, examples include money for travel, lodging, or meals. Per diem is also commonly used in the healthcare industry and applies to traveling nurses. A per diem nurse works various shifts at different locations and has a highly irregular work schedule.
Key Takeaways:
| PRN | Per diem |
|---|---|
| PRN is an abbreviation for the Latin term "pro re nata", which means "as needed" or "as circumstances arise." | Per diem is also a Latin term which means "by the day." |
| PRN nurses are used to cover for full-time and part-time nurses that are absent from work. | Per diem nurses are also used to cover for full-time and part-time nurses that are absent from work. |
| PRN nurses have highly flexible schedules but have less flexibility in choosing their shifts than per diem nurses. | Per diem nurses have highly flexible schedules, even more so than PRN nurses. |
| PRN nurses work for a single medical employer. | Per diem nurses can work for multiple medical employers at the same time. |
| PRN nurses are guaranteed a certain number of work shifts from their sole medical employer. | Per diem nurses are not guaranteed any work shifts from their multiple medical employers. |
| PRN nurses typically receive better and a higher amount of benefits from their sole medical employer, but also might earn less money than a per diem nurse. | Per diem nurses normally do not get employee benefits since they work for multiple medical employers, however, because of this most medical employers offer them higher compensation per shift than PRN nurses. |
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