Nurses and allied healthcare professionals are discovering new ways to build careers that prioritize their personal and professional goals. Among the most popular options? Per diem shifts and local contract work. Learn more here.

<p>The healthcare field has changed dramatically in the last few decades and particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result,  nurses and allied healthcare professionals are discovering new ways to build careers that prioritize their personal and professional goals. Among the most popular options? Per diem shifts and local contract work.</p>

<h2>What Are Per Diem and Local Contracts?</h2>
<ul>
    <li><strong>Per Diem:</strong> "Per diem" means "per day" in Latin. In healthcare, it refers to picking up shifts on an as-needed basis without a long-term commitment to one employer or schedule.
    </li>
    <li><strong>Local Contracts:</strong> These are temporary agreements (usually lasting anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks) with facilities in your area. Unlike travel contracts, they don't require relocation and often offer full-time hours for a short, defined period.</li>
</ul>
</br>
<p>Both options give you a remarkable level of control over your work—and your life.</p>

<p> If you're feeling weighed down by rigid schedules, hospital politics or limited time for yourself and your family, it might be time to rethink your work life. </p>

<h2>The Benefits of Per Diem and Local Contracts</h2>
<h3>Ultimate Schedule Flexibility</h3>

<p>Per diem and local contracts allow you to build a schedule that suits your life, not the other way around.</p>

<ul>
    <li> Need time off for a family event? No problem.</li>
    <li>Want to take a few weeks off between contracts to travel or recharge? Go for it.</li>
    <li>Prefer to work only nights, weekends or specific units? You choose.</li>
</ul>
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<p>For many healthcare professionals, this freedom can be life-changing, helping to avoid burnout and maintain a healthier work-life balance.</p>

<h3>Competitive Pay Rates</h3>
<p>Per diem shifts often come with higher hourly wages than staff positions because they fill urgent needs at facilities. Local contracts also offer attractive pay packages along with short-term consistency.</p>

<p> Many staffing agencies, such as Cross Country, now offer health insurance and retirement options to their per diem and contract staff – so be sure to ask.</p>

<h3>Variety Without the Travel</h3>

<p>If you love variety but aren’t interested in traveling/being away from family commitments, local contracts are a perfect middle ground. You get to experience different facilities, systems and patient populations—all within driving distance of home.</p>

<p> This exposure broadens your skills, boosts your resume and keeps work feeling fresh and exciting.</p>

<h3>Opportunities to Experience Different Work Environments</h3>

<p>Not sure whether you want to work in a large trauma center, a community hospital or a rehabilitation facility? Per diem and short-term contracts let you try different settings before committing to a full-time role.</p>

<p>It’s a smart, low-risk way to find your ideal workplace—and in some cases, facilities offer full-time positions to per diem or contract staff after experiencing their work.</p>

<h3>Less Administration, More Patient Care</h3>

<p>One of the top frustrations among full-time staff is getting tangled in hospital politics, meetings and administrative tasks. As a per diem or local contract worker, you often bypass much of that.</p>

<p>You're hired to provide patient care—and that’s exactly what you get to focus on.</p>

<h3>Better Work-Life Balance</h3>

<p>By choosing when and where you work, you can design a career that fits your personal needs—whether that means spending more time with family, pursuing further education or simply protecting your mental health.</p>

<p>In a profession as demanding as healthcare, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your patients.</p>

<h2>Get Started Now</h2>

<p>The traditional 9-to-5—or more accurately, 7-to-7—hospital job isn't the only path for nurses and allied health professionals anymore. Per diem shifts and local contracts provide a dynamic, empowering alternative that puts you back in control of your career.</p>

<p> If you're ready to reclaim your time, boost your earnings and keep your passion for healthcare alive, exploring per diem or local contract opportunities might just be the best move you make this year.</p>

<p>Cross Country MSN offers per diem and local contract opportunities for RNs, LPNs/LVNs, CNAs and all Allied professionals. Learn more <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/local/nursing?utm_source=Website&&utm_campaign=BLOG" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>


Why Per Diem and Local Contracts Are Ideal for Healthcare Professionals Seeking Flexibility