Per Diem vs Long-Term Staffing in Healthcare: Which is Right for Your Facility?

Healthcare staffing is one of the most pressing challenges for facilities across the United States. From sudden call-outs to long-term vacancies, administrators and Directors of Nursing (DONs) are often forced to make quick decisions to ensure patient care isn’t disrupted.

One of the most important choices they face is whether to rely on per diem staffing (short-term, flexible coverage) or long-term staffing (contract or permanent solutions).

In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between per diem vs long-term staffing in healthcare, highlight the advantages and challenges of each, and help you determine which solution best fits your facility’s needs.

What is Per Diem Staffing in Healthcare?

The term per diem comes from Latin, meaning “per day.” In healthcare, per diem staffing refers to bringing in nurses, CNAs, DSPs, or other professionals on an as-needed basis.

These professionals are not permanent employees of the facility but are placed through a healthcare staffing agency like Jento Solutions.

Benefits of Per Diem Staffing

1. Flexibility: Quickly fill last-minute call-outs, sick leaves, or sudden census increases.

2. Cost-effective: Avoid paying overtime to existing staff, which can quickly add up.

3. Workforce relief: Prevent burnout among permanent staff by having a backup pool.

4. Scalability: Adjust staffing levels based on fluctuating patient needs.

Challenges of Per Diem Staffing

1. Continuity: Staff may not always be the same, leading to adjustments for patients and teams.

2. Training: Facilities may need to onboard new professionals regularly.

3. Availability: During peak times, demand for per diem workers may be high.

What is Long-Term Staffing in Healthcare?

Long-term staffing refers to contract, temp-to-perm, or permanent placements within a facility. These professionals are committed for a set period, typically several months to a year, or are hired permanently after a trial period.

Benefits of Long-Term Staffing

• Stability: Consistent staff presence helps build stronger patient-care relationships.

• Efficiency: Less time spent on constant onboarding and retraining.

• Retention potential: Contract staff can transition into permanent hires.

• Predictability: Facilities can plan schedules more reliably with long-term placements.

Challenges of Long-Term Staffing

• Commitment: May not be ideal for facilities with unpredictable census fluctuations.

• Cost: Longer contracts may require higher investment upfront.

• Slower to implement: Unlike per diem staff, long-term placements often require more onboarding and planning.

Per Diem vs Long-Term Staffing in Healthcare: Key Differences

Factor	Per Diem Staffing	Long-Term Staffing
Flexibility	Long-Term Staffing	Low to medium (contracts for months/years)
Continuity of Care	Varies, depends on rotating staff	Strong, same staff stay with patients
Cost Efficiency	Great for avoiding overtime, short-term	Better for predictable census & retention
Speed of Onboarding	Immediate (often same day)	Requires more time to place & onboard
Staff Burnout Relief	Excellent (covers gaps quickly)	Helps long-term by stabilizing workforce

When Facilities Should Choose Per Diem Staffing

Per diem staffing works best when:

• Your facility faces frequent last-minute call-outs.

• You want to avoid expensive overtime costs.

• You experience seasonal or census fluctuations (e.g., flu season).

• You need coverage during vacations or maternity leave.

When Facilities Should Choose Long-Term Staffing

Long-term staffing works best when:

• Your facility has consistent, predictable staffing needs.

• You’re looking to build stability and reduce turnover.

• You want to improve continuity of care for residents/patients.

• You’re planning to expand services and need a steady team.

The Best Approach? A Hybrid Model

The reality is, most healthcare facilities benefit from a hybrid approach:

• Per diem staff for flexibility and backup coverage.

• Long-term staff for stability and consistency.

This balance ensures facilities aren’t over-reliant on overtime, while still protecting staff well-being and maintaining high standards of patient care.

At Jento Solutions, we specialize in providing both per diem and long-term staffing. Facilities can scale up or down as needed, knowing they’ll always have qualified, background-checked, and TB-tested professionals ready to step in.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Staffing Model

The choice between per diem vs long-term staffing in healthcare isn’t an either/or decision, it’s about balance.

Facilities that blend flexibility with stability have the best outcomes:

• Staff aren’t overworked.

• Residents receive consistent care.

• Administrators have peace of mind.

At Jento Solutions, we make staffing simple, whether you need a CNA for tonight or an LPN for a 6-month contract.

Ready to build a staffing strategy that works? Visit JentoSolutions.com today.

FAQs About Per Diem vs Long-Term Healthcare Staffing

Is per diem staffing more expensive than hiring staff directly?

Not necessarily. While per diem hourly rates may appear higher, facilities save significantly on overtime costs, benefits, and turnover expenses.

Can per diem nurses or CNAs transition into long-term roles?

Yes! Many facilities use per diem staffing as a way to “trial” candidates before offering longer contracts.

What’s the biggest risk of relying only on per diem staffing?

Continuity. If patients and staff see different faces too often, it can impact team cohesion and patient satisfaction.

How fast can Jento Solutions provide per diem coverage?

Often within hours, thanks to our 24/7 support and pool of vetted professionals.

How do I know which staffing option is best for my facility?

It depends on census trends, budget, and goals. Many facilities start with per diem and gradually add long-term staff to stabilize their teams.