These positions provide licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) employment on a short lived, as-needed foundation. As a substitute of a set schedule or assured hours, the nurse works shifts to cowl staffing shortages, absences, or durations of peak demand at healthcare services. An instance could be an LVN who fills in at a nursing residence for every week whereas a daily employees member is on trip.
The supply of this kind of work offers appreciable flexibility for LVNs, permitting them to regulate their schedules and select assignments that go well with their wants. This may be significantly helpful for these balancing household obligations, pursuing additional training, or in search of quite a lot of experiences in several healthcare settings. Traditionally, momentary staffing options have helped healthcare services keep enough affected person care ranges, significantly during times of fluctuating affected person census or staffing challenges.
The next sections will delve into the assorted facets of securing these roles, together with the place to seek out listings, the everyday necessities, the advantages and disadvantages, and concerns for maximizing earnings and profession improvement inside this employment mannequin.
1. Schedule Flexibility
Schedule flexibility represents a major motivator and profit for LVNs pursuing per diem positions. This attribute alters the normal employment relationship, affording nurses elevated management over their work schedules and availability.
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Management Over Work Hours
Per diem preparations empower LVNs to pick out the times and instances they’re out there to work. This management permits nurses to accommodate private commitments, handle household duties, or pursue different skilled endeavors. For instance, an LVN would possibly select to work solely weekends to complement earnings whereas attending lessons throughout the week.
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Capability to Decline Assignments
In contrast to everlasting employees positions, per diem roles typically allow LVNs to say no assignments that don’t align with their preferences or availability. This selection ensures that nurses aren’t obligated to simply accept shifts that battle with their private schedules or most popular work environments. An LVN could decline a shift at a facility with a affected person inhabitants they don’t seem to be snug serving.
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Alternative for Prolonged Time Off
The intermittent nature of per diem work facilitates prolonged durations of day without work between assignments. This characteristic advantages LVNs who require or need extended breaks for journey, private improvement, or different pursuits. As an illustration, an LVN might work persistently for a number of months after which take a month-long trip with out jeopardizing their employment.
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Adaptation to Altering Wants
Schedule flexibility inherent in per diem jobs permits LVNs to adapt to altering private {and professional} circumstances. That is priceless for nurses who expertise fluctuations of their availability as a consequence of household wants, well being issues, or different life occasions. An LVN would possibly scale back their work hours throughout a interval of household sickness after which improve them when circumstances enhance.
These parts of schedule flexibility contribute to the attractiveness of per diem employment for a lot of LVNs. The power to tailor work schedules to particular person wants and preferences is a major benefit in comparison with conventional, fixed-schedule nursing positions.
2. Greater Hourly Charges
Per diem LVN positions sometimes provide greater hourly charges than customary full-time or part-time employment. This premium is a direct consequence of the momentary and on-demand nature of the work. Healthcare services are keen to pay extra to safe certified nurses who can rapidly fill staffing gaps, significantly during times of excessive demand or surprising absences. The elevated compensation serves as an incentive to draw LVNs who’re keen to forgo the steadiness and advantages related to everlasting employment. For instance, a hospital going through a sudden improve in affected person admissions could provide a considerably greater hourly fee for per diem LVNs to make sure enough staffing ranges and keep high quality affected person care.
The upper hourly charges are additionally influenced by the dearth of advantages generally offered to everlasting staff, similar to medical health insurance, paid day without work, and retirement contributions. Per diem LVNs usually bear the accountability for securing their very own insurance coverage and planning for retirement. Subsequently, the elevated hourly fee acts as a type of compensation to offset these bills. Moreover, the fluctuating nature of per diem work, the place hours could fluctuate considerably from week to week, contributes to the upper pay scale. LVNs accepting these positions perceive that earnings might not be constant and require a better per-hour return to compensate for the potential instability. As an illustration, an LVN would possibly settle for a per diem task at a better fee, even understanding the task is just for a brief period, to maximise earnings throughout that interval.
Understanding the interaction between the upper hourly charges and the inherent trade-offs is essential for LVNs contemplating per diem employment. Whereas the elevated pay may be engaging, it’s important to issue within the lack of advantages, potential earnings variability, and the necessity for monetary planning. The choice to pursue per diem positions needs to be based mostly on an intensive evaluation of particular person monetary wants, danger tolerance, and profession targets. In the end, the upper hourly charges related to per diem LVN jobs signify a major issue within the total attractiveness of this employment mannequin, offered the potential drawbacks are rigorously thought of and managed.
3. Various Work Environments
Publicity to a wide selection of medical settings is a defining attribute of per diem licensed vocational nursing positions. This selection offers distinctive alternatives for skilled improvement and broadens the LVN’s ability set.
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Hospitals and Acute Care Amenities
Per diem LVNs regularly work in hospital settings, offering direct affected person care throughout numerous items, similar to medical-surgical, telemetry, and emergency departments. This publicity permits them to achieve expertise with a various vary of medical circumstances and affected person populations. For instance, an LVN would possibly work one week in a post-operative surgical unit and the following in a cardiac care unit.
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Lengthy-Time period Care and Rehabilitation Facilities
These services provide per diem LVNs alternatives to work with aged or disabled sufferers, offering power care administration, treatment administration, and help with actions of every day dwelling. This expertise emphasizes the event of robust interpersonal and communication abilities. An LVN would possibly help residents with mobility points and administer prescribed medicines in a long-term care setting.
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House Healthcare Businesses
Per diem roles with residence healthcare companies contain offering nursing care to sufferers of their residences. This requires independence, robust evaluation abilities, and the power to work autonomously. As an illustration, an LVN could go to sufferers’ houses to offer wound care, monitor very important indicators, and educate members of the family on affected person care.
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Specialty Clinics and Outpatient Facilities
These settings provide publicity to particular medical specialties, similar to dermatology, ophthalmology, or cardiology. Per diem LVNs could help with procedures, administer medicines, and supply affected person training inside these specialised areas. An LVN would possibly help a dermatologist with minor surgical procedures or present pre- and post-operative care in an ophthalmology clinic.
The breadth of expertise gained throughout these various work environments enhances the adaptability and competence of per diem LVNs. This publicity may be invaluable for profession development and offers a broader perspective on the healthcare panorama.
4. Contract Assignments
Contract assignments are intrinsically linked to per diem licensed vocational nursing positions. These assignments represent the framework inside which momentary nursing providers are delivered. Per diem work, by its very nature, operates on a contractual foundation, defining the scope of labor, period, compensation, and duties for every particular engagement. A healthcare facility, going through a staffing scarcity, would possibly have interaction an LVN by way of a staffing company for a specified interval to cowl affected person care wants. The contract outlines the precise dates, hours, and duties anticipated of the LVN throughout that task. With out contract assignments, the per diem employment mannequin would lack construction and authorized standing.
The importance of understanding contract assignments lies of their impression on each the LVN and the using facility. For the LVN, the contract particulars the obligations and entitlements related to the momentary place. This contains the hourly fee, cancellation insurance policies, and the kind of nursing care anticipated. For the ability, the contract ensures {that a} certified nurse is accessible to meet important staffing wants, sustaining affected person care requirements. For instance, a contract would possibly stipulate that the LVN possesses particular certifications or expertise in a specific space of nursing. Failure to stick to the phrases of the contract may end up in authorized repercussions for both social gathering. In essence, the contract defines the settlement and protects the pursuits of all concerned events.
In conclusion, contract assignments are the cornerstone of per diem LVN jobs. They supply the mandatory authorized and operational framework for momentary nursing placements. A transparent understanding of contract phrases and circumstances is paramount for each LVNs in search of per diem work and healthcare services using this staffing mannequin. Successfully managed contract assignments contribute to the sleek functioning of healthcare operations and guarantee high quality affected person care during times of fluctuating staffing wants.
5. Restricted Advantages
The attribute of restricted advantages is a major consideration for licensed vocational nurses engaged in per diem work. This side differentiates momentary positions from customary employment and carries substantial monetary and private planning implications.
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Absence of Well being Insurance coverage Protection
Per diem positions sometimes don’t embody employer-sponsored medical health insurance. LVNs working on this capability are answerable for securing their very own well being protection, both by way of personal insurance coverage, authorities applications, or spousal plans. This may end up in greater out-of-pocket bills and necessitate cautious analysis of healthcare wants. As an illustration, an LVN with pre-existing medical circumstances would possibly incur vital premiums for particular person medical health insurance.
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Lack of Paid Time Off
Per diem roles typically don’t provide paid trip, sick go away, or vacation pay. This absence of paid day without work implies that LVNs don’t obtain compensation for days not labored. This side requires cautious budgeting and planning to account for potential earnings loss during times of sickness or deliberate day without work. An LVN taking a week-long trip would forgo earnings for that interval, in contrast to a full-time worker who would obtain paid trip time.
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Restricted Retirement Contributions
Employers sometimes don’t contribute to retirement financial savings plans for per diem staff. LVNs in these positions are answerable for independently managing their retirement financial savings by way of particular person retirement accounts (IRAs) or different funding automobiles. This necessitates proactive monetary planning to make sure enough retirement earnings. An LVN relying solely on per diem work should actively contribute to their very own retirement fund to safe their monetary future.
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Absence of Different Employment Advantages
Extra advantages generally related to full-time employment, similar to life insurance coverage, incapacity insurance coverage, {and professional} improvement alternatives, are typically not offered to per diem LVNs. These omissions require LVNs to evaluate their private wants and think about acquiring these advantages independently. For instance, an LVN would possibly select to buy a personal incapacity insurance coverage coverage to guard in opposition to earnings loss as a consequence of sickness or damage.
The absence of complete advantages represents a trade-off for the pliability and better hourly charges usually related to per diem LVN jobs. LVNs contemplating this employment mannequin should rigorously consider their monetary scenario, healthcare wants, and long-term targets to find out if the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. The elevated earnings from per diem work needs to be strategically allotted to cowl healthcare bills, retirement financial savings, and different monetary requirements sometimes addressed by employer-provided advantages.
6. Speedy Adaptation
Speedy adaptation is a essential ability for licensed vocational nurses pursuing per diem work. The momentary and variable nature of those assignments necessitates a capability to rapidly combine into new environments, perceive unfamiliar protocols, and successfully collaborate with various healthcare groups. This adaptability is paramount for making certain constant and high-quality affected person care throughout numerous settings.
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Facility-Particular Protocols
Every healthcare facility operates beneath a singular set of insurance policies, procedures, and documentation necessities. A per diem LVN should rapidly study and cling to those protocols to make sure compliance and keep affected person security. As an illustration, treatment administration procedures, charting techniques, and emergency response protocols can differ considerably between hospitals or long-term care services. The power to quickly assimilate this info is crucial for efficient and protected observe.
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Affected person Inhabitants Variances
Per diem assignments usually contain working with various affected person populations, every presenting distinctive medical and psychosocial wants. An LVN could transition from a pediatric unit to a geriatric care facility, requiring adaptation to age-specific care concerns and communication strategies. This adaptability extends to understanding cultural variations and tailoring care plans to particular person affected person preferences.
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Interprofessional Crew Integration
Per diem LVNs regularly collaborate with new interprofessional groups consisting of physicians, registered nurses, licensed nursing assistants, and different healthcare professionals. Efficient communication, collaboration, and position readability are important for making certain seamless affected person care. Quickly establishing rapport and understanding the roles and duties of every staff member are essential for optimum staff efficiency. An LVN should rapidly combine into the prevailing staff dynamics to contribute successfully.
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Technological Proficiency
Healthcare services make the most of numerous digital well being document (EHR) techniques and medical applied sciences. Per diem LVNs should possess the power to rapidly study and navigate these techniques to doc affected person care precisely and effectively. Proficiency in EHR techniques, treatment meting out applied sciences, and monitoring units is crucial for sustaining affected person security and complying with regulatory necessities. The power to adapt to new technological platforms is a key element of fast adaptation in per diem nursing.
The capability for fast adaptation is a defining attribute of profitable per diem LVNs. This ability not solely enhances their marketability and incomes potential but in addition contributes to improved affected person outcomes and total high quality of care. Healthcare services depend on adaptable per diem employees to seamlessly fill staffing gaps and keep constant requirements of observe.
7. Licensure Necessities
Possession of a sound and unencumbered license to observe as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a basic prerequisite for securing per diem positions. Healthcare services and staffing companies won’t have interaction an LVN with out verification of licensure, as doing so would represent a authorized and moral violation. The license serves as affirmation that the person has met the required academic requirements, handed the nationwide examination (NCLEX-PN), and is allowed to offer nursing care throughout the scope of observe outlined by the state’s nursing board. For instance, an LVN in search of a per diem place in California should maintain an lively California LVN license and keep it in good standing. Any lapse in licensure, as a consequence of expiration, suspension, or revocation, instantly disqualifies the LVN from per diem employment.
Past preliminary licensure, sustaining compliance with persevering with training necessities is equally essential. Most states mandate that LVNs full a specified variety of persevering with training items (CEUs) periodically to resume their licenses. These CEUs be sure that nurses keep abreast of present greatest practices, developments in medical know-how, and adjustments in healthcare rules. Failure to fulfill these CEU necessities may end up in license non-renewal, thereby rendering the LVN ineligible for per diem work. Some healthcare services may additionally require extra certifications, similar to Fundamental Life Help (BLS) or Superior Cardiac Life Help (ACLS), relying on the particular affected person inhabitants and scope of observe required for the task. A per diem LVN working in a essential care setting could be required to keep up ACLS certification to handle emergency conditions successfully.
In abstract, strict adherence to licensure necessities is non-negotiable for per diem LVN jobs. Each preliminary licensure and ongoing compliance with persevering with training are important elements of sustaining eligibility for these positions. Healthcare services and staffing companies meticulously confirm licensure standing and certification data to make sure affected person security and authorized compliance. LVNs pursuing per diem alternatives should prioritize the upkeep of their licensure and related certifications to maximise their employment prospects and uphold skilled requirements.
8. Company Partnerships
A good portion of per diem LVN jobs are facilitated by way of partnerships with staffing companies. These companies act as intermediaries, connecting healthcare services with LVNs in search of momentary employment. The demand for per diem LVNs usually fluctuates, making it difficult for services to keep up a enough pool of available employees. Staffing companies handle this want by recruiting, screening, and managing a community of certified LVNs. When a facility experiences a staffing scarcity as a consequence of sickness, trip, or elevated affected person census, it contracts with an company to offer a per diem LVN. This association permits the ability to keep up enough staffing ranges with out the overhead prices related to hiring everlasting staff. As an illustration, a nursing residence would possibly contract with a staffing company to fill a vacant LVN place for a number of weeks whereas conducting a everlasting hiring search.
The company partnership offers a number of advantages for LVNs as effectively. It simplifies the job search course of by providing entry to a number of per diem alternatives from numerous healthcare services. Businesses deal with the executive duties of matching LVNs with appropriate assignments, negotiating pay charges, and managing payroll. This permits LVNs to deal with offering affected person care with out the burden of self-marketing and administrative duties. Businesses additionally present a level of safety by making certain that LVNs are correctly vetted and that the services they work in meet sure requirements. For instance, an company would possibly confirm {that a} facility is correctly licensed and accredited earlier than putting an LVN in an task. Moreover, some companies provide advantages packages, similar to medical health insurance or retirement plans, to their per diem staff, though these are sometimes much less complete than these provided by everlasting employers.
Nevertheless, reliance on company partnerships additionally presents potential challenges. Businesses sometimes cost a charge to healthcare services for his or her providers, which may impression the hourly fee provided to the LVN. In some circumstances, LVNs working by way of companies could earn lower than they’d in the event that they have been instantly employed by a facility. The connection between the company, the ability, and the LVN requires clear communication and well-defined contracts to keep away from misunderstandings and guarantee honest therapy. Whereas company partnerships are a prevalent characteristic of the per diem LVN job market, LVNs ought to rigorously consider the phrases and circumstances provided by completely different companies to find out the very best match for his or her wants and profession targets.
9. Variable Earnings
Earnings variability is an inherent attribute of per diem licensed vocational nursing positions, distinguishing them from conventional, salaried employment. This fluctuation arises from the on-demand nature of the work and requires cautious monetary planning and flexibility.
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Fluctuating Shift Availability
The demand for per diem LVNs is instantly tied to the staffing wants of healthcare services, which may fluctuate considerably based mostly on affected person census, seasonal traits, and unplanned employees absences. Consequently, the variety of out there shifts can fluctuate from week to week, impacting the LVN’s incomes potential. For instance, throughout flu season, a hospital would possibly require a considerably greater variety of per diem LVNs to handle elevated affected person quantity, whereas demand could lower throughout slower durations.
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Inconsistent Work Hours
Per diem LVNs aren’t assured a set variety of work hours per week. The schedule is dictated by the supply of assignments and the LVN’s willingness to simply accept them. This inconsistency can result in fluctuations in weekly earnings, making it troublesome to foretell earnings precisely. An LVN would possibly work full-time hours one week and just a few shifts the next week, relying on the ability’s staffing necessities.
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Cancellations and Final-Minute Adjustments
Healthcare services retain the fitting to cancel per diem shifts with little discover as a consequence of surprising adjustments in affected person wants or staffing ranges. This may end up in misplaced earnings for the LVN, significantly if different assignments aren’t available. A hospital would possibly cancel a scheduled shift as a consequence of a sudden lower in affected person admissions, leaving the LVN with out anticipated earnings.
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Impression of Financial Circumstances
Broader financial elements may also affect the demand for per diem LVNs. Throughout financial downturns, healthcare services could scale back their reliance on momentary staffing to chop prices, resulting in fewer out there assignments. Conversely, during times of financial progress, the demand for healthcare providers and the necessity for per diem employees could improve. These exterior financial elements introduce a further layer of variability to the earnings of per diem LVNs.
These sides underscore the significance of monetary prudence for LVNs engaged in per diem work. Constructing an emergency fund, budgeting rigorously, and exploring different earnings streams can mitigate the dangers related to earnings variability. Whereas per diem positions provide flexibility and doubtlessly greater hourly charges, the accompanying earnings uncertainty necessitates proactive monetary administration.
Continuously Requested Questions on Per Diem LVN Jobs
The next questions handle widespread inquiries regarding momentary licensed vocational nursing positions, providing readability on the character, necessities, and concerns related to this employment mannequin.
Query 1: What defines a per diem LVN place?
The place entails engaged on an as-needed foundation, filling momentary staffing gaps at healthcare services. People on this position shouldn’t have assured hours or a set schedule, and they’re sometimes employed on a shift-by-shift foundation.
Query 2: What are the first benefits of pursuing this type of work?
The principle advantages embody schedule flexibility, the potential for greater hourly charges in comparison with everlasting positions, and publicity to various healthcare settings. The skilled can select assignments that accommodate private wants.
Query 3: What are the primary drawbacks to contemplate?
Limitations embody the dearth of complete advantages packages (medical health insurance, paid day without work), earnings variability as a consequence of fluctuating shift availability, and the necessity for fast adaptation to completely different facility protocols.
Query 4: What {qualifications} are important to get employed as a per diem LVN?
A present and unencumbered LVN license is prime. Healthcare services usually require Fundamental Life Help (BLS) certification and should want expertise in particular medical settings. Some positions might require extra specialised certification.
Query 5: Are staffing companies generally concerned in per diem LVN employment?
Staffing companies are regularly concerned. They join LVNs with healthcare services needing momentary employees, dealing with recruitment, screening, and placement. There’s a price related to utilizing these companies.
Query 6: How does earnings administration differ from everlasting positions?
Earnings is variable. Prudent monetary planning is crucial, together with budgeting for durations with fewer out there shifts and securing unbiased medical health insurance and retirement financial savings. Everlasting employment may be safer.
Understanding the nuances is essential for these contemplating this profession path. Cautious analysis of non-public priorities, monetary stability, {and professional} targets is advisable earlier than making a choice.
The next part will discover methods for maximizing earnings and profession progress inside this specific employment construction.
Methods for Maximizing Alternatives within the Momentary Licensed Vocational Nursing Sector
This part particulars actionable methods for LVNs to optimize their expertise within the momentary employment panorama, enhancing each incomes potential {and professional} progress.
Tip 1: Preserve an Energetic and Unrestricted License:
A present license is non-negotiable. Recurrently confirm the expiration date and full all required Persevering with Training Items (CEUs) effectively upfront of the renewal deadline. A lapse in licensure instantly eliminates eligibility for momentary work.
Tip 2: Domesticate Relationships with A number of Staffing Businesses:
Have interaction with a number of companies to develop entry to a broader vary of assignments. Evaluating pay charges, advantages (if provided), and out there alternatives throughout companies can considerably enhance incomes potential. Nevertheless, due diligence is required to make sure companies are reliable and respected.
Tip 3: Develop a Specialised Ability Set:
Purchase certifications or expertise in high-demand areas similar to essential care, geriatrics, or particular medical specialties. This specialization enhances marketability and permits one to command greater pay charges for specialised assignments.
Tip 4: Be Versatile with Scheduling and Location:
Willingness to work numerous shifts (nights, weekends, holidays) and journey to completely different services will increase the chance of securing assignments. The extra versatile the supply, the larger the chance to simply accept high-paying shifts.
Tip 5: Grasp Digital Well being File (EHR) Programs:
Proficiency with widespread EHR techniques streamlines workflow and improves effectivity. This ability is very valued by healthcare services and enhances the LVN’s capability to rapidly adapt to new work environments.
Tip 6: Preserve Professionalism and Reliability:
Constant punctuality, a robust work ethic, and constructive angle are essential for constructing a constructive status. Healthcare services usually tend to request dependable LVNs for future assignments, resulting in constant work alternatives.
Tip 7: Monitor Bills and Handle Taxes Successfully:
Given the absence of ordinary worker advantages, meticulous monitoring of work-related bills (mileage, CEUs, uniforms) is crucial for potential tax deductions. Seek the advice of with a tax skilled to know relevant deductions and optimize tax planning.
Implementing these methods equips LVNs to navigate the per diem panorama successfully, securing extra profitable assignments, increasing their skilled community, and maximizing long-term profession progress.
The ultimate part will summarize the core insights and provide concluding ideas on the position of momentary licensed vocational nursing within the up to date healthcare setting.
Conclusion
This exploration of per diem lvn jobs has highlighted the important thing attributes, benefits, and challenges related to this employment mannequin. The evaluation has underscored the significance of flexibility, adaptability, and sound monetary planning for licensed vocational nurses contemplating this profession path. Components similar to variable earnings, the absence of complete advantages, and the necessity for steady skilled improvement warrant cautious consideration. The position of staffing companies as intermediaries on this sector has additionally been examined, alongside the necessity for LVNs to domesticate relationships with a number of companies to maximise alternatives.
The healthcare panorama continues to evolve, and the demand for momentary staffing options is more likely to persist. Licensed vocational nurses getting into or presently working on this discipline ought to stay vigilant in sustaining their abilities, increasing their skilled networks, and adapting to the altering wants of the trade. A strategic strategy to profession administration is crucial for sustained success {and professional} achievement within the ever-dynamic realm of per diem nursing.
