| Aspect | Per Diem Graduate Nurse | Staff Nurse |
|---|
| Credentials | Graduated from nursing program, may have temporary license | Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) |
| Work Environment | On-call, temporary assignments, often in hospitals or clinics | Full-time or part-time hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility |
| Employer Usage | Hospitals, staffing agencies, healthcare facilities | Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities |
The main difference is that a Per Diem Graduate Nurse is a temporary, on-call position for newly licensed nurses gaining experience, while a Staff Nurse is a full-time or part-time employed RN with ongoing responsibilities. Per Diem Graduate Nurses typically work on short-term assignments, whereas Staff Nurses have consistent schedules and broader patient care duties.