Per Diem Nursing Jobs in Georgia — Flexible Shifts, Fair Pay, No Long-Term Contracts
Not every nurse wants a 13-week travel contract. Some prefer the freedom to pick up shifts on their own schedule, stay close to home, and still earn competitive pay. That is exactly what per diem nursing offers, and Georgia is one of the best states to do it.
Lamb Staffing connects registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants with per diem shifts at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics throughout Georgia. Whether you are a seasoned nurse looking for supplemental income or a newer clinician building experience across multiple settings, per diem work gives you control over when, where, and how often you work.
What Is Per Diem Nursing?
Per diem is a Latin phrase meaning "per day." In healthcare staffing, per diem nurses work on an as-needed basis rather than committing to a fixed schedule or long-term assignment. Facilities call on per diem staff to fill gaps caused by census spikes, employee absences, vacation coverage, or seasonal demand.
Per diem roles differ from travel nursing in a few key ways. There is no requirement to relocate. Assignments can be as short as a single shift. And you are not locked into a multi-week contract. You maintain full control over your availability and can accept or decline shifts based on your personal schedule.
Why Georgia Is a Top Market for Per Diem Nurses
Georgia has more than 180 hospitals, hundreds of long-term care facilities, and a growing network of outpatient surgery centers and urgent care clinics. The state consistently faces nursing shortages, particularly in rural counties south of Atlanta and along the coastal corridor. This persistent demand creates a steady pipeline of per diem opportunities for qualified nurses.
Major metro areas like Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and Macon offer the highest volume of per diem shifts due to the concentration of large health systems. However, smaller communities such as Valdosta, Albany, Statesboro, and Brunswick also post regular per diem openings because they have fewer full-time staff to draw from when needs arise.
Georgia does not impose state income tax burdens that diminish your take-home pay the way some northeastern states do, making each shift you work more financially rewarding. Combined with a lower cost of living compared to states like California or New York, Georgia per diem nurses often stretch their earnings further.
Per Diem Specialties We Staff
Lamb Staffing places per diem nurses across a wide range of clinical specialties. Our most requested per diem roles in Georgia include:
Medical-Surgical Nursing — The backbone of per diem staffing. Med-surg nurses handle the highest volume of per diem shifts statewide because every hospital needs floor coverage.
Emergency Department — Georgia ERs experience unpredictable surges, especially during flu season and summer months. Per diem ED nurses who can respond on short notice are highly valued.
ICU and Critical Care — Intensive care units require precise nurse-to-patient ratios. When a full-time nurse calls out, facilities need a qualified replacement immediately. Per diem ICU nurses command premium shift rates.
Labor and Delivery — L&D units cannot predict birth volumes. Per diem nurses with labor and delivery experience fill a crucial gap in Georgia hospitals with active obstetric programs.
Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing — Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers across Georgia use per diem LPNs and CNAs to maintain required staffing ratios during weekends, holidays, and staff shortages.
Telemetry and Step-Down — Cardiac monitoring units need nurses trained in rhythm interpretation. Per diem telemetry shifts are available in most Georgia hospitals with cardiac programs.
How Lamb Staffing Matches You With Per Diem Shifts
Our process is designed to get you working quickly without unnecessary red tape.
Step 1: Submit Your Application. Complete a brief profile on our website. Include your license type, certifications, preferred specialties, and geographic preferences within Georgia.
Step 2: Credential Verification. Our compliance team verifies your Georgia nursing license, BLS and ACLS certifications, immunization records, and background check. We handle the paperwork so facilities do not have to.
Step 3: Get Matched. Once credentialed, you gain access to available per diem shifts. You choose which shifts to accept based on location, time, specialty, and pay rate. There is no obligation to accept any shift you do not want.
Step 4: Work and Get Paid. Complete your shift, submit your timesheet, and receive prompt payment. Lamb Staffing pays weekly so you are never waiting long for your earnings.
Browse available per diem shifts on our job board.
What Per Diem Nurses Earn in Georgia
Per diem pay rates vary depending on specialty, shift type, and facility location. In general, per diem nurses earn a premium over standard staff rates because they provide scheduling flexibility that facilities value highly.
Night shifts and weekend shifts typically carry additional differentials. Holiday shifts command the highest rates. Critical care and emergency department per diem shifts also tend to pay above general med-surg rates due to the specialized skills required.
Lamb Staffing is transparent about pay. You see the rate for every shift before you accept it. There are no hidden deductions or surprise fees. The rate you agree to is the rate you receive.
Benefits of Per Diem Work Through Lamb Staffing
Choosing per diem work through Lamb Staffing means more than just picking up extra shifts. Our nurses benefit from:
Schedule Flexibility — Work one shift a week or five. You set your own availability and are never penalized for declining a shift.
Diverse Clinical Experience — Rotating through different facilities sharpens your skills, exposes you to varied patient populations, and strengthens your resume for future career opportunities.
Fast Onboarding — Our streamlined credentialing process means you can go from application to your first shift in as little as one week, depending on how quickly your verifications clear.
Local Support — Lamb Staffing is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. When you call us, you reach a real person who understands the Georgia healthcare market because we work in it every day.
No Long-Term Commitment — Per diem work fits around your life, not the other way around. Whether you are between full-time jobs, supplementing your income, or simply prefer the per diem lifestyle, we support your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Per Diem Nursing in Georgia
Do I need a Georgia nursing license to work per diem shifts in Georgia?
Yes. You must hold an active, unencumbered Georgia nursing license or a valid multistate compact license that includes Georgia. Lamb Staffing verifies all licenses before placing any nurse.
Can I work per diem while holding a full-time nursing job?
Absolutely. Many of our per diem nurses work full-time at one facility and pick up additional shifts through us for extra income. As long as your primary employer does not have a non-compete clause that restricts agency work, you are free to take per diem assignments.
How quickly can I start working per diem shifts?
Most nurses complete credentialing within five to seven business days. If your documents are current and your background check clears promptly, you could be working your first shift within a week of applying.
Is per diem work available in rural Georgia or only in Atlanta?
Per diem opportunities exist across the entire state. While Atlanta and Savannah have the highest shift volumes, rural facilities in south Georgia, the coastal region, and northeast Georgia regularly post per diem openings because staffing shortages are often more acute in those areas.
Does Lamb Staffing offer benefits for per diem nurses?
Per diem positions are flexible by design and typically do not include traditional benefits like health insurance or PTO. However, the premium pay rates for per diem shifts often offset this difference. Nurses interested in benefits-eligible positions should ask about our travel nursing contracts.
Ready to start picking up per diem shifts? Contact Lamb Staffing today.