Per Diem Work Grants RN Time to Teach Aspiring Nurses

Discover how per diem shifts gave Minnesota-based RN, Kelly Zabel, the flexibility to pursue her passion for mentoring and teaching aspiring nurses.

Trailblazer and founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, once said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all of our lives.” For RNs like Kelly Zabel, whose career spans more than a decade, this philosophy rings especially true.

From kicking off her journey as a student nurse in 2008 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to earning her master’s degree in nursing education in 2020 at St. Catherine University, Kelly has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience over the years.

Not only has she gained a sense of purpose from working in such a high-demand profession, but she is also grateful for the critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities she’s acquired as a nurse.

Transitioning from full-time to per diem

While she loved her job, during a shift in the medical ICU, Kelly had a realization. “I felt like it was time to carve a new path for myself, one that offered a little more flexibility,” she says. After hearing about the benefits of per diem jobs from a colleague, she decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try.

“I love being able to design my life how I want,” she shares. “I’m able to attend more family events and plan trips because I only need to worry about my schedule. I don’t need to coordinate with others in order to take time off.”

Inspiring the next generation of healthcare workers

In addition to enjoying added freedom and autonomy, per diem shifts gave Kelly the time to impart her wisdom and expertise to the incoming nursing workforce. “I’ve always loved teaching and I’m excited to now be working as a virtual Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) coach, helping students prepare for their nursing boards,” she says.

Luckily, she is still able to help patients whenever there are gaps in her schedule. “I can easily pick up per diem shifts at hospitals near me through the Shifts app and stay current with best practices and new treatment options. I am grateful that this is an option for me and encourage anyone seeking more of a work-life balance out to explore per diem.”

Start your per diem journey with Aya today

Ready to learn more about the freedom and flexibility per diem nursing offers? Apply now and a recruiter will be in touch to discuss how to get started.