Definition: Per diem is a Latin team meaning "per day" or "each day," as in "daily". In medical careers, per diem refers to very short-term temporary employment that consists of just a few days of employment to fill in for a sick or vacationing full time clinician. It is shorter than locum tenens or travel nursing assignments which are typically a several weeks or months.
The term "per diem" also may be used to refer to the daily alotted sum of money to cover expenses for the day while the employee works, such as meals, gas, and lodging if needed.
