Per Diem Nursing Shifts in Toronto and How to Find Them

Per diem nursing lets you work shift by shift, on your own schedule, without committing to a permanent line. In a city like Toronto, where hospitals and care homes run around the clock, there is steady per diem work for nurses who want control over their calendar. Here is how it works, what it pays, and where to find shifts.

What is per diem nursing?

Per diem means "per day." A per diem nurse picks up individual shifts as they choose, rather than working a set roster. You decide when you work, where, and how often. It suits nurses who want to top up income, work around a permanent role or family, or keep full control of their hours.

Why Toronto has steady per diem work

Toronto has one of the largest concentrations of hospitals, long-term care homes, and retirement residences in Canada. That density means frequent short-notice coverage needs, especially for evenings, weekends, and holidays. For a nurse willing to pick up shifts, the demand is consistent.

What per diem nursing pays in Toronto

Per diem and short-notice shifts usually pay a higher hourly rate than a permanent staff line, because facilities pay more to fill urgent gaps. In Toronto, per diem and contract nursing rates commonly run from the mid $30s to the high $60s an hour, depending on unit, shift, and how urgently the facility needs cover (Source: Canadian job-board listings, 2026). The trade-off is that per diem work does not include the pension and benefits of a permanent role.

Per diem versus casual, agency, and travel

These terms get used loosely, so it helps to separate them.

• Per diem: you pick up single shifts as you choose, with no ongoing commitment. Highest control.

• Casual: an employer keeps you on file and offers you shifts when they need cover. Similar to per diem, but the employer initiates.

• Agency: an agency holds your file and assigns you to shifts or contracts.

• Travel: fixed-length contracts, often in another city or province, usually with housing or a stipend.

Per diem gives you the most say over when and where you work. If you specifically want the casual route, our guide to how to find casual nursing shifts in Toronto walks through that path.

How to find per diem shifts

For per diem specifically, an on-demand marketplace makes it direct.

Staffy is an on-demand marketplace that connects nurses with Toronto facilities that need coverage. You browse registered nurse shifts, claim the ones that fit your schedule and radius, and get paid for what you complete. You work as an independent contractor and set your own calendar. Each listing shows the facility and rate before you claim it, so you see the shift and the pay before you commit.

How to start

Create your profile on the Staffy app, verify your registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario, and complete the standard checks shown as you build your profile. Once verified, you can see Toronto shifts near you and claim the ones that fit.

The takeaway

Per diem nursing in Toronto gives you control, variety, and often a higher hourly rate. If you want to choose your own shifts rather than hold a fixed schedule, the work is there, and a marketplace lets you claim it on your terms.

Common questions

What is per diem nursing? Working individual shifts as you choose, rather than a set roster. You decide when, where, and how often you work.

How much does per diem nursing pay in Toronto? Per diem and short-notice shifts commonly run from the mid $30s to the high $60s an hour, depending on unit and shift, usually higher than a permanent staff rate but without benefits.

Is per diem nursing worth it? It suits nurses who value flexibility and a higher hourly rate over guaranteed hours and benefits. Many nurses combine a permanent base with per diem shifts.

How do I find per diem nursing shifts in Toronto? Create a profile on an on-demand marketplace like Staffy, verify your registration and checks, then browse and claim shifts near you.

Whether you want per diem shifts, a permanent base, or a mix of both, you can build the schedule that suits you. Create your profile and start picking up work on your terms.

Get started at staffy.com.