Per Diem Nursing Jobs in Lafayette, Louisiana
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Working as a nurse in Lafayette
Lafayette anchors healthcare for Acadiana, with consistent demand for nurses and CNAs across the heart of Cajun country. From acute care hospitals to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and senior-living communities across Broussard, Youngsville, and Carencro, Lafayette offers a broad mix of settings for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs who want flexible schedules.
Ochsner Lafayette General and Our Lady of Lourdes Health anchor acute care in the region, while a wide network of skilled nursing and assisted living communities across Acadiana keeps per diem opportunities available throughout the week.
Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If you hold a qualifying multistate RN or LPN license from another compact state, you can practice in Louisiana without applying for a separate Louisiana license. CNAs must meet Louisiana certification requirements.
With Switch, you browse available shifts, choose when you work, and get paid quickly — giving you more control over your schedule and your income.
About Lafayette
The capital of Cajun and Creole culture, Lafayette is known for its food, festivals, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. As Acadiana’s healthcare hub, it offers nurses and CNAs a steady flow of per diem opportunities close to home.
Nursing pay in Lafayette, Louisiana
RNs working per diem across Louisiana are paid $42–$52.50/hr, LPNs $30–$30.20, and CNAs $16.25–$16.75 (Switch — rates paid on completed shifts, last 12 months).
Figures are the middle 50% of hourly rates actually paid to providers on completed Switch shifts over the last 12 months, including weekend and holiday premiums, measured across Louisiana where a role has too little local shift history to report on its own. Rates vary by facility and shift — you’ll see the exact rate on every shift before you claim it. As a 1099 provider you cover self-employment tax and benefits.
What nurses actually earn in Lafayette, Louisiana
Switch rates are what providers were actually paid on completed shifts over the past year — not a starting rate. Shown against local wages for employed staff nurses.
| Role | Switch (1099 per diem) | Local staff wages (W-2) |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | $16.25–$16.75/hr top shifts to $20.41 | $14–$16/hr |
| LPN | $30–$30.20/hr top shifts to $37.50 | $23–$28/hr |
| RN | $42–$52.50/hr top shifts to $63 | $33–$45/hr |
Switch figures are the middle 50% of hourly rates actually paid on completed shifts in the last 12 months, including weekend and holiday premiums; “top shifts” is the 95th percentile. Local staff wages are employed (W-2) hourly ranges from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. As a 1099 provider you cover self-employment tax and benefits, so the two figures are not directly equivalent.
Jobs by role in Lafayette, Louisiana
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What nurses say about Switch
“Working for Switch has been a wonderful experience and has also been empowering for a busy mom like myself. I have the privilege to pick and choose my own schedule and work around my hectic schedule outside of work as a parent.”
“I have been with Switch for about five years now and the thing that I like the best about them is because they care about their workers. They pay me quickly, which is a good thing. Being with Switch brings me peace of mind. Great agency to work for!”
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FAQs about working in Lafayette
Does Switch have shifts across Lafayette?
Yes. Switch connects clinicians with opportunities throughout the Lafayette area, including Broussard, Youngsville, Carencro, and nearby Acadiana communities as facilities become available.
Do I need a Louisiana nursing license to work per diem shifts in Lafayette?
Louisiana is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a qualifying multistate RN or LPN license from another compact state, you can generally work in Louisiana without a separate Louisiana license. CNAs must hold a valid Louisiana certification before accepting shifts.
How much do per diem nurses and CNAs make in Lafayette?
Pay varies by role, experience, facility type, and demand. Weekend, holiday, and high-demand shifts often pay more. With Switch, you’ll always see the exact pay before you accept a shift.
Can I pick up shifts around a full-time job or nursing school?
Yes. Many RNs, LPNs, and CNAs use Switch to add income around a full-time position, nursing school, or family life, with no minimum-hour requirements. You choose which shifts fit your schedule.