per diem

I am a new grad nurse ;when it says job status "per diem" what does it mean?
Thanks
In my hospital, per diems work for a higher rate of pay in lieu of receiving benefits. Pro's: Usually can set your own days. You have to work one major winter holiday and one summer holiday.Higher rate of pay as mentioned above. Cons: Can be the first to be called off if census is down. I worked per diem for years. I loved it, but I didn't need the insurance and if I got called off for a week at a time it didn't hurt my budget. I loved being able to do my own schedule.FYI, this is how my hospital worked. Others might be different.