As a nurse practitioner, there are numerous advantages to working as a locum tenens professional. Nurse practitioners continue to play a crucial role in the healthcare industry by performing essential duties such as interpreting diagnostic texts, diagnosing, and managing acute and chronic conditions, and prescribing medications. However, their benefits extend beyond their technical expertise.
Not only have they completed their master’s or doctoral degree program, but their unique approach is a huge asset. This is because they provide care to the patient as a whole, while also looking to counsel, educate and promote good health. Hospitals and facilities all over the country are looking for locum tenens nurse practitioners, making them an in-demand position and bringing along many perks.
There are many advantages to working as a locum tenens nurse practitioner, including flexible scheduling, increased autonomy, and exposure to various healthcare settings. Working as a locum tenens nurse practitioner also provides the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations, which can be both personally and professionally rewarding.
What Is A Locum Tenens?
If you’re a nurse practitioner looking for opportunities to work in various locations across the country, you may be interested in pursuing a career as a locum tenens nurse practitioner. While similar to travel nursing, locum tenens positions offer greater flexibility in terms of contract length, with assignments lasting anywhere from a single day to a year. This makes locum tenens nursing a highly lucrative option that can offer diverse career pathways in the healthcare industry.
As a locum tenens nurse practitioner, you’ll have access to opportunities and benefits that can help you advance your career. These include exposure to a broad range of healthcare settings, flexible scheduling options, increased autonomy, and the chance to work with diverse patient populations. In fact, many nurse practitioners who work as locum tenens professionals find that the experience is so rewarding that they choose to pursue it as a full-time career path.
What Are The Benefits Of Working As A Nurse Practitioner Locum Tenens
Increase Your Income
One of the many benefits of pursuing a career as a locum tenens nurse practitioner is the potential for a highly rewarding income. As the population continues to age, there is a growing demand for experienced healthcare providers, making nurse practitioners a highly sought-after profession. This increased demand has translated into higher pay rates for locum tenens nurse practitioners, providing an excellent opportunity for those seeking to maximize their earning potential.
According to the 2022 APRN Compensation Report, the average annual wage for a nurse practitioner is $120,000. However, locum tenens nurse practitioners can earn an average of $147,000 annually, a considerable jump in pay that can help pay off debts, build savings, or achieve your financial goals. This increase in pay is a valuable perk that can make a significant difference in your life.
Create Your Schedule
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a critical concern for healthcare providers, particularly in the face of the increasing prevalence of burnout. Fortunately, locum tenens nurse practitioners enjoy a level of scheduling flexibility that can help mitigate these issues and promote a more positive, fulfilling professional experience.
By being able to create your own schedule, you can customize your work hours to better align with your personal needs and preferences. This can include taking time off when necessary to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being, or scheduling work around important life events and holidays. As a locum tenens NP, you have the autonomy to tailor your work schedule to your desired conditions.
By prioritizing your own schedule and needs, you can prevent burnout and promote a more balanced and fulfilling professional experience. This level of scheduling flexibility is just one of the many benefits that make a career as a locum tenens nurse practitioner an attractive option for healthcare providers seeking to achieve a more desirable work-life balance.
Expand Your Skills and Experience
As a locum tenens nurse practitioner, you have the opportunity to expand your skills and experience by working in various healthcare settings across different states. You will encounter diverse patient populations, including those of different ages, ethnicities, and with various illnesses, which will enrich your clinical expertise.
Moreover, you will work alongside new colleagues and learn how to effectively collaborate with them. Each healthcare facility implements unique techniques and processes, allowing you to broaden your knowledge and adaptability to different work environments. You can gain proficiency in using new technologies, systems, and other innovative approaches used by hospitals or fellow healthcare professionals.
The continuous learning and exposure to novel situations will undoubtedly improve your professional growth and prepare you to handle any challenge with ease.
Build Strong Patient Relationships
Forming strong bonds with patients is a rewarding aspect of working as a locum tenens nurse practitioner. Despite the short-term nature of the assignment, you can make a lasting impact on the lives of those you care for. As an expert in patient education and counseling, you can make a difference in the health and well-being of every patient you see, regardless of the length of your stay.
Your ability to quickly establish rapport and trust with new patients is crucial. You can create a positive and supportive environment that facilitates the healing process. With your skills and compassion, you can form lasting relationships with patients and positively impact their lives.
The Ability To Travel
The opportunity to travel across the country is a significant benefit of the locum tenens lifestyle, in addition to the lucrative income. As a locum tenens nurse practitioner, you have the freedom to choose your work location, allowing you to experience new places and cultures. Whether you desire to work in a warm climate, a bustling city, or a state with exciting outdoor activities, locum tenens can make it happen. Flexibility in your work and location is one of the major advantages of this career path.
Income may be the top benefit, but travelling around the country is mostly on par. As you have flexibility with your schedule, you also have flexibility with location. You’ll have the option to go somewhere warm, to move into a big city or go to a state with some epic adrenaline activities. It can all be done by becoming a locum tenens!
TheraEx Locum Tenens
TheraEx Locums is a premier locum tenens staffing agency for nurse practitioners seeking top-notch opportunities. Our team supports you every step of the way, from deciding if locum tenens is right for you to securing your first assignment and beyond. If you are looking to make a change in 2023, consider stepping into a locum tenens nurse practitioner position with TheraEx Locum Tenens.
Say goodbye to traditional permanent positions and embrace the flexibility and benefits that come with locum tenens work. Locum tenens NPs can earn, learn, and travel to new places while working in diverse healthcare settings. Enjoy the perfect work/life balance and start living your best life now. Begin your journey as a locum tenens nurse practitioner by contacting TheraEx Locum Tenens today for more information.
