That’s why we teamed up with our longtime partner TravelingNP.com, a trusted source that reaches nearly 7,000 monthly readers with tips, stories and guidance for traveling nurse practitioners. Together, we set out to answer the most common questions about locums work and the recruiter-clinician relationship that makes it possible.
The questions below were submitted directly by TravelingNP’s audience and answered by Elizabeth Prater, a primary care recruiter with more than eight years of experience at LocumTenens.com. Elizabeth shares her perspective on what it's like to work with a recruiter, how locums assignments can fit into a clinician’s career and how they offer unique opportunities for flexibility and growth.
Your locums questions, answered:
Preparing and assignments:
Should you have multiple state licenses prior to applying for a locums job, or wait for agencies to license you?
You can do it either way. It never hurts to get ahead and obtain licenses for states you’re interested in. Once you start working with an agency like LocumTenens.com, they can educate you on the market and which states they recommend licensing in.
Is it possible for a newly graduated NP to jump into locums?
While it is possible, it can be more difficult to find the right clinic immediately after school. Most new grads require hands-on mentorship in their first position, and many of our clients do not have the capacity to provide that.
What makes an NP a competitive candidate for a locums assignment?
While it is dependent on the specialty, I have seen the following increase the likelihood that a candidate will be confirmed:
- Willing to travel
- Open to learning new environments and practice settings
- Comfortable with learning new EMR’s
- General flexibility and patience
Travel and stay:
Besides extended stay hotels, are Airbnb’s or housing stipends an option?
Yes, but this depends on the client and their budget.
Are flights home provided in the middle of/during an assignment?
This is dependent on the client’s budget. However, in most primary care assignments, we can provide one round-trip airline ticket at the beginning and end of the assignment. If you choose to travel home during the assignment, you would more than likely be responsible for the expense.
Can I collect hotel and airline miles even though the agency is paying for my travel?
Yes, we are happy to include your travel account numbers so you can gain points while working.
Pay and expenses:
Are there more opportunities as a local or traveling locum tenens NP?
The more flexible you are, the more opportunities are available. In larger cities, you’re likely to find more local positions. However, you limit yourself by not being open to travel. The more “local” you are, the longer you may have to wait for an opportunity to open.
How is the pay rate of an assignment determined?
Many factors influence pay rates, but they are first and foremost dependent on the client’s budget, practice setting, location (market demand) and clinician experience.
When on assignment:
What happens if you want to leave your assignment earlier than intended?
At LocumTenens.com, our contracts require 30-day notice from both the client and clinician in the event either party needs to end the assignment early.
If you have a workplace issue, should you address it directly with the facility or with your recruiter? For example, working longer hours than intended, increased workload, etc.
Always involve your recruiter in any on-site issues, even if you are comfortable addressing them directly. Recruiters can bring additional insight into situations and are here to advocate for you and help navigate any issues.
Answering the most common questions NPs have about locum work offers more than just clarity; it builds confidence in navigating opportunities while also deepening their understanding of the recruiter’s role. For an even closer look at what motivates recruiters and how they build meaningful connections with clinicians, check out LocumTenens.com’s new report, The Heart Behind the Hire: Exploring the Role of Purpose Among In-House Physician Recruiters. The report highlights how recruiters’ drive to make a difference directly impacts their ability to shape access to care
