Locum Tenens Nurse Practitioner Jobs
As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow across the country, more and more facilities are turning to locum tenens nurse practitioners to fill their staffing needs. With opportunities in every state and specialty, locum nurse practitioner jobs are the perfect way to build your skills, explore new places, and help patients in need – while enjoying freedom and flexibility.
So why not join the growing ranks of nurse practitioner locum tenens today?
How to Get Started as a Nurse Practitioner Locum Tenens
If you’re interested in locum tenens nurse practitioner jobs, here is what you need to know:
- Education Requirements
Most locum tenens nurse practitioners have at least an advanced nursing degree which covers the four fields: mental health nursing, children’s nursing, trauma care, and adult nursing. These fields are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
A nursing degree tends to take three years to complete and entry requirements may vary based on the university or college.
- Certifications Needed
After completing the advanced nursing degree, you will have to sit for a state exam to become a certified nurse practitioner. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provide certification tests to confirm nurses as legitimate nurse practitioners.
In addition, you may also need to acquire any state-specific certifications, such as in cardiology or gerontology. This specialization also requires additional training and examinations.
- Work Experiences
Experience is always the best teacher and locum tenens nurse practitioners must have extensive experience to be considered for locum tenens jobs. Most locum employers prefer nurse practitioners with at least three or more years of experience in their specific field.
Benefits of Working Locum Tenens
With locum tenens nurse practitioner jobs, you have the freedom to choose when and where you want to work. Here are five great benefits of locum tenens:
- Flexibility In Your Schedule
Locum tenens nurse practitioners have the freedom to work around their own personal and professional needs, allowing them to take care of their patients and families while also pursuing other interests.
They also have the flexibility to choose where they want to practice, with locum tenens nurse practitioner positions available in many different states.
- Learning New Skills
As a locum tenens NP, you’ll be exposed to a variety of clinical settings and cases, allowing you to learn new skills and gain valuable experience.
With this experience, locum tenens nurse practitioners have the chance to become experts in their field and develop a well-rounded practice.
- Enjoying a Work-Life Balance
With locum tenens nurse practitioner jobs, you can work when and where you want to – meaning you can easily enjoy a good work-life balance. You’ll be able to choose the locum positions that fit into your schedule and lifestyle, ensuring that you have time for yourself and your family.
- Increase Income
Finally, locum tenens nurse practitioners can significantly increase their income. Locums are typically paid higher hourly rates than regular providers and with locums being in high demand, locum employers may be willing to pay even more for experienced locum nurses.
What Do Locum Tenens Nurse Practitioners Do?
Locums provide temporary healthcare services in a variety of clinical settings. They are often called upon to fill in for regular nurse practitioners and doctors when there is a vacancy or shortage. Locums handle the same tasks and responsibilities as those in a regular nurse practitioner role.
This includes assessing patients, providing support to patients and families, delegating tasks to junior nursing staff, updating medical records, and consulting with other healthcare professionals.
A Day in the Life of a Locum Tenens NP
The duties of locum tenens nurse practitioners vary greatly depending on where they are assigned. However, locums will typically provide care for a variety of patients in different clinical settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and even home health settings.
For instance, the first day of a locum nurse practitioner job includes orientation and paperwork. Afterward, locums will typically begin their rounds in the assigned clinical setting, assessing and treating patients according to the guidelines of the locum employer.
Once settled in, the job description of a locum nurse practitioner will mirror that of a traditional NP.
Working locum tenens nurse practitioner jobs provides an incredible opportunity to gain valuable experience while also enjoying a good work-life balance. With locums in high demand, locum nurse practitioners have the chance to build a successful career while also exploring new places and meeting new people.