The COVID-19 pandemic and changing workforce needs contributed to the revolution in the healthcare sector. Locum tenens is one innovative employment model where healthcare practitioners can choose short-term assignments and work schedules.
This model was developed to give healthcare workers flexibility and solve staffing shortages in healthcare facilities. However, healthcare providers should understand the new model before jumping in. This article explains why locum tenens is a smart option for nursing workers.
Flexibility and Control
Locum tenens opportunities allow nurses to choose when and where to work from the list of jobs available. These flexible options for nurse practitioners can help prevent monotony and burnout. For example, they can choose clinical assignments that require a short duration and take time off to travel or spend time with their loved ones.
Additionally, they can decide to work in different geographical locations, unlike the traditional work arrangements, which lock them in long-term contracts and require them to work in the same healthcare facility. This new work arrangement allows nurses to choose assignments that match their career goals and interests.
Nurses with temporary assignments can also make room to spend time with their families and pursue their hobbies and interests. The work-life balance motivates nurses, increases job satisfaction, and enables them to focus on providing quality patient care.
More Professional Experience
Another reason locum tenens jobs are a smart move for nurses because they offer practitioners an opportunity to gain diverse clinical experience. For example, they work in different healthcare facilities and serve different populations. Since the health risks and treatments vary from one setting to another, these nurses gain broad experience and advanced skills.
In addition, nurses can focus on one area of specialization, such as emergency care, inpatient care, women’s health, and geriatrics, which allows them to gain new skill sets. The practitioners can utilize this chance to explore different fields and specialize in areas where they excel.
Opportunities for Career Development
The flexible schedules for nurse practitioners enable them to pursue continuing professional development activities. For instance, they can find time for seminars and conferences between job assignments.
Staffing agencies provide some of these professionals with credentials and licenses for new states, enabling them to work with new populations and advance their experience. Traveling to different locations and healthcare facilities allows nurses to network and have professional relationships with other nurses.
These encounters and networking can lead to greater future growth opportunities. The locum lifestyle is a great means by which nursing practitioners can advance and establish their careers. They can make friends and create a support network in different settings, which might be handy in times of need.
Higher Earning Potential
Locum tenens jobs are financially rewarding for nurse practitioners. This is because nurses work for many facilities, unlike conventional employment, where one is paid a monthly salary. However, experience level, geographical location, shift arrangements, and specialty influence income.
Besides the competitive pay, locum tenens nurses are also given other benefits such as housing stipends and continuous medical education. Therefore, they save money they would have otherwise spent on housing or further education.
Transitioning to locum tenens work is an excellent decision for nurses who desire flexibility, better salaries, and autonomy in their professional and personal lives. This new work model offers career development opportunities for nurses seeking temporary roles. However, nurses should work with reputable locum staffing companies to get rewarding opportunities.
