Can Nurse Practitioners Do Travel Nursing?

NedRN · Nov 16, 2020

Nope, virtually all flavors and specialties of nurses travel. NPs may need more credentialing, by the states, and by the facilities. But the pay will be very good for midwives in the states you can work in.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Nov 19, 2020

I'm a CNM. Generally travel work is referred to as "locum tenens" (Latin for "to hold a place"). Usually these contracts are longer than typical travel nurse contracts, I.e. 6 months rather than 3, but they are definitely out there and can be lucrative, although they're often in remote, undesirable (to some) locations.

NedRN · Nov 19, 2020

In the hospital settings I work in, the vernacular is simply locum or locums. But locum tenens is the correct Latin. I write that it way on occasion but almost never out loud. Likely most nursing students haven’t heard it either way before.

Considering credentialing issues and general hassles of advanced practice, longer assignments make a lot of sense. That said, I see a lot of locum docs do just 2-4 weeks. Like anesthesiologists and ED.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Nov 21, 2020

Oh I usually just say locums as well, I just wanted to clarify for the OP that that's the term for travel positions for APNs and physicians, rather than "travel midwife" or something like that. Interesting about the 2-4 week contracts for MDs! I haven't come across that.

NedRN · Sep 2, 2021

I have another tidbit for aroberts1312 who started this thread that should be interesting. I did an OR travel assignment in St Thomas. L&D was basically connected directly to us with a suite for sections in between. As you will no doubt learn from your rotations (I would hope you rotate through hospitals but perhaps many programs don't) that in most facilities, L&D handles the scrub and circulate roles in a C section. But some don't, and it was only when I started traveling that I was exposed at all as part of my duties (including call) at the minority of hospitals where OR staff does them. Great fun I have to say with a very different and usually happy result compared to most surgeries.

The more interesting part for you is that travel (or locum) midwives were present 24 hours a day in the hospital L&D. So you too will have the options for exotic locations as a locum.

caramelwolf089, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2021

This is a post from an interview that a nurse practitioner did

''I graduated with a degree in family health, and the positions I usually pick-up are roles that are within family medicine, usually 3 months and ongoing contracts. Longer contracts equal more experience.

Taking time off for myself allows me to spend time with my family, stay in tune with myself and the things I like to do, put myself and my needs first. I usually work contracts that are convenient for me. ''