Locum tenens nurse practitioner? Travel NP?

GoldenFire5 · Sep 29, 2008

What are some of the websites you've found? I was just wondering about this yesterday.

JDCitizen · Sep 30, 2008

You know I had thought about that in the past... I would say one would have to be very confident in ones skills... I wonder how they handle new NP's. I have seen the sites and received the emails but never really followed through. Sure would be nice to hear some insights....

emtneel · Sep 30, 2008

I am a new graduate and I do plan on doing this.

I think if you committed a little longer for an assignment say 6mo vs. 3mo. then they won't mind training you a bit.

Anyways, I am probably doing a RN travel assignment for the next 3 mo. while I apply for CA, NY and possibly a few other state licenses.

That is the only hassle,... no compact NP license yet...

If you are a compact state RN license you can apply to those states a little easier.

Also there are some government jobs as well that will take any state license.

if you are willing to go anywhere, i think you can get a job.

I inquired about a AR job and the guy sent my resume without asking and emailed me that i would be receiving a phone interview.. (although i didn't hear from them today..)

Anyways, I am really excited to do this, and there are many opp. such as when they need coverage for maternity leave etc..

I have only worked as a NP for 2 mo. and really like it but not to stay at current employer. So it will be hard to go back to RN work for few months.

comphealth.com has NP locums jobs.

http://wwmedical.com/locum.html

alliedhealth.com

you can always look on indeed.com and just search google for a particular area you are interested in.

I will let you know how it goes in a few months.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has done this as well.

lannisz · Oct 2, 2008

What are some of the websites you've found? I was just wondering about this yesterday.

I simply googled "locum tenens nurse practitioner" and came up with a list of websites. There are even a couple of RN travel companies that find placments for NP's. I think Aureus was one. Also, the VA and gov't facilities will take any state license. Pretty interesting...I don't think i'd ever get bored. I plan to get at least another year of experience under my belt before I apply for any, but I would love to hear about anybody who has experienced locum tenens work.

emtneel · Nov 21, 2008

i will try to make updates here to this forum about my experience.

I am a recent grad (dec.07) have worked for 3 mo.

i will start a new locum tenens NP job in Jan in MA.

So far everything has gone smoothly with my company although its still NOv and I don't start til Jan.

I've been working with CompHealth and have a good recruiter.

They have been VERY helpful. They fed-ex'd me big packet of stuff to get credentialled with them and a fed ex envelope to mail it back.

They are also VERY helpful with helping me get MA licensed. They actually did all the work of contacting CO and TX board of nursing to send verification to MA BON.

I did have to fill out a LOT of paperwork which took me about 3 days to get copies of everything together, certification, licenses, immunization records, go take drug test, etc..

But they are very helpful in answering all the questions.

they will find my housing, but I also have the option of finding my own housing, which i am looking around. Because I did tell them I wanted a washer/dryer but end the end, they don't have to provide that, and really only yourself has your best interests in mind.

Also my recruiter said if i wanted to save more money (i mentioned to pay off student loans) he said would be better to find my own housing. You always take a risk, since I am coming from 2000 miles away, and not being able to see a place before you move in, but I take a risk just moving into an apartment they provide.

I will also be working nights and weekends and need to sleep during the day, and think it would be better if i could house share with someone and not have to worry about parties in apartment complexes or noise from thin walls.

So we'll see. The housing subsidy is also VERY good, so would be good for me trying to live more frugally to pay off loans! The subsidy or housing they provide covers utilities, and furniture rental, you have to provide housewares though, they also give you a stipend to cover for internet/cable.

The recruiter has been more than helpful answering multiple emails and phone calls!

I also could have the option to fly and take a rental car but he said my pay would be probably 1000/mo less. For taking my own car they give me $24/work day tax free for using my own car.

They do provide healthcare insurance, not the best but okay, like $1200 deductible, $84/mo i pay, i think $30 copay for office visit.

They have a 401k which they match up to 2.5% if you pay in 5%, but not 100% vested til you work for them for 5 years.. so.. better than nothing though.

They provide malpractice insurance, but I may get my own policy as well. I talked to the recruiter today but am still a little confused. He said it is a group policy from NSO but then they get under writers and a policy in my name. I am really not clear that it is individual coverage. He says they do purchase a tail after you finish but they can't buy a tail during the time.

Because I am not totally clear on the issue i may just purchase a individual policy and i can deduct it on taxes. If after seeing the policy they provide (they said i will receive something 1-2 weeks before i start) i can always cancel.

I called proliability and they said if you get coverage, and you can only buy for 1 year, and you cancel say after 3 months, they will prorate and reimburse you for the unused portion.

They are paying for travel, because I am coming from so far ~2000 miles, not sure it will cover everything, but hopefully most, and i figure I can negotiate more next time.

The pay is pretty comparable, but no sick time or vacation, holidays pay. But i think if you factor in housing then it is pretty much comparable to other regular permanent jobs.

If you are good with saving your money you can play your cards right and schedule time between jobs for vacation (which i plan to do!)

Oh, I also had a nice interview with the main MD at the facility where i will be working. He seems very nice, and gave me his home number and email and has replied promptly to my questions/emails.

i'm actually hoping i will really like this job! I'm a little nervous being a pretty new grad on night shift alone but I think i will like the independence. I really like the prospect of working in Urgent care and why I wanted to take this job vs. primary care.

Oh the recruiter also said, if i continue to work with them, they will pay for a new license in another state each 13 weeks worked. So that's cool. And he said he will help me start looking for a new job about Feb. since its about 3 months to get licensed most places.

He also said they have sometimes needs in AK to villages where they drop you in with helicopter for 2-3 weeks, i'm like hey for a good bonus/pay i would definitely be up for that, plus would be pretty exciting!

Once i get out there and get settled I will post more.

So far so good, but i'm not actually there and working yet...

lannisz · Nov 21, 2008

That all sounds great...so glad this has been a positive experience for you! Keep us updated - I want to hear about your experiences because this definitely sounds like something i may consider in the future. good luck!

berj0029 · Dec 3, 2008

With positions like this does anyone know how the credentialing works? Once you are credentialed through the traveling service does that work for every clinic or hospital you might go to through them? Or would you have to fill out the application/ paperwork for every new assignment?

emtneel · Dec 3, 2008

With positions like this does anyone know how the credentialing works? Once you are credentialed through the traveling service does that work for every clinic or hospital you might go to through them? Or would you have to fill out the application/ paperwork for every new assignment?

You get credentialled with the travel company and then you get credentialled with the company you are working at. Lots of paperwork, but the fact that you are credentialled at the travel company i think does streamline things a bit..

emtneel · Dec 3, 2008

okay, i'm a little worried now, but i need to tell myself not to worry.

so i'm waiting on the MA NP license, they got the RN license done... and now they are saying the DEA will take 4-6 weeks and i cant start work without it and i'm supposed to start Jan 5th.

Also i'm trying to find housing myself because i can keep the extra money which is a lot and put it towards loans.

but its like am i supposed to drive out there 2000 miles and somehow stay somewhere without work while waiting on the DEA??

So i'm getting a little nervous.. i've committed to this job and being off for 2 months in the meantime staying with family... but if it falls through... i could have gotten a different job in the meantime..

emtneel · Feb 5, 2009

Hey so here is an update.

I should start a NP locums blog or something.

Well i feel like i am in Alaska.. I arrived in Amherst, MA on Dec.31st. and there have only been 3-4 days where we actually got above freezing 32F.. its been like -10 to 20F every day... and its getting old.. I am seriously considering moving back to FL or CA (so if you know any jobs PM me..)

anyways, my job here is Jan 5- May 23.

So far i LOVE it!!! Which is awesome because i got really jaded by my first NP job and was thinking they were all going to be miserable. This place has been wonderful. The people are great to work with. All the Docs who I met the 1st 2 weeks on orientation are very helpful and no one was demeaning about me being a new grad. Several of the docs actually said that was great, and offered to answer any/all questions.

I'm working nights as a sole provider, i have a RN and a assistant. It is really nice, i enjoy working with them, everyone seems to work well as a team. It is pretty low stress environment as i think the most i have had is 8-9 pts, and most of them are from 10p-2-3am.. 3-8am can be pretty slow...

I've already got to see some cool stuff, its a walk-in clinic but is like a urgent care. Only thing is no lab or x-ray on nights, so have to send to ER if high suspicioun of something serious. Its fun though because i get to do procedures like splinting, suturing, cutting off rings, IVF, etc..

Concerning my company, they are really good to answer the ton of emails and phone calls i have sent/left. So far i've gotten paid.. had a few minor issues but they get resolved.

I recommend finding your own housing, with the internet its pretty easy to do. Although i don't recommend roommates/or renting a room unless you come stay in hotel first.. and even then you can't be sure. I came out here and first rented a room from a guy who turned out to be pretty creepy and i got out quick and reported to police. And you can actually save a LOT of money by finding your own place (i'm saving probably extra $1000/mo doing this, i live frugally though)

i plan on staying with this company and doing another locums assignment after this (unless they don't have a position or not where i want to go and i'm pretty open about going anywhere)

If you have any questions about the whole process please feel free to ask.

Oh, i also got to meet another lady a PA who is also at my clinic for locums for the semester on evening shift, so we see each other for 1-2 hours/shift. Its nice to meet another traveler. And she's been with the company for 3-4 assignments.

So if you can find a clinic to give you a week or two of orientation, then i think a locums assignment is just as fine for a new grad as for the experienced provider. The reason being is most of the clinics that are needed locums are desparate for the help and are willing to make exceptions, negotiate, and wait for licensing etc..

I also had my first outing today, ventured out to Hartford, CT and saw the Mark Twain house. I think next up will be Boston, MA..

then i'm hoping to go to NYC in March (never been) and plan on running the Montreal, Canada 1/2 marathon april 19th (only 5.5 hours away) and medical volunteering for the Boston marathon april 20th.

knowlton6, MSN, RN, APN · Jul 14, 2011

Hi Emtneel,

I know it's been awhile since your last post but I would like to know how it's going now? Did the locum company help you get your DEA? Would you do it again? Any information you have on becoming a locum would be appreciated.