As an SRNA, you're likely weighing your career options after graduation. Should you take a traditional W-2 position, or is the locum tenens lifestyle worth considering?

To help answer that question, Medicus hosted a webinar featuring locum CRNA Michael, who shared his experiences, the key benefits of working locum tenens, and insights for new CRNAs exploring this career path. If you couldn't attend, here's what you missed.

Why Work as a Locum Tenens CRNA?

Seven years ago, Michael connected with Medicus to explore locum tenens opportunities. Since then, he hasn't looked back. Here's what drew him to this career path:

  • Higher Compensation: CRNA locum jobs typically offer higher hourly pay compared to W-2 positions.
  • Diverse Clinical Experience: As a CRNA locum, you, as Michael put it, "hit the ground running" when working at a new facility. This requires quick adaptability, which Michael believes can make a more versatile CRNA.
  • Enhanced Work-Life Balance: CRNA locum tenens work puts you in control of your schedule. Whether full-time, part-time, or somewhere in between, this flexibility has allowed Michael to prioritize family, travel, and personal interests outside of medicine.
  • Frequent Travel: Locum CRNAs can work in different locations across the U.S., experiencing new places while doing what they love. With Medicus, travel and accommodations are covered, so you can focus on your work, not the logistics.
  • Expansive Networking: Working as a locum CRNA makes networking that much easier. Working in different facilities nationwide has allowed Michael to connect with fellow CRNAs, anesthesiologists, industry leaders, and other healthcare professionals.

Reflecting on his experience working as a locum tenens CRNA, Michael shared, "I have been working locum tenens with Medicus since 2018, and I can't imagine going back.".

What SRNAs Wanted to Know: Q&A with Locum Tenens CRNA Michael

During the webinar, SRNAs had the opportunity to ask Michael their most pressing questions about locum tenens. From scheduling flexibility to career longevity, here's what he had to say:

Q: Why did you choose Medicus, and why do you continue to work with them over other agencies?

A: "Medicus does everything other locum agencies do, but they make me feel like more than just a number," Michael shared. "My recruiter truly cares—she listens to what I want and need and is always there when I reach out. Over time, she's become more like family than just a recruiter. Other locum agencies reach out to me all the time, but I don't even consider them because I love working with Medicus."

Q: Do you need experience before becoming a locum tenens CRNA?

A: No. Whether you start as a locum or take a W-2 position, many facilities are open to hiring and training new CRNAs. Michael shared, "I wouldn't be afraid to start locums as a new CRNA. If you feel more comfortable gaining experience in a permanent role first, that's completely fine—but there are facilities willing to train you as a locum right out of school."

Q: How do you adjust to different anesthesia teams as a locum CRNA?

A: "I travel a lot as a hobby, and when I get somewhere new, I just go with the flow. It's the same with anesthesia—you show up at a new facility, figure out where everything is, and get to work," explained Michael. "After my second week at a new site, I realized all I really needed to know was where to find the drugs, supplies, OR, and pre-op patients. If you provide good anesthesia, people will make you feel comfortable. You'll build relationships just like anywhere else, and sometimes, you'll even meet others who are starting the same day—you stick together and figure things out as you go."

Q: Can locum tenens CRNA work be a long-term career, or is it best short-term?

A: The benefit of locum tenens work is that it's what works best for you. "I have friends who haven't worked a W-2 job in over a decade," Michael noted. "You do need to be flexible with travel—some assignments last six months to a year—but for those who enjoy the locum lifestyle, it can be a long-term career. I even know CRNAs who have been locums for so long they wouldn't know how a W-2 job works."

Q: As a locum tenens CRNA, how much control do you have over your schedule, and how far in advance do you book assignments?

A: Locum tenens CRNAs have complete control over their working schedules. Michael explained, "I go about a month or two ahead. I do see some people who have their schedule for the next four months or year. Depends on what you want. I like to keep it for about a month or two because I love to travel and have flexibility. I tell my recruiter what I'm available for, and they handle the rest. If I say, 'Here's what I can do next month,' they set it up, and I don't get scheduled for anything outside of that."

Q: What advice would you give new graduates considering locum tenens CRNA jobs?

A: "You're going to be new at your job no matter what, even if it's at the place you are training. It will still be a new job, and you'll be working on your own," Michael explained. "So whether it is at a facility you're familiar with or not, W-2 or locum, it's going to be new. Just take what works for you, jump into it, and it will all work out."

Is a Locum Tenens CRNA Career Right for You?

Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

  • Where do you want to live and work?
  • What practice settings interest you?
  • What schedule suits your lifestyle?
  • Are you open to travel, or would you prefer local assignments?
  • What types of cases do you want to handle?

If you're an SRNA looking for flexibility, higher earning potential, and the opportunity to experience different practice settings right after graduation, CRNA locum tenens positions could be the perfect fit. Whether you use it as a short-term option to explore different workplaces or a long-term career, it gives you the power to design a work-life balance that suits your goals.

Want to learn more? Connect with a recruiter today and start planning your future as a locum tenens CRNA!