www.VistaStaff.com

Advantages of Choosing a Locum Tenens Career It has been said that it takes a unique way of seeing things to be an effective locum tenens doctor or nurse. Perhaps that is true. Locums must constantly deal with living in new locations, adapting to new work environments, dealing with changing community standards, and getting along with all sorts of co-workers. It's not easy. Yet some locum workers love it so much that they have decided to make a career of it. We think of the typical locum as someone doing this sort of work only until a permanent placement position comes along. So what motivates some professionals to become career locums? Some love the travel aspect; others just cannot stand the thought of being tied down to a single job for 30 years. If either of these situations applies to you, we have listed below some additional advantages of being a career locum.

Change of Scenery The need for a “change of scenery” is something that is frequently talked about in the break room in hushed tones. After all, no staff member wants his supervisor to hear him talking about needing a change. Nevertheless, the pressures of the medical profession are such that some doctors and nurses would do better with frequent changes of scenery. The change of scenery applies to both geographical location and healthcare facilities. With every new assignment the locum takes, he is off to a new city and a new workplace. Both changes are quite refreshing for those who are afraid of change. And in fact, this is the one aspect career locums constantly say they love about their work. Medical Practice What do you suppose is the number one complaint among permanent staff clinicians? It is not having the ability to provide the level of care they would like to provide. Today's high-pressure medical industry forces doctors to move patients in and out like cattle. Many a doctor is frustrated because he cannot practice medicine; he has to practice the medical business. For the locum professional, the stress of the medical business is a lot less. His work is not intrinsically tied to the business of the healthcare facility, so he has more freedom to practice medicine as it should be practiced. The freedom of not having to worry about the business is very attractive to many career locums.

www.VistaStaff.com

Real Income The annual salary earned by locums is pretty comparable. However, there is something else to consider – overhead. In other words, the staff professional pays for his own housing arrangements and all that goes with them. Most locums do not. Why? Because accommodations are provided by their agency. That means no mortgage or rent, no homeowners insurance, no costs for maintenance and upkeep, etc. Furthermore, the competitive nature of locum hiring dictates most staffing agencies pay travel expenses directly or include a regular travel stipend. All things considered, the real income of the average locum is often higher than that of the staff worker. Career Flexibility Lastly, working as a career locum gives the clinician the flexibility to guide his own career. If he wants to take an assignment as a hospitalist in a major city, there are plenty of openings. If he chooses to make his next assignment a short fill-in for a primary care doctor going on vacation, he can do that as well. The locum even has the flexibility to choose assignments in multiple disciplines to a certain degree. There are plenty of good reasons career locums choose to do what they do. It is something you might consider if you find yourself in a rut.