Healthcare facilities across the United States are facing significant issues such as physician shortages and provider burnout – not to mention the daily grind of covering shifts for providers on vacation, maternity leave or sick leave. Fortunately for medical clinics and hospitals, locum tenens medical providers can fill the gap to ensure seamless coverage and uninterrupted patient care.

This creates immense opportunity for nurse practitioners on both professional and personal levels. As a full-time locum tenens worker, a nurse practitioner has the power of agency. Since the demand for healthcare providers is high, NPs can select assignments anywhere in the country for any specified duration. Given such a wealth of options, nurse practitioners can define their own idea of work-life balance and craft the ideal career path based on an individual’s priorities.

If you want to create the ultimate work-life balance, consider these motivations for a locum tenens NP career:

Vanquish provider burnout

Life as a nurse practitioner can be stressful and demanding, especially when you’ve been working in the same office for a long time or experiencing the same frustrations day in and day out. To break free from the onset of burnout, try a locum tenens NP position at a new facility or in a new city. This kind of move may reignite your love of medicine. As they say, variety is the spice of life.

Spend quality time with family

As a full-time locum tenens nurse practitioner, you get to decide when you want to work, so it’s easier to take time off for vacation. You can truly relax since you don’t have to worry about missed meetings or a backlog of paperwork piling up.

Test the waters before diving in

Whether it’s for professional or personal reasons, locum tenens gives you an opportunity to trial a facility or city before you decide to sign a long-term contract or move permanently. Assignments could range from a few days to a few months, so you’ll have enough time to make an informed decision.

Pursue a side hustle or hobby

Have a passion outside of medicine? Write a book. Teach a class. Do what makes you happy. You’ll still rely on the security of income from your locum tenens assignments, but you can choose to start your own side business or pursue your hobbies since you won’t have to fulfill the long hours of a traditional contract.

Travel the country

Your locum tenens work is a great way to see the country. Locum tenens NPs can find assignments all over the U.S. When you’re not on a shift, you can explore a new area like a local and experience the culture of a new community.

Build a nest egg

Whether you want to build your savings, pay off debt or just treat yourself to some well-deserved self-care, locum tenens gives you an ability to pick up extra shifts outside of your regular full-time position. The additional income can take you to the next level of financial security.

Serve area’s in need

Rural areas have been hit hardest by the physician shortage, so these communities offer temporary assignments to attract top medical talent. Nurse practitioners assignments are continuously available in small towns and rural settings, and you get the satisfaction of helping fill the healthcare void and giving back at the same time.

Ready to find your best locum tenens work-life balance?

For nurse practitioners who want to experience a new level of work-life balance, TinkBird Healthcare Staffing can help. We regularly work with healthcare facilities recruiting for temporary and permanent positions across the United States. View our job board or contact us, so we can start advocating for you.