Becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist is one of the most demanding specialties a nurse can have. In total, CRNAs spend seven years training for their jobs, learning to assist with all aspects of anesthetization. If a medical facility is transitioning between permanent CRNAs or only hiring on a short-term basis, they often employ locum CRNAs, who only work at facilities on a temporary basis. Even though working as a locum CRNA requires frequently adjusting to new work environments, the position also comes with a number of enticing benefits.
Gaining Experience
Working as a locum CRNA allows nurses to quickly gain valuable experience. Facilities typically only hire locum CRNAs when they know they have a need, so there is a good chance you’ll be handling a high volume of procedures and patients on a daily basis. Moreover, working for a myriad of different facilities will teach you different techniques and procedures, which you may not have the opportunity to learn if you stayed at one facility on a permanent basis.
Accumulating References
One of the greatest benefits to temporary work is it allows you to easily accumulate references for future employment. A single locum CRNA job could last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, giving locum CRNAs the opportunity to work for several different facilities and physicians over the course of a year. By working in numerous locations, you can quickly build your list of references and expand your pool of resources.
Testing the Waters
As you might expect, many facilities hire certified registered nurse anesthetists on a temporary basis as a means of evaluating them before making a long-term commitment. Fortunately, this evaluation process is a two-way street. You can use locum positions to test the waters, working for various facilities until you find one that feels like a good fit for everyone involved. This ability to evaluate employers before coming on board permanently is one of the best luxuries of being a locum CRNA.
Trust Odyssey Staffing to Find a Locum CRNA Position For You
Since 2005, the experts at Odyssey Staffing have been helping medical professionals find work across the country. In addition to placing locum CRNAs, we also specialize in locum tenens and permanent placement for Anesthesiologists, NPs, and PAs. If you’d like to learn more about our services, give our team a call or contact us online.