Becoming a Locum Tenens CRNA

So, What is Locum Tenens?

A concept dating back more than 50 years, locum tenens is a Latin phrase meaning ‘to hold the place of.’ In healthcare, a locum tenens provider is a physician or advanced practice provider, like a CRNA, who travels to different locations to provide patient care on contract. Aya Locums partners with healthcare facilities across the U.S. to fill locum tenens assignments for vacancy coverage, during leaves of absence or during times of high patient census. These positions are meant to bridge staffing gaps, lasting from a few weeks to several months or even years. Locum providers work in various settings including hospitals, surgical centers, government facilities and clinics. The experience required to become a locum varies by facility, but most healthcare settings require at least one year of practical experience.

While some healthcare providers take advantage of locum opportunities to experience different locales, practice settings or patient populations before taking a permanent role, others have made a career out of only working locum assignments. Contract lengths and compensation vary across locations, but these jobs typically pay well and offer providers exciting opportunities to practice in new locations with the flexibility to choose how often they work. What’s more, locum work can be incredibly gratifying when considering that many of these assignments provide life-saving care to those in desperate situations.

Key Benefits of Working as a Locum Tenens CRNA

In my experience as a recruiter, once providers understand the unique experiences and full benefits the locum path offers, they quickly realize how enticing this work is.

• Competitive Pay: Locum CRNAs can capitalize on the high demand for the specialty by negotiating rates to secure top hourly wages.
• Flexibility: Locum work offers unparalleled flexibility. You can choose assignments that fit your desired hours, workload and setting, while working continuously or taking breaks between jobs.
• Travel: For those craving adventure, locum tenens work lets you explore new locations while providing essential care.
• Experience: From busy hospitals in major cities to rural clinics, each assignment brings a diverse setting and fresh patient population. Additionally, you will be exposed to a constant learning environment with new practices, protocols and equipment. All of this will serve to keep your skills sharp and your work dynamic and engaging.
• Focus: Locum CRNAs are usually not involved in departmental meetings, which can alleviate administrative burdens and allow you to focus on what you do best — providing high-quality anesthesia care.
• Networking: Locum work provides an exciting opportunity to build a diverse professional network across the country.
• Work-Life Balance: Creating harmony by taking breaks between contracts to recharge, pursue hobbies, spend time with family or travel is one of the great rewards of locum work.

Ultimately, becoming a locum tenens CRNA empowers you to craft a career that aligns your professional goals with your personal priorities. You get to choose your schedule, control your income, explore new places, experience diverse populations and settings, and create meaningful connections — all while making a significant impact on patient care.

Requirements to Practice as a Locum CRNA

Whether permanent or locum, CRNAs must complete approximately 7-10 years of education and training to practice. Having clear expectations of the fundamental requirements can help CRNAs navigate the process and plan accordingly.

While the years of schooling and experience may seem daunting at first, each step is essential and will better equip you for any role you might find yourself in. CRNAs we work with share that the rigorous curriculum, combined with hands-on clinical experience, better prepared them for the split-second decisions they need to make to ensure patient safety, especially when working in a locum capacity in revolving settings.

1. Accrue Experience

Before applying to a graduate CRNA program, RNs must first possess practical and real-world experience in a hospital setting. All CRNA programs require a strong foundation in critical care nursing, so candidates should prioritize clinical work to include at least one year in intensive care units or emergency rooms.

2. Complete a Graduate Program

Typically lasting 24-36 months, a master’s- or doctoral-level CRNA program is necessary to become a practicing CRNA. With more than 150 programs across the country, competitiveness varies but often requires high GPA and GRE scores, ICU experience and strong recommendations. When choosing an institution, be sure that it is included on the Council of Accreditations list. It is also important to note that as of 2025, prospective CRNAs will be required to earn a doctorate degree.

3. Pass NCE

After successfully completing a graduate program, CRNAs must sit for the National Certification Exam (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. This test focuses on anesthesia knowledge and clinical judgment. The certification must be maintained throughout a CRNA’s career and requires the completion of ongoing education credits. CRNAs must also pass the recertification exam every four years.

4. Practical CRNA Experience

While the requirements to gain licensure are the same, locum tenens typically need at least of year of practical CRNA experience before landing their first travel assignment.

Do You Need a Doctorate to Become a Locum CRNA?

The simplest answer to this question is not yet — but future CRNAs will.

Beginning 2025, all new CRNAs will be required to earn a doctorate degree as part of their graduate training. However, licensed CRNAs who hold a master’s degree before 2025, will be exempt from this requirement and will be grandfathered in. This shift is following a trend in other specialties that are making permanent moves toward doctorate-level degrees for entry into the profession. Ultimately, employers of locum tenens CRNAs will determine what level of education will be required for their specific assignments. Therefore, those in the early stages of their CRNA career who hold master’s degrees might consider pursuing a doctorate to enhance their competitiveness in the workforce.

Scroll down to keep reading

The Locum Lifestyle

While locum tenens offers exceptional flexibility, aligning work demands and travel with the requirements of daily life may still require extra effort. So, finding balance and rhythm is essential to thriving both personally and professionally.

Some tactics to consider include:

• Be schedule savvy by planning ahead.
• Maintain self-care by finding time to disconnect from work.
• Take the stress out of searches by connecting with your dedicated Aya Locums recruiter to find new assignments.
• Embrace the journey by taking advantage of your exposure to new environments.

Achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires effort and thoughtful planning. By being strategic, focusing on your well-being and embracing the unique opportunities of locum tenens work, you can create a fulfilling career that allows you to thrive in any setting.