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Locum Tenens Nurse Practitioner Jobs: Do You Qualify?
Locum tenens nurse practitioners (NPs) are in high demand, and for good reason, as they can help healthcare facilities meet their growing need for increased healthcare services. In fact, these rising demands are fueling projections that overall employment of NPs will grow by 45% from 2022 to 2032. Typically, a locum tenens nurse practitioner salary, their work flexibility and their independence are greater than other nursing roles making it an attractive option for healthcare professionals. If you’re a locum tenens professional and looking for nurse practitioner jobs, you will first want to make sure that you meet the qualifications. Nurse practitioners are highly skilled and work in tandem with doctors to assess patient needs, order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and create treatment plans. This blog breaks down the qualifications needed to be a nurse practitioner, and why these healthcare professionals should consider locum tenens work.
Qualifications of Nurse Practitioners
Before applying to nurse practitioner jobs, review your qualifications in these five areas:
- Education: So, what is a nurse practitioner? To become a nurse practitioner, you must be a registered nurse, have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), complete a NP-focused master’s or doctoral nursing program, and successfully pass a board certification exam. After passing the certification exam, you can apply for licensure in your state. Requirements vary by state, so it is critical that you research your state’s education and licensing requirements.
- Certification and Licensing: Nurse practitioner certification is obtained through national certifying agencies such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Certification is typically specific to a particular medical field focus, such as family medicine or pediatrics, or specialty areas, such as psychiatry or acute patient care. Additionally, you’ll need to pass a national certification exam in your chosen specialty area.
- Skills and Qualities: To work as a locum tenens NP, you will need to possess clinical skills that demonstrate your knowledge and experience, along with emotional skills to treat patients empathetically through patient-centered care. Strong communication, the ability to be a team player and work well with others, and critical thinking skills are all qualities that will help you land the job.
- Years of Clinical Experience: Almost all healthcare facilities will have a minimum amount of clinical experience they want NPs to have to ensure that can effectively fulfill all job duties. Experience with different patient populations and areas within the medical field is also recommended. Before applying to locum tenens positions, it’s a good idea to have at least one to two years of general nurse practitioner experience.
- State Compliance: It’s also helpful to be aware of how a nurse practitioner’s role functions somewhat differently from state to state. One of the most important aspects of being a nurse practitioner is following each state’s scope of practice laws and documentation regulations. Scope of practice varies by state, meaning that in some states, nurse practitioners can practice independently, while in others, they must work under or in collaboration with a physician.
Benefits of Working as a Locum Tenens Nurse Practitioner
If you’re a Nurse Practitioner considering a change, locum tenens work might be your ticket to a more fulfilling and flexible career. Here’s a breakdown of the compelling benefits:
- Flexibility: Working locum tenens is a great way for nurse practitioners to control their schedule and check out new exciting locations. Locum tenens professionals can work various contracts, like part-time or full-time, allowing you to pick positions that will best fit your lifestyle. NP locum tenens opportunities also give you the ability to seek out new clinical settings, when you feel the need for a change.
- Career Growth: Nurse practitioners working as locum tenens have the unique chance to expand their skills and broaden their horizons. By taking locum tenens nursing assignments in diverse settings, you can gain exposure to different patient populations, treatment methods, and healthcare systems, helping to accelerate your professional development.
- Financial Gain: Organizations often offer a competitive locum tenens nurse practitioner salary, and that paired their higher demand can typically provide more financial gain. Additionally, the flexibility to choose your workload and location allows you to better maximize your earning potential and achievement of your financial goals.
- Reduced Administrative Burden: Escape the administrative grind commonly associated with traditional healthcare roles. Locum tenens nurse practitioners often do not handle administrative tasks like insurance battles, committee obligations, or state board interactions, leaving you more time to focus on providing outstanding patient care.
- Burnout Avoidance: Locum tenens for nurse practitioners provides a refreshing change of pace that can help prevent burnout. With flexible schedules, the ability to try new environments, and reduced administrative stress, you can rediscover your passion for healthcare while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Partner with Amergis Healthcare Staffing to Find Openings
If you’re searching for an outstanding locum tenens recruiting agency, look no further than Amergis Healthcare Staffing. For over thirty years, we have committed ourselves to excellence and furthering the careers of healthcare professionals, including those in locum tenens positions. As a member of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), our team strives to ensure that each of our healthcare professionals is supported, not just during the hiring process, but also throughout their entire work journey. Additionally, each candidate working with Amergis gets a dedicated recruiter specifically focused on meeting the needs of their career journey.
If you’re a locum tenens healthcare professional interested in working as a nurse practitioner, contact Amergis Healthcare Staffing to find job openings that work for you!
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