CRNAs glamorize locum position thinking that life is greener on the other side. It can be nice but it can have its negatives. It depends on your attitude, expectations, experience, and what you plan to walk away with. It’s not all roses.

I look at being a locum as slightly higher paid than the average CRNA as I risk not being able to find work, having to travel with or independent of my family, having to find my benefits, and learning the business end of anesthesia.

Why am I needed? When a place has a strained relationship, malignant personality, change in practice type, change in group, or people move-on/retire/pass away. These are the typical reasons I get called to a group. The less likely reason, albeit valid at times, is vacation coverage. This is typically a nicer reason or maternity leave can be more fun in small places.

I don’t say this to whine or complain. This is what goes with the job. I am still expected to go in happy and excited to be at work. Happy and excited to work with that Anesthesiologist or surgeon that people warn can be “a little challenging”.

I would be remiss in not telling you that there are negative things that come with being a locum just like come with W-2 jobs. You are very unlikely to find a perfect 7-3 m-f no call no overtime on some days and you can do everything you want and or say I don’t do XYZ. That’s hard to find permanently much less as a fill-in worker. Flexibility and optimism are definitely needed in our work.

I am not saying you have to do what’s unsafe for the job. Please don’t think that. I’ve shipped out and cancelled cases that needed to be. I’ve done some cases that were not wanted by others though because they had to be done.

Please please as you walk into the land of Locums know it’s not all roses... even roses have thorns. :).