For anesthesia providers looking for greater flexibility and variety, in both location and work environment, locum tenens assignments can be the perfect fit. COVID-19 hasn’t changed the need for locums’ assignments…in fact, it’s increased the usage by healthcare facilities seeing increased volume as they recover. Healthcare facilities across the U.S. have open positions they need to fill temporarily—for days, weeks, or months—and locum anesthesiologists and CRNAs can earn competitive rates while getting to explore a different part of the country.
Interested in locum tenens work but not sure where to look first? Here are five states that offer wonderful travel opportunities—and also happen to earn a place on Medscape’s top-earning states for physician compensation.
1. Illinois
Illinois is bursting with the natural beauty of the 4-changing seasons. From picturesque parks to a road trip along the route 66, you will be captivated by art, culture, and history. If you take a locum tenens job here, you can spend your time off in one of the largest cities in the U.S-Chicago marveling at skyscrapers, Millennium Park, or the Magnificent Mile.
2. Florida
The Sunshine State lives up to its name, which makes it a popular choice with providers seeking temperate year-round weather. Miami is known for its nightlife and beaches, and Orlando is famous for its theme parks, but Florida has more to offer than just tourist destinations. The state has more than 1,300 miles of coastline where you can find ideal spots for scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, swimming, or surfing from Jacksonville to the Keys.
3. Indiana
In Indiana, you can experience the beauty of all four seasons. Take the kids on the Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park or warm up in the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (the largest children’s museum in the world) in winter. Go walking or swimming in Indiana Dunes State Park, set on the southern tip of Lake Michigan, in spring and summer. Drive across the state to see vibrant fall foliage and visit apple orchards in the fall.
4. North Carolina
Whether you want a hip city escape in Charlotte or Asheville, a coastal getaway in Wilmington or the Outer Banks, or an outdoorsy adventure in the Blue Ridge or Smoky Mountains, North Carolina has something to appeal to your travel style. Taste samples of the State’s famous barbecue and expanding craft brewing and distilling scenes. Or take a scenic road trip on the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway that connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
5. Kentucky
Fans of bourbon, bluegrass, and horses are already familiar with Kentucky’s many merits. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Kentucky Derby Museum alone can keep you busy for some time. The State also offers opportunities for urban exploration in Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, and hiking and horseback riding trails in Mammoth Cave National Park, Daniel Boone National Forest, and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
The benefits of a locum tenens assignment extend far beyond just the job. Are you interested in living in a new place as a locum provider? Browse job openings, or get in touch with our team.
