Rural Placements Offer Unique Opportunities
Where you decide to live and work as an anesthesia provider is a major decision, whether you are just starting out in your career or have years of experience under your belt. Many CRNAs and anesthesiologists focus their job search in urban or suburban areas, but rural placements also offer unique opportunities for professional development and patient care.
Here are four reasons you should stay open to new possibilities and consider a placement in a rural community:
1. Rural communities need anesthesia providers to provide proper surgical care.
Patients in rural communities often face difficulties receiving access to healthcare. The ratio of primary care physicians to patients is 39.8 to 100,000 in rural areas, compared to 53.3 to 100,000 in urban areas, according to the National Rural Health Association. Obtaining access to surgical care can be an even greater challenge. Working as an anesthesia provider in a rural area can help provide positive health outcomes for individuals and the community.
2. CRNA-only practices are common in rural areas.
Since access to care is a common challenge in rural communities, many practices depend solely on CRNAs to staff surgery. Working in a CRNA-only practice gives you more autonomy and opportunities to gain experience and practice new skills.
3. Locum placements provide financial and travel opportunities.
There are numerous benefits to taking a locum tenens position in a rural area. Rural facilities may struggle to recruit anesthesia providers and offer competitive wages and other benefits to attract candidates. Relocating for a locum job also gives you the chance to travel and explore different regions of the country. A locum placement in a rural area can open up time for your interests and hobbies outside of work, especially those based in nature, like hiking, camping, gardening, or skiing.
4. Rural placements offer advancement opportunities.
When you work as an anesthesia provider in a rural area, you often wear many hats in any given day. You have opportunities to develop diverse clinical skills, work with patients and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds and establish lasting relationships in the community. Taking a rural placement may allow you to take on more responsibility and advance your career more quickly than you would in a large urban hospital.
Looking for a new job? Contact Radar Healthcare Providers to find out about anesthesia job opportunities across the country.
