Advanced Practice Providers

Your Complete Guide toAdvanced Practice Locum Tenens

Navigate your career as a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, CRNA, or CNM in locum tenens work. Discover opportunities, overcome challenges, and maximize your potential.

Advanced Practice Providers in Healthcare

APPs are highly trained healthcare professionals who deliver quality care across diverse settings, making them essential to modern healthcare delivery.

Nurse Practitioners
Primary care and specialty providers with full practice authority in 28 states. Diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications independently.
Physician Assistants
Versatile providers working under physician supervision. Practice in multiple specialties from primary care to surgery.
CRNAs
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists providing anesthesia care. Independent practice in 31 states with excellent earning potential.
CNMs
Certified Nurse Midwives providing comprehensive women's healthcare. Essential for maternal care in underserved areas.

Why APPs Choose Locum Tenens Work

Advanced practice providers are uniquely positioned to thrive in locum tenens assignments, offering flexibility and opportunities that traditional employment cannot match.

High Demand & Premium Pay

APPs are in high demand with competitive hourly rates often exceeding permanent positions. CRNAs can earn up to $197/hour in locum assignments.

Schedule Flexibility

Choose when, where, and how long you work. Take breaks between assignments or work intensively then travel. You control your career timeline.

Diverse Experience

Work in different healthcare systems, from rural clinics to major medical centers. Gain exposure to new procedures, technologies, and patient populations.

Network Building

Build relationships with healthcare professionals nationwide. These connections often lead to future opportunities and collaborations.

APP Locum Market Outlook

38%

CNM job growth 2022-2032

32%

Expected CRNA workforce growth by 2030

45%

NP employment growth 2023-2033

Top APP Locum Specialties:

Family Practice
Emergency Medicine
Anesthesia
Women's Health
Surgery
Urgent Care

APP-Specific Challenges & Solutions

Understanding and navigating the unique challenges faced by advanced practice providers in locum tenens work.

Licensing Complexity
APP scope of practice varies significantly by state. NPs have full practice authority in only 28 states, while PAs require physician supervision in most locations.

Solutions:

  • • Research state-specific scope of practice laws before applying
  • • Consider focusing on full practice authority states for NPs
  • • Work with agencies that understand APP licensing requirements
  • • Maintain licenses in multiple states for maximum opportunities
Credentialing Hurdles
APPs often face longer credentialing processes (60-120 days) compared to physicians. Some facilities have limited experience with APP credentialing.

Solutions:

  • • Start credentialing process 90+ days before desired start date
  • • Maintain updated CV and documentation
  • • Choose agencies with dedicated APP credentialing specialists
  • • Consider facilities with established APP programs
Role Integration
Some facilities may be unfamiliar with APP capabilities or have unclear role expectations. Integration into existing workflows can be challenging.

Solutions:

  • • Clearly communicate your scope of practice during interviews
  • • Request detailed job descriptions and expectations upfront
  • • Seek facilities with established APP integration
  • • Be proactive in demonstrating your capabilities

APP Licensing & Credentialing Guide

Navigate the complex licensing landscape for advanced practice providers across different states.

Nurse Practitioner Licensing
Understanding scope of practice variations across states

Full Practice Authority (28 states + DC)

Independent evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prescribing authority.

Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming

Reduced Practice (12 states)

Limited ability in at least one element of NP practice.

Restricted Practice (11 states)

Requires physician supervision or collaboration.

CRNA Practice Authority
Anesthesia practice regulations by state

Independent Practice (31 states)

CRNAs can practice without physician supervision, especially valuable in rural areas where they provide 80% of anesthesia care.

Key CRNA Facts:
  • • Administer 50+ million anesthetics annually in the US
  • • 40% increase in jobs projected by 2032
  • • Average hourly rates: $85-$197+ for locum assignments
  • • Essential for rural healthcare access

Licensing Timeline & Process

1

Research Requirements

Review state-specific scope of practice laws and application requirements

2

Submit Application

Complete applications 60-90 days before desired start date

3

Verification Process

Background checks, education verification, and reference confirmation

4

License Approval

Receive license and begin credentialing with target facilities

Success Strategies for APP Locum Tenens

Proven strategies to maximize your success and satisfaction in locum tenens work.

Build Your Professional Brand

  • Maintain current certifications and continuing education requirements
  • Develop expertise in high-demand specialties (family practice, emergency medicine, anesthesia)
  • Build a strong professional network through each assignment
  • Collect references and testimonials from each assignment

Maximize Your Opportunities

  • Focus on states with favorable scope of practice laws for your profession
  • Consider rural and underserved areas where APPs are in highest demand
  • Work with multiple agencies to access more opportunities
  • Stay flexible with assignment types and locations

APP Locum Tenens Checklist

Active RN license (for NPs, CRNAs, CNMs)
National certification (AANP, NCCPA, NBCRNA, AMCB)
DEA registration
Malpractice insurance documentation
Updated CV with locum-relevant experience
Professional references (3-5 recent)
Immunization records
Background check clearance

Pro Tip:

Keep all documents current and easily accessible. Consider using a secure cloud storage solution to quickly provide documentation to credentialing teams.

Ready to Start Your APP Locum Tenens Journey?

Join thousands of advanced practice providers who have discovered the flexibility, financial rewards, and professional growth that locum tenens offers.

Get personalized guidance from recruiters who specialize in advanced practice provider placements