A nurse practitioner's guide to locum tenens: Getting started with locums

If you’re a nurse practitioner and you’ve heard the term locum tenens but aren’t quite sure what it means, you’re not alone. The phrase appears on job boards, in recruiter emails, and in conversations with colleagues. For many NPs, it may sound intriguing, but also a little opaque.

The reality is much simpler—and more flexible—than most people expect.

This guide breaks down what locum tenens work actually is, how it works for nurse practitioners, and why more NPs are choosing it as part of their career strategy.

What does “locum tenens” mean?

Locum tenens is a Latin term that means “to hold the place of.”

In healthcare, it refers to clinicians who temporarily fill in for another provider. This might happen when a clinic is short-staffed, a provider goes on leave, a hospital is expanding services, or a rural community is struggling to recruit permanent staff.

For nurse practitioners, locum tenens means taking temporary clinical assignments rather than holding a permanent position with a single employer. These assignments can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, and they exist across a wide range of settings—from primary care clinics and hospitals to urgent care centers and specialty practices.

In practical terms, a locum tenens nurse practitioner:

It’s still full-scope clinical work—just without the long-term employment commitment.

What perks come with locums tenens? CompHealth's benefits for NPs

How locum tenens works for nurse practitioners

Most NPs who work locums partner with a locum tenens agency. The agency acts as an intermediary between the clinician and the healthcare facility.

At a high level, the process usually looks like this:

1. You connect with a locums agency and share your specialty, experience, and preferences.

2. The agency presents available assignments that match your profile.

3. If you’re interested in a role, they help manage:

• Credentialing and onboarding

• State licensing (if needed)

• Travel and housing (for many assignments)  

4. You work the assignment for an agreed-upon period.

5. When it ends, you can:

• Extend

• Take a break

• Try a different location or setting

The key thing to understand is that you’re not navigating this alone. Agencies handle much of the administrative burden that typically makes job transitions stressful—especially credentialing and licensing, which can be significant barriers in traditional job searches. 

Assignments exist in:

And you can be as active or as selective as you want.

Why nurse practitioners choose locum tenens work

Nurse practitioners come to locums for many different reasons. Some are early in their careers and still exploring. Others are highly experienced and seeking greater control over their time. Many are burned out and want something that feels more sustainable.

One of the most common motivations is greater autonomy over how and when you work.

I decided to try locums because I wanted more time freedom—like being able to take off blocks of time together rather than just a week of vacation at a time.

- Katherine Allen, NP

Instead of negotiating PTO or squeezing rest into weekends, locums work allows NPs to build time off directly into their schedule.

For others, it’s about career exploration.

“When I came back from working in New Zealand, I didn’t have any preconceived notion of where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. I didn’t have any ties, and I wasn’t quite sure where I was going to land," says NP Patricia Maybee. "Working as a locum nurse practitioner was absolutely perfect. Locums gave me that flexibility.”

Some NPs discover new specialties they never would have considered in a permanent role. Others use locums as a bridge between life transitions—moving, finishing school, recovering from burnout, or reassessing long-term goals.

For many NPs, locums work offers a low-risk way to explore new opportunities without committing to a permanent change.

In other cases, nurse practitioners find their way into locums work almost by chance, like NP Kelly Leuck

“I had a few months in between jobs for credentialing, so I thought, ‘Why don’t I just do some traveling?’ I did a three-month stint at the Grand Canyon, and I realized I really liked locums. And that’s how it started.”

What often surprises NPs is how quickly locums work becomes less of a temporary experiment and more of a long-term option.

Love medicine again: Why one NP chose locum tenens work

How locum tenens differs from permanent NP jobs 

The most significant difference between locum and permanent work isn’t clinical, it’s structural.

In a traditional role:

• You’re employed by one organization

• You work a fixed schedule

• You accrue benefits and PTO

• You stay until you resign

In locums work:

• You choose each assignment

• You decide how long you work

• You can take breaks between roles

• Assignments end by design

That built-in endpoint changes the psychology of work. Instead of feeling locked into a role, many NPs describe feeling more in control of their career. 

It also allows for:

Geographic mobility

More negotiation power

The ability to step back without quitting healthcare entirely

Locums isn’t necessarily “better” than permanent work, but it offers a different kind of autonomy that can be especially valuable during times of transition.

Common misconceptions about locum tenens

Despite its growing popularity, locums work is still surrounded by myths.

“It’s only for new grads or semi-retired clinicians.”

In reality, locum NPs span every career stage. Many facilities actually prefer experienced providers who can step in quickly with minimal training. 

“You have to move constantly.”

Some NPs travel extensively. Others work locums within one region or even within commuting distance of home. Travel is an option, not a requirement.

“It’s only rural or undesirable positions.”

While locums is essential for rural access, assignments exist everywhere—including major cities, academic centers, and specialty clinics.

“You’re completely on your own.”

Most administrative work is handled by agencies, including:

Credentialing

Licensing support

Travel and housing

Contract logistics

The clinical work is independent, but the supporting infrastructure is highly robust.

A low-risk way to explore your options 

Locum tenens isn’t a lifelong commitment. It’s a way to explore, experiment, and learn what kind of work actually fits your life.

For some NPs, it becomes a full-time career. For others, it’s a short chapter. For many, it’s a reset button. What makes locums uniquely appealing is that you can try it without locking yourself into anything.

In the following article, we’ll look more closely at what locum tenens offers in practical terms—including pay, flexibility, benefits, and how it compares to traditional NP roles.

Interested in locum tenens opportunities in your specialty? Explore open positions or give us a call at 800.453.3030.