CRNA Locum Tenens Jobs

What is a locum tenens CRNA position, and how does it benefit you as a CRNA?

A locum tenens position is a temporary medical position at a hospital or other healthcare facility. 

This is a great choice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists who have already had experience in a staff position and are looking to broaden their horizons at a new facility. It is a way to not only get higher compensation but also to network and become familiar with different medical technology. 

However, it is important to note that these positions are temporary and often do not offer the same benefits as staff positions. Luckily, Trusted Locum Staffing can not only help you find the perfect locum tenens CRNA position, they also have benefits.

As previously stated, CRNAs have some of the longest training periods of all medical professionals. This is due, in part, to the exacting nature of anesthesiology. 

Incorrectly dosing patients or not taking certain medical conditions into account can have devastating consequences. CRNAs need to be prepared for any kind of medical emergency while their patient is under anesthesia. 

Here is a breakdown of the credentials a CRNA should have when looking for a locum tenens position:

In order to hold oneself out as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist, a long list of credentials must be achieved, including becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The credentials needed to become a CRNA can be broken down into 5 categories:

• Registered Nurse License 

All Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists must first become Registered Nurses. A Registered Nurse is a term used to refer to a nurse who has done the following:

• Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and some programs also accept an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). These must come from an accredited university. 
• Pass the national licensing exam, NCLEX-RN. When passed, a nurse can now be considered a Registered Nurse (RN). 
• Get on-the-job experience as an RN. How much experience is needed to become a CRNA varies, but most programs require at least a year of experience in a hospital intensive care unit or similar. 

• Graduate Nursing Education 

If you hope to become a CRNA, your education doesn’t end with a bachelor’s degree. CRNA hopefuls must also obtain higher education in a nurse anesthesia program from an accredited university. 

Generally, a CRNA must complete either a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). 

This was not always the case. In the past, you could become a CRNA with a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). However, a new ruling states that as of 2025, all Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists must have a Doctorate of Nursing Practice to enter the field of Anesthesiology. These programs take 3-4 years, not including required clinical practice. 

• National Certification for Nurse Anesthetists

After nurses have completed their DSN and all ancillary clinical practice training, they are ready to take the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists. 

This rigorous test is administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). This is the last certification required before an RN can officially start working as a CRNA. 

• State Licensure

The licensing doesn’t stop there! After you have become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist, you must become licensed in the state in which you want to work. Every state has different requirements for CRNAs, so be sure to do your research before accepting a position. 

These requirements can be very challenging for CRNA locum tenens positions, which can have a CRNA traveling from state to state, requiring multiple licenses. 

Luckily, Trusted Locum Staffing can help. Not only can they help you find the perfect CRNA locum tenens position, but they can also provide administrative services, including handling state licensing. 

• Recertification and Continuing Education

Medicine, and specifically anesthesiology, is a constantly changing field. Therefore, CRNAs must continue their education through educational programs and must continually show competency in their field. 

These educational programs include the Continued Professional Certification (CPC) Program, which is administered by the NBCRNA, as well as other educational credits and periodic testing. 

That is a lot of schooling and certification! This lengthy process ensures that CRNAs are at the top of their game and capable of doing their incredibly complex job. 

It is not a career path for the faint of heart (or anyone that hates school), but CRNAs are some of the highest-paid and most sought-after medical professionals in the country!

CRNAs are well compensated, both for the amount of schooling required and also because of the high demand for CRNAs. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the market for CRNAs is predicted to grow by almost 38% in 2032. The BLS also stated in their 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook that anesthesiology is one of the most in-demand subfields of healthcare.

What you earn as a CRNA depends on a few factors, such as where you work, how long you have been in that position, if you are staff or locum tenens, etc. 

However, annual average yearly salary is $259,707 for a CRNA staff position and possibly more for a locum tenens.

What are the benefits of a CRNA locum tenens position as opposed to a staff position? If locum tenens positions pay more, are they worth the job instability? Here are a few pros and cons of CRNA locum tenens positions:

Pros of CRNA locum tenens positions:

• Compensation: Locum tenens positions tend to pay more than staff positions. This is because the locum tenens positions are created out of necessity and because they are short-term, though some locum tenens positions can become full-time jobs. 

• Control over schedule: Feeling burnt out? Tired of someone else controlling your schedule? A CRNA in a locum tenens position can choose their schedule and hours. 

• Less administrative headache: A locum tenens position means that you do not have to do the administrative work of a private practice.

• Networking and career advancement: By traveling for the job, locum tenens CRNAs get to experience many different medical settings, meet other medical professionals, and use different technology. 

Cons of CRNA locum tenens positions:

• Job instability: Locum tenens positions are temporary, though they can last for months or even years. 
• State credentials: You must be registered as a CRNA in the state you do business. If you are moving from place to place for locum tenens positions, this can mean more paperwork. 
• Benefits: Locum tenens are usually independent contractors, so they do not have the same benefits as in-house staff. These include medical, dental, malpractice, and disability insurance. 

Don’t let these cons deter you from a CRNA locum tenens position! There is an easy solution — Trusted Locum Staffing!

What if you could have all the benefits of a CRNA staff position with the freedom of locum tenens jobs? With Trusted Locum Staffing, you get the best of both worlds! 

Trusted Locum Staffing offers a fantastic benefits package, including malpractice, disability, and even student loan help! We take care of everything with our top-of-the-line concierge service, allowing you to focus on your patients. Check out our website and find out if Trusted Locum staffing is for you!