Working as a locum tenens provider can be a fulfilling way to gain work experience in a variety of healthcare settings, enjoy working in a new area of the United States, and earn extra income to pay off student loans.
Want even more reasons to accept an assignment? Find out why these five CompHealth doctors choose to work locum tenens.
- Embarking on early retirement. “My wife and I decided to do locum tenens so we could travel when I retired. Then we decided that if we wanted to enjoy travel, we should do it when we’re young and healthy enough to be able to enjoy it,” says Dr. Leon Books, a family physician. “Working locum tenens enables me to travel, to see parts of the country, and get to know the people.”
- Devoting more time to medical missions. Dr. Olabisi Jagun, a nephrologist, says locum tenens allows her to have a wonderful quality of life. “It enables me to make a good enough income working, having a comfortable life for myself and my family. I can also take time off to work on what is now becoming a real passion for me: traveling and doing medical missions in Africa.”
- Eliminating administrative hassles of running a practice. “Locum tenens enables me to focus on the patients’ care and needs, trying to practice the best clinical medicine that I possibly can. I don’t have to get involved in office politics, I don’t have to give any lectures, and I don’t have to go to any meetings,” says Dr. Margaret King, a nephrologist. “When I get up in the morning, I’m looking forward to the day. I can’t wait to come to the hospital and see what’s going to happen today.”
- Working more flexible hours and taking longer vacations. For Dr. Deidre Redd, a physiatrist, locum tenens work has made a lifestyle change possible. “When I was in a professional partnership, I was working seven days a week and taking two weeks off a year. Now I work two weeks at a time and then I’m off for however long I want to take off,” she says. “I’ve found that to be incredibly lifesaving and a lot healthier for me. Locum tenens allows me to have a better work/life balance.”
- Earning a competitive salary without overhead costs. “I don’t have rent, I don’t have employees, I don’t have to pay for insurance benefits, I don’t have to buy supplies, and I don’t have to have liability insurance,” says Dr. Randy Sheen, a dermatologist. “If I were to work as many days as a locum tenens as I did in private practice, I think [the pay scale] would be very close — and with a lot less aggravation and a lot less headache.”
Working as a locum tenens provider allows these physicians to enjoy better balance and fewer stresses associated with running a private practice. Still wondering if locum tenens is for you? Check out this article about
common locum tenens misconceptions.
