Each month I will include a blog entry answering some of the most common questions I get from readers about locum tenens as a nurse practitioner. Feel free to comment any questions you have or email me at travelingNP.com@gmail.com.
Do locum tenens nurse practitioners get paid more than full-time employees?
Yes. You should expect to be paid at least $10/h more than you made as a full-time employee. I personally wouldn’t take less than $70/h for a locum tenens assignment. Keep in mind that government sites often pay less than that.
In addition, technically we get paid more than our salary co-workers because we are able to accumulate overtime hours when we work more than 40 hours per week. If I have to work during my lunch break, or stay an extra hour to see a walk-in patient or catch up on my documentation, I am paid time and a half.
If an assignment offers you an extension, do not be afraid to negotiate a higher hourly rate. They need you and enjoy having you work with them, so they will often be willing to increase your hourly rate by another $5/h.
