Occasionally, 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.
- Can you do locum tenens with children?
When I first started doing locum tenens I recognized it would be difficult to do with children. However, during my travels, I have met many locums providers that travel even though they have kids. There are many ways to do this. You can either bring the kids with you or leave them at home.
For providers that work in acute care, they will work their 12 hour shifts consecutively, and make their schedule so that they have almost 2 weeks off in between. They will fly to their assignment for those 3 days, and then return home for the 2 weeks. Of course, this is only an option if you have a spouse that is able to help or a nanny. The benefits of traveling when you have kids, is you get compensated more but also have more free time to spend with your children during off time.
I know another traveling NP that traveled in an RV. She was able to bring her husband and young child along. Her husband was able to work remotely and her child was under 2 so they didn’t need to be in school. She said it worked for her and they loved the adventure. She also enjoyed making a higher income so she could spend more time off in between assignments. Traveling in an RV made it more comfortable because they were able to keep their things there, and didn’t have to pack at the end of every assignment.
I met another traveling NP, that did locums assignments within 2-3 hours from where she lived. She had school aged children but would still take assignments driving distance from home. She worked four 10 hours shifts so she would have long weekends at home. Her children would stay with their father. She said she didn’t mind the arrangement because it gave her some alone time and her kids were mostly in school and doing sports during the weekdays.
Some locum tenens providers will have their spouse homeschool their children. So they are able to join them on assignment and are accommodated with furnished housing large enough for all of them.
Everyone is different and I think nowadays people are living a less traditional lifestyle. So, doing locum tenens with kids is definitely possible!
