5 Reasons Why Neonatal Nurse Practitioners Love Working Locum Tenens

More and more healthcare providers are reaping the benefits of a locum tenens career. With major benefits for providers and patients alike, its no wonder why. If you’re not familiar with the term, locum tenens literally translated means “temporary work.” As a locum tenens neonatal nurse practitioner, you fill in at hospitals and other health care organizations when there are shortages in staffing. This may be for a few weeks, or months depending on the needs of the practice. To some, the appeal is obvious: travel opportunities and tons of freedom and flexibility. Let’s review a few other reasons why neonatal nurse practitioners love working locum tenens assignments.

1. Increased Compensation
Perhaps the main appeal is the fact that locum tenens providers typically earn higher salaries. Many locum tenens providers opt to pick up additional shifts overnight or on weekends to help pay down their student loan debt or save up for large purchases.

2. Job Freedom & Flexibility
When working locum tenens, you have the power to accept or turn down assignments that work for you or not. You’re able to choose the hour, negotiate your pay rate, and more.

3. Travel opportunities
Traveling to different parts of the United States is another major appeal of working locum tenens. Locums providers typically get to choose cities they want to visit. This is a great option if you want to ‘try out’ new cities before you make a commitment to fully move.

4. Meeting New People
Traveling increases your opportunities to meet new people and build your network of professional and personal relationships.

5. Varied Career Experiences
There’s no greater benefit to a neonatal nurse practitioner than having extensive experience in various environments. Working locum tenens allows you to experience an array of hospitals and patients. This extra experience will help you grow as a provider and make you an even better nurse practitioner.

Working as a locum tenens neonatal nurse practitioner is a rewarding and exciting experience. To get started, contact Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Services of Georgia today. We will work with you to get assignments you love!

Tips for Locum Tenens NNPs During COVID 19

If you are a locum tenens NNP, you are no stranger to the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. From working longer hours, to the risks associated with traveling and spending time in a healthcare facility, there are several reasons you may be feeling panicked, anxious, or even depressed. It is important to remember that you are not alone. In fact, countries that have been battling coronavirus longer than the United States have reported higher instances of anxiety, insomnia, and depression among healthcare workers. Let’s review a few things you can do to to help improve your mental health and keep yourself safe as a locum tenens neonatal nurse practitioner during the COVID-19 pandemic

1. Make Your Mental Health a Top Priority
As a healthcare worker, you give a lot of yourself to your patients. A large part of your time and energy is spent making sure your patients are as happy and healthy as possible. But it is important to remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your own mental health above all else. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, you may not be able to provide the high level of care you wish to give your patients. Here are a few ways you can make sure to prioritize your mental health during COVID-19:

  • Seek Counseling- Speaking to an experienced counselor can help you manage your stress and anxiety. Many therapists are offering telehealth counseling sessions for everyone’s safety.
  • Virtually Socialize- Don’t forget to connect with friends and family! FaceTime, Zoom, text, and call your friends and family members to stay in touch and maintain some sense of normalcy.
  • Exercise and Eat Healthfully- Taking care of your physical health has major benefits for your mental health. Even just 30 minutes of walking 3x per week can lead to massive improvements in your overall mental health.
  • Turn Off the News- While it is important to stay up to date and informed, you don’t need to have a constant stream of news and updates all day long. News cycles and headlines are meant to be emotionally charged so that you are more likely to click an article or watch a video. This can increase your anxiety and cause unnecessary stress. Check-in with the world once or twice per day, and then let it rest.

2. Seek Support
Be sure to communicate regularly with your colleagues and locum tenens company about how you are feeling and what you are experiencing. Your coworkers understand what you are going through more than anyone, so try not to isolate yourself. Also, remember that this isn’t an excuse to complain non-stop. But share your experience, ask for advice or just a listening ear, and of course, offer the same to your coworkers as well. A sense of camaraderie will go a long way in protecting and improving your mental health.
3. Advocate for Yourself
If you feel as though you or your coworkers are working in unsafe conditions or not receiving the support you need, be sure to speak up for yourself. Reach out to your locum tenens company to help you get the support you need.

Maintaining your health and happiness during these unprecedented times is important. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Services of Georgia is committed to providing an excellent level of support to our NNPs during this difficult time. To learn more about NNPS of Georgia, contact us today.

THE NNP Services of GA Difference

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Services of Georgia is a team of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) with over 20 years of experience working in Level III NICUs. We provide experienced NNPs to hospitals with NNP shortages in the NICU and Mother-Baby Unit, all around the country. Our team has experience with caring for sick infants, including extensive work with high volume Level III & Level IV NICU.

Our most significant edge is our experience. NNPS of Georgia has been providing neonatal nurse practitioner care for over 25 years, affirming our commitment and the quality of our service. Our NNPs have experienced critical moments, making their decisions quickly and decisively, backed by years of knowledge and practice.

We offer flexibility in schedule and location. A hospital’s staffing needs are always changing, requiring a quick response in case of shortages. NICUs, in particular, benefit from accomplished individuals with extensive knowledge and skill sets that can be placed at will.

Would you like INSTANT ACCESS to EXPERIENCED NEONATAL NNPs?

Contact Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Services of Georgia for your NICU and Mother-Baby Unit staffing needs (Staffing available in all 50 states). Fill out our request services form to work with us. Send us an email at info@nnpsrv.com or call us at (404) 277-0916 for inquiries.