What Every NP Should Know Before Starting Locums Tenens
If you’re convinced that the benefits of locum tenens positions are right for you, then it’s time to dig into the application process. Now is the right time to start researching staffing agencies like All Star, lining up tax advisors, and figuring out where in the country you want to go.
Double Check State Licensure
If you’re planning on going out of state for your locum tenens role, make sure that you understand the licensure rules in your target state. Many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, an arrangement which allows nurse practitioners with a license in one compact state to practice in any other compact state with a single, multistate license. Not eligible for reciprocal licensure? Make sure you understand the timelines, requirements, and fees associated with becoming licensed in your target state.
Identify Target Geographic Areas
Where do you want to go with your locum tenens role? Many of these positions are in high-demand areas experiencing healthcare gaps like rural communities or urban areas that experience healthcare shortages due to demographic factors. Others are in places that experience seasonal population swells like Florida and California. Make sure you understand the risks and rewards of any location before you commit to one.
Review Your Malpractice Insurance
Before you go riding off into the sunset on your next great adventure, make sure you know your limits, make decisions about supplemental policies, and read the fine print carefully. Need help with malpractice insurance? Let All Star’s team of lawyers and professional staffers demystify the process!
Understand the Tax Changes
If you’ve always been a full-time employee with a W2, you’ve probably always had taxes removed from your income before you got your pay check. However, as a contract you will have a W9 tax form, and your tax burden will probably change. Make sure you’ve got a CPA or qualified tax professional in your corner, focused on helping you set up your tax structure.
Carefully Pick Your Staffing Agency
Finding the right staffing partner is critical for locum tenens nurse practitioners. All Star is an industry leader, known for our commitment to Red Carpet Service for both providers and employers, and specializing in locum tenens roles for advanced practitioners. We have a dedicated team of professionals to assist with licensure and insurance needs, and we’re dedicated to supporting your career goals with hand-selected opportunities that propel you toward the future.
Picking the Right Role for your Locums Journey
Once you and your All Star partner have aligned on your career goals, licensure needs, insurance coverage, and the kinds of locum tenens roles you’re looking for, it’ll be time to narrow your focus and pick a role. This is an exciting milestone on the locum tenens journey because it means you’re one step closer to the future you envisioned for yourself, but we understand that it can be tricky to select just one option. Here are some qualifiers to keep in mind while you make your choices.
Clinical Fit
You know your experience best, so make sure the position aligns with your specialty, experience level, and comfort zone. You can ask questions like:
- What patient population will I serve?
- Are there any skills or procedures required that I’m not current in?
- Will I have enough support from administrative staff, permanent practitioners, and collaborating doctors?
Geographic Fit
Many locum tenens nurse practitioner roles are located in areas where significant healthcare gaps exist, so do some research on the community and make sure the position is located in an area that can support your interests and aims. You can ask questions like:
- Can I commute to this role, or will I need housing?
– If I need housing, does the healthcare system provide an adequate housing stipend?
- Do I know anyone in the area or have any existing support system to rely on?
– If not, are there opportunities to pursue my interests outside of work and make friends? Work-life balance matters, so if you’re a passionate surfer, you might want to consider roles that keep you near the beach. If you’re an avid reader, you might want to find an active book club in the area.
- Do I feel safe in this community? Will going to and coming back from work pose a risk to me for any reason?
– Your safety should always come first, so make sure that the community feels welcoming and secure to you.
Financial Fit
One of the major benefits of making the switch to locum tenens positions for nurse practitioners is the competitive compensation, so make sure the role you’re targeting offers a compensation package that’s in line with your expectations. Don’t forget, that’s more than just wages. You can ask questions like:
- What is the pay rate?
- Is housing covered or reimbursed?
- Is malpractice insurance provided (including tail coverage)?
- Are travel and/or relocation costs covered?
- Are there any bonuses, per diems, or overtime offerings?
Schedule Fit
Many locum tenens positions are with healthcare systems that are experiencing staffing shortages, and the schedule may reflect that in many different ways. Whether it’s part-time hours so permanent staff can get a day off or full-time hours with potential for overtime, make sure the clinic’s expectations align with your capabilities and availability. Ask questions like:
- How many hours a week are expected?
- Is overtime expected?
- What are my on-call duties?
- What are my weekend and holiday responsibilities?
- What are the patient volume expectations?
- What is the average appointment length?
- How long is the assignment?
- Is there potential for a permanent placement if both parties agree?
Cultural Fit
It can be easy to shrug off cultural misalignments for temporary positions, but at All Star we place a high value on a good cultural fit for practitioners and employers. It’s important to make sure the practice is somewhere that you actually want to work by asking questions like:
- How do you onboard new team members?
- How is the team structured?
- What support is offered to the team?
- What does leadership do to foster positive relationships?
- What’s the clinic’s reputation in the community?
Future Fit
Only consider positions that align with both your long-term and short-term career goals. For example, if you are exploring new specialties, then only accept roles that can offer you the experience you need. If you’re exploring new communities, then only target roles in communities that you’re interested in. You can ask questions like:
- Does this expand on my experience?
- Could this lead to future opportunities?
- Will this refresh my passion for the practice?
- Does this give me a chance to explore new areas of expertise?
Agency Fit
You deserve a staffing partner who has your back 100% of the time. Only trust the future of your career to an agency that you respect, with a proven track record of success for advanced practitioners. You can ask questions like:
- Do they have a good reputation in the industry?
- Do they have an established presence in my target area?
- Do they have transparent processes?
- Will they support my decisions and help me meet my milestones?
Feeling prepared? In our final post, we’ll walk you through how to hit the ground running in your new role.
Broad Scope, Sharp Focus: All Star Healthcare Solutions Acquires Integrity Locums
We are thrilled to announce that All Star Healthcare Solutions has officially acquired Integrity Locums, a strategic move that strengthens our position as a leading provider of healthcare staffing solutions across the country. This acquisition marks an exciting milestone in our expansion journey, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future ahead!
Established in 2012, Integrity Locums is an award-winning, full-service locum tenens staffing firm committed to matching high-quality physicians and advanced practice providers with healthcare facilities facing coverage challenges.
Together, All Star and Integrity will offer an even broader, more robust range of services to a growing network of providers and clients. With this acquisition, All Star brings a greater suite of healthcare specialties to more communities, expanding our reach across the entire nation and providing thousands of job opportunities to healthcare professionals. Our combined efforts will allow us to deliver unparalleled provider and client service, with enhanced support, better technology, and a deeper commitment to making healthcare staffing easier and more effective for everyone involved.
At the heart of this partnership is our shared dedication to providing exceptional service. Both companies have built strong cultures rooted in trust, transparency, and a genuine care for the people we serve, whether it’s the healthcare professionals we place in critical roles or the hospitals and healthcare systems we support.
This strategic transaction means more resources, more opportunities, and an even more powerful team dedicated to serving your staffing needs. We are incredibly proud of the team we’ve built and the journey we’re on together, and we can’t wait to continue delivering exceptional results in healthcare staffing.
Whether you’re a provider looking for your next opportunity, or a healthcare system seeking top-tier staffing support, we’re here to help. Apply for a job today or contact us to learn more about how we can support your staffing needs.
Here’s to the exciting road ahead!
Mind the Gap: How Advanced Practitioners Support Modern Healthcare
Across America, healthcare gaps are widening. Our healthcare system is facing unprecedented challenges and, for Advanced Practitioners who got into medicine to make a difference, the outlook can be bleak.
Fortunately, new opportunities are emerging for APs to make a positive difference in patient experience, thanks to Locum Tenens in areas that need providers the most.
Thanks to their leading-edge educational backgrounds and deep wells of practical experience, APs have the expertise to step in and make a difference in patient experience, even under challenging circumstances causing unequal healthcare services.
From delayed or missed medical care to higher rates of chronic illness, from understaffed and overstressed clinics to higher rates of burnout, every person who enters the healthcare system is affected when unequal care leads to unequal outcomes.
That’s where APs come in, bridging the ever-widening gap between patients and care, especially in healthcare deserts. APs are uniquely poised to help alleviate gaps in healthcare deserts through Locum Tenens, well-paying, highly flexible roles that position much-needed practitioners in areas where they’re most needed.
The Provider Gap:
“Wanda Liddell knew it was a medical emergency when she saw one of her patients struggling to breathe last month. But in her backcountry town of Cross City, Florida, the ambulance took 30 minutes to arrive. Even worse, it was another 45 miles to the nearest hospital.
Liddell faces this situation often and always wonders, what if?
She is one of many medical providers working in towns 30 miles or more from a hospital, a distance that can make the difference between life or death.” CNN
This is preventable.
Put simply, a healthcare desert is a community that doesn’t have enough doctors to care for all the patients in need. Whether it’s a geographic location like a rural area that’s far removed from modern infrastructure or caused by a demographic issue such as socioeconomic barriers, racial inequalities, or transportation difficulties, a healthcare desert can arise virtually anywhere. Even tourist destinations impacted by seasonal populations, like snowbirds flocking to the beaches in winter, may face unique healthcare gaps.
But for the millions of Americans who are living in healthcare deserts, simply popping into the immediate care clinic for a flu shot or visiting their primary care doctor for some blood work isn’t an option.
For those people, Advanced Practitioners in Locums Tenens positions could be the difference between good health and sickness.
Locums Tenens and The Advanced Practitioner Bridge:
When Advanced Practitioners step into Locums Tenens positions, they create a bridge over the healthcare gap for patients, providers, staff, and employers.
Patient Benefits:
Patients experiencing healthcare gaps benefit immediately from APs in Locum Tenens positions because they can begin receiving high-quality medical care from a qualified professional.
Not only do they enjoy higher levels of medical care—such as improved outcomes and better overall health—but they also experience better customer care with shorter wait times, better communication, and improved processes. Best of all, they can access the care they need, when they need it, at the most convenient location possible.
Physician Assistants & Nurse Practioner Benefits:
Opportunities to make a difference: Working directly with a patient population whose needs are high, and appreciation can often be even higher. It’s high patient impact, without mountains of paperwork or miles of red tape.
Highly competitive pay and compensation packages: For those saving for a big trip, paying off student debt, or planning for the future, Locums can accelerate timelines and get APs to their goals faster.
Flexibility: Often, these roles are part-time, offering flexible schedules that can be tailored to an AP’s availability. For APs looking to further their careers while going back to school, be more present for family, or earn a little extra income, a Locums Tenens position could be ideal.
Expand Horizons: APs get the opportunity to work with new colleagues and in new areas. For those looking to see a new part of the country, try out a new city, or reconnect with family, a Locums Tenens position helps in the exploration. Want to broaden your professional horizons with new specialties? Locums help APs explore future career options.
Red Carpet Service for Advanced Practitioners:
At All Star, we’re committed to delivering red carpet service for Advanced Practitioners seeking Locum Tenens roles as well as for employers who are considering Locums hires.
We understand the needs of APs interested in Locums, and long-term success is our primary goal throughout the life cycle of an Advanced Practitioner’s career. Whether they’re fresh from school, looking to expand their network and save for the future, or they’re ready to ease into semi-retirement, our team meets APs where they are and helps set them on a path for a lifetime of financial fitness.
We leverage our expansive network of employers and providers, connecting the right people with the right roles and developing long-term partnerships along the way. Our team always operates with the highest sense of urgency, working fast to connect APs to roles because we understand that we’re connecting patients to life-saving care, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
But you don’t have to take our word for it—our provider partners say it best when they say things like,
All Star offers outstanding opportunities in both academic and community-based practices, allowing physicians to choose the best fit. Working with this company is a pleasure.
— Dr. Laurie F.
And the numbers speak for themselves. We’re so proud to have placed thousands of APs into high-paying, highly flexible Locums in the last 25 years with a 99% success rate. Proof that the country’s leading APs are choosing All Star to find and accept their temporary and permanent positions across the nation. Interested in finding out more? Check out our open positions now.
All Star Healthcare Solutions Achieves Top Workplaces USA Recognition
All Star Healthcare Solutions—a full-service healthcare staffing company specializing in locum tenens and direct-hire opportunities for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists—has earned a Top Workplaces USA honor for 2025 in the 150–499 employee category, sponsored by USA Today and Energage.
“It’s a true privilege to be recognized as a Top Workplace in the country, especially because it is derived from our people’s input,” said Ken Bernstein, All Star’s CEO and President. “Our All Stars are at the heart of everything we do, shaping our caring and collaborative culture. Seeing the positive impact they make every day—for one another, our providers, clients, and the communities we serve—is incredibly rewarding.”
“We value our people’s feedback and are committed to continuously enhancing our culture,” added All Star Chief People Officer Shelby Thompson. “By fostering professional development, supporting work-life balance, and promoting a fun and inclusive culture, we strive to ensure everyone feels empowered and appreciated.”
USA Today announced the Top Workplaces honorees on March 20. The national recognition program for large organizations with more than 150 employees and those that may have operations in multiple markets is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous survey administered by Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. Winners were announced in four categories: more than 2,500 employees; 1,000–2,499 employees; 500–999 employees; and 150–499 employees.
Click here to learn more about our award-winning culture and visit All Star Careers to see our current job openings.
All Star Healthcare Solutions Delivers Staffing Budget Savings
Ask any facility administrator or healthcare recruiter, and they’ll confirm recruiting and retaining highly qualified physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) requires a sizeable investment. However, according to a Kaufman Hall Physician Blast, full-time employed clinicians net facilities nearly $395,000 per provider in just Q3 of last year. Therefore, any possible loss of revenue due to unfilled physician or APP positions can be a big budget buster.
Allocating staffing funds for locum tenens can be a big budget saver. Keep reading to see how partnering with All Star Healthcare Solutions offers an impressive return on your staffing investments.
Compensate for Revenue Loss
If staffing voids cause your hospital, clinic, or private practice to limit services or appointments, the situation can result in a loss of dollars. When All Star matches highly qualified clinicians to available positions, your organization is better equipped to maintain continuity of care, keep appointment calendars full, and keep revenue streams flowing.
Gain Value in Patient Care
As more healthcare organizations migrate toward value-based services instead of fee-based systems, patient satisfaction scores become far more valuable. Operating short-staffed could equate to longer wait times and other conditions that may affect how people rate your facility. All Star can help fill those gaps and boost customer service. Locums providers have more time for direct patient care because they typically have fewer administrative duties incorporated into their shifts. Additionally, a 2023 cohort study concluded no distinguishable difference in mortality or readmission rates among individuals treated by locum tenens providers. Those factors can generate the positive impressions from patients that facilities seek.
Mitigate Staff Callouts
Whether due to illness, unplanned leave, or burnout, being short-staffed due to clinicians calling out can come with unexpected expenses tied to cancelled procedures or clinic visits. While you can’t plan for every occasion that may cause someone to take time off, All Star can help minimize the impact. We are continuously expanding our network of physicians, NPs, PAs, and CRNAs across the country, which empowers us to reach out on short notice if necessary. Our flexibility to fill immediate staffing needs pays off for your patients and permanent personnel.
Enhance Provider Well-being
High caseloads are among the contributing factors consistently cited by individuals experiencing burnout. Multiple surveys indicate healthcare professionals are considering leaving their current job, retiring early, or exiting from the profession altogether. This development can carry a hefty price tag for employers: Per a 2023 study conducted by the American Medical Association, burnout cost the U.S. healthcare industry in excess of $4 billion, primarily due to reduced hours by providers and staff turnover. Introducing locum tenens providers into your staffing strategy can give the support necessary to enable your clinicians the schedule flexibility to attend to their well-being. All Star also can present locums professionals to step in when physicians and advanced practitioners request time off for vacations or to attend conferences, complete continuing medical education requirements, or even take a sabbatical.
All Star Healthcare Solutions Simplifies Staffing for Facilities
In addition to partnering with All Star to meet your temporary staffing demands, our Direct Hire Division assists with recruiting new clinical hires. Our consultants help expand candidate pools and match individuals to your facility’s unique qualifications, thus saving time and resources for your in-house recruiters. What’s more, our Locums and Dire Hire consultants collaborate to satisfy your needs, keeping each other—and you— informed. That’s our “Red Carpet” Service, always going above and beyond.
Start your staffing savings today. Call All Star Healthcare Solutions at 800-928-0229, or contact us online.
Should Your Pet Go on a Locums Assignment with You?
Whether you are heading out on a short weekend assignment or gearing up for an extended locum tenens contract, making sure your beloved family dog, cat, or other pet is properly cared for is priority. Does that mean they become your travel pal? Or does it mean making other arrangements while you are temporarily away from home? Figuring out the best scenario comes down to a variety of factors, such as the animal’s temperament, housing and travel accommodations, your own comfort zone, and of course, the length of a temporary assignment.
Before committing to bringing them along or setting up a pet sitter, check out the following tips based on advice from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), American Kennel Club (AKC), and The Humane Society of the U.S.
Bringing Your Pet Along
For some pet owners, it’s a foregone conclusion their dog or cat will accompany them on locum tenens jobs. If that is your preference, the very first thing to do is inform your All Star consultant so they can focus the search for accommodations on pet-friendly hotels or housing that meets your needs.
Before you begin packing up your animal’s favorite squeaky toys, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. If you will be flying to an assignment location, be aware airlines may require a health certificate for current vaccinations and rabies shots within a few days before takeoff. Also, fill up on any medications and if your pet isn’t already chipped with a locator, think about asking your vet to do it now. In addition, double-check that their collar ID is current and add a temporary tag with the phone number for where you will be staying.
The next consideration pertains to your mode of transportation. Of course, the facility’s location may be the deciding factor. But both automobiles and airplanes present a series of requirements to help keep your beloved animal safe and as stress-free as possible.
Car trips
- Get them accustomed to the car with a few short trips before leaving for a locums assignment.
- Keep your pet safely restrained in the back seat, either in a crate/carrier or with a seatbelt system.
- Pack a travel kit of their regular food, bottled water, meds, treats, and toys.
Airplane trips
- Always check the airline’s specific requirements regarding animals inside the cabin or crating them, including restrictions on weight and age.
- Whenever possible, request nonstop flights to limit travel time and minimize the stress to pets.
- Tape a small bag of food to the outside of the crate/carrier so airline personnel can feed them in case of long layovers or delays.
- Tightly secure, but do not lock crate/carrier doors so personnel can access your pet in case of emergency.
- Stick a recent photo of your cat or dog to the crate/carrier along with their name, your name and number, and the words “Live Animal.” Keep an electronic version of the image on your phone.
- Never hesitate to contact an airline representative with any question or concern at any point during your travels.
Once you arrive at your temporary home, assess the surroundings for any potential issues, which includes protecting the dwelling from damage as your pet adjusts. For example, put down a mat or piece of cardboard under food and water dishes or litter boxes. If staying in long-term housing such as a single-family dwelling arrangement, evaluate the yard for safety and security precautions. Also, make a plan for checking in on the dog or cat while you are on shift. Options to consider might be hiring a dog walker or popping home during meal breaks.
Arranging for Pet Sitters or Boarding Your Pet
If the duration of a locum tenens opportunity is only a few days, you may prefer to go solo. In that case, of course, having a family member or friend care for your pet would be an ideal solution. If that’s not possible, you could opt for either hiring a professional pet sitter or reserving a spot at a local kennel or boarding facility. They each have advantages.
Pet sitter
- If you already employ a dog walker or cat companion, then this person should be your first choice as a pet sitter because your animal is accustomed to them. If not, ask your vet, groomer, and/or fellow pet owners for referrals.
- Perhaps the biggest advantage to a pet sitter is that your four-legged family member gets to stay home. This is particularly beneficial for smaller pets who live in confined habitats, older animals, or those with special needs. Bonus: Professional pet-sitting businesses oftentimes double as house sitters. Look for companies that are licensed, insured, bonded, and have sound references.
- With whomever you choose, leave behind a signed veterinarian release and temporary guardianship form so emergency care can be provided without haste.
- If you have smart home devices, like a pet monitoring system, you can see what your furry friend is up to while you’re away. There are even GPS-enabled collars that will track where your cat or dog walks.
Boarding
- Some pet owners are simply more comfortable leaving their animal family members with a local kennel or boarding facility that is staffed 24/7. In this case, follow the same measures: Look for a business that is licensed, insured, bonded, and has sound references.
- Do a run-through with your animal before your departure date so you have an idea of how they will react. This practice will also help you ensure the facility has the accommodations to keep your cherished pet active and engaged, but not overstimulated.
- Pack some of your pet’s items, including bedding and food, so there’s a sense of familiarity in their temporary environment.
- Many boarding facilities now have livestream capabilities for pet owners to peek in on their animals throughout their stay. Inquire about this possibility when you explore the options.
With a little planning, working locum tenens can easily fit into the pet-owner lifestyle, and in keeping with our “Red Carpet” Service offering, All Star is ready to help however we can.
For more information on preparing for locum tenens opportunities, call 800-928-0229, or contact us online, to speak with an All Star consultant right now!
All Star Wins ClearlyRated’s 2022 Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for Service Excellence
All Star Healthcare Solutions has won the 2022 Best of Staffing Client and Talent Satisfaction Awards for providing superior service to its clients and the physicians and advanced practitioners the company places in locum tenens and permanent jobs. Fewer than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada earn the Best of Staffing designation.
All Star received outstanding feedback in its second consecutive year of participation, with a Net Promoter® Score of 90.6 percent from its clients, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 29 percent in 2021. All Star also received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 from 84.1 percent of its providers, again significantly higher than the industry average, which is 40 percent.
ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Awards are presented in partnership with presenting sponsor Indeed and gold sponsor Talent.com. Winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and candidates. On average, clients and candidates partnering with winning agencies are twice as likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided than those working with non-winning agencies.
“We are humbled and honored to once again be chosen for this prestigious distinction,” said Keith Shattuck, the company’s CEO. “It is testimony to the entire All Star family, who are absolutely dedicated to delivering “Red Carpet” Service at every interaction so our providers and clients can focus on providing quality, compassionate patient care at healthcare facilities nationwide.”
“Winners of the 2022 Best of Staffing award have demonstrated their commitment to delivering exceptional service, even as COVID-19 has forced them to reimagine and rebuild their approach to business," said ClearlyRated’s CEO and Founder, Eric Gregg. "These service leaders have kept the client, talent, and employee experience at the heart of their business strategy.”
Khalil Nemou, MD: The Benefits of Traveling for Locums Assignments
Recently, we spoke with Khalil Nemou, MD, an internal medicine specialist who has partnered with All Star Healthcare Solutions® for more than two years and currently serves on our Physician Advisory Board, about his experience as a locum tenens provider. One of the things he really enjoys about taking assignments in different parts of the country: It’s “a window to the world.”
Dr. Nemou tells us how taking locums assignments has given him more control over his schedule and enabled him to travel, de-stress, and reenergize.
To learn more about the benefits you can discover through locum tenens practice, call All Star Healthcare Solutions at 800-928-0229 to speak with one of our knowledgeable consultants today or contact us online.