The Rise of Locum Tenens Roles: Flexibility and Opportunities for Advanced Practice Providers
In 2025, more advanced practice providers (APPs) than ever are turning to locum tenens work as a way to gain professional flexibility, expand their clinical skills, and explore new regions of practice - all without sacrificing compensation or job satisfaction. Whether you're a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or CRNA, locum tenens roles offer a career path that prioritizes autonomy and adaptability.
At PracticeMatch, we’ve seen a notable uptick in APPs leveraging temporary roles to navigate career transitions, avoid burnout, or simply test the waters in a new specialty or setting. Here’s what’s driving the rise in locum tenens interest among APPs, and how PracticeMatch can help you explore your options.
Why Locum Tenens Is Gaining Momentum
The 2024 AMN Healthcare survey of locum tenens professionals found that 86% of respondents chose locum work for better control over their schedules, and 80% cited burnout as a major factor in making the switch. The appeal of flexibility, meaningful work, and improved work-life balance is increasingly drawing APPs into this growing sector of the healthcare workforce.
In addition, 63% of providers surveyed reported working exclusively in locum tenens positions, while 37% balance both locum and permanent roles - indicating this model isn’t just a short-term solution but a long-term career choice for many.
Benefits of Locum Tenens Work for APPs
Locum tenens isn’t just a stopgap - it’s a strategic career move for many APPs. Here’s how it’s helping providers reclaim agency over their work lives:
- Flexibility Without the Tradeoffs
You choose when and where you work. Whether you’re exploring a new clinical setting during a career pivot or prefer long-term schedule control, locum assignments let you practice on your terms. Some APPs use this model to build in breaks for personal travel or continuing education, designing a year that fits their lifestyle.
- Broaden Your Skill Set
Each assignment introduces you to new patient populations, EMR systems, workflows, and clinical environments. It’s a hands-on way to sharpen your clinical edge while remaining adaptable in a constantly changing healthcare system, especially helpful for early-career APPs or those reentering the workforce.
- Explore Before You Commit
Thinking about shifting into dermatology, cardiology, urgent care, or rural medicine? Locum tenens gives you space to test-drive a specialty or facility before signing a long-term contract. Many APPs use locum assignments to evaluate new environments before deciding to transition into permanent roles.
- Discover New Places - And Make a Bigger Impact
Locum work often brings APPs to rural and underserved areas where access to care is limited. Many providers say the ability to serve these communities, while also exploring new parts of the country, gives their work deeper meaning. And with housing and travel usually included, it’s an affordable way to do both.
How PracticeMatch Supports APPs in Locum Tenens Roles
PracticeMatch is built to support APPs through every stage of their career journey - including flexible, locum-based options. Our job board features temporary and permanent opportunities across clinical settings and specialties, from critical access hospitals to large health systems.
We help simplify your job search by:
- Connecting you with recruiters who specialize in APP roles
- Offering tailored resources like credentialing checklists and contract negotiation tips
- Hosting virtual career fairs so you can engage with hiring organizations in real time
Plus, you can filter jobs by assignment length, location, specialty, and license requirements - saving you time and putting you in control of your search.
Thinking About Trying Locums?
Whether you're exploring locum work as a bridge to your next full-time role or seeking a long-term flexible model, this path offers unmatched adaptability - and real opportunities for growth.
In today’s healthcare climate, locum tenens work allows APPs to stay agile, preserve their passion for care, and pursue the career on their own terms.
Ready to see what’s out there? Explore APP job opportunities on PracticeMatch and take the next step toward a more flexible future.
Clint Rosser is the CEO of PracticeMatch. He has been with PracticeMatch since 2016. He has overseen several departments within PracticeMatch including Inside Sales, Career Fairs, and the Client Services team. Clint, along with his team, has helped elevate PracticeMatch client services to move past a transactional vendor relationship to a full partnership with clients. This has allowed PracticeMatch to build stronger relationships and work with clients closer to ensure they can achieve the most ROI possible.
Prior to Joining PracticeMatch, Clint has been in Client service leadership roles for over 20 years. Clint serves as an AAPPR Board Member for Strategic Corporate Sponsors.