---
title: Why Working Locums is Like a Paid Job Interview | ThriveAP
description: During my days as a nurse practitioner student, I would search NP job boards out of pure curiosity identifying the most exotic or interesting posts I could find. I even began the application process for relocating to practice in New Zealand until I discovered the average nurse practitioner salary for Kiwis is much, much lower … Why Working Locums is Like a Paid Job Interview Read More »
---

[ThriveAP Blog ](https://provider.thriveap.com/blog)

# [Why Working Locums is Like a Paid Job Interview | ThriveAP](https://provider.thriveap.com/blog/why-working-locums-paid-job-interview)

 Written by [Erin Tolbert, MSN, FNP-C](https://provider.thriveap.com/blog/author/erin) | Apr 2, 2015 7:38:42 PM

During my days as a nurse practitioner student, I would search NP job boards out of pure curiosity identifying the most exotic or interesting posts I could find. I even began the application process for relocating to practice in New Zealand until I discovered the average nurse practitioner salary for Kiwis is *much, much* lower than here in the U.S. Sayonara dreams of renting an apartment overlooking the sand and surf. I then turned my focus stateside dreaming instead of a travel NP position within our country’s borders.

[Have you ever considered working locums](https://thriveap.com/blog/travel-nursing-nurse-practitioners-too)? Essentially the travel nursing equivalent for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians, locum tenens gives providers the opportunity to practice in temporary positions. From a single shift to an ongoing, open-ended commitment, locums assignments come in all shapes and sizes. As a nurse practitioner, locums gives you[ unmatched flexibility in your career](https://thriveap.com/blog/3-ways-nurse-practitioners-can-work-home). But, what if you’re looking for something more stable?

In many cases, employers choose to advertise a position as a locum tenens opportunity because they are having difficulty finding a qualified nurse practitioner to fill the spot. In other cases, the employer may be using a locums posting to road-test providers for long-term employment consideration. So, if you are looking for a permanent nurse practitioner job, [you shouldn’t necessarily shy away from locum tenens](https://thriveap.com/blog/3-non-traditional-job-opportunities-nurse-practitioners) opportunities.

As a general rule, posted locums positions that include a specific time frame for the assignment are in fact temporary opportunities. The employer[ may need coverage for maternity leave](https://thriveap.com/blog/planning-have-baby-nurse-practitioner) or a planned vacation, for example. Positions posted without an official end date or that include the term ‘ongoing’ in many cases have the potential to become stable, long-term job opportunities. Some nurse practitioners have been known to work in the same locums position for years, [longer than other NPs may stay in a job](https://thriveap.com/blog/how-quit-your-nurse-practitioner-job-class) termed permanent.

If you are on the hunt for a nurse practitioner position, keep locum tenens in the back of your mind. In many cases a temporary assignment [is essentially a paid job interview](https://thriveap.com/blog/how-answer-any-np-or-pa-job-interview-question). Approach an open-ended locums assignment as a chance to prove yourself. If you are a good match for the practice, you may be met with an offer for a permanent position, or the ability to maintain the assignment for as long as you like (oh yeah, and did I mention that with locums assignments housing and travel is typically comped?). At the very least, [you will leave with connections](https://thriveap.com/blog/guide-networking-nurse-practitioner) helping you to further your quest for a permanent position. 

 

Are you looking for a locum tenens nurse practitioner or physician assistant position? [Let a **ThriveAP Career Advisor **know](https://www.mylanderpages.com/thriveap/Career-Advisor-Program2) and we’ll set you up with an opportunity!

 

You Might Also Like: [5 Questions to Ask Before Relocating for a Nurse Practitioner Job](https://thriveap.com/blog/5-questions-ask-relocating-nurse-practitioner-job)

 

[View full post](https://provider.thriveap.com/blog/why-working-locums-paid-job-interview)

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