By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
Locum Job Source was developed in part as a direct response to the national shortage of physicians that is predicted to grow steadily over the next decade and possibly longer. Recently released statistics show that the U.S. will likely lack 212,000 physicians by 2014 because of an expanding patient population and replacements needed for retiring physicians*. This represents more than one quarter of the current population of physicians. The AMA reports that, while the U.S. population is rapidly growing, the number of medical school graduates is staying the same. Physicians are needed in various clinical settings across the country and the travel careers offered by Locum Tenens are positioned to help solve that need.
The opportunity to work as a traveling physician is financially lucrative, allows for maximum job flexibility without a long term commitment and allows the physician to fill a specific facility need and then move on when the time is right.
A travel doctor assignment makes sense for physicians in many different stages of their careers.
Residents: It makes better sense to audition various areas of the country, different health care systems and facilities so that when it’s time to make a commitment, you can be sure you’re making the right decision.
Specialty Experience: Gain much coveted experience in your specialty area of choice while enjoying all the perks of a travel assignment.
Physicians Ready to Retire: Locum Tenens jobs travel assignments allows you to scale back your hours, take a paid vacation and not compromise your salary, all at the same time.
Fill out our no strings attached application today to find the Locum travel assignment that best meets your professional and financial goals.
* The Bureau of Labor Statistics
Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
