You’re a skilled surgeon, probably scrolling through job boards right now, hunting for that perfect permanent position. The listings look tempting, but the long hiring processes, relocation uncertainties, and rigid schedules can feel exhausting. What if the most brilliant move isn’t locking into one hospital for the next decade? What if you could pick up high-paying work whenever it fits your life, sharpen your skills across different operating rooms, and wake up to new scenery between cases?
That’s the real power of locum tenens, and way too many talented surgeons overlook it entirely. Any surgeon looking for work should consider this option. Let’s talk about why this flexible path might be the most exciting and practical chapter of your career.
You’re the One Calling the Shots
Locum tenens completely flips the traditional job script. Instead of reshaping your entire life to match a single hospital’s needs, you get to choose assignments that actually fit your schedule and goals. Do you need a few months off to travel with family, recover from a big project, or simply recharge? No problem; take a break. Are you craving a change of pace or a new environment? Pick up a coastal assignment in California, a rural trauma gig in the Midwest, or a busy urban spot in the Northeast.
Reputable agencies handle almost everything for you. They match your specialty and experience level to open positions, manage the credentialing paperwork (which moves much faster than most permanent hires), cover your malpractice insurance, and often pay higher hourly or daily rates than standard salaries, especially for urgent or hard-to-fill slots. You show up, do what you do best, and get paid reliably, sometimes with extra bonuses for quick starts or less desirable locations. The result is financial stability without the long-term commitment.
Travel That Actually Feels Like a Perk (Because It Is)
The travel component is where locum tenens really shines. Most assignments include fully paid travel expenses, including flights, rental cars, and comfortable housing, so you’re not dipping into your own savings to see new places. You’re essentially getting paid to explore.
Fresh Skills, New Networks, and Zero Burnout Risk
Every hospital runs a little differently. You’ll encounter varied patient populations, learn new surgical techniques from local teams, adapt to different electronic medical record systems, and work with cutting-edge equipment you might not see in your usual setting. That constant variety keeps your skills sharp and makes you a more versatile, adaptable surgeon.
Networking happens naturally, too. You collaborate with new colleagues, build relationships across the country, and often leave lasting impressions as the reliable locum who stepped in during a crisis. Those connections frequently lead to future permanent offers, consulting opportunities, or even invitations to return for repeat assignments.
For early-career surgeons, locums provide an excellent way to “test drive” different regions, practice settings, or subspecialties before committing long-term. Seasoned surgeons use it to maintain work-life balance, avoid administrative headaches, and stay clinically active without the full-time grind. Many report that the change of scenery and pace dramatically lowers their stress levels and reignites their passion for surgery.
Ready to Give It a Shot?
Getting started is simpler than you might think. Update your CV to highlight your certifications, recent cases, and preferred specialties, then reach out to a recruiter. Share your ideal locations, desired assignment lengths (from weekend coverage to multi-month contracts), and any scheduling preferences. Most agencies will start sending tailored opportunities within days.
If you’re hesitant, begin with shorter, local gigs to get comfortable with the process. Once you’re rolling, you can scale up to longer or farther-flung assignments. Before you know it, you’ll be the surgeon who’s worked in five different states, collected stories from coast to coast, and still holds the freedom to choose what comes next.
So what’s stopping you? The operating room is waiting, and so is the next horizon. Your career doesn’t have to follow the usual path; sometimes the best route is the one you design yourself.