Nursing Locum Tenens Opportunities
Join AIMS Locum Tenens for rewarding RN and LPN positions at government and civilian facilities nationwide. Competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and full licensure support.
Apply NowNursing Specialties in Demand
AIMS Locum Tenens connects registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) with premier placements across high-demand specialties. Whether you're experienced in critical care, emergency nursing, or medical-surgical nursing, we have opportunities matching your credentials:
Intensive Care (ICU)
Critical care nursing at Level I trauma centers, military hospitals, and VA ICUs. High-acuity patient care with premium compensation and advanced technology.
Emergency Department (ED)
Fast-paced emergency nursing across Level I-IV EDs. 12-hour shift blocks, varied patient acuity, and strong demand at civilian and military emergency departments.
Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)
General inpatient nursing across medical and surgical units. Solid foundational experience required; excellent for nurses transitioning to locum tenens.
Operating Room (OR)
Perioperative nursing at surgical centers and teaching hospitals. Requires OR certification or experience; premium hourly rates for OR nurses.
Behavioral Health / Psychiatry
Mental health crisis units, inpatient psychiatric wards, and VA psychiatric nursing. Growing demand with strong compensation for behavioral health nurses.
Telemetry / Cardiac Care
Cardiac monitoring, telemetry units, and progressive care. Strong demand at military and VA facilities; good pay with shift flexibility.
Telehealth Nursing
Remote nursing positions including triage, patient education, and follow-up care. Flexible scheduling and work-from-home options available.
Women's Health / Perinatal
Labor & delivery, postpartum, and NICU nursing. OB nursing experience required; strong positions at military obstetric units and civilian hospitals.
Government Nursing Positions at Military & VA Facilities
AIMS Locum Tenens is a trusted partner with military treatment facilities (MTFs), VA Medical Centers, and Defense Health Agency installations. Nursing placements at government facilities offer premium compensation, mission-critical work, and unmatched professional satisfaction.
Military and VA nursing positions typically pay 15–25% more than civilian facilities for equivalent roles. Additional benefits include housing allowances, travel stipends, and comprehensive healthcare coverage through the government.
As a prime contractor with established military relationships, AIMS expedites nursing credential verification. Timeline: 3–6 weeks from submission to active status, with pre-credentialing support throughout.
Government nursing roles expose you to military healthcare protocols, combat casualty care in some assignments, and unique patient populations. Many nurses find military locum tenens highly rewarding professionally.
VA Medical Center Network: AIMS places nurses across 170+ VA Medical Centers nationwide. VA nursing roles emphasize continuity of care, specialty clinics, and veteran-centric healthcare. Most VA positions welcome locum tenens with active RN licensure.
Licensure Requirements & Credentialing Process
State Licensure
All nursing positions require active, unencumbered state nursing licenses. Compact state licenses (multistate) are accepted; single-state licenses may require application in the assignment state. AIMS assists with multistate license applications if needed.
Hospital Credentialing
Nursing credentialing is streamlined compared to physician credentialing. Hospitals verify active licensure, education, malpractice history, and background. Timeline: 2–4 weeks for most civilian facilities; 3–6 weeks for government facilities.
Certifications
Specialty certifications (CCRN, ACLS, TNCC, etc.) enhance placement opportunities and earning potential. AIMS highlights your certifications to increase match quality and compensation.
We manage credential verification, state license confirmation, background checks, and hospital privileging communication. You provide documentation; we handle the rest. Typical turnaround: 1 week to complete your credentialing package.
Compensation & Benefits
Hourly Rates
RN positions: $35–$65/hour depending on specialty, location, and experience. LPN positions: $25–$45/hour. Emergency and ICU specialties command premium rates; rural assignments often pay 10–15% above national average.
Shift Flexibility
Choose your shift: day, evening, night, or rotating. Most facilities offer 12-hour shifts; some accommodate 8-hour blocks. Many nurses appreciate locum tenens for shift flexibility that employed positions can't match.
Housing & Travel
Assignments beyond 100 miles from your residence include hotel lodging or housing stipends. Travel reimbursement covers mileage or flights. Many nurses extend assignments to maximize housing benefits.
Health Insurance
We offer access to affordable health insurance plans. Many nurses leverage short-term assignments to maintain coverage while exploring career options. Full details provided at onboarding.
Why Locum Tenens Pays More
Locum tenens nursing rates reflect the flexibility and rapid deployment you provide. Hospitals value on-demand staffing to cover unexpected gaps, seasonal surges, and specialized projects. That value translates to higher hourly rates—often 20–40% above permanent nursing positions for equivalent work.
Getting Started as a Locum Tenens Nurse
1. Initial Call
Speak with our nursing recruitment team about your specialty, preferred shift, location preferences, and travel flexibility. No obligation—we match you to realistic opportunities.
2. Application & Docs
Submit your resume, nursing license, certifications, and professional references. We verify your background and discuss compensation expectations.
3. Credentialing
AIMS submits your credentials to target facilities. We communicate with hospital credentialing departments and keep you updated throughout the process.
4. First Shift
Once approved, you begin your assignment. AIMS provides ongoing support: scheduling coordination, payroll processing, benefits, and clinical question escalation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be certified to work locum tenens?
Certification is not required for RN/LPN positions, but certifications (CCRN, ACLS, TNCC, etc.) increase placement opportunities and compensation. AIMS highlights your certifications to maximize matches.
Can I work locum tenens part-time?
Yes. Many nurses pick up locum shifts alongside permanent employment. Communicate your availability, and we match you to shifts fitting your schedule. Short 2–4 week assignments are common.
What if I'm new to locum tenens?
First-time locum nurses are welcomed at AIMS. We pair you with supportive facilities, provide detailed orientation, and assign a dedicated provider advocate. Many successful long-term partners started as first-time locums.
Can I refuse assignments?
Absolutely. You control your schedule and can accept or decline any opportunity. No penalties for declining; we simply match you to future assignments better suited to your preferences.
How quickly can I start?
Credentialing timelines vary: 2–4 weeks for civilian facilities, 3–6 weeks for government. AIMS expedites the process, and some assignments begin within 3 weeks of initial application.
Ready to Start Locum Tenens Nursing?
AIMS Locum Tenens connects RNs and LPNs with premier nursing positions nationwide. Flexible scheduling, competitive pay, and mission-critical work await.
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