VISTA Archived Blogs

Our nation’s veterans served and sacrificed to protect our freedom. Now they deserve high-quality care, and the Veterans Health Administration provides that to millions of veterans each year. 

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the median medical school debt is $195,000, and nearly 46% of medical school graduates plan to enter a loan forgiveness program. Not surprising, many physicians struggle with the costs of education, and those with extreme student debt can expect to pay more than $2,000 each month for nearly 10 years.

If you’re considering accepting a locum tenens assignment, you may be wondering how being a parent fits into the mix. Guess what? Your children are probably wondering, too! The good news is that locum tenens jobs and family life are a perfect fit. Still, your kids may have some concerns - which is why we’ve compiled this list of four questions your kids might ask about being a locum tenens clinician. We’ve also provided answers aimed at satisfying their curiosity, while helping them to understand the many benefits associated with locum tenens work.

The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) will be showcased November 11–17, 2018, as NPs across the country celebrate more than 50 years of practice during National NP Week. In the United States, this distinguished group of health care professionals number approximately 248,000 strong, with an additional 23,000 NP students graduating each year.

Looking to land the perfect locum tenens position? Even the most talented physician needs to take an organized approach if they want to find their ideal position. Use the tips we’ve provided below to improve your chances of standing out and landing the locum tenens position of your dreams.

You've just landed your first locum tenens assignment. You're excited about this new opportunity, but at the same time, you're wary. You may ask yourself: “Is locum tenens right for me?” “Will I have a hard time landing back-to-back assignments?” “How will working locum tenens affect my career prospects? ”You have a lot of questions, and fortunately, many have gone before you who can answer them. Let's explore four common concerns that clinicians have when going on their first locum tenens assignment, and see what former and current locum tenens clinicians had to say about it.

The path to finding the ideal career can be a winding one, and Dr. Guo knows this very well. He started his education in computer science before heading to medical school. While there, he was referred to VISTA by a friend who’s done locum tenens work with us in the past. But it wasn’t until he received a few emails from a dedicated VISTA recruiter that he finally started down the path to locum tenens.

Locum tenens is a way of practicing medicine that is appealing to clinicians in many stages of their career. It can help reduce certain stressors that may come with full-time roles. It also provides benefits to those who are just starting their career and unsure of where they’d like to practice long-term.

“Family first” is a motto many parents live by, and it’s true for clinicians, too. After all, your family is likely the reason you work so hard. Unfortunately, it can often be challenging to juggle your career and family life, but locum tenens offers a family-friendly alternative to permanent positions by making it possible to choose the hours and locations that work best for you. If you’re looking for a better way to balance your work life with your family life, here’s a closer look at some of the benefits of working locum tenens with kids.

Your significant other plays a major role in your healthcare career. He or she has been with you through the tough times and celebrated your successes by your side. But when you first tell your partner about potential locum tenens assignments, there are a few things they may want to know. And their understanding of this arrangement will help you make the right decision together. Fortunately, we’ve anticipated four questions your significant other may have about a locum tenens assignment so that you'll be ready with the answers.