When you work as a locum tenens physician, you are living better than a resident. You can expect better working conditions, fewer hours, better pay, and more respect.
As a locum, you are filling a position in an area of need. You are there because your services are desired. Required, even. The facility wants you to be happy.
If you do end up working long hours, you will be rewarded handsomely. Three weeks of a schedule like that could net you as much or more than you earned in an entire year as a resident.
I earned more in my first six weeks as a locum than I did in an entire grueling year of residency, and that was without ever clocking more than a forty-hour work week.
It costs very little to be a locum tenens physician. The expenses you do incur that are related to work are tax-deductible. You can easily live well for much less than you did as a resident.
There are some expenses you will incur as a locum. You’ll want to check out the local scene. You might spend a little money on area attractions, like museums, festivals, and honkey tonks.