Locums with a Family- The Good, The Bad, and The Awesome
/Locums with a Family- The Good, The Bad, and The Awesome
“We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in.” - Arianna Huffington
When I meet with potential Locum Tenens doctors, they fall into three main groups. The first is the newly graduating residents, strapped with profound debt but limitless in their career path. They are often unattached to a geographic area or lifestyle inflation, and the benefits of locums are quite evident to many of them. Second, on the other end of the life spectrum, are doctors about to retire. Not quite ready to throw in the towel, but having a big empty house, these physicians are looking to reframe their practice and turn to locum tenens to finish out their career. However, there is a big gap in the middle, full of 35-55-year-old doctors with families. Most of these doctors will immediately tell me why locums couldn’t possible work for them. While I acknowledge having a spouse and children represents a high complexity to life, I tell them I am also married with kids, and have found locums allows a customized lifestyle they might find beneficial. Let’s break it down…
The Good
Reclaiming your time
For most doctors, the largest benefits of locum tenens work are born out of the ability to manage your own time. On a large scale your year is set up ahead of time by choosing the assignments that meet your desires. The month has a defined schedule and the hours in a day are under your control, as you have negotiated exactly what you want. Flexibility in all aspects of practice is a powerful tool in the journey to happiness and controlling your time and energy is incredibly valuable. When it comes to locum tenens work with a family, it boils down to working your hours and then focusing on uninterrupted time with your family. How many doctors work 8-10 hour days only to go home to unsigned charts, dealing with prior auths, or putting out fires that come with managing a practice? The answer is most. Months turn to years and it’s easy to get in a rut and stuck in a viscous cycle. Locum tenens can be designed to eliminate many of the administration aspects of medicine, allowing you to focus on caring for patients, and leave each day knowing your work is done. There will be some time in the beginning of each assignment when you learn the EMR or get the lay of the land, this is typically true. We have recommended negotiating an on-boarding day into your contract whenever possible to put these downsides back on the health system. Doing this affords you the ability to be present with your spouse and kids and to leave the headaches of paperwork and management of a practice up to others. A wise man once told me, “You only have so much energy in a day, it is up to you to determine where you exert it!” Utilizing locum tenens work can allow you to reclaim your time and energy and redirect it to your family.
Decreased Stress
Burnout amongst physicians is an epidemic. When is the last time you heard your hospital administrator put YOUR HEALTH on a metric they want to focus on? Stress in medicine is at an all time high and the reasons have changed. Over 50% of doctors report emotional exhaustion, a sense of ineffectiveness and a loss of meaning in work. The reasons are clear to those of us in the trenches, and it’s not the patients that burn us out. This subject hits home for me, it’s the reason I decided to pursue locums as a career choice. We as doctors can handle the stress of a very sick patient load, we have the most advanced tools to care for our patients and we have access to more information than ever before, so why are almost 40% of physicians reporting feelings of exhaustion and depression? It’s the growing stack of administration paperwork, the EMRs designed to make doctors transcriptionists, the constant meetings with middle management about quotas and metrics, and the distancing of our work from what we signed up for; patient care. Locum tenens allows you to define where you practice and the hours you work in a week or month, but perhaps more importantly, it allows you to define what you will do in your shifts. Remember, you are the one in demand from the hospital and you are the one with the bargaining power when it comes to locum tenens work. If done well, you can strategically create an environment of clinical excellence and minimize stress. How does that apply to your family? Ask yourself how you would feel if you arrived home every day knowing you had taken great care of people and there was nothing lingering on your to-do list. No meeting at 530 to discuss the credentialing of a new Cardiologist, no division meeting to review performance metrics, and no prior office decisions to worry about. Reducing stress with locums work profoundly impacted my relationship with my spouse and provided me with more head space for family. Imagine a career with limited anxiety the night before the work week because you are excited to be there. It can be yours.
Personal Finance
You probably have heard it before, LIVE LIKE A RESIDENT while you can! Well, we agree. Early out of residency, locum tenens can allow you to sock away cash and pay down med school debt while the spouse and children aren’t used to the fancier things in life. A couple years of locums can do wonders to debt, when you save more of your income with your housing, travel, auto, and means covered or tax deductible. Unfortunately, most residents have delayed gratification long enough. They nEED that BMW 5 series and that big house they promised their spouse years ago. You deserve it after all that work! Stop for one minute and think about the finances here. Piling more debt onto that already big mound will only set you back on the real goal in life, freedom from stress because of financial freedom and security. The last thing you want to be doing is paying for your kids college t the same time you are still paying for your own!! For those already working and looking to change the trajectory of your life toward true financial independence, locums may be the trick you need. Married with kids? Big home and 2 cars? Boat? Beach Home? These things begin to steal your freedom. We have interviewed numerous doctors mid-career who wake up one day and realize lifestyle inflation has snuck up on them and they can’t change careers or locations because they are in too deep. We dint have an quick fix for this precarious position, but we have a plan. Locums work often pays more than your private practice or hospital employed peers and decreases expenses. It also pays living expenses and travel. Many of the derails are tax deductible. What does this mean for you? It equates to a larger chunk of your hard earned money going to paying down debt and increasing your net worth. We find this reset often give doctors their independence back, its big jump, but at the bottom is significant rewards.
Travel for fun, family, or special events
On a simpler note, part time locum tenens work allows doctors to take advantage of long stays in areas they may need to be in for family oriented reasons. We find that the practitioners who utilize “family friendly” part time locums will choose assignments in locations where they have wanted to visit for pleasure, where they have family, or where a special event is happening. Working in New York but your wife is from Ohio? Taking a month-long position near her home town allows for paid vacation time and a longer, more meaningful visit with family over the holidays. It can also mean taking the spouse and children with you for long stays in desirable areas and provides a way to immerse yourself in other areas that you may only visit for a short time. Summer in Jackson Wyoming and weeks in Yellowstone with the family, its about quality time.
The Bad
School Aged Children
Full time locums with children in school requires some preparation. Let’s be honest, although possible, moving your 10-year-old from one elementary school to the next is both disruptive to their education and not fair to their social evolution. This is a clear limitation to doing locums with kids. We don't have an easy answer for doctors in this situation. You have to look deep at your family and their needs, especially if one of your dependents has unique requirements. As a response, many doctors will utilize intermediate duration locums as summer assignments with kids of all ages. A wonderful hybrid model would allow short term locum tenens work over winter and spring break, or longer summer assignments traveling with the whole family. However, schooling does provide a limitation for many seeking the freedom of locums life.
Living Arrangements
The average locum tenens assignment will place you in an extended stay hotel that easily satisfies the needs of a newly minted residency graduate. Hell, it might even feel like an upgrade from that 400 square foot apartment in San Francisco or New York, especially since it is free! However, when it comes to living with a spouse and two kids out of a single hotel room, it might not feel all that perfect. In response, many locums agencies will allow practitioners to make their own travel arrangements and reimburse for the costs. This doesn’t mean you book the presidential suite at Mar-A-Lago while working as a hospitalist in Florida next June, but it does mean you can choose family friendly lodging and control the situation. Negotiating this with your staffing agency isn’t hard, and most will allow you a large amount of wiggle room in our experience.
Spousal Occupation
One of the biggest barriers to entry at mid career for many physicians relates to their partner's career. If your husband or wife is a trial attorney in a law firm, moving to Moab Utah may be a little tough to pull off. We have found some magical situations where both partners are doctors, and can couples match in locum positions all around the country (or outside!). We have also found numerous situations where the significant other is mobile with their career because of what they do- this works great for graphic designers, salesmen, and other independent contractors. In some situations it won't work, thats clear. Before even considering locum tenens work, it would be wise to evaluate your partners career situation and their expectations.
Travel with Kids
As much as that locum tenens gig in Hawaii sounded amazing during the cold Vermont winter, getting there can be tough with a family. Packing for four people, for four weeks and then making it happen can be downright miserable. Most locum tenens agencies will bend over backwards to help with arranging everything needed for the travel and often times they have staffed the hospital before. Utilize your staffing agency for advice on what each site will require, both inside and outside the hospital, can be highly beneficial. We don't think locum tenens assignments are much different than an extended vacation, but we also realize most doctors have never taken more than 10-14 days off in a single stretch with their family. How to plan? What to pack? These are all very site specific, but more importantly, they are specific to your family. Remember, you will likely have water and dryer where you stay, a grocery store near you, and the location you pick can be designed to have amenities to make the transition easy.
The Awesome
As you get more comfortable with locum tenens, assignments with your family become fun and exciting. You learn to pick assignments that provide educational and cultural advancement for you and your family. Other like-minded doctors and their families become your new friends on your journey. You focus on clinical care, decrease stress, save more and set in motion a new lifestyle that starts to feel like you hoped it would. We aren’t saying its perfect for all families, but we hope we can continue to shine some light on the details of that make it work for us.
~The Locums Life~
FAQ: Doing Locum Tenens as a Physician With a Family
1) Can a physician realistically do locum tenens work with a family?
Yes—many physicians do, and some thrive because locum tenens can offer control over schedule, income, and geography. The key is acknowledging that locums isn’t just a job choice—it’s a family logistics choice. The physicians who do best treat it like a shared project: clear goals, predictable routines, and a plan for child care, schooling, travel, and downtime.
2) What’s the biggest difference between doing locums solo vs doing locums with a family?
When you’re solo, you optimize for pay, flexibility, and adventure. With a family, you optimize for stability, rhythm, and emotional bandwidth. That usually means fewer surprises, more planning, and assignments chosen for family life (school calendars, call burden, travel time, housing quality, and proximity to support systems).
3) What types of physicians tend to do best with family-friendly locum tenens?
Physicians who do best typically:
communicate clearly with their spouse/partner
choose assignments with predictable schedules
are willing to turn down “high pay, high chaos”
plan around school breaks and childcare needs
have a strong budgeting/tax system (because financial surprises create family stress)
It’s less about specialty and more about structure.
4) Should my spouse/partner be involved in choosing assignments?
Absolutely. Family-friendly locum tenens works best when assignment selection is a joint decision. Even if you’re the one working clinically, the assignment impacts:
childcare coverage
household load
sleep and stress
travel and weekends
the emotional experience for kids
A simple rule: if your partner isn’t on board, the assignment isn’t worth it.
5) What’s the best reason to do locum tenens with a family?
There are three common “winning” reasons:
Financial acceleration: pay down debt faster, build savings, fund goals
Schedule control: build time off intentionally (school breaks, summers, long weekends)
Geographic flexibility: test-drive communities, live in desirable areas temporarily, or move without committing long-term
But the reason needs to be explicit, or you’ll drift into constant travel without clarity.
6) What’s the hardest part of locum tenens work with kids?
The hardest part is the invisible labor: planning, packing, calendar management, and the spouse/partner absorbing extra responsibilities when you’re away. Many families underestimate the mental load at first. The solution is to plan intentionally and build systems that protect the non-working partner from burnout.
7) How do we decide if we should travel together or if I should travel alone?
Ask four questions:
Is the assignment long enough to justify moving the family (usually 4+ weeks)?
Is housing truly family-ready (space, kitchen, laundry, safety)?
Will childcare/schooling be stable?
Will travel reduce or increase stress overall?
Often, families do best with a hybrid model:
short assignments: physician travels solo
longer assignments: family joins for part (summer, school breaks) or relocates fully
8) What is the most “family-friendly” locum tenens schedule?
Most family-friendly schedules have:
limited call
predictable clinic/shift blocks
defined days off
minimal last-minute changes
Examples families often prefer:
block scheduling (7 on / 7 off, or 10 on / 10 off)
weekend-free setups
day shifts only
assignments where overtime is optional—not expected
9) How do I avoid being gone every weekend?
You have to negotiate it up front. Tell recruiters:
“I can cover weekdays consistently, but weekends need to be limited to X per month.”
“I’m available for a block schedule with predictable weekends off.”
“I can do call, but not every weekend.”
Many jobs default to “whoever is available covers everything.” Define your boundaries early.
10) Can locum tenens actually create more family time?
Yes—if you treat your time off as sacred and planned. Locums can give you:
multi-week breaks between assignments
long stretches off in the summer
the ability to align time off with school holidays
flexibility to attend events you’d miss in a standard employed job
But if you say yes to every extension and every shift, locums becomes just “more work.”
11) What’s the best way to plan locum tenens around a school calendar?
Think in “seasons”:
Fall: stable assignments, predictable schedule
Winter: plan around holidays (and avoid surprise credentialing delays)
Spring: aim for assignments that end before testing/exams
Summer: prime time for family travel or longer “family-join” assignments
Build the year as a calendar-first plan, then choose jobs that fit into it.
12) What about childcare—how do families handle it when a locums physician is away?
Common solutions:
partner handles weekdays + hired support (nanny/babysitter)
family help (grandparents) during blocks
childcare swaps with friends/community
scheduling assignments around partner’s work flexibility
The best approach is not “hero mode.” It’s redundancy: have a backup for your backup.
13) How do we protect the spouse/partner from resentment?
Resentment comes from imbalance without acknowledgment. Fix it with:
clear division of responsibilities
scheduled recovery time for the partner too
financial clarity (where locums money is going)
predictable return dates
“re-entry routines” when you come home (you take over parenting duties, give partner a break)
Make the partner’s well-being part of the plan—not an afterthought.
14) How often should I come home if I’m doing travel locums?
There’s no universal answer, but many families do well with:
home every weekend (if distance allows)
home every other weekend
home every 2–3 weeks for long-distance assignments
The real limiter is fatigue. If travel turns your “home time” into exhaustion, you may need fewer trips but higher-quality rest.
15) Is it better to take higher paying jobs farther away or lower paying jobs closer to home?
With family, the real calculation is net benefit after travel cost + relationship cost + fatigue cost. Many physicians find that a “slightly lower rate but closer to home” produces a better life outcome. That said, if the family goal is a short-term financial sprint, a higher-paying remote assignment can make sense—but it must have an end date.
16) What housing is best when bringing family on assignment?
Most families prefer:
furnished apartments or houses
kitchens and laundry
safe neighborhoods
proximity to parks, groceries, and activities
enough space for work + rest (separate bedroom if possible)
Hotels can work short-term, but long-term hotel living with kids often becomes stressful fast.
17) Can I bring my family to a hotel assignment?
Sometimes, but it’s usually harder. If you try:
request a suite
confirm kitchenette/laundry access
choose safe, quiet properties
make sure the commute won’t steal your limited family time
If family is coming for more than 1–2 weeks, a furnished rental is often better.
18) What about pets?
Pets can limit housing inventory. Plan early:
pet-friendly rentals/hotels
pet deposits/fees
parks/walkability
backup boarding plans if assignment changes
Pets make your family feel whole—but they add planning complexity.
19) How do we handle healthcare needs while traveling (kids, spouse, prescriptions)?
Before you leave:
confirm your family’s insurance coverage across states
identify urgent care and pediatric options near the assignment
keep a digital folder of immunization records, meds, and emergency contacts
keep prescriptions filled and transferable
Travel adds friction—pre-planning prevents panic.
20) What about schooling—can kids attend school while on a locums assignment?
Yes, but it depends on duration and age:
Short stays: keep kids at home school and have physician travel alone
Summer assignments: easiest time to travel together
Longer assignments (3–12 months): families may temporarily enroll kids or use homeschool/online options
The younger the kids, the easier it often is logistically (but harder emotionally if routines change). Older kids value stability and peer relationships more.
21) Does locum tenens work impact kids emotionally?
It can—both positively and negatively.
Potential positives:
more parent time during off blocks
travel and new experiences
financial stability reducing household stress
Potential negatives:
parent absence during assignments
disrupted routines
partner fatigue at home
Kids do best when routines are predictable and when the traveling parent maintains connection (calls, bedtime video, consistent check-ins).
22) How do I stay connected with my kids while away?
Simple, repeatable rituals:
same-time daily video call (even 5 minutes)
bedtime story on FaceTime
shared photo album or daily “one highlight” text
bring home a small token (not expensive—meaningful)
Consistency matters more than length.
23) How do I prevent “coming home” from feeling disruptive?
Create a re-entry routine:
first 24 hours: you take over child duties to give partner rest
avoid scheduling heavy social plans immediately
handle practical tasks (groceries, laundry, errands)
protect one-on-one time with partner
The goal is to make you a relief—not another person who needs care.
24) Are there tax considerations when traveling with family for locums?
Yes, but they’re nuanced and worth professional guidance. Mixing personal travel with business travel can complicate deductions and reimbursements. If you’re making decisions based on tax advantages, talk to a CPA familiar with locum tenens. The best family strategy is usually: do what’s best for stability first, then optimize taxes within the rules.
25) What insurance should a locums physician prioritize when supporting a family?
Most families should strongly consider:
health insurance plan clarity (especially if not employer-sponsored)
disability insurance (your income is the engine)
life insurance (term policies are common for working years)
malpractice clarity per assignment
umbrella liability (depending on assets)
Locums can increase income—but also increases the need for clean risk protection.
26) How do we budget when locums income is variable?
Use a two-bucket system:
Operating budget: a stable monthly “salary” you pay yourselves
Buffer fund: holds extra income during high months and covers low months
This prevents lifestyle whiplash and reduces family stress.
27) What’s the best financial goal structure for locums families?
Pick one primary goal per season:
“Pay off student loans in 18 months”
“Build a 12-month emergency fund”
“Max retirement contributions for 2 years”
“Save for a home down payment”
If the family doesn’t know what the sacrifice is for, motivation collapses.
28) How do we avoid constant extensions and never-ending assignments?
Use a hard rule:
Every assignment has an end date
Extensions are decided with a family meeting
You pre-book recovery time between assignments
Without boundaries, locums becomes perpetual “just one more month.”
29) Is locum tenens a good way to prevent burnout—or does it cause burnout?
It can be either. Locums prevents burnout when it gives:
control over schedule
autonomy
breaks and recovery time
variety and less administrative burden
Locums causes burnout when:
housing is bad
travel is relentless
boundaries are unclear
you say yes to everything
the partner at home is overloaded
The burnout solution is structure, not hustle.
30) What questions should I ask a recruiter if I’m choosing assignments with my family in mind?
Ask:
Is the schedule fixed or variable?
What’s the call burden, and how often do physicians get called in?
How stable is the facility’s need—do they cancel?
What housing options exist (hotel vs furnished rental)?
Can I block shifts to create predictable home time?
Is this assignment family-friendly in terms of location, safety, and commute?
Your recruiter can’t optimize for your family unless you tell them.
31) Should I disclose family constraints during negotiation?
Yes. Family constraints are legitimate professional constraints. The best assignments are built on honesty. Saying “I can cover weekdays but need predictable weekends” is better than accepting a job and resenting it later.
32) How do families use locums to travel in a healthy way?
A great model is “intentional travel seasons”:
one summer assignment where family joins for 4–8 weeks
treat it like a temporary lifestyle: routine, schoolwork if needed, activities
avoid stacking back-to-back travel for months without rest
Travel is amazing when it’s chosen—not endured.
33) What’s the best way to test locums with family before fully committing?
Pilot it:
take one short assignment (1–2 weeks)
evaluate stress points: childcare, partner load, sleep, communication
refine systems (calendar, budgeting, routines)
scale slowly
Most families do better with a gradual ramp than a sudden leap.
34) What’s the “family-friendly locums” bottom line ?
“Locum tenens work with a family can be an ideal lifestyle for physicians when assignments are chosen for predictable schedules, safe housing, and defined time off. The key to successful locum tenens with kids is treating travel, childcare, and budgeting like a system—not an afterthought.”