The career locum lifestyle

[kileskus]

I've spoken with several locums and read articles, but was hoping for some experiences/advice from AFF medicos (or nurses/pharmacists if you have the concept of locuming too). As this is AFF, I assume we have interests in travel and don't mind the frequent flying and hotel stays that I hear a lot of locums refer to as 'downsides' (!)

How much potential is there for status/points with airline and hotel programs? For example, arranging your own travel in exchange for a higher rate, and then using a points earning credit card to get fares that maximise status credits. Or even if the agency handles the travel, I'd imagine you could attach your FF number to the bookings. In my mind, if you were smart about the arrangements, you could get/maintain status easily and then use the points to book award flights in your downtime that in their own way offset the loss of paid annual leave.

I'm currently stagnating in a SRMO/service reg position, with years of bad roster luck that has given me few opportunities for progression. I do ~3 terms of relieving/nights a year, with limited integration into any one unit. As for the supposed benefits of a permanent role - my full entitled annual leave was not given last year, conference/education leave is regularly denied due to 'inability to find cover', and sick leave sometimes not paid. Essentially, I'm working a locum role without the locum lifestyle whilst being denied entitlements that come with a permanent position. (The latter I should take up with the union, but it doesn't seem like an uncommon issue that we face.)

I'm deciding if I'll transition to locuming, and if I do I would probably be permanently turning my back on aiming for SET training given the way the application process works. I could take on more research projects, start teaching, do diplomas - or become a career locum RMO/service reg. (I've purchased a home and can't have kids so housing stability/family are not factors in my decision making.)

At face value it probably sounds like I'm asking if one should trade a stable career for airline status, but it's also about whether career locuming is a suitable job if you love travel and enjoy the work itself - the ward experience, theatre time, nights and long hours and all - but not the CV grind?

Am I overestimating the travel/lifestyle benefits of locuming? For those of you who have chosen to locum, did the travel benefits factor in the decision and were you able to apply your frequent flyer knowledge to get more out of it? For those of you who chose not to locum, why? And for those who returned to permanent positions after locuming, how challenging was it? Also if anyone has NZ locum experience too, would love to hear about it as I'm thinking of crossing the ditch.

Thank you in advance.

 

[drron]

I'll come back with more detail but I loved the locum life. My locum career was from December 2006 until February 2023 just after my 75th birthday. I looked at it as being paid to travel Australia.
Loyalty schemes played no part in my decision. I enjoyed the life style. Didn't have to get involved in hospital politics. And if anyone pissed me of i didn't go back.

 

[k_sheep]

I love locumming - love experiencing new places, working with new people etc.

Financially though as a consultant though it's way worse off - locum salaries in my specialty are stagnant and end up being less than a public position as an hourly rate, without the leave entitlements, super, job security etc. Not to mention the increased costs of indemnity insurance, accounting fees etc. I may just be financially impaired - but ABN/GST/BAS are just the pits. My accountant was charging near $10k for doing the BAS which was patently ridiculous when I was earning maybe 40k/yr but I just was never confident to do it myself. After that I only accepted PAYG jobs.

In terms of travel, I was never given a choice - the agency or hospital or whatever always booked on my behalf. Several times I asked for a specific flight but it was less than 20% of the time that was honoured. Never stayed in hotels either - normally a service apartment.

 

[Quickstatus]

Airline status should never be the primary objective. In my view, it should actually be a distant secondary objective. Enjoying your career and work for what it is should be the primary objective. If your current situation is not fulfilling, change it and do something else but the something else, again, should not be coloured by airline status potential.

I can't advise re locuming but like everything there are pros and cons but beware that the grass is always greener on the other side.