Locum CRNA Jobs in Georgia

What Life Is Like in the State of Georgia

Georgia offers a mix of major metropolitan centers, fast-growing suburbs, historic midsized cities, rural farming communities, and coastal regions with strong seasonal tourism. For CRNAs working locum tenens assignments, the state provides a wide range of clinical settings—from nationally recognized academic hospitals in Atlanta to community hospitals in the Piedmont region, trauma centers in Augusta and Macon, coastal facilities near Savannah and Brunswick, and rural hospitals across South and Central Georgia that rely heavily on temporary anesthesia coverage. A growing population, expanding healthcare systems, and ongoing provider shortages in rural counties make Georgia a high-demand state for locum anesthesia providers.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Georgia work within major systems such as Emory Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, Northside Hospital, Grady Health System, Augusta University Health, Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, and Memorial Health in Savannah, along with numerous independent community hospitals and surgery centers.
  • Locum assignments range from Level I trauma centers in Atlanta and Augusta to high-volume suburban hospitals, coastal facilities serving tourism-driven census changes, and critical access hospitals in rural South and East Georgia.
  • Ambulatory surgical centers across the Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah metros also present consistent locum opportunities in orthopedics, GI, ENT, pain management, and ophthalmology.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Georgia is a supervision state, and most facilities operate under a team-based model with anesthesiologist involvement, particularly in large hospital systems and specialty centers.
  • Rural hospitals and smaller community facilities may allow more independent day-to-day function for CRNAs, with broader responsibility for inductions, airways, and emergent cases.
  • The Georgia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (GANA) advocates for improved practice efficiency, appropriate anesthesia team utilization, and expanded rural access.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • Georgia maintains high demand for locum CRNAs due to population growth, OR expansion in the Atlanta suburbs, seasonal volume fluctuations on the coast, and persistent staffing shortages in rural hospitals.
  • Case mix varies by region: Atlanta and Augusta feature trauma, cardiac, neuro, oncology, transplant, and other high-acuity surgical services; suburban and midsized cities offer general surgery, ortho, OB, GI, and ENT; rural hospitals may require broad generalist capability and call coverage.
  • Flexible locum CRNAs who can work independently in smaller hospitals or efficiently in fast-paced suburban ORs often find recurring assignments across the state.

2. Georgia Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: Georgia requires a state RN license and CRNA authorization from the Georgia Board of Nursing. Georgia is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, making RN licensing more straightforward for compact-eligible providers.
• Turnaround Time: Depending on background checks and verification steps, processing can take several weeks. Compact RN holders typically complete licensure more quickly.
• Malpractice Coverage: Most locum agencies provide claims-made policies. Confirm limits, requirements for tail coverage, and expectations when working semi-independently in rural facilities.
• Nearest Airports: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) serves the majority of the state. Secondary options include Savannah/Hilton Head (SAV), Augusta Regional (AGS), Columbus (CSG), and Valdosta (VLD).
• Travel Considerations: Traffic congestion in Atlanta is significant and should be factored into shift planning. Rural assignments often involve long drives on two-lane highways, especially in South Georgia.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • The cost of housing varies widely: Atlanta’s popular neighborhoods and suburbs can be expensive, while midsized cities like Macon, Columbus, and Augusta offer more affordable options.
  • Coastal regions such as Savannah, Hilton Head, and the Golden Isles can be costly during peak tourism months; early booking is essential for short-term housing.
  • Extended-stay hotels, furnished corporate rentals, and short-term apartments are common options for locum CRNAs across the state.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Groceries, transportation, and utilities in Georgia are generally moderate. Atlanta is the most expensive metro but still cheaper than many coastal cities in the Northeast or West Coast.
  • Parking may incur fees in downtown Atlanta or Savannah, while most suburban and rural hospitals offer free, convenient parking.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Locum CRNA pay in Georgia ranges from moderate to high, depending on region and autonomy. Rural assignments often provide greater compensation to attract coverage.
  • Assignments that include call, nights, or weekends can offer significant income potential, especially in smaller community hospitals.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Atlanta & the Metro Region:
  • Atlanta is the state’s largest healthcare hub, home to Emory University Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital (a major trauma center), Northside Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta, and dozens of suburban campuses.
  • Locum CRNAs here may encounter high-acuity surgical services, including cardiac, neuro, trauma, transplant, and oncology, along with busy OB departments and high-throughput outpatient centers.
  • Suburban facilities in Alpharetta, Marietta, Roswell, Decatur, and Peachtree City provide consistent demand and strong elective case volume.
• Augusta & Eastern Georgia:
  • Augusta University Medical Center and surrounding hospitals offer trauma, oncology, neuro, and complex surgical services with steady locum needs.
  • This region includes military-affiliated patient populations and multiple community hospitals with broad surgical programs.
• Savannah & Coastal Georgia:
  • Memorial Health University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s/Candler anchor the coastal region with a mix of trauma, general surgery, OB, ortho, cardiac, and GI cases.
  • Nearby Brunswick, St. Marys, Jesup, and the Golden Isles experience seasonal volume increases tied to tourism and coastal population shifts.
• Columbus, Macon, and Central Georgia:
  • These midsized cities include robust community hospitals and outpatient centers with consistent general surgery, ortho, OB, ENT, and GI volume.
  • Locum CRNAs often appreciate the predictable schedules, manageable commutes, and lower living costs compared to Atlanta.
• North Georgia Mountains:
  • Hospitals in Dahlonega, Blairsville, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge serve growing communities and seasonal visitors, often requiring temporary anesthesia support.
  • CRNAs may encounter a broad generalist case mix with occasional on-call responsibilities.
• South & Rural Georgia:
  • Rural counties in southern and southeastern Georgia rely heavily on locum CRNAs due to workforce shortages and limited access to specialist providers.
  • Assignments may include flexible practice expectations, wider case variety, and broader call responsibility, often with higher pay to attract coverage.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoor Activities:
  • Georgia offers beaches, lakes, rivers, and mountains across the state, creating excellent opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, and camping.
  • The Appalachian Trail begins in North Georgia, and the coastline provides miles of scenic beaches and historic coastal towns.
• Cultural Access:
  • Atlanta provides world-class dining, music, sports, arts, and entertainment, while Savannah offers historic charm and a thriving cultural scene.
  • Smaller cities host local festivals, farmers markets, and community events throughout the year.
• Climate:
  • Georgia has a warm, humid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Coastal areas may experience tropical storms during hurricane season.
  • Locum CRNAs should be prepared for variable conditions, including heavy rain, heat waves, or occasional winter weather in northern counties.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal car is essential for most assignments. Atlanta traffic is significant and should be factored into daily planning.
  • Rural communities often require long drives on two-lane highways, especially for call coverage or split-campus assignments.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • Urban hospitals may have fast-paced ORs with complex case mixes and high-volume add-on schedules.
  • Rural hospitals may require CRNAs to handle a broad range of surgical and emergent cases and provide more frequent call coverage.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Large systems may require extensive credentialing, background checks, and EMR onboarding.
  • Clarifying expectations regarding autonomy, supervision, blocks, and schedule structure helps locum CRNAs integrate successfully.
• Professional Community:
  • Georgia CRNAs are supported by an active professional community through GANA, which provides advocacy, continuing education, and networking opportunities.
  • Locum CRNAs who become familiar with Georgia’s major systems often secure recurring or long-term assignments due to consistent statewide demand.