Locum CRNA Jobs in Missouri

What Life Is Like in the State of Missouri

Missouri blends two major metropolitan hubs with broad rural regions, creating a highly diverse and steady market for locum CRNAs. The state’s healthcare system spans academic medical centers in St. Louis and Kansas City, mid-size regional hospitals in places like Springfield, Columbia, and St. Joseph, and a large number of critical access facilities across the Ozarks, northern farmland, and the Bootheel. This mixture results in consistent demand for locum anesthesia providers, particularly during staffing shortages, seasonal OR fluctuations, and recruitment gaps in rural counties.

Life in Missouri varies dramatically depending on the assignment location. St. Louis and Kansas City offer bustling urban environments, nationally recognized medical centers, and high surgical case volume. Meanwhile, smaller towns across central and southern Missouri provide slower-paced living, close-knit hospital teams, and broad hands-on practice for CRNAs. Locums coming from coastal or high-cost states often appreciate Missouri’s affordability and balance between city amenities and rural tranquility.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • Large systems such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital (part of BJC HealthCare), Washington University School of Medicine hospitals, Saint Luke’s Health System, Mercy, and CoxHealth form the backbone of high-acuity care in Missouri.
  • Locum CRNAs are in steady demand across mid-size regional centers in Springfield, Columbia, Joplin, Cape Girardeau, and St. Joseph.
  • Critical access hospitals throughout southern Missouri, the Ozarks, and northern plains rely on locum tenens anesthesia support to maintain surgical services.
  • Ambulatory surgery centers, GI centers, and orthopedic specialty hospitals offer additional opportunities with predictable schedules and streamlined case mixes.
• Supervision Model and CRNA Scope:
  • Missouri requires physician supervision for CRNAs, although the level of day-to-day independence varies widely depending on the facility and anesthesia care team model.
  • In major hospitals, CRNAs typically work within care teams led by anesthesiologists, with opportunities for regional anesthesia and specialty rotations.
  • Rural hospitals may allow CRNAs greater autonomy, especially when call coverage or limited physician availability requires flexible team roles.
  • The Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MoANA) actively advocates for professional practice improvements and provides statewide education, networking, and updates on legislative issues.
• Case Mix and Clinical Expectations:
  • Large tertiary centers perform complex surgeries including trauma, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic cases, transplant, vascular, and high-acuity ICU-related procedures.
  • Regional hospitals commonly manage general surgery, orthopedics, OB, ENT, urology, GI, and a variety of outpatient cases.
  • Rural hospitals see a broad but lower-volume mix including general surgery, endoscopy, basic ortho, and occasional OB, depending on facility capabilities.
  • Locum CRNAs should be prepared for facilities that vary in their use of invasive monitoring, regional techniques, and resource availability.

2. Missouri Licensing and Travel Notes

• Missouri requires an RN license with CRNA recognition; the state does not participate in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), so a separate state license is necessary.
• Licensing timeframes generally range from 3–6 weeks depending on documentation and verification processing.
• Most locum agencies provide malpractice coverage, but hospitals may have specific requirements regarding claims-made versus occurrence policies.
• Major airports include St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), and Columbia Regional Airport (COU).
• Driving is necessary for most assignments, especially those in rural regions or between towns in the Ozarks and northern farmland.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing and Lodging:
  • Missouri’s housing costs are below the national average, with affordable rentals almost everywhere outside of a few competitive neighborhoods in St. Louis and Kansas City.
  • Short-term rentals, extended-stay hotels, and furnished housing options are readily available in major cities and regional hubs.
  • In rural areas, housing availability may be limited but significantly more affordable, and some hospitals assist locum CRNAs by negotiating local accommodations.
• Daily Expenses:
  • Groceries, utilities, and transportation costs are moderate and consistent with the overall affordability of the Midwest.
  • Locum providers working in rural areas benefit from low overhead, easy commutes, and inexpensive dining and entertainment options.
  • Cost-of-living advantages allow CRNAs to retain a greater portion of take-home pay, especially during longer assignments.

4. Major Cities and Assignment Locations

• St. Louis:
  • Home to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, and SSM Health facilities, the city offers some of the highest surgical volume in the region.
  • CRNAs in St. Louis may encounter complex and specialized cases including transplant surgery, trauma, neurosurgery, and high-risk OB.
  • The city offers diverse neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and a well-developed medical community that supports locum transitions.
• Kansas City:
  • Anchored by Saint Luke’s Health System, University Health (formerly Truman Medical Center), and multiple HCA Midwest Health hospitals.
  • Locum CRNAs can expect steady demand, robust OR activity, and opportunities for specialty skills such as regional anesthesia and cardiac support depending on background.
  • Kansas City’s entertainment, dining, and arts scene adds lifestyle benefits for longer locum assignments.
• Springfield and Southwest Missouri:
  • CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield anchor the healthcare landscape in this region, offering high surgical throughput and varied OR cases.
  • Assignments may include hospital-based ORs, busy outpatient centers, and rural hospitals across the Ozarks.
  • Springfield’s cost of living and centrally located housing options make it convenient for multi-site locum coverage.
• Columbia and Central Missouri:
  • MU Health Care in Columbia provides academic-level care with a broad range of surgical specialties and teaching opportunities.
  • Regional hospitals nearby provide additional locum needs in both urban and small-town settings.
  • College-town amenities and events support an active lifestyle for longer-term locum stays.
• Rural Northern Missouri and the Ozarks:
  • Critical access facilities throughout northern Missouri and in the Ozarks often face significant staffing shortages and rely heavily on locum CRNAs.
  • Cases may involve general surgery, OB, endoscopy, and occasional trauma care, depending on the facility.
  • Locums working in the Ozarks enjoy scenic landscapes, reduced traffic, and supportive small-hospital teams.

5. Lifestyle and Recreation

• Outdoor Activities:
  • Missouri offers four distinct seasons with abundant opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, and camping.
  • Popular outdoor areas include the Lake of the Ozarks, Mark Twain National Forest, and Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
  • Locum CRNAs assigned in rural or resort areas can enjoy easy access to lakes, rivers, and mountain foothills.
• Climate Considerations:
  • Summers are warm and humid, while winters can be cold with occasional snow and ice, especially in the northern part of the state.
  • CRNAs working in Missouri should be prepared for thunderstorms and occasional severe weather during spring and summer.
• Local Culture:
  • Missouri blends Midwestern and Southern cultural influences with strong traditions in music, food, and community events.
  • Kansas City is known for jazz and barbecue, while St. Louis offers historic neighborhoods, museums, and signature regional cuisine.
  • Patient populations tend to be welcoming and appreciative of temporary clinicians providing essential anesthesia care.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation and Commuting:
  • Most assignments require a rental car, as public transportation is limited outside major urban centers.
  • Commuting is generally straightforward, with well-maintained highways linking major cities to rural communities.
  • Locum CRNAs should be aware of potential weather disruptions, especially in wintertime or during severe storms.
• Healthcare System Needs:
  • Missouri faces ongoing provider shortages in rural anesthesia services, making locum CRNAs essential to maintaining surgical access.
  • Hospitals are accustomed to onboarding locum clinicians and often streamline credentialing for high-need regions.
  • Work environments vary from highly structured academic centers to flexible rural hospitals where CRNAs may manage broader responsibilities.
• Professional Community:
  • The Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MoANA) offers continuing education, advocacy, and professional networking for CRNAs practicing in the state.
  • Locum providers typically integrate easily into Missouri hospitals due to collaborative cultures and well-organized anesthesia departments.
  • Understanding local facility expectations, rotation structures, and call patterns helps locums begin assignments smoothly and effectively.