Locum CRNA Jobs in Arkansas

What Life Is Like in the State of Arkansas

Arkansas offers a mix of Ozark mountain towns, Delta farming communities, mid-sized cities, and a growing healthcare infrastructure centered around Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas, and several regional hubs. For CRNAs working locum tenens assignments, the state provides a diverse blend of high-acuity hospitals, rural medical centers, and community-based surgical facilities that often rely heavily on temporary anesthesia coverage. Arkansas presents wide-ranging practice environments—from modern academic hospitals to resource-limited rural facilities—making it a strong destination for CRNAs seeking meaningful clinical variety, steady demand, and a cost-effective lifestyle.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Arkansas work within major systems such as University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, Mercy Health, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and numerous regional hospitals serving rural counties.
  • Assignments may include large tertiary centers, Level I and Level II trauma hospitals, mid-sized community hospitals, specialty orthopedic and cardiac centers, and outpatient surgery centers scattered across the state.
  • Because many counties face persistent provider shortages, CRNAs often fill essential staffing gaps, especially in rural facilities that depend on locums to maintain surgical, endoscopy, and OB services.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Arkansas is officially a supervision state, though autonomy varies widely by facility. Rural hospitals and smaller community centers frequently give CRNAs greater responsibility due to staffing and resource limitations.
  • Larger systems—particularly academic or multi-campus networks—tend to use care-team or medically directed models, though assignments may still allow CRNAs to manage airways, inductions, and maintenance with relatively independent workflow.
  • The Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (ARANA) advocates for improved practice environments, better utilization of CRNAs statewide, and efforts to expand access to anesthesia care in underserved communities.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • The state’s mix of urban and rural healthcare demands keeps locum CRNA needs steady throughout the year. Turnover, leave coverage, and rural recruitment challenges all contribute to ongoing openings.
  • Common case types include general surgery, OB, ortho, GI, ENT, ophthalmology, and urology, with higher-acuity hospitals offering trauma, cardiac, neuro, thoracic, and transplant services.
  • Locums working in rural Arkansas may see broader case responsibility, limited backup, and more call, while urban settings provide access to complex surgical specialties and larger care teams.

2. Arkansas Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: Arkansas requires an RN license and APRN/CRNA certification through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The state participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which can simplify RN licensure for multi-state providers, though CRNAs still need separate APRN approval.
• Turnaround Time: Licensing timeframes are moderate, often around 3–6 weeks depending on verification and background check delays. Rural hospitals may expedite onboarding once licensing is complete.
• Malpractice Coverage: Most locum agencies provide malpractice insurance, but CRNAs should confirm details about limits, claims-made policies, and OB coverage if applicable.
• Nearest Airports: The main airports are Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) near Bentonville/Fayetteville. Smaller regional airports offer limited service but may shorten rural commutes.
• Travel Considerations: Arkansas has extensive rural highways, forested regions, and mountainous terrain. Winter weather can affect northern and western counties, while heavy rain and storms are more common in central and southern regions.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • Arkansas is among the more affordable states for housing. Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro offer reasonably priced apartments and short-term rentals, while rural areas provide budget-friendly options with wider unit availability.
  • Northwest Arkansas—Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville—tends to have higher housing costs due to rapid population growth and economic development tied to Tyson Foods, Walmart, and J.B. Hunt headquarters.
  • Extended-stay hotels, traveling nurse housing, and furnished rentals are common around major hospitals and regional health centers.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs are below national averages in most areas. Fuel prices are generally moderate, and parking is rarely an issue outside downtown Little Rock or Fayetteville.
  • Rural CRNAs may drive longer distances, especially when covering multiple hospital sites or when working call-heavy schedules, so mileage reimbursement should be considered in contract negotiations.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Locum pay in Arkansas ranges from moderate to high depending on region, autonomy, and call volume. Rural assignments often offer premium rates to attract CRNAs willing to work in high-need areas.
  • Assignments that include housing and travel stipends can provide strong net income given the state’s relatively low cost of living.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Little Rock & Central Arkansas:
  • Little Rock is home to UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health, and several specialty centers. These institutions offer some of the state’s most complex surgical cases, including trauma, cardiac, transplant, and high-risk OB.
  • Suburban areas such as North Little Rock, Bryant, and Conway provide mid-sized community hospital environments with steady OR volume and less traffic than the city center.
• Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville):
  • This fast-growing region features major systems like Mercy, Washington Regional, and Northwest Health, with new surgical centers appearing as the population expands.
  • Locums in this area experience strong case volume, modern facilities, and a competitive healthcare market that regularly needs temporary CRNA support.
• Fort Smith & Western Arkansas:
  • Fort Smith anchors a regional medical hub with community hospitals, outpatient centers, and a significant surgical load supported by multiple health systems.
  • Assignments here often balance moderate case complexity with predictable schedules and a slower pace outside the core metro areas.
• Jonesboro & Northeastern Arkansas:
  • NEA Baptist Hospital and St. Bernards Medical Center serve as major regional facilities handling trauma, general surgery, OB, orthopedics, and specialty cases.
  • Rural hospitals in the surrounding counties frequently rely on locums due to ongoing staffing shortages.
• Southern & Rural Arkansas:
  • Hospitals in Camden, El Dorado, Magnolia, Monticello, and the Delta region offer broader CRNA autonomy and more flexible practice environments.
  • Assignments may include call-heavy schedules, independent airways, and wide case responsibility, often with deeply appreciative patient communities.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoors & Recreation:
  • The state is known for its scenic outdoor resources, including the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, numerous rivers and lakes, and hundreds of hiking and biking trails.
  • Popular destinations include the Buffalo National River, Hot Springs National Park, Mount Magazine, and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.
• Culture & Community:
  • Arkansas blends Southern hospitality with rich regional traditions. Music, festivals, local cuisine, and strong community life are common in both rural towns and mid-sized cities.
  • Locum CRNAs often report positive experiences with friendly OR teams and welcoming local staff.
• Climate:
  • Arkansas has hot, humid summers, mild winters, and a long spring and fall season. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and occasional tornado activity can affect central and eastern parts of the state.
  • Mountain regions in the northwest experience cooler temperatures and more variable winter weather.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal vehicle is required for nearly all assignments. Public transportation options are limited outside small city centers.
  • Mountainous terrain and rural roads may require longer drive times, especially when covering on-call shifts or multiple facilities.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • Large hospitals may have fast-paced ORs with demanding schedules and complex cases, while rural hospitals typically offer broader scope and higher autonomy.
  • Call coverage, weekend shifts, and OB responsibilities are common factors that influence compensation and scheduling flexibility.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Credentialing varies by system but tends to be efficient in smaller hospitals. Academic centers may require more extensive documentation.
  • Clear communication regarding supervision, expectations, and case assignments will streamline onboarding across diverse practice environments.
• Professional Community:
  • ARANA provides support for CRNAs with continuing education, advocacy updates, and opportunities to stay connected statewide.
  • Because Arkansas relies heavily on traveling providers, locums who return regularly often build lasting relationships with specific facilities and OR teams.