Locum CRNA Jobs in Florida

What Life Is Like in the State of Florida

Florida offers one of the most varied practice environments in the country for locum CRNAs—major academic hospitals, sprawling suburban medical systems, high-volume outpatient centers, coastal trauma hospitals, and rural facilities serving agricultural and inland communities. With rapid population growth, a large retiree population, seasonal tourism surges, and ongoing staffing shortages, the state maintains strong and consistent demand for temporary anesthesia providers. Locum CRNAs in Florida encounter everything from bread-and-butter outpatient surgery to high-acuity cardiovascular, trauma, transplant, and neurosurgical cases depending on the region.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Florida work within major systems including AdventHealth, Orlando Health, HCA Healthcare, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Cleveland Clinic Florida, BayCare Health System, Tampa General Hospital, UF Health, Memorial Healthcare System, and Jackson Health System in Miami, as well as dozens of independent hospitals and ASCs across the state.
  • Locum assignments include Level I trauma centers in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville; large suburban hospitals in Central Florida; high-volume coastal hospitals in the Panhandle and Gulf Coast; and rural facilities in North and Central Florida that rely heavily on locum support due to recruitment challenges.
  • Florida is also home to many surgery centers focused on orthopedics, GI, pain management, dental anesthesia, and cosmetic surgery, offering additional locum opportunities.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Florida follows a supervision model at the state level, though actual practice varies considerably by facility. Large academic centers and many metro-area hospitals maintain physician-led care teams.
  • Community hospitals, especially those outside major metros, often give CRNAs substantial autonomy during cases, inductions, and emergent scenarios, depending on staffing and system policies.
  • The Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FANA) advocates for improved CRNA utilization, modernized practice rules, and measures to support safer, more efficient anesthesia care statewide.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • Florida experiences some of the highest anesthesia volume in the country due to tourism, an expanding retiree population, and rapid metro growth in Central and South Florida.
  • High-acuity cases such as cardiac, thoracic, transplant, neuro, complex oncology, and trauma are common in major metros, while community hospitals focus on general surgery, OB, ortho, ENT, urology, and GI.
  • Rural and inland counties may require broader generalist capability, call coverage, and flexibility to handle occasional emergency cases with fewer backup resources.

2. Florida Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: Florida requires a state RN license and ARNP/CRNA credential through the Florida Board of Nursing. It is not a compact state for APRNs, so out-of-state CRNAs must apply for Florida-specific authorization.
• Turnaround Time: Processing times vary, but agencies typically recommend allowing several weeks for APRN licensing, especially during high-volume periods.
• Malpractice Coverage: Locum agencies generally provide claims-made policies; confirm coverage details when assignments involve independent practice or call shifts.
• Nearest Airports: Florida has numerous regional and international airports including MCO (Orlando), TPA (Tampa), MIA (Miami), FLL (Fort Lauderdale), JAX (Jacksonville), PBI (West Palm Beach), RSW (Fort Myers), and PNS (Pensacola), making travel flexible for virtually any assignment location.
• Travel Considerations: Traffic can be significant in metro areas such as Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida. Coastal assignments may be affected by winter tourism surges or hurricane season disruptions.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • Housing costs vary widely. Miami, Tampa, Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, and the Keys are among the most expensive areas, especially during peak seasonal months.
  • More affordable housing is available in North Florida, the Panhandle, inland regions, and midsized cities such as Ocala, Gainesville, and Lakeland.
  • Locum CRNAs often rely on furnished short-term rentals, extended-stay hotels, and travel agency-arranged housing. In heavy tourism areas, early booking is essential to avoid price spikes.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Groceries and dining vary by region but tend to be moderate compared to major coastal cities elsewhere.
  • Gas prices can be higher in metropolitan regions and during peak travel seasons.
  • Parking is generally free at suburban and rural hospitals; metro-area hospitals may have paid parking or garage logistics to consider.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Locum pay ranges from moderate to high depending on metro area, call requirements, and specialty services.
  • Assignments in rural counties or areas with staffing shortages sometimes offer premium pay to attract temporary providers.
  • The state’s lack of income tax is an added financial advantage for CRNAs working multiple Florida contracts per year.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Orlando & Central Florida:
  • One of the busiest healthcare hubs in the state, anchored by Orlando Health, AdventHealth, and multiple specialty centers.
  • Case mix includes trauma, cardiac, neuro, robotic surgery, OB, spine, and high-throughput ambulatory procedures.
  • Tourism-driven volumes create year-round demand for anesthesia coverage.
• Tampa Bay & West Central Florida:
  • Tampa General Hospital is a major academic and transplant center, with high-acuity cardiac, trauma, and complex surgical services.
  • BayCare hospitals across Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Brandon provide extensive suburban opportunities.
  • Ambulatory centers in the region operate at extremely high volumes, creating consistent locum shifts.
• Miami, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida:
  • This region includes some of the highest-acuity hospitals in the state—Jackson Memorial, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Memorial Healthcare, and Baptist Health South Florida.
  • CRNAs may encounter transplant, cardiac, thoracic, trauma, and complex oncology cases, along with busy OB and high-volume outpatient centers.
  • Cost of living and traffic are substantial considerations for locum workers.
• Jacksonville & Northeast Florida:
  • Anchored by UF Health Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic Florida, and Baptist Health.
  • Case volume includes trauma, cardiac, neuro, outpatient surgery, and regional anesthesia opportunities.
  • Housing tends to be more affordable than South or Central Florida.
• Florida Panhandle (Pensacola, Destin, Panama City):
  • Offers a mix of community hospitals, military-affiliated hospitals, and seasonal coastal facilities.
  • Assignments may include general surgery, OB, ortho, trauma, and outpatient cases.
  • Popular with locums who enjoy beach access and a slower pace of life.
• North & Rural Florida:
  • Counties between Tallahassee, Lake City, Ocala, and Gainesville often rely on locum CRNAs due to recruitment difficulties.
  • CRNAs may encounter broader responsibilities, including call, OB, and emergency cases, often with greater day-to-day autonomy.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoor Activities:
  • Florida provides year-round outdoor recreation—beaches, state parks, springs, fishing, boating, and water sports.
  • The Everglades, Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast, and hundreds of freshwater lakes offer diverse landscapes for days off.
• Cultural Access:
  • Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville offer extensive dining, arts, music, sports, and entertainment.
  • Smaller cities and coastal communities host festivals, farmers markets, and unique local events throughout the year.
• Climate:
  • Florida has a warm, humid climate with hot summers and mild winters. Hurricane season runs from June through November and can affect scheduling and travel.
  • CRNAs working coastal or southern assignments should stay aware of weather advisories and facility emergency protocols.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal car is necessary for nearly all assignments. Public transit is limited outside major cities.
  • Traffic congestion can be heavy in Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida, especially during peak tourism seasons.
  • Parking logistics vary—urban hospitals may require garage entry, while rural and suburban hospitals typically offer easy parking.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • High-volume OR environments are common in Florida, with fast turnovers and full surgical schedules.
  • Rural hospitals may require CRNAs to cover a wider range of cases and take more call, often with competitive pay.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Large Florida systems often have extensive credentialing processes, including multi-campus onboarding and EMR training.
  • Clear expectations for autonomy, supervision level, block placement, and documentation help locum CRNAs integrate smoothly.
• Professional Community:
  • CRNAs in Florida are supported by FANA, which provides education, advocacy, and policy updates relevant to both staff and traveling CRNAs.
  • Locum providers who return regularly to Florida often build long-term relationships with certain systems due to strong and predictable statewide demand.