Locum CRNA Jobs in Virginia

What Life Is Like in the State of Virginia

Virginia offers a diverse blend of dense metropolitan areas, historic coastal cities, sprawling suburbs, and remote Appalachian towns. For CRNAs working locum tenens assignments, the state provides steady demand across major academic centers, military hospitals, community systems, and rural facilities that often depend on temporary anesthesia coverage. Virginia’s mix of high-acuity medical hubs in the Northern Virginia–DC corridor, major health systems in Richmond and Hampton Roads, and isolated mountain hospitals makes it one of the most geographically varied and consistently busy locum markets in the Mid-Atlantic region.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Virginia work within major systems such as Inova Health System, Sentara Healthcare, VCU Health, Carilion Clinic, Bon Secours, Riverside Health System, and Ballad Health facilities in far Southwest Virginia.
  • Assignments may include large academic centers with trauma and specialty services, fast-paced suburban hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, military and Veterans Health Administration facilities, and rural hospitals with broad-scope practice needs.
  • Because Virginia has rapidly growing population regions and ongoing staffing shortages in rural counties, locum CRNAs remain essential for OR coverage, obstetric services, and procedural anesthesia across the state.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Virginia is a supervision state, but on-the-ground autonomy varies widely by system, site, and service line. Large hospital systems often use a medical direction or care-team model, while rural hospitals may offer significantly more independence.
  • In outpatient centers and community hospitals, CRNAs may manage inductions, airways, and certain regional techniques depending on local policies and credentialing.
  • The Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (VANA) supports ongoing advocacy for improved CRNA utilization and expanded practice flexibility, especially in underserved regions.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • Locum demand is strong due to provider shortages in rural Appalachia, high surgical volume in Northern Virginia and Richmond, and turnover across multi-hospital systems.
  • Large centers may include trauma, cardiac, thoracic, neuro, transplant, vascular, and complex oncology cases. Community sites offer general surgery, OB, GI, ortho, ENT, and urology.
  • Rural assignments often require broader flexibility, more call, and the ability to manage a full range of cases with less on-site specialty support.

2. Virginia Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: Virginia requires an RN license and CRNA certification recognized by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Requirements can evolve, so providers should confirm details with the Board or agency.
• Turnaround Time: Licensing is generally moderate in speed. Delays can occur during peak periods or when out-of-state verification is required, particularly for providers with multiple prior licenses.
• Malpractice Coverage: Locum agencies usually provide coverage; hospital-employed locum roles may include system-wide policies. Providers should confirm limits and tail requirements.
• Nearest Airports: Key airports include Washington Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), Richmond International (RIC), Norfolk International (ORF), and Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional (ROA) for western assignments.
• Travel Considerations: Traffic is a significant factor in Northern Virginia, and mountainous regions can be challenging in winter months. Many assignments require a personal vehicle.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • Northern Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax are among the highest-cost regions in the Mid-Atlantic, with competitive rental markets and limited short-term availability.
  • Richmond, Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley offer more moderate costs, while rural Appalachian counties are considerably more affordable.
  • Extended-stay hotels, furnished rentals, and agency-arranged housing are common options for locum providers.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Food, transportation, and utilities vary significantly by region—Northern Virginia aligns with DC pricing, while costs are much lower in central and southwestern areas.
  • Tolls are present in some regions; providers working near DC should factor these into travel reimbursements.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Locum rates are highest in Northern Virginia and rural western counties where staffing gaps are most pronounced.
  • Assignments offering call, nights, and weekend coverage often provide meaningful premium pay and strong net income potential.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Loudoun):
  • One of the busiest regions for CRNAs due to large health systems, high surgical volume, and proximity to Washington, DC.
  • Assignments may include high-acuity cases, rapid turnovers, and multi-campus rotations.
• Richmond & Central Virginia:
  • Richmond’s VCU Medical Center is a major trauma and academic hub offering complex surgical services.
  • Community hospitals and ASCs throughout Central Virginia provide steady electives and balanced workloads.
• Hampton Roads & Tidewater (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News):
  • This region includes major Sentara facilities and several military medical centers, creating diverse anesthesia needs.
  • Locum CRNAs may handle general surgery, OB, ortho, neuro, and seasonal procedural volume tied to coastal tourism.
• Western Virginia & Appalachia (Roanoke, Blacksburg, Bristol):
  • Carilion Clinic anchors the western region, with assignments ranging from high-acuity cases in Roanoke to broad-scope rural practice in outlying hospitals.
  • Facilities in Appalachia often have limited recruitment pipelines and rely heavily on locum providers for OR continuity.
• Shenandoah Valley & Rural Communities:
  • Hospitals serving Harrisonburg, Staunton, Winchester, and surrounding towns offer a mix of elective and emergency cases with strong community relationships.
  • Rural hospitals may provide some of the highest autonomy for CRNAs, especially when covering call and after-hours services.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoors & Nature:
  • Virginia offers beaches, mountains, national parks, and scenic byways. Popular destinations include Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Virginia Beach.
  • Locums in rural assignments often enjoy quick access to hiking, fishing, and outdoor recreation between shifts.
• Culture & Food:
  • Major metro areas provide diverse dining, arts, concerts, sports, and historic attractions.
  • Smaller towns offer farmers’ markets, craft breweries, and strong community traditions.
• Climate:
  • Virginia experiences all four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters range from mild in the east to snowy in the mountains.
  • Locum CRNAs in western regions should prepare for occasional weather-related travel disruptions.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal vehicle is necessary for most assignments, especially outside major metro areas.
  • Northern Virginia traffic is among the most congested in the country; commute time should be factored into shift planning.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • High-volume systems may have fast-paced ORs with frequent add-ons and complex cases.
  • Rural hospitals may require call coverage, OB support, and broader responsibility across service lines.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Credentialing may be extensive for large academic or military-affiliated systems; building in extra lead time is advised.
  • Clear expectations around supervision, autonomy, regional anesthesia, and call expectations benefit transitions between Virginia sites.
• Professional Community:
  • VANA connects CRNAs across the state, offering education, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
  • Locums who return regularly often form long-term ties with specific hospitals and anesthesia groups.