Locum CRNA Jobs in in Wyoming

What Life Is Like in the State of Wyoming

Wyoming is the least populated state in the country, offering vast open landscapes, mountain towns, frontier communities, and tight-knit rural regions. For CRNAs working locum tenens assignments, Wyoming provides some of the highest autonomy in the U.S., along with strong demand for temporary anesthesia coverage due to workforce shortages and geographic isolation. Its hospitals—many of them critical access facilities serving large, multi-county areas—rely heavily on locum CRNAs to maintain surgical, obstetric, and emergency anesthesia services. For providers who enjoy independent practice, outdoor adventure, and low-pressure living environments, Wyoming can be one of the most rewarding locum destinations in the Mountain West.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Wyoming work within systems and hospitals such as Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Wyoming Medical Center (now part of Banner Health) in Casper, St. John’s Health in Jackson, Campbell County Health in Gillette, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, Cody Regional Health, Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, and numerous critical access hospitals across remote counties.
  • Locum assignments typically include small and mid-sized community hospitals, Level III trauma centers, rural critical access facilities, and outpatient surgical centers serving regional patient populations.
  • Because many counties have only one hospital, locum CRNAs often support essential surgical services that directly impact local access to care, from C-sections and emergent surgeries to elective general and orthopedic procedures.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Wyoming is one of the 19 states that have opted out of federal physician supervision requirements. This means CRNAs can practice independently to the full extent of their training, depending on facility policies.
  • In many rural hospitals, CRNAs manage airways, inductions, spinals, epidurals, blocks (where credentialed), and emergency cases with significant autonomy.
  • The Wyoming Association of Nurse Anesthetists (WYANA) supports CRNAs statewide, advocating for independent practice, rural access to care, and strong anesthesia workforce policies.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • Demand for locum CRNAs is consistently high due to provider shortages, retirements, limited recruitment pipelines, and the logistical challenges of staffing remote hospitals.
  • Common cases include general surgery, orthopedic procedures, OB, endoscopy, ENT, urology, and basic trauma. Larger centers may handle thoracic, cardiac, neuro, and more complex surgical specialties.
  • Critical access hospitals often require flexible CRNAs who are comfortable working with smaller teams, covering call, and being the primary anesthesia provider for the facility.

2. Wyoming Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: Wyoming requires an RN license and CRNA endorsement through the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. Requirements are straightforward, but verification from other states can slow processing.
• Turnaround Time: Licensing is typically efficient, though delays may occur due to background checks or peak application periods. Agencies often recommend starting the process several weeks in advance.
• Malpractice Coverage: Locum agencies generally provide malpractice insurance; system-employed locums may be covered under larger health-system policies. Always confirm scope and tail coverage.
• Nearest Airports: Major access points include Denver International Airport (DEN) for southern Wyoming, with regional airports in Casper (CPR), Jackson Hole (JAC), Gillette (GCC), Rock Springs (RKS), and Cody (COD).
• Travel Considerations: Weather can significantly impact travel, especially in winter. Long distances between towns and limited public transportation make reliable personal transportation essential.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • Housing costs vary widely. Jackson is one of the most expensive small cities in the United States, while most other regions—Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, Rawlins, Rock Springs—offer affordable housing.
  • Short-term rentals, extended-stay hotels, and agency-arranged housing are common. In remote areas, housing options may be limited, requiring early planning.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Groceries and transportation are near national averages, though fuel and utilities may be slightly higher depending on the region and season.
  • Most assignments require driving significant distances, but parking is universally easy and free.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Wyoming offers competitive locum pay, especially in rural hospitals and high-autonomy settings.
  • Assignments with call, 24-hour shifts, or OB coverage often offer premium compensation, making longer blocks particularly profitable.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Cheyenne & Southeast Wyoming:
  • Cheyenne Regional Medical Center provides a broad range of surgical services with stable OR volume and consistent staffing needs.
  • The city blends government, military, and frontier culture, offering predictable work environments and suburban amenities.
• Casper & Central Wyoming:
  • Wyoming Medical Center (Banner Health) is one of the busiest hubs in the state, with trauma services, diverse case mix, and multi-campus support.
  • Locum CRNAs here may work across general surgery, ortho, OB, GI, and trauma, with access to more specialized cases than in smaller hospitals.
• Jackson Hole & Teton County:
  • St. John’s Health serves both local residents and a large influx of seasonal visitors. Surgical volume varies with tourism cycles.
  • Assignments here offer scenic beauty and strong autonomy but come with high lodging costs and seasonal traffic.
• Northeast Wyoming (Gillette, Sheridan, Buffalo):
  • Campbell County Health in Gillette, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, and surrounding facilities maintain strong OR volumes and frequently rely on locum anesthesia providers.
  • Case types are predictable, with a balance of general surgery, ortho, OB, GI, and occasional trauma.
• Southwest & Northwest Wyoming:
  • Hospitals in Rock Springs, Riverton, Lander, Cody, and Powell serve large geographic regions and often depend on CRNAs for call coverage and C-sections.
  • These regions offer quieter living environments, strong teamwork culture, and the chance to experience wide-open Western landscapes.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoor Activities:
  • Wyoming is world-famous for outdoor recreation: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Devils Tower, and extensive national forests.
  • Skiing, hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing are part of everyday life for many locum providers.
• Culture & Community:
  • The state retains strong Western heritage with rodeos, local fairs, cowboy culture, and community-centered living.
  • Locum CRNAs often find that rural hospitals are exceptionally welcoming, with close-knit OR teams and grateful patients.
• Climate:
  • Wyoming experiences extreme seasonal shifts: cold, windy winters; warm summers; and high variability due to elevation.
  • Winter storms, icy roads, and rapid temperature changes can affect travel and shift planning, especially in mountain regions.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal vehicle is essential for nearly all assignments. Public transportation is minimal outside a few small city routes.
  • Long-distance driving, mountain passes, and winter road conditions require planning and reliable vehicles.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • Rural hospitals often require call, including nights and weekends, with broad case responsibility.
  • Larger hospitals have more structured OR schedules but may be short-staffed, increasing locum demand and workload.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Credentialing processes vary widely; rural facilities may offer quick onboarding, while larger systems require more documentation.
  • Clear communication around autonomy, OB expectations, and emergency responsibilities helps ensure smooth transitions.
• Professional Community:
  • WYANA supports CRNAs through advocacy and continuing education opportunities.
  • Locum CRNAs frequently return to Wyoming for repeat assignments, forming strong relationships with rural hospitals and anesthesia teams.