CRNA Life on the Road: Why Our Family made the Leap from w2 to Locum
We Knew We Wanted More…
Since I graduated CRNA school in August of 2023, I have been working as a full-time W2 CRNA, bringing in a solid income, with a job I genuinely loved, and working along side some amazing humans. But somewhere deep down, I knew we were playing it safe. We weren’t unhappy, but we knew we wanted more.
If there’s one thing motherhood has taught me, it’s how quickly time moves. I didn’t want to look back one day and realize we waited too long to build the life we dreamed of.
So… we’re doing it.
We’re heading across the country for a locum contract. I’m bringing my husband and our baby boy with me, and we’re trading routine for freedom, structure for spontaneity, and fear for faith.
And honestly? We’re so excited.
From Travel Nurse to Travel CRNA
Before CRNA school, I was a travel ICU nurse. My husband and I lived in an RV - but hold on, before you think we were roughin’ it: it was a 39ft fifth wheel with a king size bed. And we loved it. It made us closer. Even though we moved all over the country, it kept us grounded. It showed us how much we thrive when we’re living outside our comfort zones. We loved the freedom and fulfillment it gave us.
When I started working as a CRNA, we settled down for a while. My first W2 job was what we needed at the time: stable, steady, safe. It gave me the opportunity to grow and become confident as a CRNA.
But a part of us always missed the road. The freedom. The adventure. So now, with a baby in tow, we’re stepping into a new chapter that feels a whole lot more us.
W2 vs 1099 vs Locum CRNA: What I’ve Learned
If you’re a CRNA or SRNA trying to figure out what kind of work fits your life, here’s a quick breakdown of what I’ve experienced:
W2 CRNA Jobs
This is your standard full-time employment setup.
Pros:
You get benefits (health, PTO, 401k)
Consistent paycheck
No worrying about taxes or admin
Cons:
Lower hourly rate
Less control over schedule or time off
(can be) harder to plan travel or long breaks. [CRNA’s get excellent PTO, but sometimes actually taking that PTO can be difficult. They can’t have everyone off at the same time!]
Full-Time 1099 CRNA
This means you work full-time hours (usually 40 hours/week) but you’re self-employed and contracted to provide a service (anesthesia) instead of being a traditional employee.
Pros:
Higher pay
You can negotiate your hours and terms
More flexibility in general
Cons:
No benefits. You handle it all!
No paid time off
Usually in one location
Locum CRNA (Travel Assignments)
This is where we’re headed now, and I’ll be honest… it’s a little scary and a lot exciting!
Pros:
Freedom to choose where and when you work
Higher pay (plus travel + housing stipends)
Adventure built right in
Easier to take breaks between assignments
Cons:
Less routine/stability
Travel. Can be fun, but sometimes it’s also nice to enjoy home!
Stressful with a baby. But we’re ready for it!… I think.
Why We’re Choosing the Locum Life (Even With a Baby!)
This wasn’t just a career move for me, it was a life move for us.
We wanted more than just a better paycheck. We wanted to raise our son in a life where we chase big dreams, not just clock in and out. We wanted flexibility, adventure, freedom, and to show him early that life doesn’t have to follow a traditional path to be meaningful.
As a locum CRNA, I can take short-term contracts that pay well, work hard while I’m on assignment, and then take full, intentional time off in between to just be with my family. We plan to go on hikes, explore new places, and just be present together.
It’s wont be easy. It’s won’t be comfortable. But great things never came from comfort zones, right?
Change Is Hard.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s this:
You can do hard things.
CRNA school? So long and tough.
Leaving a W2 job? Gosh, I’m going to miss these people.
Managing your own taxes and contracts as a 1099? Talk about a new learning curve.
Packing up your baby and heading across the country for a locum job? Yeah, it’s going to be a lot.
But so is staying in a job that doesn’t fit your goals anymore. So is saying no to adventure because it’s “not the right time.” So is waiting for the perfect conditions that never actually come.
We chose our hard. And honestly? It feels right.
You’re Allowed to Want More
If you’ve been thinking about changing where you are at, whether it is from W2 to 1099, or 1099 to locum, or maybe you are thinking of changing units as a RN or applying to CRNA or NP school...
You’re allowed to want more.
You’re allowed to do what’s best for your family.
You don’t owe anyone an explanation for designing a life that works for you and your family.
Whether you stay put, take a leap, or try something in between: just make sure it’s aligned with the life you actually want.
Come Along for the Ride
I’m documenting the adventure over on Instagram. If you want a real-life look at what it’s like to be a traveling CRNA mom, follow us here:
@crnakelly
This is just the beginning of something new. I hope it inspires you to chase whatever’s been tugging at your heart too.
