Locum-tenens recruiters quote a daily rate and hope you don't read the contract. The clauses that decide whether the gig actually pays $250K or sets you up for a malpractice tail you can't afford are usually buried 12 pages in. This Deep Dive walks through the 2026 PMHNP locum contract in detail: how to compare the W-2, 1099, and corp-to-corp pay models, what "tail coverage" really obligates you to, the per-diem and travel reimbursement line items recruiters under-quote, and the non-compete radius / patient-takedown language that quietly limits your next move. You will come away knowing: - What a fair PMHNP locum daily rate looks like across telehealth, outpatient, and inpatient assignments - The two clauses to strike or renegotiate before signing - How to keep the agency on the hook for credentialing and licensing costs Full playbook with the ra ...