4 replies to this topic

[indpndntrn]

The New Generation of Nurses are taking advantage of the many opportunities in Nursing.There is no better feeling than to own your own business. Nurses will enjoy not only increased wages but also an increased feeling of self-respect. Nurses are the perfect business owners. They have the communication skills and the ability as assess, implement and organize a plan. These are the same criteria that any business owner uses. We as nurses use this system everyday of our nursing careers. An independent nurse contractor is one who contracts with a healthcare facility for nursing services. You will be able to negotiate your compensation, hours worked and length of time your services will be needed. This could be the change you have diligently been looking for.. If you love your profession but hate your job this is for you!!

[DAHSRecruiter1]

Before I started my own business, I went down the avenue of Independent Contractor to see what Hospitals really thought of the idea, and what was going to be involved if I decided to do it. Here's what I found out, and why I did differently.

First, be prepared to put 30% of your gross income into a savings account to pay for taxes, AND DON'T TOUCH IT. Be really prepared to pay for liability insurance. Not just malpractice; which is somewhat affordable, but general liability, which is very costly. Also, as an independent contractor you will probably also pay for your own benefits if you want them, unless you are skilled enough to negotiate them into your agreement. Which is another barrel of cats. You better have a contract drawn up and checked by a lawyer before you apply for your liability insurance because they (lawyers/insurance companies) aren't really too fond of do-it-yourself contracts. Too much opportunity for you to get sued, especially as an independent, which the odds are greater on happening because of your status. It's an awful lot to have in line, and is pretty expensive, so be prepared.

Second, Good luck finding a hospital legal department willing to accept independent help. They do exist, so it isn't impossible, but they aren't out there on the whole, asking for applicants of this type, and they most don't actively encourage it. The general rule is that Independent Nurses Associations are seen as a threat due to the possibility of organization, liabilty/trust issues, and wildcat strike. So the willingness to accept this type of applicant isn't like they are waiting with open arms. Most will just tell you to visit their HR Deptartment and apply for a staff job if you'd really like to work there, or come through an agency if you don't like that idea.

And Third, When I started my own recruiting and consulting business, I contacted the NAIN. I told them that I had positions for RN's and LPN's, and if they thought that anyone would be interested from their membership, and was there a way to post information or contact possible interested parties? The man I talked to said; and I quote, "We don't encourage any of our members to take an actual nursing position, or seek active employment." I almost laughed in his face. I even said "Let me see if I understand you correctly", and repeated his comment back to him as a question. And he said "yes", and repeated it back to me again. I said "okay then" and hung up the phone. So I was wondering exactly what they do for their membership, if anything. I hope people don't pay to belong to something like this. It left me very suprised and confused to say the least.

That's why I went the extra mile to start my own legitimate recruiting business. Hospitals prefer it to other types of alternatives, and it saves them money over temp. agencies; which they are all trying desperately to free themselves from. And most of all, it was alot less of a headache for the costs involved with business operations. I took the time in my 20 years of experience to get a business education, and worked 4 years in Hospital Adminstration before I felt ready to do it right. And it took every bit of experience to do it right as well. If you really want to find a job that you like, try a recruiter with experience as a clinical worker, who knows exactly what you are going through, and wants to see you succeed as much as themselves. Let them handle the business aspects of it, unless you really feel confident and prepared. I'm not meaning to discourage anyone in any way, but be very careful because it can be tricky. Being a nurse is hard enough, you shouldn't have to be a lawyer and a business man too, just to find a decent job. And if more recruiters and agencies were more concerned about job satisfaction and quality of patient care instead of purely about profit, nurses wouldn't have to be so worried and cautious about who's lining up work for them, and where.

[IndependentNurseInsurance]

Hello, my name is Steve and I am with a national insurance company. We are looking to provide an affordable substitute for workers' compensation insurance for independent nurses, but we are having trouble meeting independent RNs who can explain to us how nurses insure themselves and what specific needs they have for their insurance products. If you would like to work with us so that we can provide a solution for independent nurses, please email me! Steve

[NursesPRN]

Wow I am sorry to hear about yet understand such a negative regard towards agencies. There are many unethical professionals who make things more difficult for honest businesses.
While there are those folks who are only concerned about cash flow cross the board, be it MD's, Nurses, agencies, etc ....there are also honest people out there! Agencies are no different in that regard!
While some will (recruitors, staffers) say anything over the phone to get a candidate in the office, there are others who will be honest about what they can and can not do for a potential recruit.
By asking questions over the phone, a nurse in search of work can qualify recruitors and get a feel for which agencies to choose and work with.
I for one strive to be as honest as I can about goals and my ability to help meet them for any of my potential candidates.
I do not lie nor do I ghost book. The only thing I ever guarantee is that I will give 150% to help my recruits and clients meet their goals.
As for pay and benefits, any business will have operating and overhead costs. The key question here really is about ethics which varies in all aspects of career minds and business, not just nursing agencies!

http:///www.nurses-prn.com

Brigitte Miller
Staffing Manager
Nurses PRN Dallas
214/920-2199