Calling All Nurse Entrepreneurs!

What a great site. Want to say hello to everyone. Such great topics. I am also doing nursing on my own contract here in Maine.Hoping to expand into Boston this fall. So glad to find this site. MaggieDRN

Hi nightngale

I would like to become an independent nurse contractor at local hospitals. What advice could you or anyone else on this forum give me in this area? Thanks!

Thanks nightngale! Appreciate the advice. I will do my homework and check out the other thread as well. I hadn't thought about taking a class on entrepreneurship before, but will do so now.

Thanks for the welcome. I am an RN (for past 6 years and an LPN for 17 years prior). I started with working in facilities for years and approx 4 years ago, on a whim, looked into travelling,liked what I heard, and off I went. As time went on I figured why can't I just get my own contract and cut out the middleman.After all, I'm very flexible,work only nights,can take care of my own benefits and get the write-offs,etc.,etc. I started by doing a summer contract with a facility in western Maine.It was the hospital's own contract and a very good one.When the contract was up (13 weeks) they still needed the help so I presented them with a contract which my lawyer had drawn up after I established an S-corp.The contract went well and I got what I asked for for pay.Next, I approached a local hospital I had worked at for years as an LPN and talked with the Human Resource guy. Same contract used,13 weeks went well,again got what I asked for.Then,this past spring I took a 4 week (ended up extending for 7) assignment with a travel company (they had called and were desperate and I was just ending my contract-perfect timing and said yes. I had wanted to get to Boston and figured this would get my foot in the door,so to speak.I will next approach the Human Resource guy there in a month or so.It's tricky because you cannot work for a facility for a year after going with a company(if it is in their contract)Got to wait for my year to be up.I am back at the summer contract in western Maine this summer-again working out well.I did dissolve the S-Corp and went as a sole-proprietor.Very expensive to keep up the filings and lawyer fees.I have a great CPA who talked me out of the S-corp and so glad he did. I am a Med-Surg,Tele and Cardiac sx step-down nurse. I am in the process of having business cards made with a information letter to accompany it and start mailing these out to facilities I would like to work at.There are a few good sites that you can go to to get a good idea where the most needs are. I have to say the posts on this subject of independent nursing are so interest (yours,Lois Jean's,etc).I am on the Travel Nurses forum alot and not too much Independent talk going on.Thanks again,MaggieDRN

I have a small, part time private practice as a Certified Healing Touch Practitoner (bioenergy therapist). I have the license to touch because I am am an RN. In my practice I not only do the HT but I teach clients about health care issues, refer them to other practitioners as needed, suggest reading or programs for health. Everyone gets "homework". I also teach CPR to local small businesses. I also teach AED, ACLS, & BTLS (usually thru the hospital or local EMS). I would like my practice to grow. Advertising is expensive, but I do it because exposure is important. The business where my practice is affiliates itself with the chamber of commerce. We have done several live radio remotes, health fairs, & TV commercials. All, very expensive, but so necessary. I live in an area that is unfamiliar with my particular business, so I have to kick to stay afloat. I still work fulltime at a hospital & teach as well. I like to give other nurses (& students) the ideals that being an employee for a big company can be a means to experience but not the endpoint unless that is what is wanted. Isn't the NNBA one of Laura Gasparis' businesses? I have heard her speak twice, & purchase her entreprenuer book, among others. I wear her pin on my name badge that says "you need an RN to save your life!"