Starting RN Agency

[egleckler]

This post is primarily for Ned RN, but please respond with any insight.

I'm a critical care RN with 4 yrs experience. I've primarily worked in one metro hospital and I've been thinking about trying the independent contractor route to maximize my earning potential and tax credits/deductions. Furthermore, I'm in the beginning stages of researching what's necessary to start an independent nurse staffing agency with the goal of employing myself, and ideally a group of local nurses in the Atlanta area down the road. The focus right now will be the acute care setting.

Is it reasonable to think that I can maintain full time contract work for myself and possibly others within 1 metro area?

If I need to consider travelling, how do I market my agency to unknown hospitals?

What are the biggest hurdles in establishing oneself as an IC? Hurdles as an agency?

Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations on CPA's with this kind of experience?