[Larrythenurse]

Hi there! Great forum here. I serve a DD population residing in group homes in the Portland, OR area. I work full time for a company and make visits to the homes where I do assessments, write care plans and protocols, and teach staff. Recently the OR Dept. of Human Services, Seniors and People with Disabilities Service started to solicit RNs to work as contract RNs for them, essentially doing the same thing I am. Through my contacts I have been offered similar contract work directly from an agency serving DD folks. So, long prelude, but here is my question:
What should I charge?
And a bunch of sub-questions:
Charge differently for profit vs. non-profit?
Flat rate for teachings?
Fee for delegation?
Milage outside of a certain area?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[nightingale]

HI Larry:

Welcome and thank you for the compliments. I will try to imtemize some of your questions but in general, have to say up front, I am not familiar with the DD field and some of it's contractural needs.
Also, generally, you should try to get a contract with a turn around of payment within 30 days (this may not be the actuallity of when you receive payments via contract and may be much longer).

My standard response would be for you to research this business venture with the local support of a new business through the Chamber of Commerce; I took a NXLevel Entrepreneurship Class recommended through them in my area. There are many such types of classes avaialble across the nation. YOu write a business plan, get support of area specialists (for free), network with your group and learn how to think and practice like a businesss. My 12 week class was an invaluable start up. I still have an advisor on staff that I met through the NxLevel Class.

Additionally, there have been others who have taken this type of coursework (for organizing and writing a Business Plan) thorugh the internet with SCORE; this option sounds suitable for many. Try doing a search of Business Plan and I am sure you will find many options like SCORE for assistance with writing a Business Plan.

Now for some specifics:

What should I charge?
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I would try to find out the billable for your exisiting Agencies and research that. You may find, that they make 35 - 50% or more over your rate. Keep in mind, they pay a lot of taxes, have overheard, and employee billable charges.

Charge differently for profit vs. non-profit?
Flat rate for teachings?
Fee for delegation?
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Again, (sorry) I am not comfortable being specific, it can vary with what the demands of the market in your area would call for.

Mileage?

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The US Government allows for 36.5 cents for mileage; the rate increases to 37.5 cents in 2004. You would have to determine wether you should bill a flast rate or itemize. Check this site out for info:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...114320,00.html


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This post, serves as a reminder to me that I need to (maybe) set up a standard post, maybe a sticky for a while about writing a Business Paln. There are so many variables in setting up and researching a business, specific for your local, that necessitates research. The support, guidance and networking gained is invaluable. Percentages of success and failure vary greatly with those businesses who have this support gained through this type of commitment businesses make by researching a business plan.