Question about practice?

[microtutor]

Hi Experienced People :)

I am just starting out in my first year in Nursing school in September. I've finished all my pre-reqs and had a prior career in Engineering/business for 12 years.

I have a question about the practice of Nursing. If you have a licence to practice, that means you can practice anywhere as long as you practice within your scope, no? The reason I ask is it seems like a lot of people are very very concerned about finding jobs in hospitals or with agencies, basically corporations. Do you *have* to work for a corporation if you are a nurse? Or can you work for yourself, or do charitable work, provided that you stay w/in your licenced scope of practice?

Thanks

[CuriousMe]

To the best of my understanding yes, you can work for yourself or do charitable works.

The problem is that an RN scope of practice doesn't easily lend itself to working for yourself.

[microtutor]

Thanks, CuriousMe.

When I said "work for yourself" I more meant be part of a PC with other doctors and nurses, maybe start a clinic or something like that. Do people focus on employment with corporations because of insurance issues? Or does everyone carry individual insurance anyway?

Total newbie, here

:tku:

[CuriousMe]

Thanks, CuriousMe.

When I said "work for yourself" I more meant be part of a PC with other doctors and nurses, maybe start a clinic or something like that. Do people focus on employment with corporations because of insurance issues? Or does everyone carry individual insurance anyway?

Total newbie, here

:tku:

Since an RN can't bill their services to insurance companies and medicare for an office visit the way practitioners do, in a primary care clinic (I'm assuming that's what you mean by PC) they work for the practitioners (salaried employees of the practice).

This is the root of the reason why an RN's scope of practice doesn't lend itself to working for themselves.

[microtutor]

That makes sense. Thanks again!