I need some help from all LPN's

caliotter3 · Oct 24, 2008

I haven't done independent contractor work in the sense that I believe you are asking about in your post. However, I did do private duty for a client who hired me when the agency that I worked for changed. They were not getting enough nursing care from any agency and had been in that situation for years. So I continued to work for the new agency and worked private duty during my off hours. My supervisor and another nurse on the case did the same thing. The client said they were fed up with agencies not providing them with nurses and were quite willing to pay a decent wage to have their loved one cared for during the hours not covered by the agency.

My supervisor had done this type of thing for years. I thought it was ok but there were drawbacks. An independent contractor has to cover everything that they take for granted with an employer. I just don't care to deal with it. In the above situation, the client treated us like employees and had a CPA do the paperwork. Took out all of the payroll deductions just like any agency does.

Before you do this, you should research independent contractor, especially with regard to the IRS, and make certain you know how to make those payroll contributions for yourself and how to draw up your written contract with clients. And don't forget Liability Insurance. You will be out there on your own with no possibility of an employer with deep pockets to cover you in case of legal problems.

JustLynn2U · Oct 27, 2008

Before you do all of the leg work... call your state board of nursing or at least the director of your nursing school. I had a similar idea, called my state board and found out I could not legally do it.