Independent Contractor

NedRN · Sep 15, 2014

What you want to do is start an agency. Call it what it is! IC is the same as a separate company of any kind, from sole proprietor to LLC, to regular corporations. I started my own travel company to cut out the middleman 10 years ago and highly recommend it - but it is not for everyone. The contract is nothing to stress about, in fact a lot of facilities have their own contract. Contract is synonymous with agreement: just put in the responsibilities of both parties and what you are supplying and you are pretty much done. My contract is only two pages long, but you can go for 30 pages if you want. If you google my screen name and FAQ, you should be able to find a step by step guide. You can also pay for forms and contracts by googling starting a travel nurse company, but generally they are not worth it. Most any business startup book will provide some guidance, especially about entity type. Startup should be very cheap, mostly insurance costs.

mrbuilt4this · Nov 4, 2014

I've recently taken the same route. I've started with creating my LLC and website to cut out the middle man, but I think I'm feeling overwhelmed now. I don't know how to professionally contact the facility and market myself to get the contract I want. I have been a independent contractor for some time just recently started my own agency, and just plan to only work for myself. NursieNursie10 how far have you came along? NedRN i googled your name and Faq couldn't find it.Is it any other way to get a brief outline? Do you have any other info to help me get over the hump, any is very helpful.

NedRN · Nov 4, 2014

I just googled "nedrn faq" and the first three hits will take you there. Are you using a different search engine?

You don't want to market your agency as I can promise you that there is not a single hospital in the country that needs another agency. What they need are travelers that will fill manager's needs. Ideally, you want a manager you've already worked with and wants you back. Failing that, you still need a manager on your side before you talk to HR. Find open assignments via any means available and cold call the manager. Confirm they have a need for someone with your skills and tell them you are very interested in coming to their hospital. That will usually turn into an ad hoc interview and if you fit their needs, you now have a manager! Be prepared to email your resume or profile if the manager needs to review it, but it only takes me less than a minute to describe my skills and experience.

Now you can call HR or staffing and tell them you have a traveler that so and so wants and is available. Where should I send the profile? Then you can discuss contracts and bill rates, sign and be done.

It can be just that easy and the FAQs describe everything you need to know. Not everyone can do that of course, and running a business is also not for everyone. I don't think it is hard, and the rewards are well worth it. Now it it has been 10 years since I wrote that and things have changed. About 50% of assignments are now filled with a vendor manager in the middle. I would research that before calling a manager and not taking that on too. Instead, try hospitals with no vendor manager first. HR can tell you what the status is.

mrbuilt4this · Nov 4, 2014

Thank you for your feedback. I have found the info you provided through google. I will apply this great info you provided for me.