Independent contractors

[cpk]

Hi- I am new to this forum and have read through a number of threads discussing RN's as independent contractors. I have been an RN for 25 years and live in MN - I posed a question mid January to the allnurse MN forum requesting any feedback regarding the number of RN's pursuing RN self-employment in MN. I have received "zero" responses to date. In brief, I am looking to start my own, 1 person, business as an independent contractor for RN home health care services. When I contacted the MN Nurses Association (MNA) regarding scope of license under the Nurse Practice Act their responses to me were of both curiousity and concern. They acknowledged my endeavor with words like "entrepreneural spirit" (made me wonder if they had ever handled this type of inquiry before) and their concerns were that of professional/personal liability- they wished me well and asked if they could contact me in the future to see how it was going. I too have my concerns about liability. We live in such a society that when something doesn't go exactly as planned than someone owes you money. I have been reading that even now in a hospital scenario with the nurse/patient ratio the way it is - too high- a nurse is likely to be named in a law suit along with the hospital and MD. So I figure that I am exposed to liability either way but with my own business I can have more control over the situation, provide quality health care and at a pace that is safer for everyone including me..... my health matters too.......... I am taking the needed step nesx week on retaining an attorney to further discuss and operationalize best business practices around incorporation with the ultimate goal of decreasing my liability exposure.

I was wondering if anyone had any advise to share with me about self-employment and liability. I was told by an attorney that "Liability is the paralysis of compassion". He obviously is not a nurse.

Thoughts?

[nightingale, RN]

The best response I can give to you has been elaborated on in previous threads. I would encourage you to utilize the search button (right top area of page, 5th blue button from the left). This discussion cycles with time and has some helpful information.

1. Best advice from me is to do your homework (as you are right now). Research and learn from other Entrepreneurs with business models such as Nx Level (through the Small Business Association or SBA), or others such as SCORE.

2. If you need to know about liability then a lawyer is the one to talk to.

Let us know how you are doing and how we can help.

Night

[cpk]

Thanks for the information. I have a meeting with my representative from the SCORE office today to review my business plan. I will ask him about the Nx Level SBA that you brought to my attention, thanks again.

I was wondering if anyone had a web site I could be directed to for obtaining statistical information about nurses involved with lawsuits?

From the UAN web site I found some great information on the nursing shortage - In my quick review of the US I found only 2 states, Montana and Minnesota that have projected surplus of nurses for 2005. This is the kind of data that helps me understand the opportunities that nurses around the country have as far as their future. I was also amazed at the variation of wages around the country. When I think of what nurses are responsible for and look at the average salary - it is no wonder that there is/will be a nursing shortage in this country.

[WyomingRN]

There is a ton of information on this in the following threads:

Independent Nurses providing medical care?

PRN vs Independent Contract (note Post #6)

Starting An Agency (note Post #30)

Independent Contracting and Protecting Your License

RN Independent Contractor

Another forum also has information on independent nursing.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/icnurse/messages/?msg=74.1

Feel free to e-mail me if you still have questions.

[randyfranks]

A combination of features has made limited liability companies an increasingly popular choice for doing business in Arizona. Often touted as a hybrid between a partnership and corporation, the LLC is fast becoming the entrepreneurs' entity of choice due to its attractive characteristics.

attorney to further discuss and operationalize best business practices around incorporation with the ultimate goal of decreasing my liability exposure.

I was wondering if anyone had any advise to share with me about self-employment and liability. I was told by an attorney that "Liability is the paralysis of compassion". He obviously is not a nurse.

Thoughts?