Independent Home Health Nurse

[sebrn70]

I have been an RN for over 8 years now with a palliative, hospice nursing management, wound care treatment and pediatric psyc backgound. This is a second career for me and I have also maintained an updated teaching license from my first career. I have a Master's degree in Adult Education as well. I would like to start working as an independent contractor nurse. I do not want to work for an agency because I have heard too may bad things about them. What do I need to do to get this part of my career started? I have read that a license, malpractice insurance and bonding insurance is needed, but is that all? Are there any requirements that states require beyond an active, unencumbered license? (I live in Ohio).

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

[Robingrace]

I have just gone back into Home Health Nursing as an RN independent contractor nurse and all I needed was current license and malpractice insurance. Will check on the bonding insurance.

The small agency I work with supplies my patients and my payroll and all their nursing staff are on contact. I would hate to have to do all the billing etc so its suits me fine.

Good luck.

[lpn954]

I have been doing home health for about 2 years now and I love it! I'm an LPN and started out with no experience other than hospice mainly. New grads you can do home health but make sure you have some practice at least with dressing changes, insulin administration, blood sugar checks. I'm surprised that Some nurses RN s even aren't familiar with how to check blood sugars with certain Lancet devices.

That being said, it's a great job because as previously mentioned it's flexible, you create your own schedule. You get paid per visit no matter how short. You have no one looking over your shoulder. That said there are things to keep in mind. Depending on where the agencies have work for you, you may find yourself driving a lot, putting a lot of miles on your car. Also your an independent contractor, so zero benefits. No paid vacation, sick days, health insurance. There is zero taxes taken out of your paycheck So your responsibly is to make sure you save enough from each check to pay your taxes each year. That said I love all the tax write offs! I now pay less taxes than I was as a regular employee. Just a few tips for those considering HH nursing. Luckily now I found plenty of work close to home, I put a lot less miles on my car.