New RN starting a contract position: please help!

Published

Specializes in Cardiac.

Hi!

I have been hired by a company who just opened the first and only residential treatment center for eating disorders in my city. I will be in charge of am & pm assessments, meds, new admit assessments and general nursing duties for both the residential facility that just opened, and the out-patient program (minimal duties there). I have been told that the medical director is very strict about who she admits to the residential facility, they cannot have feeding tubes or heart monitors. In other words, these patients may be very ill, but the owners have assured me that they will be stable. Although I am a new-grad, I have reviewed the description closely, and I feel at least minimally competent to perform my job. I will be their only RN.

The company has hired me as a contract employee at the rate I asked for, which was much more than the amount the hospital offered me. It seems like a great opportunity. They already have one patient in the residential facility, and tomorrow I am to do the patients' new admit assessment.

Here's what I'm worried about. I do not have professional . Should I purchase this immediately? Am I accountable, legally, for the meds I administer and services I provide as a contract nurse? Does this situation sound strange, being that I am a new grad, and that has never been mentioned?

I am scheduled to begin tomorrow, so any advice tonight would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Be prepared for your premium to be higher than expected as you are a 1099-contract nurse so you don't have any facility insurance to back you up. Don't forget that you are legally obligated to pay employment taxes to the IRS quarterly (and likely your state). Consider consulting with an accountant to ensure you meet your income tax obligation to avoid fines & fees later.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

But yes, call tonight or go online to get professional ( even if you were not a contract employee) you should be able to get quotes online for the major carriers like NSO & Marsh/ProLiability.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
Be prepared for your premium to be higher than expected as you are a 1099-contract nurse so you don't have any facility insurance to back you up. Don't forget that you are legally obligated to pay employment taxes to the IRS quarterly (and likely your state). Consider consulting with an accountant to ensure you meet your income tax obligation to avoid fines & fees later.

Thanks so much. I will definitely set money aside to cover taxes and call about insurance as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not all contractors are 1099. Discuss this with whoever does the payroll.

You are responsible for your practice no matter if you are a contractor or not.Find out what kind of coverage the employer has on you.

Yes, it does sound a little strange. If you are the only RN.. why are they bringing in a new grad? I am wishing the best for you.

But.... something is not quite right. ( Is this a privately owned for profit facility?)

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
Not all contractors are 1099. Discuss this with whoever does the payroll.

You are responsible for your practice no matter if you are a contractor or not.Find out what kind of coverage the employer has on you.

Yes, it does sound a little strange. If you are the only RN.. why are they bringing in a new grad? I am wishing the best for you.

But.... something is not quite right. ( Is this a privately owned for profit facility?)

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Thank you! I decided not to take the position. I felt really worried about it last night, and did a good bit of research on independent contractors, which lead me to realize that I would have been putting myself (and clients) in a possible unsafe situation...

Appreciate your feedback! :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion