RoadKillRNFA

I can't comment on states other than CA. I am in private practice here, with surgeon's offices calling to book me. I use a billing service for insurance cases and have a cash price structure for cash cases (cosmetics). I am not busy enough to make this my full time job, though it does add very nicely to my income. I work OR through a registry, so I have the flexibility to work whenever the chance arises. The hardest elements of private practice are: 1. Getting known. I have been in the local OR community of almost 20 years, so the docs pretty much all know me. I made scheduling packets that I sent to all the surgeons that I know. It includes a letter of intro, a tablet of tear-off, faxable scheduling sheets, business cards and a rolodex card with all my info on it. 2. Getting privileges : Applying to practice at area hospitals is tedious, though the process has improved greatly in the last couple of years. Get a surgeon that knows you to "sponsor" you , so when you apply (typically through the medical staff office) you have some credibility there. 3. Billing for insurance cases. I request that the surgeons office gets "pre-certification" for an RNFA for the cases they book me for. This is critical. I also use a professional medical billing service. They take about 10% of my receivables, but it is worth the lack of hassle. Hope this is helpful. http://members.cox.net/jefflovernfa/

RoadKillRNFA here. RNFA located in ORange County, CA. Can't say I've had any problems being a male nurse. I do find I am paid a bit more than my female peers, and I get a lot less crap from the docs in OR also. It may be 20 years of OR experience but, I believe gender plays a big role too. Peace.