RN with huge medical debt, looking for high paying work

BaboonRN · Jul 26, 2006

I'm not sure exactly where you are, but I have recently found that working as a contractor in a military hospital pays extremely well. I live in Texas and am currently a contractor. I work for an agency that has a contract with the military hospital. So this isn't like agency work, it is a full time job, with benefits through the contracting company. When I took this position, my hourly pay rate increased by $12.00 per hour. So if you live in an area that has military installations, find out who staffs their civilian work force.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2006

Private duty pays well. I'm not addressing this specifically to the OP since a PP mentioned they have been inactive for a while, but this is addressed to those who are eligible to become Medicaid providers. I was just introduced to a case that pays $25.93 an hour for LPN. The RN case, which is escorting a young girl to school and assisting her with her trach, meds, straight cathing, etc. pays $31.76 I believe. You bill Medicaid directly and as long as you get your billing in on time you will have a check or direct deposit every week. I don't know how this compares to regular RN pay, but this is great pay for LPNs here.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2006

Private duty pays well. I'm not addressing this specifically to the OP since a PP mentioned they have been inactive for a while, but this is addressed to those who are eligible to become Medicaid providers. I was just introduced to a case that pays $25.93 an hour for LPN. The RN case, which is escorting a young girl to school and assisting her with her trach, meds, straight cathing, etc. pays $31.76 I believe. You bill Medicaid directly and as long as you get your billing in on time you will have a check or direct deposit every week. I don't know how this compares to regular RN pay, but this is great pay for LPNs here.

That is an interesting idea. I'm concerned that the tax implications might eat up any difference though. If you are billing medicaid then you are not an employee of medicaid. You must be an independent contractor. If you are an independent contractor then you paid on a 1099 system. This means that you have to pay 15% social security in addition to all the regular taxes. I know because as an insurance broker I am paid as an independent contractor from all my insurance companies I am contracted with. Actually, if you are paid as a non-employee you are in effect your employer and employee. So you are paying what you normally pay for social security and medicare tax, plus the portion your employer pays which you never see. It is an equal amount. Of course you can deduct business expenses, but this would probably just be mileage and the occasional office expense.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2006

That is an interesting idea. I'm concerned that the tax implications might eat up any difference though. If you are billing medicaid then you are not an employee of medicaid. You must be an independent contractor. If you are an independent contractor then you paid on a 1099 system. This means that you have to pay 15% social security in addition to all the regular taxes. I know because as an insurance broker I am paid as an independent contractor from all my insurance companies I am contracted with. Actually, if you are paid as a non-employee you are in effect your employer and employee. So you are paying what you normally pay for social security and medicare tax, plus the portion your employer pays which you never see. It is an equal amount. Of course you can deduct business expenses, but this would probably just be mileage and the occasional office expense.

You are correct in that aspect. One relative had a pretty healthy tax bill about two years ago:uhoh21:. There are ways to work around that, though. Paying quarterly, or having your spouse get additional withholdings. Also, one must consider their deductions and dependent status. Being an independent contractor is a financial liability and it isn't for everyone. Thank you for adding that important information. It was irresponsible of me not to.

twotrees2 · Jul 31, 2006

But the OP did specifically ask if it was worth it to work in the middle east.
Perhaps people shouldn't post questions if they aren't going to like the answers. I mean, wasn't it obvious that asking about the middle east would generate some of the responses seen?

perhaps the poster did not mean the middle east as in overseas - america has an east and west coast - central etc- perhaps they meant the states in the middle east here - honestly the idea of middle east overseas did not even pop in my head when i reaad the post simply because someone mentioned health issues which in the middle east overseas would make it a bad place just due to the heat and lack of supplies - just another pperspective here.

Hey all, thanks for the replies. If you've read this far down the thread and are considering helping me. . . please feel free to leave out any comments about how dangerous places outside the United States are if you would please. There are plenty of hateful people right here in the good 'ol USA that will mame/kill you just because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. . . if you'll note the intitial post in this thread: I got run over by a careless (and uninsured) driver in the very "safe" city of Austin. That's life. The Middle East offers challenges, and does seem to have a higher ratio of people that don't appreciate people from the United States. But the haters are still a minority in this world. Showing the same compassion you would give to your own patients to everyone around the world might just slow some of that hatred down a bit. Right now, I just want to work hard, make some cash to get out of debt, and maybe spread some goodwill while I'm at it. Once I'm out of debt, I'll still be on the goodwill path. Putting myself in harms way happens everytime I leave my house, I learned that when I was involved in my accident with a careless driver. Helping people is why I got into nursing however; that fact that it is currently paying so well is a nice benefit. . but still very secondary to why I got in the profession. I don't expect a lot of people to understand this: but I got into nursing to take care of people and for no other reason. I'm not co-dependent, I have no family to care for, and I think that anywhere nursing services are needed is where I belong. Some of those places might be dangerous because of the color (or lack of color) of my skin, but I'm not going to stop helping people in need no matter where they are. . . as long as those in need appreciate my care/services and remember me for that and only that. Thank you. R.

ahhh well this post makes my last one null and void lol - if you are actually thinking of the middle east i might just let you know any danger from people aside - my son was there for nearly 3 of 4 yrs in the conflicts and if you have health issues you shoudl be aware of the health dificulties there that could make your issues worse - the heat is horrendous, water and food is not generally all that sanitary - did i mention the hat lol - such as LITERALLY fry an egg on a tank - so thats pretty dang hot lol. there is dust storms so bad you cant breath which makes life difficult and many other hosts of obnoxoius and poisonous insects the like of those of us in the USA have never seen. just my 2 cents.

I bet you could make a lot of money working at a LTC. At the lifecare center of richland in Richland, Washington they are always hiring RN's and LPN'S. I've never worked at that place but I hear they offer both RN's and LPN's lots and lots of overtime so that would bring in extra money too. They also offer sign-on bonuses. I think it's $2,000 for RN's and $1,000 for LPN's.
Best of luck.

another good place would be federal run nursing homes such as area vet homes - they pay very well and the bennies are awesome - i have a friend tryning to recruit me to ours - dont know ifi i wish to get back to a place that ahs gone computerized though lol.

Ditto on the Middle East---in addition to the dangers, there is the reality that they do not respect women, and why would any self-respecting woman bother to go there? All things are political, if you really look at it.
I have heard that Calif. offers highest overall salary: there is that traveling nurse thing, if you like cheap motels and scrimping for dough. You might think of just working a lot of extra hours; but, be careful of your own health. After serious trauma, you may want to pay extra attention to yourself. Do not let paying bills become your life--just send them a few dollars a month and they can't bother you, just so that you are paying. Good luck, and happy hunting.

speaking of traveling - anyon know how i can find out how our licenses carry over to other states - i know all states dont carry to all states so wonder where my state license carries to and where i could go without having to retake boards etc in another state

aschramy · Aug 1, 2006

Have you looked at San Francisco Bay Area or New York City. I hear they are the highest paying locations. I know the hospital I work at (20 miles East of SF) has a 12 hour weekend ONLY night shift that pays $52 per hour with benefits. It is for any of the acute care departments. It leaves you available to work for a Registry as many as 5 other days per week (depending how far you can push yourself.) I know some of the nurses I work with get Registry shifts in the area for $50 -60 per hour. Otherwise if your other degree is a Masters, look into management. I used to manage a Nursing Registry and easily earned over six figures. Sometimes the best paying jobs for nurses are outside of nursing. Good luck.