How To Become a Nurse Independent Contractor

July 1, 2023

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Nurse Independent Contractor. Independent contractors who work as nurses provide patient care on their own terms. They are free to choose their workplace and the type of care they want to offer. Although it may take more schooling and business experience, this line of work allows you independence and gives you the freedom to travel and set your own hours. We go through what independent contractors perform, where they work, and how to become one in this post.

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Table of Contents

What is an independent nurse contractor?

A nurse who works on a contract basis rather than being employed full-time at one location is referred to as an independent nurse contractor. When there are nursing shortages, they might either move to various areas to help, or they can establish a clientele locally. They furnish their own insurance, continuing education, and taxes because their patient or care facility doesn’t deduct taxes or benefits from their income.

Where do independent nurse contractors work?

In addition to working in hospitals, community clinics, wellness centers, schools, businesses, and homes for patients, independent nurse contractors also frequently provide specialized treatment in these settings.

Since independent contractors don’t require as many benefits as employees do, several places recruit nurses as independent contractors to reduce labor costs. Consider how the job description compares to the IRS definition of contract labor as you compare nurse Independent contractor prospects.

How to become a nurse independent contractor

1. Earn a degree in nursing

It takes roughly two years to complete an associate’s degree in nursing, also known as an associate of science in nursing or associate of applied science in nursing at some institutions. The majority of these programs concentrate on a core curriculum of nursing courses and include clinical experiences for students to get nursing experience prior to graduation.

The completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing typically takes three to four years. In addition to the clinical competencies offered in the majority of ADN programs, a BSN degree offers management, leadership, and research courses. Given that it covers a wider range of topics, a BSN may increase prospects for employment that offer greater salaries.

For persons who already have healthcare positions, such as licensed practical nurses, paramedics, or medical technicians, several colleges offer accelerated ADN and BSN programs.

2. Acquire the NCLEX

You can get certified to practice as a registered nurse by passing the National Council Licensure Examination administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. You must first register with the state’s nursing regulatory body in order to take the exam. You can arrange your exam once that board says you are qualified to take it. Because the exam is computer-adaptive, the number of additional questions you get and their difficulty can vary depending on how you respond to them.

The NCLEX examines material from eight topics:

Management of care
Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
Physiological adaptation
Reduction of risk potential
Safety and infection control
Basic care and comfort
Psychosocial integrity
Health promotion and maintenance

Your state nursing regulatory board sends your exam results about six weeks after you take the exam.

3. Engage in RN work

After passing the NCLEX, you are qualified to register as a nurse in your state, at which point you can start accumulating experience to establish your reputation with clients and obtain employment. As an independent contractor, specialization can help you establish your brand, so seek for positions that could let you work in a field in which you are particularly skilled or interested, such as caring for patients of a certain age or with a certain ailment.

4. Think about going into advanced practice nursing.

A nursing independent contractor and an employee are distinguished by the IRS. A nurse is an employee if their employer manages their work. The nurse is an independent contractor if only the outcome is under the employer’s control. An RN is typically an employee who follows the instructions of a physician or other expert. An APRN is less usually categorized as an employee because they have more control over the course of treatment, sometimes including prescribing drugs. You can work as a totally independent nurse contractor by getting your APRN.

You must complete an advanced nursing degree, pass a nationally recognized exam in your area of expertise, and register with your state in order to become an APRN. A Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice are possible degrees to obtain. APRN tests with an emphasis on specialities are available from both the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. While state registration procedures can differ, they at least demand documentation of graduate coursework and test results.

It’s a fantastic idea to focus on a particular area of practice during your APRN education, such as pediatric care, gerontology, or midwifery. You can market your care for certain conditions, such as home care for a specific age group, with the aid of a specialist.

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5. Become a member of a group for independent nursing contractors.

You can transition into independent contractor work by joining organizations like the National Nurses in Business Organization or the National Association for Health Care Recruitment. The NNBO offers resources for continued continuing education as well as guidance on launching your own business. These communities are also great places to discover mentors who are willing to share their knowledge.

6. Create a corporation.

You must incorporate your firm as an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship if you work as an independent contractor. The best course of action may be to hire an attorney to assist with any papers and potential contracts you may need because some states have restrictions on how a nurse can incorporate.

7. Locate clients

Utilize your professional network and be definite about the type of work you want to attract clients for. As you attempt to network and discover clients, a nursing agency that has agreements with hospitals or healthcare providers can be a good place to start. You won’t be an independent contractor when working with an agency; instead, you’ll be a contractor for the company. You’ll become an independent contractor whenever you establish your own clientele independent of a nursing agency.

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8. Keep up solid professional and nursing reputations

You’ll probably do many business responsibilities as an independent nurse contractor that an employer would typically handle, like filing quarterly estimated taxes. As a freelancer, you must also have your own liability insurance. You can defend yourself from legal action by providing your own insurance.

As an independent nurse, you have more responsibilities, such as finding your own continuing education to keep your nursing license current and keeping up with any courses for your speciality. Additionally, you must stay up to date with any modifications to state laws. Setting calendar reminders for renewal or course dates could be useful.

Nurse Independent Contractor

Skills for a nurse contractor

An independent nurse contractor possesses both business and nursing expertise, such as:

Accounting: Even though many nurse contractors work with an accountant, they still keep track of a lot of their own costs and hours in order to file their taxes, thus accounting knowledge is useful in this role.

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Sales: Since independent nurse contractors are responsible for finding their own clientele, they must possess good sales abilities, including negotiation and persuasion.
Empathy: Since independent nurse contractors interact with patients on a daily basis, they need to exhibit empathy to comprehend their requirements.
Punctuality: A nurse needs to be on time to get the respect of their patients and to complete paperwork and file taxes on schedule.
Time management: A nurse contractor must balance their workload, travel time, and patient demands because they determine their own schedule.
Making decisions: A nurse contractor uses sound judgment to choose the projects to accept and the best way to conduct their firm.

FAQs on How To Become a Nurse Independent Contractor

How can a nurse be independent?

The IRS determines the distinction between an independent nurse contractor and an employee. If the employer controls the nurse's work, then they are an employee. If the employer controls only the result, the nurse is an independent contractor.

What are independent nursing roles?

A nurse can perform independent interventions on their own without assistance from other medical personnel; e.g., routine nursing tasks such as checking vital signs. Dependent: Some actions require instructions or input from a doctor, such as prescribing new medication.

What is a freelance nurse?

A freelance nurse provides health care services for employers on a contract basis rather than as a direct employee. Freelance nurses typically fill an employer's temporary need for additional nursing staff.

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