travel nurse vs. independent contract nurse

Posts: 21 · Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Colorado

Hi guys, wondering if anyone can inform me of the difference between being a travel nurse or an independent contractor. Thanks for any tips!

Posts: 28 · Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 28

I would think that working per diem shifts is very similar to being an independent contractor. You may not be able to negotiate your salary as much. I have never heard of an agency that helps with that but you could be your own agency. This may require more work than you were interested in. There might be sample contracts and fees online. Search for start your own biz.

Posts: 1 · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

sn wrote:

Hi guys, wondering if anyone can inform me of the difference between being a travel nurse or an independent contractor. Thanks for any tips!

I did IC for about 5 years and was very happy doing it. The biggest difference was keeping trac of my own taxes, They do pile up. Good luck with it. Lana

Posts: 7 · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

Hi. I have 14 years of critical care experience and have been traveling for about 4 years now. I AM willing to put up with the extra work of keeping up with my own taxes. Can anyone tell me some hospitals that are doing this and some contact names as well. I'm tired of working for "chump change" they pay on these assignments. They say they can barely afford to pay me in the mid $30's when they're billing for $60-65/hr. and they just sit on the phone and talk and visit hospitals for solicitation. I'm the one doing all the work. Mad

THANKS FOR NOTHING.

Posts: 3 · Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ

You can pay a nominal fee to become your own company via an LLC license. Then you can take advantage of the tax breaks. What you really need to do is sit down and come up with what it is going to take to keep you surviving...health insurance, mortgage, car payment...etc. You certainly need to know your own minimum to maintain. If it is $35/hr, you need to add $10 to $15 to the cost. Generally, this amount will always fall beneath regular agency rates depending on your area.

Joe

Posts: 7 · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

boanerges wrote:

The LLC is not a big deal, I've already looked into that. The main trouble I have run into is that Hospitals feel more comfortable dealing with a company than with the individual RN, which would save them money. I just got an offer for $50/hr that I'm still considering (in addition to paid housing & rental car, which is my usual deal or I don't go) but I still have to go thru a company which means the company is billing for around $70-75/hr and getting it. After 14 years, I am in the position I've done this long enough and want to call my own shots. I think I'm just going to do something else for a while until the shortage gets even MORE severe. I'm at the point I'm gathering backers with capital to "hang out a shingle" and "get a storefront" if that's what it takes. My wife has the experience, having scheduled my contracts for the last 4 years. It's time to make the kind of money we deserve to make. If we have to become our own agency to do it then , so be it. Again, to the Agencies, Mad

THANKS FOR NOTHING. I can do better myself. Exclamation

To the hospitals, WAKE UP, these agencies are milking you dry.

Posts: 5 · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Texas

try Indian Hospitals across the country. They use independent contractors. Some of them even help you find housing.good luck

Posts: 7 · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

Please give me names of particular Indian Hospitals and/or contact names & numbers. It's this info that I lack. Very Happy

I'm ready to take a trip. The one I went to had harsh and barren surroundings, but, if enough money is offered, I can get past that.

Posts: 5 · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Texas

Indian Hospitals in Az and NM. I will try to get more details for you

Posts: 3 · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Florida

My Wife and I have been Independent Contractors now for 4 years. $$ are much better. As for bene's the $$ cover that without difficulty. We use a payroll company that takes care of our IRS concerns. Best $30 a month we spend. If more RN's understood that the Government looks at RN's as PROFESSIONAL people just like a lawyer or doctor and start being Independent Contrators, the Agencies that take 50% of what you work for would soon disappear. We have never been without work in 4 years! We have even subcontracted for a few of the Agencies. Just remember that RN's eat there young and if we started looking at ourselves as professionals instead of just an employee we could be making much better $$$$.

Posts: 40 · Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 40 Location: tornto

Hi Mike . It seems .. I am folowing you . The agency try to find a job for me because I am a canadian nurse . I have asked the agent they said they do not take % salary from the nurse , they just receive $ one time from the hospital . I am sure they tell the truth . How do I know the other agent do the same thing . Should I asked them directly ? I want to have a permanent job .. seem travel nurse have a lot of problem. Please help.

Posts: 7 · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

To: "Travel RN" from Texas....
Did you ever get that contact info on the Indian Hospitals ? What about any places in Florida that take Independent Contractors ? Ready to head out again since present situation isn't working out. Thanks Smile

Todd - boanergesbatman@yahoo.com

Posts: 7 · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 7

To Mike & Travel RN and anynone else who may have info, I never heard any more regarding the questions I had earlier about places in FL that use IC's and the Indian Hospitals, which ones ? Who do you have your benefits through ?

Thanks,
Todd (boanerges)

Posts: 6 · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 6 Location: santa cruz

Hi, can someone suggest the best travel nurse agency to work for?

Posts: 4 · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: near Austin, TX

boanerges wrote:

Please give me names of particular Indian Hospitals and/or contact names & numbers. It's this info that I lack. Very Happy

I'm ready to take a trip. The one I went to had harsh and barren surroundings, but, if enough money is offered, I can get past that.

There is one in Chinle, AZ that always needs nurses, and they treat you decently. I'm working here now. Other IHS hospitals are in Tuba City, Shiprock, & Phoenix. For specifics, just visit www.ihs.gov.

And for those who want to try IHS nursing via agency, call Julianne at Access Nurses- tell her Liane sent you!