How to Become an Independent Nurse

Independent nurses have the opportunity to work in a variety of situations, with lots of flexibility.

Not all registered nurses work in one hospital, facility or doctor's office. Nurses who have experience and want to be able to travel or set their own hours have a variety of options available to them, including per diem nursing, travel nursing and being an independent nurse contractor.

Things You'll Need

• Registered nurse license

Instructions

1. Apply to be a per diem nurse through a per diem agency, which helps you find assignments in a variety of locations, or through a particular hospital's staffing pool. Per diem nurses (Latin for "per day") work on a short-term basis, usually with short notice and often for one shift. Work as many or as few shifts as you want. Some hospitals offer a list of available per diem spots on line. While agencies usually pay more than hospitals, choosing one hospital helps you get acquainted with the staff and policies and may open the door for future full-time employment.

2. Apply for travel nurse positions. Travel nurses are contracted through an agency that helps them find short-term (usually three months, but sometimes longer) assignments around the country. Along with pay, housing and moving expenses are often included, as well as benefits and continuing education. This gives you the chance to see new places, try out different hospitals or get experience in varied care settings.

3. Work as an independent nurse. Independent nurse contractors work per diem or short term without the benefit of an agency. They can also form their own agencies and place other nurses in per-diem slots, taking a portion of their pay or a bonus from the hospital. As you would do for any small business, review the laws in your state regarding whether workers' compensation insurance is needed to employ independent contractors. You must be an RN to work as a nurse contractor, but not to own an agency employing nurse contractors.

Tips & Warnings

• Critical care experience is required, as you will be placed in a variety of settings with little or no orientation.

• Additional certifications and specialties, such as telemetry or cardiac critical care, can help you land more lucrative assignments, as these are in high demand.

• Check up front the policies of the agency you're working with, what benefits are provided and what happens if you and the hospital decide to bring you in on a more permanent basis.

References

• Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek: Travel Nursing
• Nurse VIllage: Per Diem Nursing
• Independent RN Contractor: FAQ