Pros and Cons of Going Freelance as a Nurse

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In recent blogs, we’ve looked at the nursing shortage and – paradoxically – why it’s still hard to find a job as a newly-graduated nurse.

One solution to this could be to start working as a freelance nurse.

Whether it’s a way to break into the healthcare industry or a change of pace after years of full-time wok at a hospital or clinic, freelancing might be just the ticket for you.

Here are some of the plusses and minuses to a few aspects of freelance nursing:

Independent Contracting: Pros

An independent contractor, formerly known as a private duty nurse, can diagnose and treat a patient in the client’s home and is paid directly by the patient or a representative of the patient.

Nursing care must follow the nurse practice act of whichever state you’re working in, just like that provided by a staff nurse. (In some states, physician collaboration or supervision is required.)

The advantage here of being in business for yourself is that you set your own hours, charge a rate slightly above the amount a staff nurse would make, and your earnings are only limited by the number of hours you work in a day.  Continue reading “Pros and Cons of Going Freelance as a Nurse”

9 Effective Nursing-Friendly Charities

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If it’s all you can do to find the hours to volunteer your time to a good cause, but still want to help make a difference in a medical cause on a larger scale than day-to-day work, don’t worry…

There are dozens of charities well-aligned to advance the ideals of nurses and their patients, on a global scale.

Here are 9 of the most effective charities that are especially meaningful for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Such charities are formally categorized as effective when they spend at least 75 per cent of their budget directly on programs, have open-book status for disclosure of their financial information, and – most importantly – by the amount of good they do through the extent of help they offer to people: Continue reading “9 Effective Nursing-Friendly Charities”

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“Why we didn’t hire you”: What Not to Do in Nursing Job Interviews

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“I remember one nurse whose clothes were so tight, I felt like I was watching her slowly suffocate during the interview,” says one hospital HR recruiter.

“I had a gal come to an interview with an itty-bitty dog in her purse,” says another.

“Please don’t start off the interview with a litany of things you won’t do…such as work nights, touch poop or look at old people,” says one more.

A totally different senior RN tasked with hiring says “do we really have to say some of these things?”

According to anecdotal evidence, the answer to that question would seem to be “yes.”

Don’t be one of those anecdotes…

…And while you’re at it, take a look at some more common reasons that clinic or hospital may not have hired you as their next nurse: Continue reading ““Why we didn’t hire you”: What Not to Do in Nursing Job Interviews”

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A Nursing Memo to You …From 1860

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Ever wonder – between the working conditions, technology, and knowledge of medical science – if there was ever anything good about the ‘good ol’ days’ of nursing?

Despite a lack of regulation, sanitary conditions, and other drawbacks, the early days (and I mean really early days) of nursing might be able to teach us a lesson or two when it comes to the present day.
For example: Continue reading “A Nursing Memo to You …From 1860”

20 Reasons Why It’s Great To Be A Soliant Travel Health Professional

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  1. Excellent Benefits: Soliant travel allied health professionals have wonderful benefits, such as health insurance, dental and vision coverage, a matching 401(k) program, life insurance, reimbursement for continuing education and licensing fees, travel money, and many other things you’re probably not getting from your current job.
  1. Great pay: travel health professionals often earn significantly more than their stationary counterparts. If you are willing to work night shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays, simply let your Soliant recruiter know and you will see a pretty attractive paycheck for your extended efforts. As you gain more experience working in different settings and roles. You’ll be able to command top dollar for learning an array of skills and expertise.
  1. Job Security: Travel allied health professionals have the advantage of working where and when they are needed. When you’re not needed anymore, you go somewhere else that needs you. With our vast network of resources and contacts, Soliant Health provides nursing jobs virtually anywhere in the U.S. The best part is that words like “downsizing”, “layoff”, or reorganization” will mean nothing to you. Continue reading “20 Reasons Why It’s Great To Be A Soliant Travel Health Professional”

11 Certifications To Expand Your Skill Set

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Whether you’re a doctor looking to change specialties, a nurse looking to re-train, or a med-school student who just decided they want to open up a camping store rather than start practicing medicine (wait…that was actually an episode of The Cosby Show)…

…Seriously, let’s say you’re a med-school student and decide at the last minute that you want to do something other than what you were trained for, or want to add a new skill set to your tool belt for a backup career, a new CV feature, or just to expand your horizons…

Whether you’re looking for a full-time change-of-pace or a minor side project, here below are 11 medical certifications you may not have thought of:
Continue reading “11 Certifications To Expand Your Skill Set”