8 Reasons to Become an Independent Nurse Consultant 

Did you know that nearly 25% of all nurses working in hospital settings are unhappy with their job? Not only are nurses laboring at the bedside overworked, but nurses are often underpaid for the invaluable job that they provide.  

So what is a nurse to do when they can no longer stand working at the bedside? 

Independent nurse consultants have got it figured out. Working for themselves based on their own terms outlined in independent nurse contractor agreements, independent nurse providers can get back to what they love, helping people, without laboring at the bedside where they are overworked and underpaid. Plus, learning how to become an independent nurse contractor may be easier than you think! 

What is an Independent Nurse Consultant? 

An independent nurse consultant is a skilled nursing professional who works on an independent nurse contractor agreement, rather than payroll. As contractors, or small business owners, independent nurse consultants have the flexibility to run their business how they see fit and create as-needed independent nurse contractor agreements with their clients that fulfill their specifications. 

While one of the most popular independent nurse provider jobs is travel nursing, there are several other professions that fall under independent nurse consulting such as health coaching, legal nurse consulting, telehealth consulting, cannabis consulting, and more. 

Skip ahead to “Independent Nurse Contractor Job Ideas” to learn more about the various types of businesses for independent LPN contractors, RN independent nurse consultants, and NP independent nurse contractor jobs. 

Why Become an Independent Nurse Consultant? 

If you are comfortable in your bedside nursing job and you are okay with working overtime and getting underpaid, then more power to you. But if you are a part of the 1/4 of nurses that are unsatisfied with their job, then learning how to become an independent nurse contractor is going to provide you with the freedom you need to take control of your life and finally find peace doing what you love.  

Not convinced that becoming an independent nurse provider is the right choice for you? Check out these eight compelling reasons to become an independent nurse consultant:

• Exercising Your Passion 

Perhaps the most compelling reason to explore independent nurse provider jobs is that you are free to exercise your passions and do what you love. Are you an LPN wanting to start your own cannabis consulting business? Why not become an independent LPN contractor and help people control chronic illness by safely using cannabis? Are you an RN with a passion for getting to the bottom of problems? Maybe it is time for you to look into legal nurse consulting? 

The bottom line, it is never too late to do what you love, and by becoming an independent nurse consultant you can do what you were meant to do every single day–and make good money while you are doing it! 

• Work-Life Balance 

It is no secret that nurses are overworked and underpaid. If you are tired of sacrificing your personal life for your work then it is time for you to be your own boss and start your own independent nurse contractor business. 

Having a better work-life balance is one of the main reasons why nurses start their own businesses. Not to mention, independent nurse contractor agreements can be made on your terms, freeing you from unfair contracts that negatively impact work-life balance. 

• Building Your Skillset 

Working in a competitive workspace, such as a hospital or ER, you do not always have opportunities to develop your skills, But as an independent nurse consultant you may find that you have more opportunities to work on projects that help you build your professional skill set, and the more skills you have as an independent nurse provider, the easier it will be to market yourself. 

• Purpose-Driven Impact

When you are working on someone else’s dollar you do not have the opportunity to pick and choose the projects, clients, and causes that you truly believe in. But as an independent nurse consultant, you are free to pick and choose to apply your skills where they are most needed so you can do some real good in the world. 

It may seem skill, but independent nurse consultants can make a purpose-driven impact that not benefits the medical community, but contributes to the overall good of mankind–who would not want to do that? 

• Job Security 

With the recent global pandemic we saw nurses lose their jobs left and right. We also saw nurses being overworked to the point of quitting, which is also not ideal. Whatever end you fall on the spectrum, you can find increased job stability by being your own boss and working on an independent nurse contractor agreement, rather than for an organization. 

• Build an Empire 

You may not realize it now, but when you start learning how to become an independent nurse contractor, you start learning how to build your own empire. Ditch the meetings, ditch the work politics, and ditch the long hours working to build someone else’s successful business. When you invest yourself you respect yourself! 

Also, most independent nurse providers make more money than nurses working at the bedside, and eventually enjoy all the benefits of passive income. 

• Greater Flexibility 

One of the perks of being your own boss is that there is room for flexibility. Sure, you need to hold yourself accountable when you make errors, and ensure that you are upholding the highest standards in patient care. But when you are an independent nurse consultant you have the flexibility to work on your own terms and enjoy a happier and healthier balance between your life and work.

Having a family emergency? Needing to take some much needed time off for the good of your mental health? When you are your own boss you are free to do so, just as long as you are ensuring that your patients are being taken care of. 

• Improved Patient Care

When you are working in traditional healthcare settings you do not always have the time to give patients your undivided attention and care. But as an independent nurse provider you can take as much time with patients as you need to provide them with the care that they deserve. Not only will your patients be happier with the care they receive, but they are more apt to tell their friends about the excellent care you gave them, which can lead to client loyalty and business growth. 

Independent Nurse Contractor Job Ideas 

There are many reasons why it is a good idea to start your own independent nurse consultant business, but it is not always obvious which independent nurse contractor jobs are profitable. Whether you are hoping to become an independent LPN contractor, or you are an NP searching to open up your own practice, here are some profitable independent nurse contractor job ideas to get the wheels turning: 

• Travel Nursing– The most common type of independent nurse provider is a travel nurse. Travel nurses are independent nurse consultants that are hired on an as-needed basis to fill vacancies in hospital settings. Travel nurses often get paid more than nurses on payroll and have more flexibility. 
• Wellness Coaching– Independent nurse consultants make excellent wellness coaches. By working with their clients to meet specific wellness goals, nurses can help their clients get their health under control to prevent illness and promote healthier living. 
• Cannabis Consulting– Cannabis consulting is a unique independent LPN contractor job opportunity. Ideal for individuals with an extensive knowledge of cannabis and its health benefits, cannabis consultants help clients find the ideal cannabis regime to control health conditions. 
• Legal Nurse Consulting– Amongst the most lucrative and interesting independent nurse contractor jobs includes legal nurse consulting. Legal nurse consultants (LNCs) provide invaluable guidance to lawyers seeking to understand the specific details of claims involving the healthcare industry and care standards. 
• Telehealth Consultant– Do you love helping people? Is it easy for you to identify illnesses and ailments? If so, then this independent nurse provider job may be right for you. Telehealth consultants provide virtual consulting, so this job can be easily set up right from your home. 
• Nutritional Coaching– If you have a passion for healthy eating and helping people, then nutritional coaching may be the right independent nurse contractor job for you. You do not need to be a nutritionist to help people make real lifestyle changes–which is why this job is a great choice for independent LPN contractors. 
• Health Care Training– Not only do patients need a helping hand, but so do providers. Health care training services come in many forms, and there is no one right way to set up a health care training business. It may look like a nursing school tutoring business, online courses for RNs, patient care seminars, etc. 
• Mindfulness Coaching– External physique is not only the part of your body that you should worry about. Mindfulness coaching seeks to bridge the gap between physical stress reduction and the art of mindfulness, which usually begins with self-care. 

Get Started 

Oftentimes the most difficult part of finding independent nurse contractor jobs, or setting up independent nurse provider businesses, is knowing how to get started. Where do independent nurse consultants find their first clients? Is there some sort of independent nurse contractor agreement that needs to be made between clients and independent LPN contractors? 

If you are frantically searching online how to become an independent nurse contractor, your search is over! At NursePreneurs we help independent nurse providers set up their businesses and provide them with the tools needed to procure independent nurse contractor jobs. 

From setting up the details of your independent nurse contractor agreement to marketing your business, we help independent nurse consultants create and sustain wildly successful businesses. Whether you are an independent LPN contractor, RN, or NP we are here to support you on your journey of entrepreneurship! Book a discovery call today to learn more about how to become an independent nurse consultant.