How to Get Started as a Freelance Nurse
The idea of working as a freelance nurse may come as a surprise. Isn’t freelancing what artists do?
Freelancing is much more common in the arts & design industry, but it’s becoming increasingly prevalent across industries. In fact, the number of freelancers in the US has been growing steadily by at least 2 million annually since 2017.
But wait, are nurses really part of this demographic? Data published by Exploding Topics in 2024 indicates that 28 percent of healthcare support and 24 percent of healthcare workers are self-employed.
Read on to learn how to be self-employed as a nurse, which types of nurse freelancers there are, and why freelancing is such an attractive option for nurses.
Why Are People Choosing to Work Freelance?
According to a survey referenced by Exploding Topics, the following are the main reasons people are turning to freelance work:
- Wanting to save extra money: 56%
- Needing to cover gaps, changes in income: 52%
- Being able to control own schedule: 49%
- Wanting to be own boss: 35%
- For fun, something to do in spare time: 32%
Furthermore, the McKinsey American Opportunity Survey Spring 2022 found the following motivations behind working freelance:
- A necessity to support basic family needs: 25.7%
- For the autonomy and flexibility it offers: 24.9%
- Enjoy the work: 24.7%
- Additional discretionary income: 19.5%
Both surveys indicate that the need/desire for higher income is a significant motivation to pursue freelance work. Having the flexibility to choose when and where to work is another primary motivator. Would you like to work as a freelance nurse? Read on to learn how to become a freelance nurse and discover potential jobs for self-employed nurses.
5 Freelancing Jobs Ideal for Nurses
Working freelance means you would be a self-employed nurse, choosing which jobs to take on and deciding when and where to work. However, what types of jobs can freelance nurses find?
1. Nurse Contractor
Nurse independent contractors or PRN nurses work as needed, often in different facilities, picking up shifts to meet facilities’ staffing needs.
A per diem nurse may work one day in a long-term care facility, the next day in a home health setting, and the next in a hospital unit. The only requirements are holding a valid, active nursing license and having sufficient experience for each job. For example, registered nurses (RNs) with experience working in medical-surgical (med-surg) units can pick up PRN med-surg jobs; RNs with experience working in the emergency room (ER) can pick up PRN ER jobs, and so on.
How much do freelance PRN nurses make? Although the pay can vary significantly by state, facility, and particular shift, PRN nurses consistently earn higher hourly wages than nurse employees. Regardless of the fact that self-employed nurses must cover their own taxes and healthcare costs, the pay from PRN shifts is usually attractive enough to compensate for these expenses.
2. Home Health Nurse
Although home health nurses are often employed by agencies, they may also work as self-employed nurses. They may provide care for older patients who are living independently but need assistance with activities of daily living or for patients recovering from surgeries at home.
To work in home health, nurses must have an active and valid license and often need to have their own car and driver’s license. This type of work is generally considered entry-level, so nurses may not need much experience before getting their first home health job. Working in home health can help nurses specialize in specific patient demographics or illnesses. For example, nurses with experience in home health may move on to provide hospice care.
3. Remote Telehealth Nurse
A freelance telehealth nurse typically provides remote patient care and support. Responsibilities may include conducting health assessments, providing patient education, and coordinating care with other healthcare professionals.
To work as a telehealth nurse, a candidate must have a valid and active nursing license. Additionally, the following skills are highly valued for this position: excellent communication and critical thinking skills and experience with telehealth technology.
This option is excellent for nurses who want a break from working at the bedside. However, it may not be ideal for nurses who crave social interaction since remote telehealth nurses typically work from home.
4. Nurse Writer
As the title of this role indicates, nurse writers create content on nursing or healthcare-related topics. These nurses may write articles for websites of healthcare facilities, nursing schools, or other healthcare companies. Nurse writers are typically independent contractors and may write for multiple clients at a time. Working as a freelance writer may be one of nurses’ most flexible work options. Writing is typically a remote position that does not require a set schedule. However, a potential drawback of writing full-time is that nurses may lose nursing skills and have difficulties transitioning back to direct care.
5. Nurse Tutor
A nurse tutor can help nursing students improve their grades and prepare for tests such as the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). A nurse tutor may work with students one-on-one or may tutor groups. You can work with students full-time, or you can have a side hustle tutoring students as a nurse. This type of freelance job has no specific requirements besides having the knowledge and experience to tutor students. As with writing, tutoring full-time may eventually lead nurses to lose valuable nursing skills. However, it is an excellent alternative for nurses experiencing burnout and needing a break from bedside care.
How to Become a Nurse Freelancer in 5 Steps
Are you ready to become your own boss? Learn five crucial considerations to become a nurse freelancer.
1. Take Inventory of Your Skills, Goals, and Priorities
Will being in charge of your schedule and workload benefit you, or do you do better with an external structure? If you are autonomous and proactive, you can excel as a freelancer. However, you may be better off as an employee if you worry you won’t be motivated or disciplined enough to look for independent contractor jobs.
Are you a parent hoping to spend more time with your kids, or are you planning on pursuing a higher degree? If so, working as a freelance nurse may be ideal since you can work around your school schedule or other responsibilities.
2. Start Slowly and Test It Out
You need not quit your job before getting your feet wet first as a freelancer. You can pick up PRN jobs on your days off or write a few articles to help you decide if you would like to work as a freelance nurse full-time.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Tax and Legal Implications
Even if you only work a single PRN shift, you may need to pay self-employment taxes as a 1099 worker. Therefore, ensure you understand your responsibilities as an independent contractor to avoid any trouble down the line. Even if you don’t have a tangible business, as an independent contractor nurse, you are a business owner. In other words, you are the owner of the services you offer and get paid for.
The most straightforward way to do business as a freelance nurse is to pay taxes as a 1099 worker. However, if you decide to work as a freelance nurse full-time, you may want to explore other options, such as opening a limited liability company (LLC). With an LLC, you would not need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your profits, in addition to other tax advantages. You may want to procure the assistance of a business consultant or lawyer to decide which type of business is best for your particular circumstances.
4. Budget as a Freelancer
You may enjoy higher income as a freelance nurse, but you must budget for additional expenses. Not only are you solely responsible for paying your taxes as a self-employed nurse, but you may also want to consider obtaining health insurance and setting up a retirement fund.
5. Find Your Rhythm
If you decide to work as a freelance nurse full-time, you will benefit from setting financial, professional, and personal goals. Find a system or routine that works for you and stick to it. Plan ahead to make sure you are scheduling family time and “me time” as well as work.
Try Freelancing as a Nurse Contractor with Nursa
Depending on your goals and interests, working as an independent nurse contractor with Nursa is one of the easiest ways to begin freelancing.
Nursa is a digital platform that connects PRN nurses with facilities that need extra coverage. PRN nurses can request only the shifts that interest them, fit their schedules, and meet their financial requirements. Furthermore, they can work as much or as little as they wish, modifying their workload based on personal needs and desires. Nurses can work freelance full-time, picking up multiple jobs at different healthcare facilities; they may also pick up occasional shifts around a full-time or part-time employee position.
If you are curious about working as a freelance nurse, sign up with Nursa for free and see for yourself what it’s like to take control of your work setting, schedule, and income.
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