The move to independent practice

I have been spending a lot more time lately adding to my own web site.

I am, and always will be, a strong advocate for the nursing profession, but I have tired from hands on nursing. Instead of just throwing away years of education and experience I have chosen to use my skills and knowledge in a new way.

My web site, NurseSentry.com, brings together a comprehensive collection of information for nurses seeking employment within Canada or the United States. I am proud of the site and I continue to update information. I want to be the best, most reliable source for nurses and employers.

I mention this briefly for a reason. See, one of the other things my web site does is help to encourage nurses to stay in the profession, whether in a more traditional setting or as a nurse in independent practice.

Nurses started out this way, being paid in money, food, or what ever people had to offer them for their services. Florence Nightingale helped ensure all those calling themselves nurses were properly trained, thus ensuring patients received the best care possible.

Today, many are returning to independent practice either on a full or part-time basis. And I encourage this.

Why?

Nurses today are not exactly the picture of health. It's not that "traditional employers" do not care about nurses' health, but the nature of the work is not often conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
We eat on the run, if we eat at all; we do not rest enough; physical activity is limited after hours because it is impossible to muster the energy after a 12 hour shift to go to Curves.

A more sain lifestyle is better and can keep nurses on the job longer. A self employed nurse has the option of remaining in the profession atleast part-time. I hope to help avoid situations where a nurse "burns out" altogether and thus leaves the profession entirely.

Now, with so many nurses nearing retirement having ones own business could make retirement more busy. Plus help supplement any pension income.

If you are a nurse seriously considering leaving the profession, I beg you to reconsider and look at the options available for nurses in business for themselves.