Medscape: Contract Nursing 101 – What They Didn’t Teach You in Nursing School

Hospitals are reporting an increased demand for flexible work options, including float pools, per diem positions, and travel contracts with, almost half reporting plans to increase contingent labor roles by at least 50% in the next year.

The extra effort was worth it for Zac Shepherd. In 2017, Shepherd traded a salaried position in Texas for travel nursing assignments that have taken him to New Jersey, New York, California, Washington, and Colorado. Although his duties as an ICU nurse are similar in each hospital, independent contractor status has helped alleviate burnout.

“The reward for being a good bedside nurse in the inpatient setting is more responsibility and more expectations,” he said. “I thought [working as a travel nurse] might be a way to breathe some life back into my career.”

Nurse burnout is on the rise with, some studies estimating that it affects up to 56% of nurses. The ability to choose flexible work arrangements, preferred shifts, and more manageable workloads can help. But Shepherd admits that it also can be “very scary” to work as an independent contractor accepting at-will assignments with fewer benefits and less support than traditional staff nursing roles.

“There’s always the risk that you take a contract and reshuffle your whole life and drive across the country and commit to housing and get settled in, and all of a sudden, all of that falls through,” he warned.

Working through agencies can alleviate some of the financial stressors. Shepherd contracts through Aya Healthcare, where he has access to perks like health insurance benefits and a 401(k), but still maintains the power to pick assignments and control his schedule. He believes being nimble and flexible can also help overcome some of the hurdles of working as an independent contractor.

“There is always going to be need on a national level,” he said. “If you go in with the attitude, ‘I want to learn, and I’m here to help,’ then it opens a lot more doors, and you have a lot better experience.”

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