Week 8: Discussion Question 1 – Independent Contractor Discussion Prompt Many APNs become independent contractors for healthcare groups that provide services to patients. Independent Contractor-Elements that are important to you when Seeking a Place of Employment. Discuss the elements that are important to you when seeking a place of employment. What is negotiable, and what is non-negotiable? Discuss the two benefits of formal employment as an APN.

Independent Contractor-Elements that are important to you when Seeking a Place of Employment

Generally, it is important to carefully consider the various elements of a potential employment opportunity as an APN and to identify what is most important to you in order to make an informed decision about your career path. As an advanced practice nurse (APN), several elements may be important to consider when seeking a place of employment. Some of these elements may include the following: First is the clinical focus. Depending on your area of specialty, you may want to work in a setting that aligns with your clinical interests and experience (Djukic & Fletcher, 2022). For example, if you are a nurse practitioner focusing on primary care, you may want to work in a clinic or primary care setting.

Second is the work environment, which is also an important factor to consider since it impacts the personnel’s productivity. This includes factors such as the physical environment, the culture of the organization, and the support and resources available to you as an APN. Benefits and compensations are the third other important factor to consider when seeking employment. This includes salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional development. It is believed that the last two elements are impactful in the productivity and motivation of the employees (Wood et al., 2021). Lastly is the schedule and work-life balance. The schedule and work-life balance are also important considerations, especially if you have other commitments outside of work. You may want to consider a position that allows for a reasonable balance between work and personal time. This has been shown to reduce burnout and work-related depression among healthcare providers (Wood et al., 2021). For this reason, it is important to find out how the schedule will run, including the time off work.

Of the elements illustrated above, the negotiable elements are the working time and location of the job. Conversely, elements such as compensation, work environment, and clinical focus are non-negotiable elements. There are several benefits to formal employment as an APN. These include job security and professional development opportunities. Formal employment offers job security and stability, as you are typically employed by a specific organization and are not responsible for finding your own clients or patients. Similarly, many formal employment positions also offer opportunities for professional development, such as continuing education courses or in-service training, which can help you stay up-to-date on the latest best practices and technologies in your field. As an advanced nurse practitioner, such opportunities may improve the skills and knowledge relevant to quality healthcare service provision.

References

Djukic, M., & Fletcher, J. (2022). Factors associated with new nurses’ career choice as advanced practice nurses: Implications for managing organizational turnover. Applied Nursing Research, 63, 151541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2021.151541

Wood, E., King, R., Robertson, S., Senek, M., Tod, A., & Ryan, T. (2021). Sources of satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and well‐being for UK advanced practice nurses: A qualitative study. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(5), 1073-1080. https://doi.org/10.1111/