Taking the Fear out of Getting Started
Please check our seminar page for information as to time and place of PPG informational meetings.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could combine the advantages of independent practice with many of the benefits of being an employee. Guess what! You can. Get use to the initials PPG. This stands for Professional Practice Group.
Many nurses are intimidated by the idea of striking out on their own, especially in a new (to most) concept such as independent nursing. They are concerned about security, benefits such as insurance and retirement plans, plus the marketing and other business functions of operating a one-person staffing agency or other nursing related business. We like to think that our training materials and support services offer strategies for dealing with these things, but still, some are reluctant.
Other professionals such as doctors and attorneys face the same concerns. When they first complete their training they often do not have the financial resources to "hang out their shingle." Even those that do are sometimes reluctant to go own their own. Professional Practice Groups are often a viable solution. And if it works for them, why not nurses??
The advantages of a group practice are numerous:
- First of all, the collective wisdom of the group.
- A facility will find it easier to deal with a group of nurses who can cover different shifts and different practice areas.
- A group is able to present a more professional image by having business offices and phones that are answered by a live person.
- There is increased economic power when purchasing, especially in group insurance and other benefits.
- Partners will share in the profits generated by associates/employees such as LPNs and CNAs.
- Large groups might join hospital associations, etc. that would enhance marketing efforts.
- Partners will enjoy increased income, and the value of their partnership could rise as the practice grows. Thus the initial capital costs will turn into an investment instead of an expense.
- Partners should enjoy discounts on seminars and other training through group purchasing power.
- Nurses will have an increased ability to have a voice in the political process through group power.
- Your capital contribution will be very modest compared to opening your own agency or registry.
These are only some of the benefits to forming a group practice. We believe that it is foolish for nurses to continue to share much of the revenue that their skills produce with registries, travel companies, and home health agencies whose primary interest is (in spite of their claims) the profit you can generate for them.
Of course, forming a group and getting it up and running can be a formidable task. We, at NAIN have done much research into the details and feasibility of this type of endeavor. We will, of course, continue to be of service to the "one person operator," but we are expanding our efforts to include acting as facilitator for those wishing to form a PPG.
Our services will include:
Professional Practice Groups
- USE OUR RESOURCES TO RECRUIT MEMBERS FOR THE GROUP.
- ARRANGE MEETINGS AND PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL LITERATURE FOR RECRUITING PURPOSES.
- PROVIDE ADVICE AS TO ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND OPERATING BY-LAWS.
- PROVIDE A DETAILED MARKETING PLAN AND ASSIST WITH IMPLEMENTATION.
- WORK WITH THE GROUP TO SECURE APPROPRIATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND CPA SERVICES.
- WORK WITH THE GROUP REGARDING DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF ALL PRINTED MATTER.
- WORK WITH THE GROUP AS TO THEIR WEB SITE DESIGN AND USE OF INTERNET FOR MARKETING.
- WORK WITH THE GROUP IN SECURING PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS SUCH AS INSURANCE, RETIREMENT PLANS, ETC.
- WORK WITH THE GROUP IN DECIDING IF THE PPG WILL FOCUS ON A SPECIALTY AREA OR OFFER SERVICES TO FACILITIES, FUNCTION AS A HOME HEALTH AGENCY OR AS A TRAVEL COMPANY.
- PROVIDE ONGOING CONSULTING AFTER GROUP IS FORMED.
- ASSIST WITH WRITING INITIAL BUSINESS PLAN.
- ASSIST WITH SECURING AND NEGOTIATING LEASES AND/OR PURCHASES OF OFFICE SPACE AND EQUIPMENT.
- ASSIST WITH SETTING UP A POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL.
- ACT AS LIAISON WITH THE SBA.
- ASSIST WITH HIRING AND TRAINING STAFF.
Contact us for details about getting started. Nursing is too important to be left in the hands of others.
Frequently Asked Questions about California Nurses, Inc., a Professional Practice Group
- I like the idea of a PPG for nurses, but I don’t know a thing about running a business! Do I need a business background to participate?
Most nurses don’t have a business background and the beauty of a PPG is that you don’t need one. However, there are many exceptions to this rule and NAIN will
investigate and make recommendations to the membership as to appropriate candidates for the Board of Directors and management. In addition to NAIN acting as
consultants, the PPG will utilize the resources of the Small Business Administration as well as the corporate counsel for the PPG.
- How is the Board of Directors chosen?
Each member can run for the board and the Board of Directors is elected by majority vote of the members.
- I don’t live in California, can I still join the California PPG?
Yes. California Nurses, Inc. will have a travel division whereby you can travel not only to California, but to all other areas. For those wishing to work only
in their home area CNI will obtain contracts with local facilities that will allow you to work in your home area. (If you are in a rural area with only one or
two facilities we cannot guarantee getting a local contract.) For that matter we cannot guarantee contracts anywhere. No temporary staffing agency can.
- How is the Capital contribution amount determined?
By the number of founding members. It was agreed that each potential member would deposit into an escrow account the sum of $5,000.00 for a period of sixty (60)
days. If during this 60-day period CNI gains what was determined to be the minimum number of members (i.e. 35), the California Nurses, Inc. would commence doing
business. If, however, during this 60-day period California Nurses, Inc. should exceed the minimum number of founding members, then the capital contribution will
be as follows:
| 35 – 49 members |
$5,000.00 |
| 50 – 74 members |
$4,500.00 |
| 75 – 99 members |
$4,000.00 |
| 100 – 124 members |
$3,500.00 |
| 125 or greater members |
$3,000.00 |
If we achieve the numbers given above, then each founding member will receive an appropriate refund. (A founding member is defined as a nurse who makes their
capital contribution within sixty days following the opening of the escrow account which is February 2, 2004.) It was further decided that any nurse wishing
to purchase a membership (or more accurately stock in the corporation) after this initial sixty-day founding period will pay a capital contribution in an amount
double the capital contribution made by founding members. This was done to reward the founding members for the greater risk in investing in an enterprise with
no current structure.
- I am disabled and unable to work. Can I still be a partner in the PPG.
Yes, of course one of the major benefits of partnership is the higher hourly rate you enjoy when you work, but you can still receive what we believe will be an
excellent return on your investment even if you bill no hours. This will be achieved by the PPG furnishing other staff such as LPNs, CNAs and other ancillary
staff. The PPG will earn profits from their services just as any staffing agency would. A third way that the PPG will earn money is by the capital contributions
of future members. Once we have sufficient funds to operate the business any excess will be invested and the profits will become a part of the partner’s
dividend.
- I can’t travel to a PPG meeting due to time restraints and travel costs. How can I be a partner in the PPG.?
The name of the escrow company is Southland Title and Escrow. Make your check payable to them, but please mail it to the attorneys, Dean R. Kitano or Steven F.
Schroeder, 2107 N. Broadway Street, Suite 204, Santa Ana, CA 92706. Do not make your check payable to the attorneys or NAIN. Let us know if you have any
questions.
- Can I talk with any of the nurses that have already signed up.
The following is the name and contact information of the current candidates for the steering committee:
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