Although the work is the same, the status ofself-employed and salaried nurse each has its own particularities. Whether from a human or financial point of view, there are a few notable differences.
The specificities of the private practice nurse
The self-employed nurse is a natural person who practices a nursing profession as an independent worker. However, IDELs are subject to the same professional ethics as other nurses. The nursing profession covers a wide range of services, all governed by the French Public Health Code. As a result, a self-employed nurse can provide care in the home, but also on an ad hoc basis.
Differences with the salaried nurse
The differences with salaried nurses lie in both human relations and remuneration. A self-employed nurse usually works in an office or delivers care directly to the patient's home. This is an opportunity to forge a real bond with the patient, which is not always the case in the hospital environment.
As far as remuneration is concerned, the status of self-employed nurse is undoubtedly the most advantageous. While an experienced salaried nurse earns an average of 2,200 euros net, a self-employed nurse can earn double that, or even more. It does, however, require a certain level of commitment. The average working week for a self-employed nurse is 53 hours.
To work as a self-employed nurse, certain requirements must be met. First and foremost, you need to have undergone specific training, but you also need to meet certain installation conditions.
Training to become a self-employed nurse
To become a self-employed nurse, you must first hold a state nursing diploma. Taught at a nursing training institute, this diploma is worth 180 ECTS credits. It consists of 1800 hours of theoretical courses, plus 2100 hours of internships in healthcare establishments.
Installation conditions for liberal nurses
To set up their own practice, self-employed nurses have to meet certain conditions defined by the national agreement for self-employed nurses. Once you've completed your training, you'll still need to demonstrate a certain amount of experience in the healthcare sector. To work as a self-employed nurse, you need to have completed a minimum of 3200 hours of nursing care in a healthcare establishment.
There are rules governing the sector in which the liberal nursing profession operates. Zones have been classified to prevent large numbers of nurses from setting up in the same area. A distinction is made between "over-staffed" and "under-staffed" areas.
Once you've obtained your nursing diploma, you'll need to complete a number of formalities in order to practice your profession. As an IDEL, you are also required to choose a legal form under which to practice. To do this, you need to determine your needs.
How to become a self-employed nurse
To establish yourself as a self-employed nurse, you need to apply to specific bodies. The steps to follow can be summed up in 7 stages:
- registration of your nursing diploma with the regional health agency. You will then receive your ADELI (Automatisation DEs LIstes) number,
- registration with the National Order of Nurses,
- registration with the local Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) to receive the professional health card,
- declare the start of your professional activity to the CFE (Centre des Formalités des Entreprises) within 8 days of the company's creation,
- membership of an approved management association (AGA),
- registration with CARPIMKO (caisse autonome de retraite et de prévoyance des infirmiers) within 30 days of starting work,
- civil and professional liability insurance.
If you don't, you won't be able to set up your practice and practice your profession.
Legal forms for self-employed nurses
A self-employed nurse has a choice of legal forms for setting up her business. These include the sole proprietorship, the professional partnership (société civile professionnelle) and the liberal practice company (société d'exercice libéral). To make the right choice, it's important to examine the various aspects, whether fiscal, financial or social.
There are specialized companies to help you with your domiciliation needs. Qualified and experienced, they can guide you through the process of setting up and running your business. They will also be able to answer all your questions and provide you with the most appropriate advice.
Written by our expert Editorial staff
January 17, 2023
