The 1099 Worker and Taxes

If you work for a locum tenen company as a healthcare provider, you’re probably a 1099 worker, also known as an independent contractor. Independent contractors are self-employed workers who work on a freelance basis. They typically sign contracts and agree to complete a project or provide a service in a certain amount of time in exchange for payment of fees negotiated upon.  

It’s important to realize that as a 1099 worker, your employer does not deduct your taxes from your paycheck. For that reason, YOU are responsible for all your tax deductions on a 1099 form. The 1099 is an IRS tax form that reports payments to independent contractors and other miscellaneous income in the United States. You can expect to receive a 1099 form with all your earnings mailed to you from your locum tenens company at the end of the year.

Business Deductions and Tax Savings

Mark Twain once jokingly said, “The only difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector is that the taxidermist only takes your skin.”

As a 1099 worker, the IRS sees you as a small business owner. The secret to keeping more of your ‘skins,’ or more of your income, is a better understanding of your business deductions.  

Specifically, you pay taxes only on your profit. For example, if you earned $10,000.00 and spent $ 2,000.00 as a business expense, you only must pay taxes on the $ 8,000.00 earned.

Remember To Put Money Aside

Without a doubt, all private contract 1099 workers should get into the habit of putting money aside for tax season. Preparedness is key. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of your income should be set aside for potential tax payments.

Keep Good Records and Track Receipts

Of course, keeping track of receipts can take time and effort. Therefore, don’t stuff receipts or important documents in your wallet or throw them in a paperback. Unquestionably, come tax season; you’ll miss essential expenditures. Here are some tips on how to keep track of receipts during the year leading up to tax season:

Should You Start An LLC?

An LLC is a ‘limited liability company,’ a business structure in the United States. Particularly, it protects its owners from personal responsibility for its debts or liabilities. In essence, LLCs are hybrid companies that combine the qualities of a corporation with those of a partnership or sole proprietorship.

For the Most Part, Set Up is Simple

• Choose a business name that is not a duplicate of an existing LLC
• Your state will let you know if your business name is acceptable
• LLC or Limited Liability company must appear in your business name
• Create and file articles of organization, including LLC’s name, address, and names of the owners of the business standard forms for each state can be found online.
• Appoint a registered agent. This person is typically one of the owners and represents the LLC.
• Payment of fees, this may vary from state to state
• Publish a notice of intent to start your LLC in a local newspaper. It may vary from state to state.
• Create an operating agreement.

Pros and Cons of an LLC

It’s important to realize that regulations of LLCs vary from state to state. Undoubtedly, one of the pros of starting an LLC is that it offers your company limited liability. LLCs prevent the owners from being personally responsible for the company’s debts. In the event that a company goes bankrupt or is sued, the owner’s assets will not be affected. Also, profits can be directly passed to owners to be taxed as personal income to avoid ‘double taxation.”

On the negative side, starting an LLC includes profits subject to Medicare and Social Security taxes. In some cases, the owners of an LLC may pay more taxes than a corporation.

Side Gigs and Other Services

In the long run, getting the most benefits out of your LLC is critical. Services that you can provide include consulting, freelance writing, or selling products. As an LLC, you are more than just a private contractor; you are a legitimate business.

Take the Stress Out of Taxes and 1099 Status

Above all, good organization is the solution to keep your yearly taxes stress-free. For this reason, If you’re a 1099 worker, save all your expense receipts and put money aside for tax payments. By assessing your monthly taxes and receipts, you will alleviate stress during tax season.

The post The Untold Secrets To Mastering Taxes and 1099 Status for Healthcare Providers appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

The United States is in the middle of a primary healthcare provider shortage, and Americans are worried. Evidently, A recent Health Day/ Harris Poll reported that fifty-two percent of consumers are concerned that staffing shortages will prevent them from receiving medical care and services.

• Data published by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) suggest that the United States may encounter a shortage of 37,000 and 124,000 primary care physicians by 2034.
• At this time, there are currently 6,486 dental care health professional shortage areas (HPSA) as reported by Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).
• According to Cornell University School of Industrial Relations and Labor (ILR) strike tracker reports, there have been approximately 30 strikes so far in 2023.

Granted, not all states are being affected equally. Due to their rural locations, some states, cities, and zip codes are experiencing extreme primary care provider shortages. According to the Bureau of Health , Workforce, Health Resources, and Services Administration, these ten states include:

1. Delaware
2. Missouri
3. Alaska
4. Nebraska
5. New Jersey
6. Washington
7. North Dakota
8. Florida
9. New York
10. South Dakota

Locum Tenens Saving the Day in Rural America

The term locum tenen means ‘place holder’ in Latin. Typically, a Locums provider temporarily fills the place of another provider and is employed at a hospital, private practice clinic, or community healthcare facility that is short-staffed or in need of temporary coverage.

Locum tenens originated in America in the mid-1970s. The Health Systems Research Institute (HRSI) was funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the University of Utah, emphasizing decreasing physician burnout in rural areas. The program assembled a network of doctors to cover the practices of rural physicians so that rural physicians could attend CME courses.

Pack Your Bags and Get Your Wanderlust On; It’s Time for A ‘Workcation.’

Reasons Why Healthcare Providers Chose to Work Locum Tenens:

• More flexibility
• Greater work-life balance
• Extra income
• Mini vacation experiences
• Test out living in a new area before committing to a permanent position
• Gaining a new perspective on life

Presently, Medcare Staffing has assignments in areas of the U.S. experiencing extreme primary healthcare provider shortages, which include New Jersey, South Dakota, and many others.

For more information on working with Medcare Staffing, click the link and speak to a staffing recruiter today.

The post Could Working Locum Tenens Be the Answer to America’s Healthcare Staffing Crisis? appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

Nurses Leaving Healthcare

What would a typical day in a hospital look like if there were no nurses? For one thing, alarms would be beeping. As well as patients screaming. Much like a heart afflicted by a cardiac arrest, the world inside a hospital would stop. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that there will be a shortage of 1.1 million nurses created by over 500,000 experienced nurses who are on the brink of retirement. 

According to a new study released by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): 

• 100,000 Registered Nurses (RNs) left the healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic
• By 2027, 610, 388 RNs intend to leave the healthcare workforce 
• Approximately one-fifth of the RNs surveyed are considering leaving the nursing profession.

Safe Staffing Ratios

One of the most common reasons nurses leave their bedside nursing jobs is due to unsafe patient-to-nurse ratios. Shortages in healthcare not only affect patients but also affect staff and staffing ratios. Many hospitals allow nurses to work short-staffed, which can be dangerous and lead to burnout.

Safe staffing improves patient outcomes and saves hospitals money. The odds of a patient dying increase by 7% for each additional patient a nurse takes at once. Studies show that nurse job turnover decreases with better nursing-staff ratios.

• California and Massachusetts are the only two states in the U.S. to have passed laws regulating nurse-to-patient ratios.
• The Massachusetts nurse-to-patient ratio law was passed in 2014 and limited nurses working in intensive care units to only care for one patient per shift.
• California’s nurse-to-patient ratio law was passed in 1999 and implemented in 2004. California is the only state to pass legislation mandating comprehensive minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals.

Boomerang Nurses

On the contrary, The Wall Street Journal reports that many nurses who initially left the bedside for higher-paying temporary travel positions during the COVID-19 pandemic are returning to hospital staff jobs. These Nurses are being called ‘boomerang nurses.’ Falling pay rates offered through temporary agencies are some of the reasons these nurses are ‘boomeranging’ back to the bedside and returning to their staff jobs 

Hospitals are trying to win back nurses to staff positions by awarding attractive perks like better pay, childcare, flexible work schedules, and even paying off student loan debt. One California hospital offers a $100,000.00 bonus over three years to retain and recruit permanent positions. By offering perks and added incentives, hospitals hope to solve the nursing shortage.

Advanced Practice Nurse Jobs Are Growing

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increased growth of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, and midwives’ employment to 40% from 2021 to 2031.

For the second year in a row, the U.S. News & World Report 2023 Best Health Care Jobs ranked Nurse Practitioners as the number one healthcare job in the U.S. NPs bring clinical expertise, leadership, and robust solutions to the challenges experienced in the healthcare universe. The NP focuses on reducing healthcare disparities with patient-centered care at the heart of the practice. Currently, there are 27 states, including Washington, D.C., where they have full practice authority and can practice independently.

Mental Health Issues and Burnout

Nurse burnout continues to be a growing concern. This encourages the need to recognize symptoms of burnout and mental health issues early on. Some early signs include missing work deadlines, delays in updating credentials, and attending continuing education courses, which lead to delays in licensing updates. Many physical symptoms of burnout include insomnia, headaches, increased fatigue, isolation, irritability, struggle with daily tasks, and depression.

It’s important to realize that approximately 1 in 18 American nurses experience suicidal ideation within a year compared to the general workforce. Some hospital systems, like UCSD, encourage nurses to seek counseling for suicidal ideation through special programs. 

Many studies show that poor workplace conditions negatively impact mental health. Nurses also report that they have inadequate emotional support on the job. For example, a police officer or firefighter may get time off after witnessing a death, while a nurse is expected to continue with their shift with no extra time off. Mental health apps geared towards nurses offering peer support and self-care are excellent resources for nurses. 

Travel Nursing and Per Diem Staff Are Still Needed

The shortage is projected to continue throughout 2023. According to a survey conducted by the American College of Healthcare Executives, CEOs of healthcare systems ranked workforce challenges and personnel shortages as the number one concern. Although several travel nurse companies have decreased their pay rates, demand for travel and per diem nurses still exists. The flexibility of ‘gig’ work allows nurses to pursue higher education, spend quality time with family and allows a nurse to have more control of their work schedule, giving them a better work-life balance.

Looking for A New Nursing Adventure? 

Are you looking for more flexibility and adventurous travel? Working locum tenens could be your next great work adventure offering:

• Greater Flexibility
• Travel Opportunities
• Work-Life Balance
• New and Exciting Work Environments
• Greater Compensation
• More Diversity
• Less Administrative Responsibilities

Recent studies showed that patients treated by locums providers exhibited shorter hospital stays, decreased hospital costs, and no increase in readmission or mortality. Multiple healthcare facilities around the United States employ locum tenens nurses. As placeholders, locum tenens nurses temporarily fill the space of another. Hospitals, Federally Qualified Clinics, Urgent Care Facilities, dental Clinics, rural healthcare clinics, and correction facilities all employ locum nurses. 

Are you ready to start your new locum tenens assignment? MedCare Staffing has many exciting long- and short-term locum assignments. Click here for more information.

The post Nurses Week 2023: Celebrating the Heart and Soul of Healthcare appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

At the end of 2022, the FDA seized over 50.6 million Fentanyl laced fake prescription pills and over 10,000 pounds of Fentanyl powder. The DEA further estimates that 379 million of those seizures contain potentially dangerous doses of Fentanyl. Most of the Fentanyl is mass-produced in the United States and is manufactured in Mexico and China

The Theory of Three

Looking at the growing number of opiate-related deaths, you may ask yourself, “Where did it all begin?” The author Cicerone has come up with the “Theory of three” overlapping waves, which will help explain how the opioid crisis began:

• Wave One: The opioid crisis kicked off the first wave in 2000, with doctors overprescribing painkillers, leading to mass addiction.
• Wave Two: overlapping opioid deaths involving heroin intensified in 2007 and exceeded opiate deaths by 2015.
• Wave Three: illicit synthetic opioids, which include Fentanyl

A fourth wave is on the horizon and further complicated by stimulants.

Dr. Paul Janssen, The Father of Fentanyl

In Sam Quinones’s book “The Least of Us, True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth,” he describes Dr. Paul Janssen as ‘obsessed with chemistry and finding new painkillers. Dr. Paul Janssen is the founder of Janssen Pharmaceuticals and the inventor of Fentanyl. “The Least of US” chronologically details how Dr. Paul Janssen obsessively studied the molecular structure of morphine and other opiates. He was trying to create a drug that penetrates the blood-brain barrier at a faster rate.

The image of a ‘mad scientist’ may pop into your head as you read more about Dr. Paul Jansen in Sam Quinones book. A typical non-conformist, Dr. Paul Janseen believed that “good scientists do not need to be supervised.” The author Sam Quinones further explains that “Dr. Paul Janssen was able to envision three-dimensional images of the molecules he was struggling to modify. He would often doodle chemical structures on napkins during meetings.” If you’ve ever watched a science fiction horror movie, the ‘mad scientist’s protagonist is always a genius of some sort, like Dr. Frankenstein in ‘Frankenstein’ or Dr. Emmet Brown in ‘Back to The Future.’ They are all eccentric-looking men working with fictional technology, crossing boundaries while trying to play God.

A Potent Painkiller

Dr. Paul Jansen discovered that when drugs like heroin cross the blood-brain barrier, once in the brain tissue, the drug eventually converts into morphine, slowing the absorption rate. The new molecule crossed the blood-brain barrier more effectively and did not convert into anything other chemical. Fentanyl binds to the body’s opioid receptors controlling pain and emotions. The brain tends to adapt to the drug after chronic use. The euphoric high eventually diminishes, decreasing Fentanyl sensitivity and making it hard to feel pleasure outside of drug use.

A more potent painkiller than morphine, Fentanyl allows a patient to be rapidly sedated for surgery and then walk away post-op with lesser aftereffects. Fentanyl changed surgical anesthesia forever. Before Fentanyl’s anesthetic intravenous use in 1960, anesthesiologists used flammable gas for various surgeries like coronary bypass surgeries. Though Fentanyl is short-acting, it can be reversed quickly with Naloxone.

Fentanyl Addiction and Overdose Symptoms

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin. Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze are the prescription names for Fentanyl. A Doctor or healthcare provider typically prescribes Fentanyl in an injection form, a transdermal patch, or oral tablets. Drug dealers mix Fentanyl with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Synthetic Fentanyl sold illegally is found in a powder form and sold in eye drops, blotter paper, nasal sprays, and pill format.

Symptoms related to Fentanyl overdose include:

• Euphoria
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Decreased level of consciousness
• Constipation
• Confusion
• Sedation
• Respiratory problems
• Loss of consciousness

When a person overdoses on Fentanyl, their breathing slows down and stops. The person can then become hypoxic. Naloxone can treat Fentanyl overdose and is available as an injectable needle and nasal spray (NARCAN). Unfortunately, many drug dealers mix Fentanyl with other drugs, increasing its potency; in these cases, Naloxone may or may not work.Naloxone should be monitored for at least 2 hours to make sure they do not stop breathing. Healthcare providers or anyone administering a dose of Naloxone to a person who remains hypoxic after administration  should call 911 and start CPR. Patients who are receiving

FDA Alerts Regarding Xylazine aka “Tranq,” The “Zombie” Drug

Used primarily for animal anesthesia, Xylazine is a pharmaceutical drug that increases sedation and relaxation in cattle, horses, and other non-human mammals. Veterinarians also use Xylazine as an antiemetic for cats.

Xylazine also goes by the street name “Tranq” and is called the “Zombie drug.” The drug goes by the nickname “Zombie Drug” because it slows down breathing, and the person influenced by the drug takes on a “Zombie,” like the appearance of being zoned out or in a trance. Xylazine lengthens the Fentanyl high, which can lead to a person’s demise.

There have been increasing reports to the FDA regarding the inclusion of Xylazine into heroin, Fentanyl, and other illicit drugs. The FDA further warns healthcare professionals to be aware of the possible overdoses in patients due to Xylazine inclusion because it is unknown if the side effects are reversible with Naloxone. Toxicology screens do not detect Xylazine.

Healthcare providers are encouraged by the FDA to continue to treat suspected drug overdoses with Naloxone. If the patient does not respond, it’s best to question Xylazine exposure and provide appropriate measures. Signs and symptoms of Xylazine use include chronic and severe skin ulcerations.

Although the FDA continues to investigate whether Xylazine is produced illegitimately, it is unknown if the Xylazine taken is illegal or if it comes from the animal drug supply.  

Rainbow Fentanyl

Rainbow Fentanyl debuted in August of 2022 as multicolored pills, chalk, and blocks. The DEA suggested that the drug cartels and traffickers use “rainbow-colored” tablets to mask Fentanyl and lure young children and teenagers into drug addiction. Two milligrams of Fentanyl, equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

Teenage Fentanyl Deaths

In 2021, overdose deaths for teenagers from 14-18 years old increased to over 94%. With Fentanyl overdoses at an all-time high in California and responsible for almost all drug overdoses in teenagers, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a budget proposal of 3.5 million dollars to supply middle and high schools with Naloxone. Currently, schools can get Naloxone for free through public health grants.

Some young teens buy pills from drug dealers on social media thinking they are oxycodone, Adderall, or Xanax, laced with Fentanyl. The main problem is not more teens using drugs; the problem is that the drug supply is much more potent.

Solutions To a Growing Problem

Proposals for legislation are to curb the sale of ‘fentapills’ to young adults on social media sites. Republicans have introduced bills to extend sentences for traffickers and sellers who violate the proposed legislation. Schools also need to start educating students regarding Fentanyl. Lawmakers are also seeking laws allowing all amusement parks, stadiums, concert venues, and universities to have Naloxone available in case of an overdose.

Much like how Dr. Frankenstein lost control over his creation “Frankenstein,” this drug has become lethal and dangerous, turning some people into ‘zombies.’ Dr. Paul Jansen probably never considered that his pain killer, Fentanyl, would be addictive or for sale as a street drug and cause people to overdose. Nor did he ever conceive young adults and children would be consuming the drug recreationally.

Perhaps we need go back in time with Dr. Emmet Brown from “Back to the Future,” to bring Dr. Janssen into the present moment. What would Dr. Paul Janssen think about the current Fentanyl crisis? What would he think about the thousands of people who have lost their lives due to Fentanyl overdoses? Would he have gone back in time to make any changes to his invention Fentanyl? Would he offer any solutions? We’ll never know.

Are you looking to add travel and adventure to your life? MedCare Staffing has a variety of long-term and short-term locum tenens assignments. Click here for more information.

The post How Fentanyl Spawned a Third Wave in The Tragic Opioid Crisis appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

• Greater Flexibility
• Travel Opportunities
• Work-Life Balance
• New and Exciting Work Environments
• Greater Compensation
• More Diversity
• Less Administrative Responsibilities

Locum Tenens Providers vs. Non-Locum Tenens Providers

Multiple healthcare facilities around the United States employ locum tenens providers. As placeholders, locum tenens providers temporarily fill the space of another. Hospitals, Federally Qualified Clinics, Urgent Care facilities, Dental clinics, rural healthcare clinics, and correction facilities all employ locum tenens healthcare providers.

Recent studies show that patients treated by locums’ providers exhibited shorter hospital stays, decreased hospital costs, and no increase in readmission or mortality. According to another study published in World Neurosurgery, there were no differences between locum and non-locum neurosurgeons related to short-term complications, lengths of hospital stays, or costs.

Healthcare Labor Market Trends

The healthcare job market in 2022 has been tumultuous with unpredictable staffing ratios, a looming recession, and more healthcare providers complaining about workplace burnout. Hot healthcare job postings have shown a slight trend of cooling down compared to previous years.

 According to research done by The Indeed Hiring Lab, healthcare job postings on the Indeed website have been flat. However, Physician and Surgeon job postings are up 15.8 % while Nursing job postings have been on the decline by 0.07%.

Although, the United States Board of Labor Statistics is estimating that over 500,000 nurses will leave the profession in 2023 resulting in a nursing shortage of over one million nurses.

Healthcare facilities are still using locum tenens providers to fill various staffing gaps

Approximately 88% of healthcare facilities stated they used locum tenens advanced practice providers to fill staffing gaps in 2021. Many facilities are utilizing locum tenens advanced practice providers to address rising patient demands, provider burnout, and supplementary staff while looking for permanent staff replacements.

The Gig Economy

The gig economy has been slowly creeping into the healthcare workforce for many years. The COVID-19 pandemic further opened more opportunities for gig work in healthcare. Gig work offers alternatives that include flexible options to retain advanced healthcare providers and nurses, flexible work schedules, and the ability to achieve financial independence.

What to Expect When Speaking with A Locum Tenens Healthcare Recruiter

You’ve probably been bombarded with emails from various locum tenens companies. Perhaps you’ve gotten several unsolicited text messages from a locums’ recruiter offering you a job with the opportunity to travel somewhere new and exciting.

 When you’re first treading into the unknown waters of the locum tenens job market, things can be confusing.

Finding the right locum recruiter is key to navigating the best locum assignment.

Locum recruiters are free of charge and can connect you with potential job offers. Many have established relationships with highly regarded facilities. It’s best to work with a recruiter who is connected to a locum’s company that is affiliated with NALTO, the National Association of Locum Tenens Organization.

Sheila Samuelson, the Managing Director of Recruitment and Marketing for MedCare Staffing states:

“A locum tenens healthcare recruiter acts on the candidate’s behalf. The main role of a locums’ healthcare recruiter is to communicate and connect clients with candidates as well as act as a liaison between the two parties.”

The recruiter’s main job is to make sure that the healthcare provider candidate is a good fit for the client. A good locum recruiter communicates directly with the facility and helps to advocate for safe staffing parameters. The recruiter will also help you to negotiate pay and benefits on your behalf.

Questions to Ask Your Recruiter When Considering a Locums Assignment:

• Pay rate
• Rest breaks and length of meal breaks
• How many patients per hour
• Type of charting
• Paid orientation
• Malpractice coverage
• What type of job support will you have?
• Is there a lab onsite at the facility you will be working at?
• How often is payday?
• Length of contract
• Cancellation policy
• Sick days
• Travel logistics, parking, and lodging

Clarify Job Responsibilities

Not all advanced healthcare providers and nurses are alike. The locum tenens recruiter should clarify the healthcare providers’ or nurses’ responsibilities before accepting and or arriving at the assignment.

Credentialing

When starting a new locum tenens assignment, all providers must go through a credentialing process. A recruiter may ask you for copies of your CV and all required documents which may include diplomas, licensing information, malpractice insurance, work references, and NPI number.

The credentialing process for advanced healthcare providers is a regulated process that evaluates and assesses their specific qualifications. Subsequently, the verification of education, training, and licensing is an important safety check that doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, and other advanced healthcare providers must go through the ensure that they can perform adequate patient care.

Sheila Samuelson further states that “Each facility is different when assessing a provider for credentialing. Smaller clinics move fast with their processes whereas government, FQHC’s and hospitals last 30-90 days on average. Our internal credentialing is complete in 24-48 hours.”

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Many healthcare providers and nurses carry their own malpractice insurance. The locum tenens company should offer all healthcare providers some type of malpractice coverage with every locum’s assignment. The healthcare provider should ask for clarity on whether the coverage includes all incidences or is limited to the assignment location.

Travel and Lodging

Traveling to a new location on a locum tenens assignment can be an adventurous ‘workcation.’ Locums’ contracts can be short or long-term. They can be located in both touristy or rural areas.  Local travel in your home city or state can also be an option. Travel and lodging opportunities as well as accommodations may vary depending on the contracting facility.

Are you ready to start your new locum tenens assignment? MedCare Staffing has many exciting long- and short-term locum assignments. Click here for more information.

The post Locum Tenens Job Assignment -12 Questions You Should Be Asking appeared first on Medcare Staffing.

 Let’s face it, working as a healthcare provider is not getting any easier. It seems nearly impossible to pair that with raising a family, juggling friends and social obligations. It’s a perfect recipe for burnout.

In a survey conducted in 2021, 52% of US workers stated that they are experiencing burnout. Work from home employees or virtual workers said they are working “much more” than before the pandemic. Unplugging after work is a challenge for many workers, with 27% reporting that they keep working at home. Many workers state that working more hours is due to the increased pressures from management, customers, and clients.

Burnout- It’s a Socio-Psychological Phenomena

Burnout can creep up on you slowly. One day you might wake up to find yourself transformed into a monstrous cockroach, much like the character Gregor Samsa in Franz Kafka’s famous play The Metamorphosis. Gregor’s transformation was blamed on his dreary job as a traveling salesman and his obligations to provide for his family. Basically, he was burnt out.

Believe it or not, burnout is considered a ‘syndrome,’ a socio-psychological phenomenon that includes physical, motivational, and emotional exhaustion. The cause: chronic occupational stress. The clinical picture of burnout is multifaceted. It’s not just about your job or your family. It’s also related to the role you are playing in society. Is your work and home life bringing you joy? Are you being a productive member in society? Are you living life unconsciously on someone else’s terms?

Negative Consequences

Burnout is a set of somatic and psychosomatic disorders which are symptoms of social dysfunction. Healthcare providers commonly suffer from burnout due to the dedication and increased levels of empathy felt for their patients.

Healthcare providers suffering from burnout are susceptible to increased medical errors and potentially higher malpractice rates. Poor work performance can also decrease patient satisfaction scores and lower quality care. Burnout can also have devastating effects with high healthcare staff turnover rates, increased alcohol and drug addiction, and a high risk for suicide.

Signs 

Exhaustion

Low emotional and energy levels are proceeding in a downward spiral. Healthcare providers may be running on fumes and asking themselves how long they can continue.

Depersonalization

Being detached from one’s mind, body, and mental processes. Subsequently, you may be observing your life from the outside. You may be using synoecism and sarcasm to talk about your patients. Emotionally you are unavailable to your patients and perhaps even your family.

Lack of Efficacy

Doubting the meaning of your work. You may question the purpose of your work, in addition, you may be critical of yourself, worrying that you may make increased errors.

Causes of Job Burnout

• Chronic Work Overload. Daily increases in patients seen on a daily basis.  Nurses handle significantly higher ratios of patients per person at the bedside, creating unsafe staffing. Burnout is inevitable with work politics, personality clashes, workplace bullying, and sloppy management.

• Work-Life Imbalance. Work may take up most of your time, leaving very little time spent on family and personal activities that satisfy you. 

• Monotonous Environment. Albert Einstein coined the phrase, “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.” When a job is chaotic and dull extra energy is needed to remain focused and motivated.

• Unclear Role Expectations/ Lack of Support. Insufficient resources, inability to influence job scheduling, and lack of resources needed to do your job safely can increase burnout. Lack of social support on the job and at home  can also increase your risk for burnout.  

•  Speaking a Non-Native Language On the Job. Having to speak in a language on the job that is not your native language can cause increased fatigue. Non-native speakers experience increased fatigue from having to constantly monitor their actions on the job.

Recognize the Physical Signs Before It’s Too Late

Burnout may creep up on you slowly. You may start missing work deadlines, delay updating your licensing credentials, and attending continuing education courses to update your certificates. Recognizing the symptoms of burnout before you start turning into a “Kafka cockroach,” is key to shifting your reality and staying focused on the Job and your life. Some physical symptoms of burnout include insomnia, headaches, chronic fatigue, stomach aches, isolation, increased irritability, struggling with daily tasks, and depression. Ignoring physical signs of burnout may, in time, lead to more significant physical and mental health issues. These include elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, low immune system, and increased susceptibility to various other illnesses.

Tips to Stop Burnout

Re-Evaluate Your Life

Taking a self-inventory of your personal and professional goals is an excellent way to evaluate your life for balance. Some questions you can ask yourself include: Are you happy at your current Job? Additionally, what changes can you make to increase your happiness and satisfaction with your work? Are you working at home once your work day is complete? Can you disconnect easily from work and spend quality time with family and friends?

Better Sleep

Examine your sleep hygiene to optimize your sleep cycle. All things considered, treating sleep as a priority in your life is crucial to combating burnout.

Exercise

Various aerobic exercises like running can help increase mental focus and clarity. New research suggests that aerobic exercise helps you to recover from mental exhaustion and burnout.

Take a Vacation

Vacations can provide you with mental and physical rest. If you cannot take a whole one-week or more extended vacation, ‘microvacations’ may be a solution. Microvactions like a ‘normal’ vacation offer a change of scenery, even if it’s just for one day. They can reinvigorate your senses by sitting on a local beach, going on a hike, or sitting at a trendy café people watching. It’s best to be mindful when taking either a vacation or a microvacation so that you do not pick a venue that may trigger you to work.

Mental Health

The best therapies to help combat burnout include: psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, music therapy, hypnotherapy, and mind-body therapies. Telehealth services for mental health are also an option. They are gaining in popularity and are easier to access.

Creative Outlet

Studies show that engaging in creative outlets like music, visual arts therapy, movement-based creative expression, and expressive writing reduce psychological and physiological effects of burnout.

Mindfulness

The best way to start practicing mindfulness is to pay attention to something you do daily. Stopping in the middle of your day to take deep breaths can also bring you greater awareness of your surroundings. Courses on mindfulness-based stress reduce stress and burnout.

Start a New Adventure and Give Locum Tenens a Shot

Considering your options in your current work-life situation is key to combating burnout. Maybe you need to make a change and see new places. MedCare Staffing can provide a change of scenery, potentially clearing away the burnout in your work life. Click here to speak to a staffing representative today.

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Nurse Practitioners Bridging the Gap

The NP role has been ranked  the number one “best healthcare job” for 2022 by U.S. News. NPs are registered nurses who are licensed by the Board of Registered Nursing in the state where they may be practicing. With an expanded scope of practice, the NP’s role can vary from state to state depending on the Full Practice Authority laws in that state.

If it wasn’t for the great visionary Dr. Loretta Ford, the nurse practitioner role would not exist. Dr. Ford discovered that there was a need for healthcare providers in underprivileged communities. She then realized that nurses with expanded roles who gained specialized training to make clinical decisions on their own would be the perfect solution.

With the passage of the Medicare and Medicaid legislation in 1965, the need for NP’s increased. A major barrier to practice was direct reimbursement due to NP’s not being licensed. NP’s started advocate for themselves at the state level beginning in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. 

Full Practice Authority

NP’s have been lobbying for FPA and advocating for the expansion for their role since 1994. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Full Practice Authority (FPA) authorizes nurse practitioners to evaluate patients, diagnose, interpret and order diagnostic labs, initiate and manage treatments. This includes prescribing medications exclusively under the licensure under the authority of the state board of nursing.

Current states with FPA include: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts. Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington. and Wyoming.

The Newcomers

The Golden State

Due to the serious shortage of primary care physicians in California, AB290 granting FPA to NP’s was signed into law on September 29, 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom. The main focus of AB290 is to improve quality access to healthcare. California’s FPA will go into full effect in January 2023. AB290 requires the California Board of Registered Nursing to define the minimum standards for an NP to transition to independent practice. Once that has been met, the NP can prescribe specific functions which include “ordering and interpreting diagnostic procedures, certifying disability, prescribing, administering, dispensing and furnishing controlled substances.”

The Big Apple

New York is now the 25^th state to grant NP’s full practice authority. On April 9, 2022 Governor Kathy Hochul signed into the state budget of New York that NPs who have more than 3,600 hours of experience no longer are required to have a formal relationship with a medical doctor to practice. According to the AANP, NP’s in the state of New York can now evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage patient treatments as well as prescribe medications.

Prior to waiving this law, New York NP’s had a “reduced” practice authority. NP’s were required to have a ‘written practice agreement’ with a physician in their specialty area. This stated that the physician would review patient records, make referrals, be on hand for consultations. Furthermore, if there was a disagreement, the physician would have the final word. Stephen Ferrara, DNP FNP-BC, president-elect of the AANP stated: “NP’s in New York, often times were required to pay physicians in order to have this contract agreement which did not serve the healthcare system very well. New Yorkers now have a greater advantage to access healthcare for both their physical and mental well-being.

The Sunflower State

Kansas is experiencing a healthcare shortage in its rural areas. On April 22, 2022 Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2279, a bipartisan bill, which expands the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN’s) removes barriers for them to practice independently. Governor Kelly stated that House Bill 2279 “will empower APRN’s to decrease local and reginal care gaps.” Under HB2279, APRN’s are required to comply with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration requirements for safely prescribe controlled substances, as well as maintaining malpractice insurance and national certification for licensure as an APRN.

The First State

Governor John Carney signed HB141 and H21 into law on August 4, 2021, improving access to primary healthcare to the 1 million residents of Delaware. Bethany Hall is Delaware’s Lt Governor and a nurse. When both HB141 and H21 were approved by 20-1 votes, Lt. Governor Hall was present presiding over the state senate.

HB141 allows NP’s and APRN’s to practice to the full extent of their training removing the prior oversight contract previously needed between a physician and an NP. Some employers in Delaware may still require a physician NP practice contract. HB 21 allows for a ‘multistate” licensure entering the APRN interstate licensing compact. North Dakota and Delaware are the only 2 states to pass legislation even though 37 states are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact for both Registered Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses. AARP recently conducted a study in Delaware and found that 86 percent of the senior residents of Delaware stated that having greater access to healthcare was important to them.

States on the FPA Horizon

The Great Lakes State

Michigan introduced SB680, a bill allowing FPA to NP’s on October 5, 2021. The bill is sponsored by Senator Rick Otman and co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Irwin, Senator Sylvia Santana, Senator Jim Runestad, and Senator Tom Barett. The bill will amend Public Act 368 0f 1978, inserting and changing language which states “The administrator may issue a controlled substances license to an individual licensed as a registered nurse under part 172 if the individual has been granted a specialty certification as a nurse practitioner by the Michigan board of nursing under section 17210.”

Improving Access to Healthcare Through FPA

The U.S. is facing a significant healthcare crisis with physician shortages in primary care and psychiatry. Currently, there are more than 355,000 licensed NP’s in the U.S. who provide healthcare in communities of various sizes and demographics nationwide. NP’s are known to provide a high level of service and care to over 1 billion patients a year. Research shows that states who adopt FPA have a better advantage to improve access to healthcare, address healthcare disparities as well as increase their workforce.

MedCare Staffing Providing the Highest Quality of Healthcare Providers

MedCare Staffing provides a hands-on professional leadership team. Whether you are a healthcare provider looking to work locum tenens or you are looking to hire healthcare coverage, MedCare Staffing offers dedicated professional support through the entire tenure. With 70 years of combined recruiter experience, we have a reputation for success. To speak to a recruiter today click here.

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And this debt is all too real. According to an article written by the Association of American Colleges, as of 2016, the average medical student graduated with around $190,000 in loans. And approximately 74% of new graduates were experiencing education debt. These estimates have only increased over the years, and will most likely continue to do so. You may feel like you’re swimming in this debt and that being able to make your last payment is miles away. When you do make that final payment, you’ll feel exponentially better. So, how can you reach that final payment day, faster? We’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help you get there.

1. Create a budget and stick to it.

List all of your expenses and compare them to your current take-home pay. It’s likely that if you have included your student loans into this equation, you’ll be at a negative number. Try your best to reduce your expenses as much as possible; it will help ensure that you have more left-over than you previously did. Yes, as a healthcare worker, you may have a good income, but you do not want to be indebted forever.

2. Try to stay out of consumer debt.

If you learn nothing else from student debt, learn that there is no such thing as “good” debt. Your income could be too high to write off having mortgage debt. Plan to get out of debt and stay that way. When it comes to credit cards and student loans, try and pay more than your minimum required payment as often as you can. Doing this can help to diminish the total interest paid on your debts. 

3. Pay your highest percentage loan first.

It may feel great to have your smaller loans paid off first, but you’ll pay less in the long run if you try and pay off the highest interest rate first. When your highest one is paid off, move on to the next highest, and so on. If you have to make monthly payments on multiple loans, you could consider having them combined. But it would be best if you only did this with ones that are at the same interest rates. 

Pay off your private loans first, and don’t combine private and government loans. You will want to rid yourself of any loan that your estate would end up being responsible for. 

Pay off your government loans last. Stafford and Perkins loans tend to have lower interest rates. Try and make the minimum payment until you pay off other loans. Then ensure that your emergency fund is sufficient; that way, if you find yourself out of work, your family will have resources. Once you have a 6-month emergency fund in hand, go ahead and pay these off.

4. Make more money!

When you’re in debt and currently working, you are in a unique position. As a locum tenens provider, you have the opportunity to pick up additional shifts and even be paid more than you would in a permanent position. A MedCare Staffing recruiter can help you to get the best rates for your services. Being able to work evenings, nights, or weekends, that provides even more opportunities to earn more money.

With locums positions, you have a chance to be more flexible with your scheduling and shifts. Whether you’re trying to make an extra loan payment or you’re building an emergency fund, take advantage of these options. You can choose when you want to work and pick shifts at a better rate. Being able to get out of medical student debt is worth working a little extra. 

Once you get out of debt, you will feel such a great sense of relief. When you finally make that last payment, go and celebrate! 

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

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1. You’ll Only Find Work in Busy Places. Wrong

While there are plenty of locums positions with an exhilarating patient workload, and a fast-paced environment, not every assignment will be like this. This is true because facilities of all types use locums to fill their temporary staffing issues.

When finding the right fit for you, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the relationship with your recruiter is a two-way street. If working in a busy place is a concern for you, talk to your recruiter and take some time to discuss other potential options. The diversity of facilities that we work with here at MedCare Staffing can help in your search for what work environment will suit you best. If something a little more slow-paced is what you’re looking for, then we have plenty of rural locations that would be perfect for you!

2. You’ll Have to Work Full-Time. False

While many of the locums healthcare professionals choose to pursue it as a full-time job, that’s not the only way to experience locum tenens work. What makes this field so accessible is the fact that you can make of it what you want. If you choose to work as a locums provider on holidays or pick up extra shifts here-and-there, you have the option to do so. You are not confined to work as a locum tenens professional full-time.
You can use part-time locum tenens work as a way to supplement your income and sharpen your clinical skills in an environment different from your full-time workplace. If you’re looking for part-time or full-time locums has plenty of both to offer.

3. Patients Won’t Want to Trust You. Myth

The main reason this myth exists is due to the rare patients that insist on being seen by a clinician they know. And while this may be true, it doesn’t happen often, and most patients are content with their needs being met. As a locums professional, you will inevitably experience some trepidation when starting work in a new clinic. Still, the truth is most patients won’t be upset seeing someone who isn’t their usual clinician. And those patients that do can usually be won over with openness, honesty, and clear communication. Some locums opportunities are less about recurring visits and more about one-off care, like walk-in clinics and hospitals. This issue is rarely a major one, and there are always ways that you can work around it if it does show up.

Do you have any questions about locum tenens? Feel free to contact us anytime! We would love the opportunity to answer any of your questions.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

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The Golden State is offering to pay off all medical school debt of physicians who have pledged to spend 30% of their time helping Medi-Cal patients for at least five years. California has around $340 million budgeted for the repayment program. While this pledge might mean a lower starting salary, it helps to eliminate thousands of dollars of medical school debt. They also have a chance to make an impact on those in their community who are less fortunate.

The program is making huge steps towards fighting the shortage of health professionals in the state. The leading cause of their shortage is due to the fact that the state’s health care program for the poor has quickly outpaced the number of available physicians that accept those patients.

According to the California Future Health Workforce Commission, more than 60% of California’s medical students left the state in 2017 for their schooling. The California Commission has proposed a plan worth $3 billion that will run its course over the next ten years to help address the looming healthcare crisis.

With the strides that California is making to help with the growing shortage of physicians, they are genuinely making an impact. With this growing opportunity for medical students, there will be more chances available to them. More medical schools in California are increasing their incoming class sizes to help counteract the growing shortage, which is, in turn, offering many more students an affordable education in the state. And with the pledge to work with lower-income patients, these medical students have the opportunity to impact their community positively.

Who are we? MedCare Staffing is a small, veteran-owned, family-oriented team. We start every day with gratitude because we LOVE what we do! We are a team on a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and providers.

What we do: We place Physicians, Dentists & Advanced Practitioners in Locum Tenens, Contract Positions and Permanent Jobs

To contact MedCare Staffing, call 888.474.3380 or visit or website by clicking here!

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