The Freelance Graphic Designer: Is it right for me and where can I find jobs?

By Mackenzie Rose

Many of those skilled in graphic design allow it to take a backseat to full or part time careers. Nearly 25% of all graphic designers are freelance; however, many of those same individuals work with graphic design in addition to a salaried job in design or in another occupation altogether. Graphic designers—or graphic artists—plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective way to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, font, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques.

When considering taking on freelance work in graphic design, understand that some 200,000 designers are employed full-time by large advertising, publishing, or design firms. Firms that require additional graphic designers are generally particular about work arrangements and work schedules, and may not be able to accommodate some of your work preferences. Consultants and freelance designers tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested, environments. Companies want to get the most for their contracts so expect good pay, but recognize your probable work environments.

The Skills

A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level and advanced graphic design positions. Bachelor’s degree programs in fine arts or graphic design are offered at many colleges, universities, and private design schools. Most curriculums include studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and Web site design. In addition to design courses, a liberal arts education that includes courses in art history, writing, psychology, sociology, foreign languages and cultural studies, marketing, and business are useful in helping designers work effectively.

There are currently roughly 270,000 graphic designers nationwide. Employment is expected to grow about 7 to 13% over the next year and ardent competition for jobs is expected; individuals with a bachelor’s degree and knowledge of computer design software, particularly those with Web site design and animation experience will have the best opportunities. Demand for graphic designers also will increase as advertising firms create print and Web marketing and promotional materials for a growing number of products and services. Last year, the median annual earnings for wage and salary graphic designers were $39,900, yet those who labeled themselves as freelance earned an average of $60,000, and many veterans in the field earned upwards of $100,000 a year. Consider your options in the field; if you are just starting out, take the safe path and start small with freelance graphic design to earn extra income on the side. Once you gain the experience, moreover the reputation, offer your specialized design services and prepare yourself for a successful career as a freelance graphic designer.

Get your name out there! Visit Sologig.com to find great freelance graphic design opportunities.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Andy O'Hearn and Nancy Zimmerman, the winners of the Sologig Success Story Contest. Both winners will be receiving signed books by author Peter Bowerman.

Thanks to everyone who participated. If you're interested in reading the winning entries, feel free to contact us.

Happy Freelancing!

The Lowdown on Freelance Photography: Is it right for me and where can I find work?

By Mackenzie Rose

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than half of all photographers are freelance, a significantly higher ratio than almost every other occupation. Photographers produce and preserve images that paint a picture, tell a story, or record an event. To create commercial-quality photographs, photographers need technical expertise, creativity, and the appropriate equipment for each individual job.

Most photographers face the same challenge early on in their professional career; what kind of photography should I specialize in? Today more than ever, employers are more interested in individuals who appear to know a lot about a specific area of expertise rather than those who know a little bit about several different areas. When you choose a specialty it may seem as though you are receiving less contract offers initially, however, specialization will not only give you a more rewarding career, but will also pay more per assignment.

As a veteran of the freelance photography business, you may already know all about the different areas of specialty, but for those shutterbugs just breaking into the field, here is a list of the major money makers:

• Commercial and industrial photographers take pictures of various subjects, such as buildings, models, merchandise, artifacts, and landscapes. These photographs are used in a variety of media, including books, reports, advertisements, and catalogs and are commonly used as “stock photos” which are sold in bundles or per photo. They are used on everything from nearly 90% of websites to presentations, advertisements and brochures
• Scientific photographers take images of a variety of subjects to illustrate or record scientific or medical data or phenomena, using knowledge of scientific procedures. They typically possess additional knowledge in areas such as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry
• News photographers also called photojournalists, these individuals photograph newsworthy people, places, and sporting, political, and community events for newspapers, journals, magazines, or television
• Fine arts photographers sell their photographs as fine artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, fine arts photographers need artistic talent and creativity
  

In addition to carrying out assignments under direct contract with clients, you may want to license the use of your photographs through stock-photo agencies or market your work directly to the public. Stock-photo agencies sell photos to websites, magazines, ad agencies and others a license to use photographs, and pay the photographer a commission on each sale. These agencies require an application from the photographer and a sizable portfolio of pictures. Once accepted, photographers are usually required to submit a large number of new photographs each year. It is a good idea for freelance photographers working in this area to have a thorough understanding of copyright laws in order to protect their work.

The Skills

Employers typically seek applicants with a good technical understanding of photography. Additionally, photojournalists or industrial or scientific photographers generally need a college degree. Entry-level freelance or portrait photographers need to at least have technical proficiency although many have completed a college degree or vocational training programs.

Photography courses are offered by many universities, community and junior colleges, vocational-technical institutes, and private trade and technical schools. Basic courses in photography cover equipment, processes, and techniques. Learning good business skills is important and some bachelor’s degree programs offer courses focusing on these skills. Art schools generally offer useful training in photographic design and composition.

There are currently over 125,000 people who consider themselves professional photographers, but of those people, how many really understand the job? How many are true photographers? Because of this, if you have the skills, photography is an excellent field to be in right now, especially freelance photography. Some of the best photographers can easily earn upwards of $60,000 a year and that includes all of the freedom that typically comes with a freelance job. No matter what area of photography you specialize in, you are going to find competition. The most important thing is to unlock your imagination and let it do all the work. If you take it as seriously as some of the best in the business, you can be among them in no time.

Get your name out there! Visit Sologig.com to find great freelance photography opportunities.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics

The ins and outs of affordable health insurance for the self-employed

By Maggie Zahm

Finding affordable health insurance is one of the biggest challenges facing those working independently. Since contractors and freelancers do not typically have an employer offering cost-effective benefit options, it is up to the individual to find and pay for their own insurance. While there are a variety of services, it is often hard to find a package that you qualify for, that fits your needs and is affordable. Until the new Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act is passed (see below for more details), the following is a list of health insurance options for the self-employed.

Group Insurance

This is by far the best health care coverage plan available. Because members are included under one “master policy,” which has many contributors, the policy provides maximum coverage at minimum cost. The plans typically cover regular doctor’s appointments (less a co-pay that the individual pays upon the visit) and hospital treatment for accidents. Some plans also offer vision care and/ or dental work and partial prescription costs. Members also do not have to participate in any medical exams or answer any health questions before they purchase this type of insurance because everyone pays the same rates, even if they have pre-existing conditions or chronic problems. Rates for group insurance do not rise even if claims are made.

The problem that arises for freelancers who desire to have this type of plan is that group insurance is only issued to large groups of people. Most often, people subscribe to this coverage plan through their employer, and rates are taken directly out of their paycheck. If a freelancer has a spouse that is covered under this plan, the best option for them is to try to get on the plan as well. Also, labor unions, churches and other service groups are sometimes able to obtain group insurance rates for their members.

Insurance through an association or chamber of commerce

Another possible healthcare option for freelancers is that they may be able to obtain coverage through an association or their local chamber of commerce. Although these types of plans are not actual group policies, they still have some related benefits because they are classified as pooled risk policies. This option can still be affordable if the members are young, do not have any serious health problems, and have a low risk of accident. However, rates can change as a the result of a claim.

Coverage through the State

Some states may offer medical insurance benefits programs. This option is typically not a good choice for those looking for quality, affordable health insurance. State coverage does not fully cover preventative care options, like regular doctor appointments, and it is often limited with prescription coverage. If someone becomes seriously ill or injured, this plan will prevent financial ruin, but the costs will add up quickly for smaller, more common health issues.

Coverage through the state may be worth exploring if you have a low income. State coverage programs often have income limits because they are intended for those who cannot afford to consider other options. If you feel this plan may be for you, make sure you have extra money in the bank to pay for routine doctor appointments, prescription costs and partial hospital bills if something serious were to occur.

Individual Coverage

This option is notably the worst option for those looking to purchase health insurance. Members buy their plan directly from the insurance company at a premium rate. It might even be completely impossible to find something you can afford if you have pre-existing conditions or are in poor health.

SHOP Act

Recently, a new health insurance option was proposed. The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Act seeks to “amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses and the self-employed that would offer a choice of private health plans and make health coverage more affordable, predictable, and accessible." This legislation would be implemented in 2011 and offer tax incentives to encourage states to reform insurance markets for small businesses and “encourage the development of state purchasing pools backstopped by a voluntary, nationwide pool.” Overall, the act would provide a more efficient way for insurers to market their health plans and for employers and employees to enroll in them. Also with this act, administrative costs for the premiums would drop drastically. Keep an eye out for updates with the SHOP Act, as this may benefit you directly. Check out http://www.opencongress.org/ to view the bill, track and contact Congress members and stay up to date with any new information.

Acing an Interview

By Mackenzie Rose

Coming off a string of freelancing or contractual jobs, you may have forgotten the stress-filled, often times degrading process known as an interview. Transitioning from your current freelance career to the part-time or full-time employment industry can be difficult and the very first step is to fine-tune your interviewing skills.

Let’s say you apply for a job and based on your beautiful resume, printed on glossy photo paper, you get a call back. “Jim!” the guy says, “Love your credentials and I can see my reflection in your resume here, how about you come in for an interview?” Suddenly it hits you, “I hate interviews.” My hands get clammy, my voice shaky and my eye does this weird thing that makes it look like I am winking, suggestively winking, if you know what I mean. There are simple steps, however, that can turn you into an interviewing ace in no time:

Know the Company

Nothing makes you look more qualified than firsthand knowledge. I don’t mean go into an interview and say, “The stock is down, revenue is miniscule and I give you guys three years before chapter eleven.” Unless of course you have a clever recommendation to add, but at that point you may already be in the elevator catching a last glimpse of the guys in the office using your shredded resume as streamers. Know people, know products and gather questions. Many companies are going to ask you basic questions about their company they want you to know, but if you fire back with questions of your own, it demonstrates interest and knowledge. If you believe in your knowledge of the company, they will too. Don’t quickly glance at the finance pages before the interview; spend some time reading company profiles and corporate biographies.

Read Your Resume

It is hard to imagine how many people go into an interview with the same resume they made some ten years ago. “So Bob, tell me more about this freelance photography job you had back in ’99, what exactly were your job specifications? All it says here is, ‘took pretty pictures’ (or something to that extent).” In this case, two things are going to happen:

1. You, not looking over your resume before hand, are going to have to think on your feet fast or else face the risk of the “um’s” and “uh’s” coming out of your mouth and looking about as qualified as Oliver the Monkey (he actually was one of the smartest monkeys of our era so maybe this would over qualify you)

2. You are going to talk about a job from 1986 as the two people behind the desk both look at each other and smirk before cutting you off and ending the interview

Make sure you read over your resume; it is hard to give the appearance of a qualified competent person if you know the least information about yourself of all things. Take the time, even if it just the night before, to look over your past experiences so that when the question comes up, you are more than ready with the correct response.

Teamwork, Teamwork, Teamwork

In a survey of hundreds of interviewers, it was not degrees or even GPAs that were the most looked for quality in a candidate, it was the ability to work in a team. Most employers will tell you, it is EQ (emotional intelligence) rather than IQ that best predicts career success. Don’t go into an interview and talk about your degree from Harvard or how you got the best grade in Professor Archibald’s Finance 300 class, they already have that information on your resume. Instead, talk about your teamwork abilities gained from prior jobs or even everyday experiences. In most cases, they will ask the question without you ever having to mention it. It is tough to find a job where you are not working with other people. It is important to interviewers that you are capable of teamwork and not some Machiavellian know-it-all who everyone will resent. High EQ with at least moderate IQ means an effective employee while high IQ coupled with low EQ means a highly argumentative show off best suited for the engineering department.

Interviewing is a combination of knowledge and acting, unless of course you are highly unqualified for the job, then interviewing is going up an elevator then almost immediately back down. You need to go in with a positive attitude and a smile across your face. Know your company and more importantly know yourself. Show interest, even if your interest level as high as the time you read Crime and Punishment for English class in the 12th grade, show it. If you don’t interview well, qualifications may mean nothing in the end. Rehearse it the night before if you have to, but don’t fall victim to interview stressors, go in with confidence and walk out with the job.

To Freelance or not to Freelance?

By Mackenzie Rose

In our Democratic society, human needs can be trimmed down to the two most seemingly basic desires: security and freedom. It’s so simple if you think about it, but in this chaotic humanity, it seems so hard to achieve both. As freelancers, you have chosen a life of freedom with little security. Soon, contracts will expire and it will take an effort on your part to find that next job. Poignant as it may sound, miles away there is someone sitting in a cubicle answering phone calls and writing emails who feels secure in his job; yet, he hasn’t felt the sun on his face since he pressed his head real hard against the sixth floor window last week. It’s a bittersweet world out there and we need to pay the bills first and satisfy our needs second. So the question becomes: for freedom or security, what am I working for?

There are certainly issues to consider from both sides of the spectrum. Let’s say you are stuck in a dead end, nine to five job that makes every morning seem like the worst of your life. You’re considering becoming a freelance writer, so you quit your job and get the ball rolling with a new Sologig.com account. You have just left a profession providing security for one of freedom. As David Masello of the Boston Globe wrote of his first freelance transition, “I quickly discovered that it was too early in my career to go freelance. I had few professional contacts at that point and didn’t even know what I wanted to write about. Every night, I would pace the roof of my apartment building, wondering what to do, how to fill the next day.” Before you change your lifestyle, you have to consider what you are doing. Do you have a plan? Will you be able to afford your current lifestyle three months from now?

Conversely, consider the side of a freelance writer, so far work has been good but sporadic and with an excellent string of contracts lately, you are making a pretty decent amount of money. Your friends, however, spend all night talking to you about their jobs downtown and all the contacts they’re making. After a significant dry spell, you decide it is time to leave freedom for security and you begin your job search. You have to question, however, what leaving freedom will do to your aspirations. In that same article from the Boston Globe, Masello writes, “I have made a living as a writer and an editor outside of an office for the last eight years. And there hasn’t been a night where I don’t open the window of my apartment and lean out to look at the city skyline and say, ‘I’m still here, still doing it. I’m my own boss.” Do you want to give it all up? Is security worth your freedom, or better yet, is it even necessary? If you believe you can achieve your desired lifestyle as a freelancer, stick with it.

Freedom and security can seem simple to achieve until you actually try to balance the two. If you are tired of your job whether in a city skyscraper or right out of your bedroom, consider possible outcomes before you make any brash decisions. That big corporate gig may lead to security, but at what cost? Determine your necessary income flow and lifestyle and choose a career path that satisfies your individual needs, whether it is freelance work or not. If you don’t land a contract, or run into a dry spell, realize that with every job, there are going to be rough patches and you may just have to put your head down and work through them. Most importantly, understand what a new job will mean for your wants, your needs and your passion. Always have a plan for paying the bills, but don’t sacrifice your ambitions to do so.

Freelancer, author: How to land your next big-name client

By Maggie Zahm

Say "freelance writing" and most people think "writing for magazines." Yet, sadly, many magazine writers struggle financially. A lesser-known field of freelancing, but one with far more promising financial potential is "commercial writing" - writing for businesses, large and small and for hourly rates of $50-125+. To find out how to break into this lucrative field, Sologig Freelance put Peter Bowerman, commercial freelancer and author of The Well-Fed Writer series and The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living, on the stand to pick his brain.

With clients like Coca-Cola, UPS, The Discovery Channel and Mercedes-Benz under his belt, Bowerman puts working with top businesses into perspective. “People tend to place [the people who work at] big corporations up on pedestals, but the fact is, they’re people just like everyone else. They’re hard working and are usually over worked and over exerted, and they don’t want to hunt around a long time to find what they need,” Bowerman explains. “What it comes down to is being out there and getting your name out there.”

In order to land more gigs with these types of clients, Bowerman suggests forging alliances with other freelancers. “If you craft a good relationship with graphic designers based on mutual trust, confidence, and benefit, they will find work for you as they find work for themselves.”

Bowerman explains that he found a couple graphic designers that liked his work and were essentially the ones that helped to get his foot in the door of his most well-known clients because of the referrals they gave. “It’s not like businesses go through a process where they interview 27 writers for a job. They want to efficiently find the right person, and more often than not, they’ll give somebody a chance if they just happened to show up right in front of them.”

Bowerman also makes it clear that working smart never involves worrying about the competition. “I really don’t concern myself with what else is out there. I know I don’t have to convince the world; I only have to convince a few people.”

Carrying this idea over to how successful—or not successful—the economy is at this time is yet another idea of Bowerman’s. “It’s the same thing as reading the newspaper and saying, ‘Oh, the economy is really bad, maybe this isn’t a good time to start my business,’ when in reality, the economy actually has very little to do with one person’s quest for financial self-sufficiency in whatever their chosen field is.” Bowerman goes on to explain that when the economy is down, it often means more business for freelancers because companies are forced to let full-time employees go. He believes that in this situation, freelancers make more economic sense than traditional employees.

Bowerman attests that the key strategy to success in the field, and especially when forming relationships with graphic designers, is to above all else, “be reliable and be easy to work with.” The rest will come with hard work.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Peter Bowerman is an award winning author, freelance commercial writer, speaker, columnist, and professional coach. He was awarded the Georgia Author of the Year title, and his books have received numerous honors including the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Award and the Ben Franklin Award from the Publisher’s Marketing Association. His websites, http://www.wellfedwriter.com and http://www.wellfedsp.com offer opportunities to purchase his books and learn more about his work.

Enter to Win!
Share your Sologig.com success story and be entered to win a set of Peter Bowerman’s books.

Contest rules:

E-mail us a short story about how Sologig.com has helped you and your business. Feel free to include how you discovered Sologig.com, how it has positively affected your work, how we helped expand your network or anything else you’d like to share! Contestants should send a 200-word or less entry to Maggie at Maggie.Zahm@Sologig.com. The subject line of the email should read, “Bowerman contest.” Entries are due by 1pm CST on Sunday, June 22, 2008.

Prizes:

Two winners will be announced on Monday, June 23, 2008 to win a set of Bowerman’s books. First place will receive the Well-Fed Writer series, and second place will receive the Well-Fed Self Publisher book and the Well-Fed SP Biz-in-a-Box Marketing Kit (on CD). Both sets of books will be personally signed to the winner by the author.

Note:

Applicants of this contest give full consent to allow their entries to be published (in full, partial, or edited form) by Sologig.com to be used for marketing or promotional material.

Maximizing your use of Contractors and Consultants

By Maggie Zahm

You know your company can benefit from using contractors or consultants and you may have even hired them before, but have you ever considered how you can get the most from each contractor or consultant that you hire? Maximizing your use of contractors and consultants is more important now than ever. Consider these guidelines when hiring independent talent to maximize your investment.

Do your research before you hire

• Choose a contractor with the appropriate level of experience. It is unnecessary to spend $150-$200 per hour for the services of a VP-level consultant when all you really need is entry-level marketing work done.
• Make sure you and your consultant have complimentary working styles. Your project could turn out to be an absolute disaster if the contractor’s work style is hands-off and independent, while yours is more interactive and you like to keep constant communication.
• Be aware of the contractor’s policies. If you are not informed or do not clearly understand all of their policies including payment, redesign fees, timelines, due dates and in some cases tax filing preferences, you could get stuck with an extra fee.
• Seek information about the contractor’s reputation. Get references and perform a simple Google search to learn more about the contractor. If you find any questionable information don’t hesitate to ask the contractor to explain the discrepancy.
• Consider the adage: you get what you pay for. Although not always the case, some independent professionals who charge a considerably lower rate than others may not necessarily do the best job. You could end up spending more in the long-run if the job takes longer than expected or you have to have something redone. Remember: you are looking for the best possible value, not the lowest cost.
• Double-check that the person you are hiring is, in the eyes of the government and according to the tax forms they fill out, and independent contractor. If the person is filed as an employee, this could cause problems and cost you additional money later.

Start off strong

Get to know your contractor right from the start. Be outgoing and personable in order to establish good relations. Having the respect and admiration of your client could create an incentive for them to work harder for you.

• Do not neglect your full-time employees. One of the things people forget about sometimes is keeping first-rate relationships with current staff. Full-time employees can sometimes develop feelings of envy towards the consultant, especially if they are doing the “fun” work.
• Do not forget to tell your employees to keep up their good efforts and let them know their work plays an important role within the company.
  

Although hiring contractors and consultants can sometimes seem like a lengthy process, it is without a doubt a smart business decision for many companies. After you have made the choice to hire independent talent, make sure you do background research on contractors and consultants first, and then establish and maintain relations with employees. All of these tips will make it easier to take full advantage of contractors and consultants and help your company earn more for your money. Good luck!

Joining a freelance community: What you need to know

By Maggie Zahm

Freelance communities seem to be popping up everywhere: in large metropolitan areas, on the web, even in your neighborhood Starbucks. What is the big trend all about, you ask? Kellie Frissell, a member of the Freelance Forum in Atlanta, Georgia and a seasoned freelance graphic designer, shared her experiences with Sologig Freelance in a recent interview.

“I can’t tell you how valuable these types of communities are, as well as the relationships that you form when you’re in them.”

The reason these freelance forums are rising in popularity is due to the fact that they are a great way to get advice and network with peers in various industries with a multitude of expertise. Forums provide the opportunity to participate in the community and stay up to date on the latest news, technology, or the latest marketing theory.

The Freelance Forum of which Frissell is a member is composed of writers, graphic designers and editors, along with videographers, photographers, web designers and marketing consultants. Frissell got involved with the Forum when a colleague invited her to a meeting, and as soon as she started going, she was hooked. “[The Forum] really helps you grow in your business. Our organization is geared toward helping others build their business in a healthy way, rather than by just snagging projects, although that is a definite side affect of being part of the Forum.” Frissell specifies, “You learn from other members’ mistakes, and you learn from their successes.”

People interested in becoming involved in a freelance community can choose to partake in a variety of ways. The Freelance Forum in Atlanta is an example of a community of freelancers and contract workers in a metropolitan area that gather once a month to learn about tricks and trends in the business. Members pay an $85 annual fee, and in return get great advice from guest speakers, a chance to network and a subscription to the monthly newsletter, as well as access to other valuable resources.

Another way that people participate in these types of communities is on the web. There are a multitude of sites that include chat rooms, discussion boards and networking opportunities where members can ask questions, post articles, and receive advice. Neighborhood freelance communities are also growing in popularity. More personal than online communities, these book-club types of meetings help participants to stay on task and get feedback on their work.

Frissell stresses that when considering joining a freelance community or when doing any type of freelance work you should “always keep your mind open to new opportunities.”

Kellie Frissell is a graphic designer specializing in both print and online advertising. Her portfolio includes an array of brochures, logos, magazine work and promotional material for bands. Kellie’s website, http://www.kfdp.com displays samples of her work and lists some of her recent clients.

Hot opportunity: Nurse Shortage leads to contract jobs

By Maggie Zahm

In recent years, the American Hospital Association has announced a critical nursing shortage—the worst in 50 years. Due to a severe lack of nurse recruitment and retention, the country is facing a significant healthcare crisis. With this shortage, however, contract healthcare positions are booming.

The shortage in the United States is developing into a pressing issue. Hospitals across the country are reporting huge numbers of unfilled nursing positions. A survey by the American Hospital Association revealed that about one-fourth of all unexpected events leading to patient deaths, injury or permanent loss are due to inadequate staffing. If the nurse shortage does not improve, the supply of working registered nurses will be 20% below requirements by the year 2020.

While there are multiple factors causing the shortage of healthcare professionals, deficiency of recruitment and retention are at the forefront. The major decline in enrollment in BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) degree programs is one of the reasons for the stagnant and now regressing pool of practicing healthcare professionals. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, entry level BSN enrollment fell 2.1% in 2000, dropping for the 6th year in a row. To keep up with this decline and the amount of current nurses retiring or changing professions, enrollment would have to increase 40% annually to provide a sufficient amount of workers.

Enrollment in BSN programs is expected to decrease further as faculty shortages rise. About 75% of current faulty are expected to retire by 2019. As the bubble of baby boomers continues to age, the amount of practicing health care professionals will also continue to diminish. The ratio of RNs in their 40’s to RNs in their 20’s is 2 to 1, meaning that there are fewer nurses to replace those that are retiring or leaving the field for other reasons. Within 15 years, about half of all RNs will reach retirement age.

Although the nursing shortage is a problematic issue, it may have some benefits for contract nurses seeking employment. The shortage provides a multitude of employment opportunities for RNs looking to work in a variety of environments. The standard practice of working in a hospital is not the only aspect of the healthcare industry that is experiencing a scarcity of nurses. Contract nurses are also find work more easily in family clinics, schools, and outreach facilities. The need for temporary and contract nurses and nursing agencies will continue to grow and expand. According to an American Hospital Association survey of 1,400 hospitals, 41% used temporary or contract nurses, up from 30% in 1986. Besides being able to find work fast, contract nurses also experience other benefits. After being placed in a hospital or clinic, contract nurses have the opportunity to stay at that job if they like it or relocate elsewhere if they do not. The schedules are usually a little more flexible, and compensation is often negotiable.

Contract nurses as a response to the current shortage will continue to provide numerous jobs for healthcare professionals looking for contract positions. Flexibility, negotiable compensations and added bonuses are all further incentives to start looking for open positions, as it appears that the benefits and need for nurses will continue to grow at a rapid rate.

In the News

Recently, we caught wind of an article in the New York Daily News about a videographer who fell victim to an internet freelancing scam. Make sure you check out this post to ensure you don't get scammed as well.

The story

After placing an online ad for his freelancing services, Tom Morgan was hired last-minute to film a two-hour long bachelorette party in Brooklyn, New York. When he arrived at the designated apartment, the tenant who answered the door denied any knowledge of the job. Morgan waited in the hallway and attempted to call the client, but before he could find any answers, two masked men held him up. The thieves pressed a gun to his head while they stole not only his wallet, but also $4,000 in video equipment.

Staying safe

The set-up in which Morgan was involved could have easily been prevented if he took the essential security precautions when considering a new project. Sologig Freelance is committed to your safety and has compiled a list of safety tips to always keep in mind in order to prevent scams and fraud:

• Work locally
• Meet in person before accepting a job
• Meet in person to accept payment
• Do not provide sensitive information online
• Be cautious of emails, especially from an unknown sender, that offer you a prize or discount and then ask you to choose a user ID and password, as many people use the same access information for multiple accounts.