starting up a healthcare recruitment agency

[Nonyerem]

Hi all
I am an RGN nurse employed in a Trust as a community nurse but wants to start up a healthcare staffing agency.

However, I have no business experience.

Please, would anyone consider being my mentor? I would appreciate inputs from both people in healthcare and non-healthcare businesses.

Though if any healthcare business owner would welcome shadowing them to enable me to develop business skill in setting up and sourcing clients before I tender my resignation, that would give me a piece of mind.

I leave in Essex, but do not mind travelling far to shadow a willing supporter to gain basic skills.

Regards

Nonyerem

 

[Scalloway]

I suspect there isn't anyone here who would be able to help you. Have you thought of working for a healthcare recruitment agency to gain experience on that side of the business?

 

[Nonyerem]

Thanks Scalloway could be a good idea.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What will you offer that the more experienced companies don't?

How many contacts do you have in the industry?

Do you have the money to market your company?

Do you have the finances to say pay your staff the first two months wages whilst you may well have to wait at least 60 days for your own invoices to get paid?

Just a few simple questions you could consider

Normally agency workers don't jump around much they tend to stay with one company they know and get paid regularly

 

[Nonyerem]

Thanks Chris
Your points are very useful. I have a little fund for wages as most of the nurses know me, I would not like to owe them, which will be disappointing.

 

[Mr D]

The places that owe you money can take time to pay. Or may have a dispute at some point and withhold part of the money.
You don't get to withhold wages.

 

[Ian J]

Do you have the finances to say pay your staff the first two months wages whilst you may well have to wait at least 60 days for your own invoices to get paid?

Most new start recruitment companies use factoring to bridge the gap between paying contractors and being paid by the customer with some factoring companies also offering a payroll service too

 

[Nonyerem]

Thanks Ian maybe considered

 

[CharlotteS]

It's a tough market, and providers do have to have quite a few safeguards in place to check providers coming in - as a example - take a look at some other healthcare recruitment providers - to see what extra services they offer. The example there has training, online pay services etc - and there's plenty more that offer even more services.

 

[Yelsha64]

I worked for a healthcare recruitment company for a good 8 months as a consultant. The business was pretty knew and concentrated on permenant, contract and adhoc staff as it's main source of income.

In my opinion if I were to set up a healthcare recruitment business today I would highly recommend looking at doing adhoc only, which is basically being the go to agency for nursing/care homes and supplying them with nurses/care workers as and when needed. This side of the business was making 15k+ a month with just 2 care homes when I was there, it was just continues income and great for cashflow. I think they have more now since I left.

Good luck with your venture!