Content: Many nurses start as "Sole Proprietors" because it’s free. This is a massive mistake. As a Sole Proprietor, you are the business. If a patient trips over your mobile kit and sues, they aren't just suing the business—they are suing your house, your car, and your kids' college fund.
Content: You cannot always just pick "Standard LLC." Some states mandate that licensed professionals (like Nurses) form a PLLC (Professional LLC) or a PC (Professional Corporation).
Mandatory PLLC: NY, TX, NC, VA, AR, AZ. You must prove your nursing license to the Secretary of State to file.
No LLCs Allowed: California Licensed professionals must form a Professional Corporation (PC).
Standard LLC OK: FL, GA, OH. You can use a standard LLC, but a PLLC is often still recommended for credibility.
Content: Simply having an LLC isn't enough. If you treat your business bank account like a personal piggy bank, a judge can "pierce the veil" and hold you personally liable anyway.
Step 1: Obtain an EIN. (Never use your SSN for business).
Step 2: Dedicated Banking. Open a business-only account.
Step 3: Signature Authority. Always sign as "Your Name, Member/Owner of [Business Name] LLC."
[INTRO – 20 seconds] "In our last lesson, we talked about what you’re allowed to do. Now, let’s talk about how to protect everything you’ve worked for while you’re doing it. If you are practicing as a Sole Proprietor, you are essentially standing in a lightning storm without a rod. Today, we’re building your 'Asset Shield.'"
[SECTION 1: THE SOLE PROP TRAP] "The biggest risk in mobile care isn't just a clinical error—it’s the 'slip and fall' or the contract dispute. As a Sole Proprietor, your personal and business assets are one and the same. If the business owes money or faces a lawsuit, your personal savings are on the table. We form an LLC—a Limited Liability Company—to create a legal wall between 'Nurse You' and 'Homeowner You.'"
[SECTION 2: LLC vs. PLLC – THE STATE TRAP] "Now, don't just go to a filing website and click 'Standard LLC' yet. Depending on where you live, the law might require a PLLC. States like New York, Texas, and North Carolina require professionals to use this specific designation. And if you’re in California, you can’t use an LLC at all—you’ll be looking at a Professional Corporation. In the resource section below, I’ve included a map to help you identify which path your state requires. Getting this wrong can lead to your filing being rejected or, worse, your liability protection being voided."
[SECTION 3: PIERCING THE VEIL] "Once the entity is formed, you have to treat it with respect. This is called 'Maintaining the Corporate Veil.' If you pay for your groceries with your business card, you are 'commingling' funds. In court, a lawyer will use that to prove your LLC is a sham, and they will go after your personal assets. You must get a Federal EIN—think of it as a Social Security Number for your business—and open a separate bank account on day one. No exceptions."
[CLOSING] "Setting up the right entity is the 'set it and forget it' part of your business safety. It gives you the peace of mind to focus on your patients. Download the 'Entity Selection Guide' below to see exactly what your state requires before you file your paperwork."
