Dimensions of Precariousness in an Emerging Sector of Self‐Employment: A Study of Self‐Employed Nurses

Abstract

Changing economic ideologies and a new emphasis on entrepreneurial opportunities have led to a rise in self‐employment in Canada, especially among women. Although some people benefit from self‐employment, it is considered to be a precarious form of employment. Despite a growing body of literature on gender and self‐employment, there is more to learn about its precarious nature across industries and types of entrepreneurs. This ethnographic study examines the experiences of self‐employed nurses in order to better understand self‐employment in professional caring work. In some ways, these nurses' experiences fit with what is known about female self‐employment but this specific sector highlights how precariousness can take different forms across different areas of work. In particular, this study reveals new insights about the complexity and ambiguity of precariousness.

Development and initial validation of a theory of planned behaviour questionnaire to assess the nursing students' Intention to be self‐employed

“…In contrast, on average, participants reported that they ‘somewhat agreed’ on the self‐employed Subjective Norms dimension, which indicated low social pressure to be self‐employed. The students may not have developed precise plans for their futures; moreover, they may perceive self‐employment as an ambivalent work sector due to its capacity to create high income while also generating precariousness regarding job security (Wall, 2015).…”

“…At the policy‐making level, specifically at the ministerial and nursing board levels, the trend towards an increase in self‐employment among nurses necessitates the framing of rules and guidelines that can offer a reference for nurses, patients and the system regarding this new form of nursing service. Rules and guidelines that aim to (a) define insurance, payment and safety issues; (b) protect citizens from nursing services offered by counterfeit nurses; and (c) protect newly graduated nurses from long and precarious work conditions (Wall, 2015) are required to regulate this new form of employment .…”

“…In this study, the EIQ also showed a number of limitations due to several items being loaded on two factors (Linan et al, 2011). To the best of our knowledge, in the nursing field, there is only one ethnographic study that has examined the experience of being a self‐employed nurse (Wall, 2015); however, no researcher has analysed and measured students’ Intention to become a self‐employed nurse. Therefore, this gap in the literature should be filled as soon as possible.…”

Identity work in female‐led creative businesses

“…The success of each business relied on these three women taking a lead to grow the business. They did this by securing contracts through their reputation, knowledge, contacts and skills with considerable investment in client relationships through initial contacts, through projects and afterwards (Wall, ). These risks were also shaped by gendered assumptions about their roles and the expectations of others around them (Baines & Wheelock, ; Phillips & Knowles, ).…”

“I Choose to be Here”: Tensions between Autonomy and Precarity in Craft Market Vendors’ Work

“…Some have called nonstandard work “flexploitation” (Waite : 416), pointing to the seductive but exploitive trade‐off of security for autonomy (Edgell ). Self‐employed workers who work alone often have lower incomes and benefits, and are less likely to belong to an association, than those who do not (Wall ). Without fixed work hours, self‐employed workers tend to log longer hours than other workers through a process that some call “self‐exploitation” (Gill and Pratt : 17).…”