RN who has an idea to do CNA skills only, for nurses pay.

1. 0 This might sound crazy. I have been a nurse for 6 years and some days just feel burn't out. Sometimes I wish I could just be a CNA again, but still get my RN salary. I've had the idea to start an independent non-medical home care buisness. (Showering pt's, cooking, cleaning, errand running.) I would not have anyone working for me. I would have a lawyer write up a form basically stating that I am there only for these services and not to assess the pt medically. What do you think about this? How do you think this could work or do you think it's a crazy idea?

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2. 21 Comments

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3. 
   #1 0

   Jan 4, '13 by K+MgSO4

   this sounds like a home help service.
   
   Best of luck with it.
4. 
   #2 7

   Jan 4, '13 by elkpark

   Quote from IowafemaleRN

   I would have a lawyer write up a form basically stating that I am there only for these services and not to assess the pt medically. What do you think about this? How do you think this could work or do you think it's a crazy idea?

   There is no way you can legally say that you are there only to do ADL-type services and not function as an RN. Your RN license is 24/7/365; you can't turn it on and off at will. If something went sideways at a client's home and they sued you, the court would hold you to the standard of care for your highest level of education and licensure, regardless of what you and the client had agreed.
   
   We all have days when we wish we could have an easier job "but still get my RN salary." But this is what you sign up for when you enter a licensed occupation/profession. We are voluntarily agreeing to accept a higher standard of accountability than the average citizen.
5. 
   #3 2

   Jan 4, '13 by eatmysoxRN

   I think if that was an option, we would all do it. Less responsibility and stress would be amazing. Have you considered a different type of nursing? Maybe case management?
   
   ~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~
6. 
   #4 12

   Jan 4, '13 by CapeCodMermaid, RN

   Why would someone pay a nurse's salary to someone who was doing CNA work??
7. 
   #5 0

   Jan 5, '13 by IowafemaleRN

   I thought I could get the same pay, because if you call around to non-medical home health agencies they charge around $40.00 an hour just for an aide to come out. I agree with you ELKPARK though theres no way getting around the legal aspect of standard of care for highest level of education. Therefore this would not be realistic. I've thought about doing home health case management. Not sure how stressful that would be. I'm deffinitely not lazy, but feel very stressed some days working in the busy hospital. Thanks for your guys feedback!
8. 
   #6 2

   Jan 6, '13 by amoLucia

   To OP - agencies may charge families/pts $40/hr but the HHA/CNA certainly isn't getting paid $40/hr!
   
   That's why I get so annoyed when facilities whine $$$$ budget, budget, budget, but they'll pay an agency for temp nurses at basically double to triple a nurses's salary. Yeah, some agencies DO pay their nurses well, but not triple!
9. 
   #7 0

   Jan 6, '13 by IowafemaleRN

   Thats why I thought if you were a nurse you could do the CNA skills yourself for the pt in the community and charge less than a Home Health Agency because you don't have the overhead costs or have to split your profits with anyone else, (except paying your own taxes).
10. 
    #8 4

    Jan 17, '13 by WhatamIdoing

    I'm about to start a business doing similar work, but marketing myself as a personal-care RN (sort-of a private duty RN but not doing high level nursing like trachs or kiddos). My plan is to market to elderly or other folks who aren't getting medicare-paid home health but who need extra help doing simple medical tasks like help with medications, safety checks, bp checks, wound care, blood draws, vit b12 shots, ride to Dr's office, Rx delivery, diabetes checks, education, etc. I will offer to communicate with their doc if needed. My background is working in a physician office, home health, in-home care and in-patient rehab so I really don't have skills to do high acuity nursing.
    
    Maybe you could offer lower-level nursing services like this so you can still market yourself as an RN and charge RN rates.
11. 
    #9 0

    Jan 17, '13 by nurseprnRN

    The only way to do this is to give up your RN license. Since I am sure you don't want to do that, you'll need to figure out a way to integrate the state licensure requirement to be held to RN standard of care Into what you want to do.
12. 
    #10 2

    Jan 24, '13 by fullefect1

    If agencies in your area are charging $40.00 and hour, who says you can't do aide work as an RN. You will be your own agency, working under your RN license, just not taking care of very sick individuals. Just make sure you are ready to with withold taxes including employer taxes and pay for health/liability insurance. So your $40.00 an hour may be alot less than that amount at the end of the year.
13. 
    #11 0

    Jan 24, '13 by nursel56 Guide

    Home health aides in my area make just a bit more than minimum wage. I know there's some overhead involved there but nowhere near that much money goes to pay the HHA or CNA.
14. 
    #12 2

    Jan 31, '13 by chatynurse

    Why would she have to give up her RN license in nj you need an RN LICENSE to have A home health care company even for home health aides. I'm an RN AND I've been doing this for over 20 years . It's forums like this that inspired me to do my own consulting so I could assist nurses and non nurses in opening their businesses as to not get into trouble. I see alot of loaded questions . Please seek expert advice before opening because you definitely don't want trouble with your BONs or the Feds at state or federal level with compliance and billing .
    There are slot of smaller laws that people misconstrue that gets them innocently in trouble.
    Good luck fellow entrepreneur s!!

    Last edit by JustBeachyNurse on Feb 18, '13 : Reason: tos

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