[nightingale]

Hi HTRN:

Laura G. is a member of NNBA;she teaches ACLS and other courses, she leads incredible seminars on Nurse Entrepreneurship with a sense of humor that has me ROFLMAO. I have not had the fortune to actually "meet" her in person but would so love to do so. Well, gotta name drop though, I have spoken with her on the telephone regarding one of her teaching tapes on CCRN when I was studying for the M/S Board Certification with the ANCC. What a hoot and a half she is on her "How to Make a Million" motivational tape.

I will give it some thought on your promotional needs. I know where you are coming from. Do you currently meet with and educate the medical field to your practice? I am thinking that dealing with Drs. directly who would understand your services; those who do not could gain greatly from the educuation you would provide to them on how it would help their patients in a cooperative treatment plan with traditional medicine. I do see complimentary brochures and business cards in these types of Dr. offices who are open to alternative treatments.

Also, senior citizen center, the local healthe clubs, and other places that would provide FREE table service (to you) and you volounteer your services to have the oppourtunity to promote your services. A free occasional scholoarship fund application would also help to spread the word. I would imagine the repeat business would "hopefully eventually" take on a life of it's own.

Just some thoughts... I will think about it some more and check in to this conversation. Any more thoughts or brain storming comrades in Independence???

[healingtouchRN]

I find Laura G. hilarious, she leaves one feeling like we have a real chance to change the status quo. She was in the powder room with me, both of tugging @ our stockings & primping! I have crossed a few MD's paths & sent my cards with a free brief treatment for those curious. A few rare takers in the bunch. Very ol' boy school here, & very allopathic. They look down their noses @ alternatives. But I see the changes on the horizon (must a be a different time zone ) but with shows like Doug Kaufman & Mind Body & Spirit with Naomi Judd, people want more & I believe they are willing to put their money where their mouth is. I don't charge as much as some massage therapists do in town. I understand if people have a problem affording healthcare. I work with my clients, if they are on disability, welfare, or Fixed income. I believe what I do helps people to heal, so I am needed. I just think people don't know enough yet. I do health fairs quarterly. I put my cards with a free 15 min session in with a hospital that hands the cards out to new employees as a thank you for coming to work there (nice idea!). Word of mouth is good. If I can get some one to really talk me up, then I get another client. I do get discouraged on occasion when I don't see anyone for 3 weeks! The rent still comes due, so does ad bills, etc....Prayer is an awesome thing. Just when I have no one, I get two or three new folks that see my ad or hear about me on the grape vine. That keeps me going. Have knocked around the idea of going back to massage school (here in town, it's 10 months-full time) but the cost is alot & I don't know how I'd do my other jobs & keep my insurance if I did that. I am still just goin with the flow on that idea. I do well as a critical care RN-but I'd like to be fully self employed & teaching in five years. These nites get old & my family does miss me.

[nightingale]

Yeah... I shall try to think of more ways to promote; I do see it as ongoing etc...

I know what you mean, I am now in a small town with rather backward thinking Dr's and expectations of traditional roles and health care.

[healingtouchRN]

It's an ongoing thing being one of a new breed. I often think of how nice it would be in Colorado or Arizona. But one of my mentors said she was frustrated that so many people head to CO & AZ to practice rather than sticking it out & making change in their areas. I hear he words echoing as an order to stay put & work thru the dry spells. So many people are curious, I want to keep that curiousity sparking!

[nightingale]

Of course, I do know what you are up against but it is not all that exceptable here in small town Colorado (pop. around 50,000).

I spoke with a NP Cardiac specialist and she was having a duzy of a time getting Docs her to accept her assesments and judgements as valuable because she is female and a Nurse! lol I am sure she will perservere and get through it somehow.

The larger communities here are probably more open to it all simply out of availability of choices for the consumer.

Why my DON of the unit I worked in here (which I did not renew my contract in) told me, an Agency Nurse, "I was a dyeing breed" (being contracted). I could not think of a thing to say and could not stop a big laugh.

When I was in NM, I found the community of Albuquerque VERY much in line with alternative options. I sorely miss my Accupunturist and Massage options.

I jsut had to share my thoughts. I do hope some of this stirs up conversation and other thoughts for discussion.

Regarding Laura G., I heard she is going to retire. I wish I could get to see her before it is too late (if it has not happened already.

[healingtouchRN]

news about Laura G suprises me, but I know she's earned it. She is one busy woman, but seems to enjoy what she does, & does it well. Very empowering!

I know what you mean about the accupuncturist....you can only do accupuncture in AL if you are:1) an MD or DO or 2) a chiropractor. AL doesn't recgonize natruropaths, homeopaths or oriental medicine doctors.....go figure. I have a friend who is in GA (jus 90 mins away) who has had thousands of hours of accupunture & is an OMD, but can't practice in AL for "lack of license". He has people lined up to see him but can't....very sad.

I hate it for him & for the people who desire the alternative. Thank goodness for other healers that can practice how ever they may. Other wise, we'd all be on that pill train!!!

[TELEpathicRN]

I am trying to get my feet wet into the whole Nurse Entrepreneur thing. I have had the idea for a long time that I would work from home and have a "Wellness Promotion" business, offering to go into patients homes and do diabetic foot care, Vital sign checks, physical assessments, phlebotomy, making up pill cups for pts for a week or two at the time, drawing pts insulin up ahead of time, etc....basicall doing things that Home Health nurses can't do anymore because of reimbursement (or so I've heard, never done HH). I would also make myself available to assisted livings, retirement apartments, senior citizens clubs, etc... for educational presentations, diet teaching, medication teaching, etc...

Do any of you think this will fly?? If so, how much should I charge for the services (here in rural AL), do I need an MD to do these things (I figured that you don't, since you are just doing things that are in the scope of an RN).

PLEASE.............All of you with experience help me!! I really need a work from home job r/t fibromyalgia and back injuries, chronic pain....would be better than traditional nursing. Also, looking into Legal nurse consulting, polling attorneys in my area to see if they would even consider using the service. Hope to hear from all of you soon, JEFF

[healingtouchRN]

wow, looks like you have lots of ideas! My sis in law is a CLNC & made good but contracting services rather than being FT with a law firm, more money that way & you can work in your undies!! Yup, here in Montgomery they were advertising for one just last week. Lots of lawyers here in capitol city!
I did home health but before the cuts. I did alot of the same thing (this was 10 years ago & my prn rate then was $25/visit which was about an hour +/-)....
Be prudent with costs because so many are on fixed income, maybe get yourself a sliding scale.
Get yourself a business license!!! It cost me $60, because I got a fixed address & a non fixed address so I could go into the county & not be restricted to the alternative wellness shop I work out of. it was easy, took about an hour & the people @ the licensing place were friendly & helpful...I handed out business cards with my services (they may have parents or friends!)...
Laura Gasparis has a book about nurse entreprenuers, get it!!
where are you located in AL.
you may PM me if you need to!

[TouchRN]

Jeff and the rest!
Greetings! I am new to this site and have acquired some great information. Thanks so much.
Jeff, you have some great ideas and they can all work! I have been in private practice for thirteen years doing medical massage, education, wellness coaching and providing CEU's. It has been a great experience and very successful.
I also did foot care at an assisted living facility (it was great fun!!) and I charged each patient for an hour visit in my office. (the facility provided me a room free of charge!)
Unfortunatly business wise, I have relocated to another part of the country (no CEU's required for relicensure), no opportunities for foot care (lots of podiatrists). I have gone to work part time in a naturopathic clinic doing IV therapies (chelation, myers cocktails, Push meds, etc) and contiue to build my private wellness practice and massage business.
If you are going to go into wellness, you MUST be well yourself and be a great representation of what wellness looks and feels like. You basically must sell yourself before you sell your services.
I would be happy to share any information with you.
Keep your thinking cap on and keep asking questions!
I have also been thinking of providing in home private duty nursing care post-op. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks to all for the great information on this web-site!
"Being" in touch
TouchRN

[healingtouchRN]

thanks, for the advice & sharing. I am always curous as to what others do....