Nurse consultant salary?

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

OK...wondering if anyone here can help me out. I am currently working in a crisis psych setting. In the capacity in which they need an RN, I feel that I would be better off as a nurse consultant rather than a full time employee mainly because of the way the agency is operated. The programs are run using a social work model rather than a medical model which really has it's own unique philosophy. (Not better or worse, i don't believe, just different.) They need my input, but not my full time presence.(Too many cooks syndrome, IMO. :chuckle )

Anyway, I am trying to figure out what I should ask for salary wise. I would be providing trainings in areas such as medication and diabetic care for the CRMA's. I would provide telephone consultation in regards to questions clinical may have about clients' medical questions/concerns. There is no RN on duty, so I would basically help them assess who would be safe within the program as the need arises, whether they need some type of clearance first or maybe recommend bumping them up to a higher level of care. I am still working on ironing out the details of the position, as it does entail a bit more than most traditional nurse consultant positions, in that I would be "on call" for a certain number of hours a week and have a voice mail box to respond to, as well.

Has anyone ever had a position like this? I like the concept, because of the freedom it allows, but I need help determining how much my services might be worth in this type of position. Any thoughts on this?

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I have been a nurse consultant, but not in the capacity that you describe. I was an RN consultant for four adult day-care centers in TX. My salary was $25./hr.

I have a friend who works for a malpractice attorney as an RN consultant. She does not have legal nurse consulting training or certification. She is a BSN and earns $70,000. a year in TX.

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Thanks, Hellllllo Nurse! I was thinking around $25/hr sounded about right. Now, I just need to figure out how to break this whole thing down. Perhaps I should estimate flat rate for the "known" hours I will be putting in and a per call rate otherwise. I don't have paper credentials (LNC, BSN) other than the nursing license, but I do have the experience. Thanks for the input...just hate to short-change myself!

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Hey...just wanted to update on my career situation as I think it is a sweet deal and am psyched! (excuse the pun!) Instead of becoming just the consultant for the agency, I am going to stay on as the RN, but will be working mainly from home. I have to attend some meetings and do educationals for the CRMA's and crisis workers, but can do the policy and procedure updates, other paperwork and take the call from home. Call consists of mostly phone consulting, though occasionally I have to go on site; probably about 10 hours a week. It's still considered a full time postion as far as benefits go and will be salaried for 30 hours a week. It feels pretty good to be able to get to the point where I can really negotiate because of knowlege and experience. I guess nursing is still a pretty cool profession afterall. :)