Would like to start wound care business

Traveler · Jan 8, 2005

I work with a nurse who is certified. She went back to get her BSN several years ago and then got her certification at Emory last year. She is back in school working toward her MSN, so she only works with us a little. I am in hh and about once a month we make a list of patients that we want her to see. She sees them and then makes recommendations. She also does some inservicing for us. There are several hospitals and LTC facilities that she consults with. I really don't know if it can be a full time business or not. I think the most important thing is to have good contacts in the community. I think the biggest stumbling block would be the doctors- many tend to know little about wound care and throw a little Betadine on them or order BID wet to dry dressings. Of course there is always the avenue of opening a wound care clinic- one nurse has done that in this area lately and business seems to be doing pretty good.

Foxfour · Jan 8, 2005

I work with a nurse who is certified. She went back to get her BSN several years ago and then got her certification at Emory last year. She is back in school working toward her MSN, so she only works with us a little. I am in hh and about once a month we make a list of patients that we want her to see. She sees them and then makes recommendations. She also does some inservicing for us. There are several hospitals and LTC facilities that she consults with. I really don't know if it can be a full time business or not. I think the most important thing is to have good contacts in the community. I think the biggest stumbling block would be the doctors- many tend to know little about wound care and throw a little Betadine on them or order BID wet to dry dressings. Of course there is always the avenue of opening a wound care clinic- one nurse has done that in this area lately and business seems to be doing pretty good.

I would have never thought of opening a wound care clinic. WONDERFUL IDEA! Do you think I could talk to her? I live in a area where diabetes is very prevalent. Thank you so much for your input.

Traveler · Jan 9, 2005

I have a good friend who has gone from hh to the wound clinic (we put in our resignation letters a day apart from our hh job) and seems to be loving it. They do hyberbaric and some other pretty cool stuff. The only downside that I can see wtih starting a clinic is you will have lots of overhead. Building, utilities, supplies, headaches with insurance, staff, and on and on. I don't know how much my friend Rene makes doing the little bit here and there, but it could add up to some money if you have enough contacts and would have none of the overhead. You could give inservices at different places and get a contract to make rounds at differnt nh, etc. and make recommendations. Check the CWOCN (I think that's the right letters) web site. They also have ideas.

rkelley · May 10, 2005

I'm a seriously considering getting my certification in wound care (the 8 week program that I considering starts in April). Is there ANY nurse out there who offers wound care and are independent nurse contractors? If not, is there any wound-care nurses out there who thinks this might be a good path to pursue?

I think this is a great path to take. I'm looking for information myself to start a wound consulting business. I have been a certified wound nurse for the last several years and have always worked in hospitals and wound clinics. I have had to abide physicians who don't know anything about agressive wound healing and who aren't interested in taking a nurses advice. So I have decided to take my show on the road. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor. The biggest thing I have learned in my search is you have better luck in the big cities. Smaller, rural areas don't seem to have the resources to pay for a "consultant". Good luck to both of us.

tiffanycmt · May 19, 2005

I would just like to say good luck to you on opening your own buisness thats awonderful idea. I am currently working in geriatrics as a cna/cmt but that has been my dream to work in wound care. I have worked in geriatrics for six years now and working as a cmt i am in charge of taking care of dressing changes and what not. It fascinates me how you can heal a wound from the inside out. I am hoping to go on to get my lpn so i can pursue wound care more. Does anyone know if I have to have my rn to work in a wound care clinic?

Faby · May 21, 2005

I'm a seriously considering getting my certification in wound care (the 8 week program that I considering starts in April). Is there ANY nurse out there who offers wound care and are independent nurse contractors? If not, is there any wound-care nurses out there who thinks this might be a good path to pursue?

hi Foxfour: Would you please tell me where could I get that Certification and what's needed? I'm thinking in NJ area, where I'm planning to live. Thank you.

Foxfour · Aug 15, 2005

hi Foxfour: Would you please tell me where could I get that Certification and what's needed? I'm thinking in NJ area, where I'm planning to live. Thank you.

I'm sorry I'm late in responding. I was away for the summer. You can get all of the info you need at http://www.wocn.org/ I know that most programs will not accept you unless you have a minimum of one year of recent acute care exp. and you have to have a BSN. Good luck to you.