Can RNs facilitate groups independently for a fee?

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

Hello Nurses!
I am a RN living in NYC with a BSN, MBA (in healthcare), and 8 years of nursing under my belt. I want to know if RNs can independently facilitate health maintenance and promotion groups and charge a fee? An independent business...kind of like how a therapist would hold group sessions and charge per hour/session.

Interesting question, and one I think might very well vary considerably from State to State. If I were you, I'd be calling my Board of Nursing to find out what your State's Nurse Practice Act allows. And check with your malpractice insurance carrier to see how your coverage would be affected by such a business. Do they offer this coverage...and for what premium?

Good luck!

Ms.Manager · Jul 31, 2015

Hi RNsRWE! Thank you for the reply. I checked with the NYS Board and was told it is within the RN's scope of practice to teach; therefore, an RN may do so in a group setting; however, they could not answer the question regarding "for a fee".

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

Hmmm.....well, if you are permitted to do the work under your license, seems to me you should be able to charge for it! After all, you're not talking about providing services that would be submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement (provider numbers, etc) correct?

Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but if the Board of Nursing (that issued you your license) says that you are qualified to perform the service in question, and you have a professional insurance policy in place to cover you for any malpractice liability claims that may present themselves (you do have this, yes?) then I fail to see where you'd have a problem.

As a business you'd need to file the appropriate tax forms and such....which is outta my realm, but I'm sure you already know this anyway :)

I'd be interested in seeing how this plays out for you!