Entering the PDN field....as an experienced critical care nurse

[bethm7]

I have 13 years experience as a NICU/PICU nurse. I most recently have been working per diem in the hospital and was thinking about supplementing with home care. I have hesitated bc I have not heard great things about the companies in my area (MA). Recently my name was brought up to a former family in our NICU who is looking for private duty home care nurses as they have been also unhappy with the agencies and nurses they are using.

I have been doing lots of research but still am a bit lost as where to begin so I cover both myself and the family legally and financially. I would like to establish myself as an independant private duty nurse. I do not need health insurance or benefits.

I have seen that the important steps are..

-establish a contract with the family ( i actually believe the mother is a lawyer)

-obtain a tax ID

-cover myself with malpractice insurance

-obtain a NPI

-obtain a medicare provider #

Can anyone elaborate more on the above steps and what else I need to be thinking of?

I have several questions...

- Is this even worth it? Is it feasible legally or a big headache?

- Can the family pay out of pocket and I still be covered as a RN if I do the above steps? The nurse who talked to them about me made it seem as though they just wanted to avoid agencies and pay privately. Anything else i need to cover myself if this is the case?

- If they want to try to use their private insurance, can I bill with all private health insurances? Or only with medicare/medical?

- Does anyone know of any good resourses for me to get started.... I will be working in Massachusetts

Any tips, thoughts or advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Jenn55e]

I found the resources on their web sites very helpful for private duty nursing and becoming an independet contractor.

Info on what you asked about can be found at:

National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA)

Nurse Entrepreneur Network

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In the National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA), there's a section called "Patient Care Provider Q & A" (under "Q & A") which could answer some of your questions.

(I am not a member of these organizations. I found their sites useful when no one would answer my questions about these topics or assist me with private duty nursing. I hope they help you.)