How Do You Build Your Client Base as an NP?

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I am a pretty new family nurse practitioner who works in a small Primary care practice. The goal is for me to see about 16 patients a day during my full 8hr days. The most I have seen is 14 patients. At this time I am building my client base so I receive many new patients looking to establish themselves with a provider. Often times with sick visits I will assess if a client is due for a physical and encourage them to make an appointment to discuss any further concerns, explaining that the yearly physical also allows me to refill any prescriptions they may need for the year.

How did you build your client base as a new provider?

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It just took time. It sounds like you are doing everything you can. If you have a special interest or expertise in a certain common complaint, ie anxiety, you can let the staff know.

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Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

I believe that one of the best ways is to offer "less serviced hours". Thus, if you are willing and able to work evenings and weekends this is a significant benefit for many who work 9-5 or who have kids in school. Also, if you are willing to take Medicaid, this can be a significant opportunity to gain more clients. You might consider doing a "health fair" with a local YMCA where you do free basic screenings, and then offer the opportunity to book an appointment. You might also consider online options like MDsave.com . As someone who does not have insurance I often utilize this site for the "prepaid cash discount". They match me with a local provider who does the procedure that I need. Often people will use this for a procedure and end up making them their provider. Also consider working with health credit companies like Carecredit that many cash payee's utilize on occasion.

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On 6/30/2019 at 4:31 PM, Oldmahubbard said:

It just took time. It sounds like you are doing everything you can. If you have a special interest or expertise in a certain common complaint, ie anxiety, you can let the staff know.

Thank you! I'm thinking about walking with my business cards and really putting myself out there to gain more business and just see how things go. My practice doesnt take Medicaid patients at this time but I'd be willing to as well. Doing my research.

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3 hours ago, myoglobin said:

I believe that one of the best ways is to offer "less serviced hours". Thus, if you are willing and able to work evenings and weekends this is a significant benefit for many who work 9-5 or who have kids in school. Also, if you are willing to take Medicaid, this can be a significant opportunity to gain more clients. You might consider doing a "health fair" with a local YMCA where you do free basic screenings, and then offer the opportunity to book an appointment. You might also consider online options like MDsave.com . As someone who does not have insurance I often utilize this site for the "prepaid cash discount". They match me with a local provider who does the procedure that I need. Often people will use this for a procedure and end up making them their provider. Also consider working with health credit companies like Carecredit that many cash payee's utilize on occasion.

I like the volunteer idea as that Is a good way to generate business. I've never heard of MDsave.com. I'll look into it. Thank you

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Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.
30 minutes ago, Soliloquy said:

I like the volunteer idea as that Is a good way to generate business. I've never heard of MDsave.com. I'll look into it. Thank you

30 minutes ago, Soliloquy said:

You might also consider using a direct mail company that offers highly specialized lists (for example people with chronic conditions). You could emphasize that you use evidence based approaches and holistic interventions that are evidenced based (if you do). Also consider calling some of the local radio-stations and see if they would be interested in a weekend based MD

Other ideas might include the following:

a. Using a direct mail company to sent letters to individuals in the area who have a high propensity to consider a healthcare provider (this is relatively low cost). I would suggest hand addressing the envelopes and using "designer" envelopes, and stationary to increase response. We did this to great effect years ago with our mortgage company. I was able to achieve response rates of around 10% or about 300% greater than typical rates. If you will offer evidence based CAM/and holistic approaches mention this and target people with an interest in this (for example you could collaborate with chiropractors, nutrition stores, and herbalists in the area).

b. Consider advertising at the local cinema before the previews.

c. Consider hosting a local "radio show" on the weekends that addresses topics relevant to your practice Also consider a podcast and or You Tube channel.

d. Consider having a "booth" at local farmer's markets where you offer screenings.

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I am in mental health and I used to have Saturday office hours. They were popular for obvious reasons.

I didn't mind doing it, and I was able to pay off my loans in 3 years.

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Specializes in FNP.

Persistence, word of mouth, credentialing with everyone and anything in the beginning, then, when you have a stable base, pick and choose. Make patients feel like they have your full attention. At my clinic, the little things go a long way. I make notes about personal things happening in their lives and ask about them regularly.

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On 7/3/2019 at 6:16 AM, Oldmahubbard said:

I am in mental health and I used to have Saturday office hours. They were popular for obvious reasons.

I didn't mind doing it, and I was able to pay off my loans in 3 years.

That's awesome! My current office doesn't really do Saturdays. Currently I work part time (21hrs) and I did ask for added hours: 1. for the consistency. Sometimes patients do ask when I'm available because they want to return and it can be harder to develop that relationship. 2. added exposure and experience for me. So I will be getting more hours in the next few weeks.

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23 hours ago, MikeFNPC said:

Persistence, word of mouth, credentialing with everyone and anything in the beginning, then, when you have a stable base, pick and choose. Make patients feel like they have your full attention. At my clinic, the little things go a long way. I make notes about personal things happening in their lives and ask about them regularly.

Do you own your own practice? I was wondering about that process and admittedly I haven't done adequate research to get credentialed with medicaid. Right now I'm credentialed through everyone except medicaid simply because my practice doesn't accept it but I would like to. It definitely gives more options for me if I do.

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Medical Intensive Care.

In the beginning, it was a combination of seeing A LOT of new patients and seeing established patients for sick visits or follow-up's if their usual provider wasn't available that day. Some of those established patients switched over to me as their preferred provider.

I am openly gay, so I'm the one who sees the majority of the LGBT+ patients and/or children of LGBT+ parents. My skill in conversational Spanish has also garnered me a sizeable following of Spanish-speakers.

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

I have evening and weekend hours!

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