How do I start my own Private duty nursing?

Published

I would like to do homecare nursing on my own. I am just not sure where to begin

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

May I ask why you don't want to work for an established agency? I think finding clients on your own would be difficult at best, and I'm assuming you would only be eligible to take on private-pay clients, as you would not possess the necessary regulatory licenses to participate in Medicare/ Medicaid/ private insurers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

That requires lots of money. A friend of mine used to own an agency. She said at minimum you need 6 months salary for you and any other employees because reimbursement can take a long time. On your own, you will need an RN if you are an LPN. Its not easy. I've chosen to work for agencies because there is too much involved.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, developmental disability.

But, if you ARE able to start your own company, you will earn a much better hourly rate for your services.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Intensive Care.

If I understand what you're asking. I researched how to do private duty nursing without working through an agency. Basically all you need is: (1) Complete a training program and receive a nursing degree (RN or LPN) (2) Become licensed in the state you wish to practice (3) Buy your local and state business licenses [this allows you to operate as an independent contractor (4) Find an individual in need of private duty nursing [advertise your services in clinics, hospitals or nursing home, or newspapers] and, (5) Create a contract with the patient who hires you to provide care. Include length of service, scope of work you perform and cost. Also include information such as a hold harmless clause to protect against liability [contact a corporate attorney to build a legally binding contract for your clients to sign and obtain ]. I assumed that being an LPN I could go about the same route without having to go through the headache of establishing a business. My Board of Nursing also informed me that I would have to work under the direction of a RN or a physician. Hope this information helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

a couple of other nurses and i looked into it

workers comp was a big problem for us

and we would not have been able to offer

any benefits

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you asking to work for yourself as a PDN directly to a client without an agency or to open your own agency?

You would need to check the requirements for your state because the rules and regulations for either would vary from state to state. Try checking for the state's website for medicaid providers for more information; in NY they have a whole section about Private Duty Nursing and a separate sub section for agencies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not true at all. I happen to own an agency. I'm a registered nurse and I provide HHA/COMPANION SERVICES and this pays a lot more than working for someone else. Clients are plentiful, insurance does not pay for this service and your staff does not need any type of nursing license to work. You can earn on average $72+/client/day. Requires very little start up costs because clients pay for their services IN ADVANCED which is a lot better that waiting to be reimbursed from an insurance company!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

72$ a day? Are you talking home health or private duty?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
Not true at all. I happen to own an agency. I'm a registered nurse and I provide HHA/COMPANION SERVICES and this pays a lot more than working for someone else. Clients are plentiful, insurance does not pay for this service and your staff does not need any type of nursing license to work. You can earn on average $72+/client/day. Requires very little start up costs because clients pay for their services IN ADVANCED which is a lot better that waiting to be reimbursed from an insurance company!

There is a HUGE difference between "home health aide / companion" agencies versus Private Duty Nursing agencies.

Of course HHA/companion employees don't need to be licensed -- because it's not a licensed position. However, for Private Duty NURSING agencies, licenses most certainly are required of the employees, because they are NURSES, not unlicensed assistive personnel (aides/companions).

Administering medications, providing trach care, monitoring ventilators -- all are nursing jobs requiring nursing licensure (and paying significantly more than $72/day!). Any regular individual can cook meals, mop floors, scrub toilets, or play cribbage without a license (for $72/day).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have OBVIOUSLY misunderstood my post. No TN would work for $72/day but when you multiply that by 10=$720/day which is more than the average FLOOR NURSE. We are talking about being an AGENCY OWNER not going out and doing the work yourself. This is passive income. Meaning all you do is schedule your caregivers, bill and sign up new clients. Client pays $16/hr. You pay the caregiver $10/hr. Owner earns $6/hour/12th day/client×10=$7210/day. You can run this business from home and still work as a slave in a hospital IF YOU CHOOSE TO. I. Arnold on average $250,000/yr. I don't know of any run job that pays that and I only work about 12 hours/week. Doing scheduling & payroll.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Meant RN...not TN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion