How do I start my own Private duty nursing?

Kamilah Coney, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2015

It is a hypothetical question. Looking at it from your point of view "why would I hire a person I didn't see" to represent my company? That would be crazy. If I do consider moving forward with it I will take your advice and interview at a starbucks. Thanks for the responses í ½í¸Ší ½í¸Ší ½í¸Š

businessminded2015 · Dec 6, 2015

hello I am a nursing assistant 2 and I was trying to do private duty on my own. Does this information apply to this as well? The 72$/day that you speak of consist of how many hours that day?

caliotter3 · Dec 6, 2015

hello I am a nursing assistant 2 and I was trying to do private duty on my own. Does this information apply to this as well? The 72$/day that you speak of consist of how many hours that day?

When one does private duty for a client (client pays directly out of pocket), the rate of pay is that which is agreed upon between the employer (client) and the employee (caregiver) and spelled out in the written contract initiated between the two.

Shemika12 · Dec 6, 2015

Also, look into doing VA clients. That's what I'm looking into doing once I finish nursing school, actually you don't have to be a nurse to do that. My friend works at the VA and there are many people whom does this. Start off with 1 home and 3 vets, these are mental health vets that suffer from mental issues that can't live alone, can't be left unsupervised, or too much for family to handled. The income is great. With the being VA related, it doesn't require all the guidelines state would require.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 6, 2015

hello I am a nursing assistant 2 and I was trying to do private duty on my own. Does this information apply to this as well? The 72$/day that you speak of consist of how many hours that day?

Who will be your supervising RN? CHHAs & CNAs cannot work independently without RN oversight

businessminded2015 · Dec 6, 2015

Are you saying that I would have to live with them or they live with me and if so how would I begin to research this field?

Kamilah Coney, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2015

I don't know what state in which you reside.The state in which I reside allows individuals to work independently as a companion. Companion care is nonmedical it includes things like: housekeeping, laundry, errands, bath visits, medication reminders, and assistance with activities of daily living. The client pays for the services out-of-pocket. That may what you're looking for. I know a few CNAs who take private cases but they all work through an agency. Working independently poses greater risks. I was looking into working independently but I couldn't find a way around the legalities of working as an independent LPN. That's when I came across the companion care information. Hope this helps.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 7, 2015

Exactly generally companion care does not require nurse or physician oversight. Not all states permit these services to be performed by anyone other than a certified home health aid.

In my state CNAs cannot work in home care they must take an additional class often offered at no cost by the agency to become a CHHA (certified home health aid). The CHHA is only valid when employed by a home health agency. You cannot legally work independently. There is an RN that oversees and writes the home health care plan (specifies all duties house work, meals, ADLs, errands if necessary). Some are affiliated with a home health agency others are companion care. You need to check with your state. Some states allow companions to work independently, some states allow CNAs to work in home care, others do not

Shemika12 · Dec 9, 2015

Are you saying that I would have to live with them or they live with me and if so how would I begin to research this field?

No, rent a house and make sure it fall within the VA guidelines. Hire people that are like sitters that don't have to be cna certified. The only training they would have to do is like so many hours of safety, must have CPR, and any other training you would require them to have. You really don't need a RN or LPN because all the orders will be coming from VA themselves. Something sort of like a group home for Gets because they can't be left unattended. Medication and what other services will come from the VA your business is primarily a place to keep an eye on them from harming themselves or others. You take them to doctor visits or whomever you appointments that's working for you. I say, look for someone that's retired or on a fix income that doesn't require a whole lot of wage or a college student looking for partime work. You must provide meals, and take them out for a movie, shopping. Nothing extravagant just showing they are having activities. I'm not sure of the ropes of getting started just yet because I'm working on getting my nursing licensed. My friend is a nurse in the mental health clinic at the VA and she states there are plenty of individuals that have contracts with the VA that does this. The pay is great.

Shemika12 · Dec 9, 2015

No, rent a house and make sure it fall within the VA guidelines. Hire people that are like sitters that don't have to be cna certified. The only training they would have to do is like so many hours of safety, must have CPR, and any other training you would require them to have. You really don't need a RN or LPN because all the orders will be coming from VA themselves. Something sort of like a group home for Gets because they can't be left unattended. Medication and what other services will come from the VA your business is primarily a place to keep an eye on them from harming themselves or others. You take them to doctor visits or whomever you appointments that's working for you. I say, look for someone that's retired or on a fix income that doesn't require a whole lot of wage or a college student looking for partime work. You must provide meals, and take them out for a movie, shopping. Nothing extravagant just showing they are having activities. I'm not sure of the ropes of getting started just yet because I'm working on getting my nursing licensed. My friend is a nurse in the mental health clinic at the VA and she states there are plenty of individuals that have contracts with the VA that does this. The pay is great.

Going this route you want need certification. Just willing to see after. VA clients in a home setting. Everything medical wise is handled through the VA. The doctors, nurses, and social worker is all through them. No middle man. Go talk with someone at your local VA about the requirements. I haven't gotten this far yet because I want to obtain my nursing license first to do other things along with this. Trying to tackle one task at a time. But I do know several people that does this and they have no medical background at all.

Kamilah Coney, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2015

I love all the input this thread has recieved. I thought long and hard about taking on a couple private client's as an Independent Nurse but are too many ways things could go wrong. I do agree there is less risk working for agencies. It's hard to find clients looking for caregivers on your own, agencies find the clients for you. The down side is that you're "competing" with all the other agency nurses looking for work.The best option I have right now is to continue on the "frustrating" path of working as an Agency Nurse, complete ECs ASN program in the next year, then pound the pavement looking for private care clients as a RN. :)

Lisa1203 · Jun 19, 2016

In NY you only need an LPN or RN license, an NPI number & if you are being reimbursed by Medicaid then a Medicaid number. I highly recommend insurance to protect your assets if God forbid anything were to happen (approx $100/yr for million coverage). Yes - you need to make quarterly federal & state tax payments - your tax preparer should be able to assist you in those details: percentages & where to send quarterly payments. You will need to find your own clients. Craigslist, Pennysaver, word of mouth. You will make much more collecting all of the money rather than an agency taking a very large cut.