How to put on an education workshop/ class?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi,

I have a background in critical care and would like to become CPR instructor. However, doing some research in my local area, it seems most CPR businesses are not looking to hire so I'd have to work as an independent instructor. But it got me thinking that maybe I should just start a small nursing education business where I could teach CPR, cardiac dysrhythmias and maybe even create workshop for new nurses entering critical care (just to go over basics and help them feel empowered entering into a new field). I think my 'niche' would be new grad nurses/ nursing students with potential to reaching any nurse in the future. And I'd start out teaching in small groups of 8-10 students.

Only thing is I have no business background and not really sure how to get started. For one if I wanted to teach cardiac dysrhythmias for instance where would I come up with material to teach with? Would I have to create it myself? Do I need a certification?

Second, how would I advertise. It seems there is so much competition out there (at least for CPR instruction). Could I just put up fliers around schools / local organizations and go by word of mouth?

Third, where would I put these workshops on? I don't have an office and I don't have much space where I live.

If anyone who has ever started their own small nursing education business has any advice or guidance on how to get started I would greatly appreciate it. I enjoy bedside nursing but I also have a desire to get into teaching and empowering others to be the best they can be.

Thank you!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You would likely need to consult the board of nursing. Most facilities already provide critical care nurse training. If you wanted to offer classes to student nurses you would likely need to meet the criteria of a nurse educator. (BSN minimum for LPN, MSN for ADN and to assist in BSN and EdD or PhD for anything higher plus CNE (certified nurse educator) in my state). One of my nursing school instructors had a side business in IV certification she was approved by the BoN and mostly taught in medium or smaller nursing homes that didn't have a nurse educator. Hospitals do all training in house around here.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

And just as an aside to the above, being a nurse educator rocks. If you have a passion for this, consider pursuing your MSN and specializing in Professional Development.

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Contact your local SCORE (Society of Retired Executives) organization for help with the business side of this. Their volunteers mentor people who want to start or grow a small business. They help in developing a business plan. They will provide guidance on how to market your business. They will help you anticipate issues like do you need , should you incorporate, what records do you need to keep, etc. They can help with your question about where to teach your workshops (FYI - hotels, community centers, churches rent space for meetings.)

SCORE | Free Small Business Advice

Good luck.

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