Independent R.N in rural Nevada

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Looking for tips, advice, any information. I recently contacted my BON to clarify legal and scope of practice for an independent home health R.N. I still have not heard back but I am interested in learning all the details concerning independent nurses. I live in a very rural area and there is only one home healthcare agency and they do not/cannot completely address the needs of this rural community. I am new to this topic and appreciate any information. Thank you!

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I would strongly recommend working for an agency as a home healthcare nurse. It is very difficult to start a business without knowing the basics. In your case, you don't even know what you don't know. The BON does not exist to tutor business startups. Simply having worked home healthcare would have answered your question about what you can legally do with, and without a physician order.

If I understand you, you want to be a home healthcare nurse. For that, you will need to set up an agency. Just like all the other providers. You can be the sole provider if you wish so that will meet your definition of independent. But you need to represent yourself as an agency professionally.

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Specializes in Nutritional Therapy, Functional Health.

All good points by NedRN. Except as a home health agency, you will have regulatory obligations to provide directly (or be able to provide on a contract basis) certain services, beyond just nursing (medical social work, skilled PT/OT/ST, aide services).

You may be thinking of private duty nursing services as opposed to skilled home health?

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