Injection/infusion nurses, help! Are you in business for yourself?

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

Hope this is relevant! Originally posted in the "entrepreneurs" forum and didint get a response. Here goes:

I've been working private duty/home care for a little over a year now. Over the last several months they've been growing their injections division and I've been doing home injections of various meds for RA, Crohn's, Growth Hormones, etc. I am now wondering how realistic it would be to open my own business that specializes in these various types of injections? I am wondering if this is a legitimate area that could successfully sustain itself as a long term business? In time I could add other services like infusions and become certified. I have done some home infusions of antibx's, through PICC lines and feel fairly comfortable with it, but for starters I want to focus on just injections. really enjoy the injections, and have been formally trained in about 5 of the various drug therapies.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Just want some input from those who are in the business. Is it better to become an LLC or Independent contractor? I am assuming this would be set up similiar to a home health business, but I'm not sure on that either? Is it true you have to be an NP for medicare/medicaid reimbursements? I know a lot of these patients are private pay, but there are some medicaid patients too so that is why I ask. Im in the state of NC if it makes a difference. Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in cardiac- tele-ICE-SHU-cath lab/ir.

I, too, have been looking into my own business for placing PICC's in the nursing home, home, where ever! I have found that I should become an LLC from my attorney and am currently having a seach done for my business name, its cute, but sorry, I can't say it yet! Besides that would be a jinx! My understanding is that dealing with medicare is a pain and that the other picc nurses that I met at a seminar to take the CRNI exam go through the pharmacy of the nursing homes they deal with and they will bill for you! for a piece of the action, I'm sure, but I plan to find out how much they want. With the healthcare changes on the horizon, and some already happening, it makes sense. I am clearly going to start converting over to my own LLC and away from the hospital setting over the next two years. I am also taking the CRNI exam in September as it will add credibility..... wow, there is a lot to study! HAHA! But I will study and figure it all out!

I could use any experienced tips towards my future too, its been a difficult process to find out the information I have already and I expect it to become more difficult along the way. Its a new business for me, and there is much to learn!

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.
I, too, have been looking into my own business for placing PICC's in the nursing home, home, where ever! I have found that I should become an LLC from my attorney and am currently having a seach done for my business name, its cute, but sorry, I can't say it yet! Besides that would be a jinx! My understanding is that dealing with medicare is a pain and that the other picc nurses that I met at a seminar to take the CRNI exam go through the pharmacy of the nursing homes they deal with and they will bill for you! for a piece of the action, I'm sure, but I plan to find out how much they want. With the healthcare changes on the horizon, and some already happening, it makes sense. I am clearly going to start converting over to my own LLC and away from the hospital setting over the next two years. I am also taking the CRNI exam in September as it will add credibility..... wow, there is a lot to study! HAHA! But I will study and figure it all out!

I could use any experienced tips towards my future too, its been a difficult process to find out the information I have already and I expect it to become more difficult along the way. Its a new business for me, and there is much to learn!

Thanks for sharing. I was starting to think no one else is doing this sort of thing! LLC is the way I was looking to go too. As of right now I don't have a lot of PICC experience, but I'm enjoying the inejections! I bet medicare is a pain, but most of the patients I've worked with so far have had private insurance to cover their drug therapies. Lately, more and more of them have NOT been paying. That makes me nervous! Very few people can afford $1800/month, which is what some of these medicines cost. Do you know if a RN can obtain a medicare number, or do you have to have a business to obtain one?

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Specializes in cardiac- tele-ICE-SHU-cath lab/ir.

I've heard that it can take Medicare up to 6 months to pay. But if you go through a Pharmacy, and they bill it, its a lot easier on the nurse. I don't know yet what all of this involves, I've been to busy at work and working on prep for the CRNI exam coming up. I'm sure the pharmacy would want a cut of the profits, but I'll find out more hopefully soon.

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.
I've heard that it can take Medicare up to 6 months to pay. But if you go through a Pharmacy, and they bill it, its a lot easier on the nurse. I don't know yet what all of this involves, I've been to busy at work and working on prep for the CRNI exam coming up. I'm sure the pharmacy would want a cut of the profits, but I'll find out more hopefully soon.

I certainly understand! I've been busy myself. If you find out anything new, then please let me know. I'll certainly do the same!

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The pharmacy that provides IV infusion products usually have their own IV nurses as employees. They earn a salary much like working in a hospital. Most hospitals have their own vascular access team. It is extremely difficult for us registered nurses to get a contract with a hospital.My experinece is that you have to be known to some doctors who can recommend you to the hospital administration of the hospital. If the hospital is big enough, they will tend to form their own vascular access team. The injection business that you are doing now, are you an employee or doing it as a contractor? Going into business has a lot of downside but is rewarding too. If you hate hospital work as i do, you will love it. If you expect money every two weeks like working as an employee, dont do it. I would advice you to do it part time. Keep a full time job and do your business on the side until you grow your census and survive on your own. Keep one foot in the hospital cause you might loose all your contracts and it is difficult to get back once you are out. I hope i am able to give you an insight of someone already inbusiness.

:smokin:

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I also need help. i would like to start my own business giving fertility injections and support. where do start? what do i need to do?

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Hey did you ever get any info on this? I've done this for friends and see so much potential for a great business..lets do it!

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Specializes in psych, ltc, case management.

I would love to hear more about this too!

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hello. does anyone know if its possible to hire a private infusion nurse without going through a company?

thank you

linda

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