Private duty nursing - would like some feedback

[Juleah]

Hello,

I am new to this website and am very excited about being able to connect with other nurses across our beautiful country of Canada. I am an RN and I am thinking about going into business for myself. I would like to start a small business where I do private duty nursing for people who need nursing that is not provided through our universal healthcare system. I would like to be paid privately for private service and/or be hired by people who need the services of an RN which would be paid through their insurance plans because healthcare does not provide service. I would do dressing changes, medication administration, footcare (I have an office where I could do some of these services) and do short-term respite care. I also live in a tourist town with many visits during the season and thought there might be visitors who need some private nursing.

I would appreciate it if any of you have experience in this area and could give me some advice about the pros and cons of this and whether you think this idea is workable and profitable.

Thank-you.

Juleah

[Fiona59]

Footcare is a business usually run by specialized LPNs in provinces where the service isn't covered by the government.

If a patient has a dressing so complex that it requires nurses to change it they either won't be travelling or the provincial plan will cover it. I've known diabetics that have their family members provide the changes inbetween visits after being instructed how to by the speciality clinic staff.

Short term respite care, depending on the age of the patient is covered in many provinces.

What medications do you plan on administering? I've had families do it all after instruction via clinic or unit staff in hospital.

Do you see yourself servicing mainly new Canadian who don't qualify for provincial insurance?

You have an interesting concept but I'm not really sure that it's viable after you factor in provincial coverage, extended health plans like Sunlife, Great West, and Bleu Cross.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Juleah

I don't know if you are aware but there are nurse entrepreneur articles, seminars and network organizations that can help you with your plans

http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/OwnEntrepreneur_Sept1996_e.pdf

http://www.dcardillo.com/anyaudience.html

http://www.nurse-entrepreneur-network.com/

dishes