10 STEPS To Successfully Start A Concierge Nurse Business + Is It Worth It
Written By:
Darby Faubion
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA
Are you a registered nurse interested in owning a business but you still want to practice patient care? What if you could own a business providing direct patient care in the nursing niche of your preference with a client base of your choosing? If that sounds intriguing, you may be interested in becoming a concierge nurse.
Maybe you heard of concierge nursing but do not know much about it or where to begin. You may wonder, “Can someone tell me how to start a concierge nurse business?” In this article, I will share 10 steps to successfully start a concierge nurse business to help you get started on this exciting career path!
Is it Worth it to Start a Concierge Nurse Business?
Concierge nursing has gained popularity in recent years. Before starting any business, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons, ask questions, and make sure it is the right decision for reaching your goals. You need to know if starting a concierge nurse business is worth it. The following are three reasons I feel starting concierge nursing business is a good idea.
REASON #1: Start-Up Costs Are Low
One of the main drawbacks for most people considering opening a business is the start-up costs. Starting a concierge nurse business, however, does not have to be expensive. Depending on how much you spend on advertising and whether you build your own website or pay someone else to do it, you could get started for a few thousand dollars.
REASON #2: You Can Choose Your Clientele
Unlike nurses in hospitals or other healthcare facilities, when you start a concierge nurse business, you can choose the clientele you wish to serve. Tailoring your business around a specific patient population or service means you can do what you enjoy and with whom, making being a concierge nurse worth the effort.
REASON #3: There Are Little to No Overhead Costs
Not only is the start-up cost low, but having a concierge nurse business also has very little to no overhead costs. Because you care for patients in their homes or their designated spaces, you do not have to have an office, which cuts expenses drastically. As long as you keep your license and any certifications current and maintain any supplies you need for client care, you can keep your business up and running!
How to Start a Concierge Nurse Business?
(Below are the 10 steps to help you successfully start a concierge nurse business.)
STEP #1: Assess Your Interests and Skills
Because concierge nursing can encompass such a broad range of services, it is important to assess your strengths, areas of interest, and expertise. The first step in starting a concierge nurse business is to consider what interests you most and then decide which of your strengths you can use to play to those interests when providing services to clients.
STEP #2: Gain Relevant Nursing Experience
Although there is no minimum work experience required, because concierge nurses work independently, you need relevant work experience before starting your business. If you are a new nurse, Medical-Surgical nursing is a great place to start. If your concierge business will focus on routine nursing services, such as medication management or patient education, working in a nursing home or doctor's office is also an excellent place to start. Keep in mind that anywhere you can build your hands-on skills will benefit you and your clients. The more you know, the more services you can provide, which could mean more opportunities for work.
STEP #3: Obtain Required Business Licenses or Certifications
Each state has guidelines you must follow to open a business. It is crucial that you determine which licenses or certifications are required in your state to legally operate a nurse concierge business. Research local and stated regulations and be sure to stay in-the-know as policies and regulations change so your business can remain in compliance.
STEP #4: Make Sure All Certifications Are Up-to-Date
Starting a nurse concierge business takes time and energy. In the midst of creating business plans and budgets, marketing, and networking, it is easy to overlook small but essential details like keeping certifications current. I learned early on in my career that it was easier for me to renew all licenses and certifications at the same time instead of keeping up with due dates throughout the year. If your state requires annual or biannual renewal of your license, I recommend renewing all your certifications at the same time.
STEP #5: Decide If You Want to Specialize
Because nursing is such a diverse field, you may prefer to offer care to a specific patient population or specialized services. For instance, you may be interested in providing intravenous therapies or performing wound care services. On the other hand, you may prefer to provide care to children who are homebound, which may require a pediatric nurse certification. One of the things I love about nursing is you are not limited to earning only one certification. While I would not go overboard with earning lots of certifications at once, you can certainly entertain the idea of earning more than one certification, especially if they complement one another, and you can always
earn additional certifications later.
STEP #6: Create a List of the Services You Would Like to Provide
Concierge nursing can involve many nursing services, such as medical support for travel, respite care, or recovery services, for example. As you plan to start a concierge nurse business, you must decide the services you will provide and identify to what extent of your scope of practice you will offer those services. It is essential that you have a list of services and define what those services entail. By doing this, your clients know what to expect when signing a contract for your services, and you cannot be prompted to provide services not included in the contract, within the law.
STEP #7: Establish a Brand for Your Business
Creating a brand for your business involves choosing a business name, creating a company logo, and setting up a company website. During this time, you may choose to order business cards or promotional items. Remember, though, one of the perks of having a concierge nurse business is that the start-up costs are low. So, do not feel pressured to go overboard with early spending.
STEP #8: Determine Your Mission Statement
Your mission statement should play to your interests and strengths while appealing to the needs of prospective clients. For example, what skills and experience do you have that you feel can benefit clients interested in concierge nursing services? Are there specific challenges within your community that you feel could be relieved if people had access to the services you want to provide?
STEP #9: Establish An Online Presence
Once you determine which services you want to provide and establish a mission statement and brand, the next step is to establish your online presence through social media outlets. You will use your website as the storefront of your business, giving site visitors information about your services, reviews, and methods of contact for arranging services.
Use social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to post daily or weekly blogs, short articles, or interesting tidbits of information. You can link your website to your social media pages, allowing interested visitors to go directly to your website for more in-depth information.
STEP #10: Start Building Your Client Base and Reference List
Building a steady client base and reference list is a process that does not happen overnight, but it is worth the effort when starting a concierge nurse business. Use your professional contacts to network and let others know about your business and ask them to spread the word for you. Make sure you have business cards to share with others when you go to networking events. Also, consider asking clients to complete a satisfaction survey or to leave a review on your website after receiving services.
My Final Thoughts
If owning your own business in nursing is something you have dreamed of, concierge nursing is an excellent option. Nurses interested in concierge nursing often wonder, “Can someone tell me how to start a concierge nurse business?” In this article, I shared 10 steps to successfully start a concierge nursing business. With these simple steps, you can begin your journey to owning your own business while still providing quality nursing services to clients in need. With a demand for nurses and clients who love the idea of receiving care on their own terms, concierge nursing offers a win-win for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Are Concierge Nurse Businesses Profitable?
Concierge nurse businesses can be quite profitable. Since you work as an independent business owner, typically offering specialized services, you can set your own rates, and clients are often willing to pay well for your knowledge and expertise.
2. How Much Can I Make As A Nurse With A Concierge Nurse Business?
According to
Glassdoor, the average nurse concierge salary is $86,000 per year. However, this is not the maximum you can make with your own business. Depending on the services you provide and the clientele who use your services, you could earn a much higher income.
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).