Nursing is a profession that has shown consistent growth, with the demand for nurses typically exceeding the supply. In particular, nurse practitioners who have completed a doctor of nursing practice degree and those who have acquired their doctor of nursing practice online are in high demand. These nurses have the highest qualification in nursing and can practice with greater autonomy and freedom.
Practice guidelines for nurses vary by state. Currently, 22 states and the District of Columbia have approved full practice status for use practitioners. This means nurse professionals can independently assess, diagnose, interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications in these states. Twenty-seven states in the U.S. continue to manage practice regulations for nurse practitioners. In these regions, nurse practitioners have to sign a collaboration agreement with a physician or work directly under their supervision.
There are three types of nursing practice. These include:
- Full practice under which nurse practitioners can perform the full scope of practice without a supervising/collaborating physician. This means the nursing practitioner can diagnose a patient on their own, order the needed tests, and prescribe the necessary medication without any need to consult a physician. If this is your area of interest, you need to ensure your state is a full practice authority state.
- Reduced practice where nurse practitioners can perform some tasks without physician supervision. These restrictions are usually related to prescribing medications but do not usually impact the nurse practitioner’s ability to order tests or diagnose conditions.
- Restricted practice where the nurse practitioners must work under the supervision of a physician at all times. They are not considered independent practitioners until they gain enough experience to relax these restrictions.
It is important to keep in mind that opening a practice requires money, time, effort and dedication. If being your own boss and providing care to your patients on your own terms is something you feel strongly about, opening your own practice might be the way to go. But nurses who take this route must know that running their own business will require proper management of other business aspects such as marketing, bookkeeping, billing and collection, human rehouses, networking etc.
It is also important to consider your goals when opening your own nursing practice. Why do you want your own practice? Where will this practice be located? Which areas will you focus on? Do you have the money to make the initial investment, or will you need a loan? No clinical practice becomes an overnight success. It takes time and patience.
The first step is to develop a business plan. If your state requires a supervising physician, you must find one and ensure they are on board. You will also need to get a lawyer to set up your practice legally and ensure all proper taxation requirements are in place. You will need to look for a proper location within an area zoned for medical practice.
It is important to find your niche. You must decide whether you want to choose a specific specialty, such as pediatrics or gynecology, or you want to keep it broader, like family health. You can also focus on women’s health or mental health if that is your area of interest and/or expertise.
You will need to conduct proper research before taking any of these decisions. You will need the proper permits and insurance for your business that covers property, liability, errors and omissions, umbrella and disability. If you intend to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients, you will need to contact your local Medicaid office to understand the laws of your state. You may not need to hire much staff during your initial year, but if your business does well, you will need more staff to handle the administrative end. Having a mentor to guide you as you move forward with this venture is always a good idea.
Whatever you decide to do, remember that you need a proper business plan. Even if you manage to find a good location and have the financing, you will still need to work hard to advertise and market your services so that you can start generating revenue. Only then will your business survive. Be prepared to struggle initially, as that is the route most businesses take, but if you succeed in providing high-quality care to your patients, there is no reason why your practice should not succeed. However, doing your homework is the key. Knowing the state laws, ensuring all legal requirements are fulfilled, having the funding and then marketing your services properly will ensure your practice continues to thrive and your patients are well cared for and satisfied.
Overall, if you have a doctor of nursing practice degree, you have many opportunities, whether joining a hospital, a clinic or starting your own practice. The route you decide to take should be based on your area of expertise and your long-term goal and interest.
