Is Being a Concierge Nurse Right for You?
Do you like maintaining relationships with patients and managing their health over the long term? How about working for yourself or with a small clinical team? If these ways of working sound appealing, and you’re interested in working outside of the hospital, you might consider becoming a concierge nurse.
Concierge nurses provide care in a range of settings. Want to see more of the world while you’re working? This might be the specialty for you, because you could provide care in any of these places:
- Patients’ homes
- Private clinics
- VIP or executive health clubs
- Entertainment industry locations
- Telehealth visits
- Vacation destinations
- International locations
- Private yachts
What Is a Concierge Nurse?
Concierge nurses typically use many of the same skills as a home health nurse, but they work with patients who want a more tailored healthcare experience. These clinicians work outside the standard medical model of hospitals and insurance to provide subscription or cash-based care. This care model is sometimes called concierge medicine, direct care, or subscription medicine. It’s an appealing role for many nurses who want to provide one-on-one guidance to patients who can afford a more personalized experience.
The goal of concierge medicine is to provide care that is convenient, on demand, and comfortable for clients. In this role, you might collaborate with physicians, specialists, and other health professionals to help clients navigate the healthcare system. Nurse concierge services differ depending on the individual nurse or company, but in general, concierge nursing tasks might include:
- Head-to-toe assessments
- Medication management
- Wound care
- Health education
- Administering IV therapy
- Collecting lab tests
- Chronic disease management
- End-of-life and palliative care
- Injections and specialty medical administration
- Escorting patients to medical appointments
- Accepting calls from patients who need medical guidance
Concierge nurses may specialize in serving specific clients or patient populations. For example, a nurse specializing in midwifery might only see patients who are pregnant or recently pregnant. Other concierge specialties could include:
Aside from clinical skills, this role requires interpersonal finesse. Especially if you’re running your own business, you’ll need to market yourself alongside seeing patients and other administrative tasks. Here are some of the soft skills you’ll need to excel in this role:
- Communication skills for interacting with clients, their families, and other providers
- Confidence, since you’ll likely be working with clients on your own, without the immediate support of a team
- Empathy to support patients as you help them maneuver the healthcare system
- Time management to set meeting times with clients and navigate urgent issues when they arise
- Customer service to maintain relationships with clients
Concierge Nurse Salary
The average nurse in the U.S. makes $94,480 per year. Your salary in this role will depend on several things, including the costs of running a business and the area where you practice.
Concierge nurse pricing also largely depends on the clients you serve. If you’re curious about the areas where nurses make the most income, check out nursing jobs in these states:
How to Become a Concierge Nurse: 4 Steps
Step 1: Nursing School
Any nursing specialty begins with going to an accredited nursing program. Some concierge nurses are licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and an LPN diploma program is one of the fastest ways to enter the profession.
However, you’ll have more independence and a wider scope of practice if you pursue an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) to become an RN. Learn more about the difference between ADN and BSN degrees.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN
Once you’ve graduated it’s time to apply for licensure and tackle the National Council Licensure Exam for LPNs or RNs. The NCLEX is designed to test your clinical judgment, pharmacological knowledge, and critical thinking skills. It ranges between 85 and 150 test questions, and it’s essential that you prepare in advance.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Once you’re licensed, congratulations! You’re now qualified to practice as an entry-level nurse. In the first few years of your career, focus on building your clinical skills and confidence. Many new graduates start out in inpatient units, where you’ll be exposed to a broad range of diagnoses and populations.
Step 4: Enter Concierge Nursing
Once you’ve gained experience, you’re ready to start working in a concierge medicine model. There are two different ways to work in concierge nursing — within your ownnurse concierge business or on staff at an existing practice.
Many concierge medicine practices employ nurses to see patients alongside their medical staff. On the other hand, if you’re interested in being a nurse entrepreneur, you might start your own business and maintain a roster of clients. You could also gain experience within an existing practice and start your own business down the line.
Broadening your skill set through certifications and continuing education could help you advance your concierge nursing career. For example, becoming a nurse practitioner would allow you to practice independently in many states, allowing you to earn more and do more for patients.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Concierge Nursing
Considering making the career switch into concierge medicine? Here are some of the reasons you might enjoy working in this field:
- Personalized care: You’ll have the opportunity to give individualized, ongoing care to clients.
- Autonomy: If you run your own business, you can set your own schedule, choose who you work with, and tailor the services you offer.
- Relationships: working with clients over time can help build trusting, meaningful connections.
- Compensation: Working for yourself could mean you bring home more income.
But there are some drawbacks to this role as well, including:
- Pressure: Clients who are paying out of pocket for care may expect you to respond quickly, no matter the time of day or how urgent their needs are.
- Administrative tasks: Running a concierge nursing business is more than patient care. You’ll also need to market, do bookkeeping, chart, and buy equipment.
- Work-life balance: Since you might need to be available to patients at the drop of a hat, you may find it hard to get away from work when you need a break. Being available to your patients can come at the cost of your own time and control over your schedule.
Concierge Nursing FAQs
What is a flight concierge nurse?
This specialized clinician gives tailored medical management for patients who are in transit to, from, or between medical facilities. The job duties of this role are similar to that of a flight nurse.
Can an LPN be a concierge nurse?
Yes, they can. An LPN can provide many services, such as wound care and IV fluid management, under the supervision of an RN.
Considering a Career as a Concierge Nurse?
Whether you’re interested in this role or another specialty, IntelyCare can help you find your next nursing opportunity. Find out how our personalized nursing job notifications can deliver fresh job listings in your area, right to your inbox.