National Nurses in Business Association
The Voice of Nurse Entrepreneurship
Nurse Educator
What does an independent nurse educator do?
A nurse can provide education in a variety of ways including live seminars, books, CDs, online, and in other media. Education businesses include the following.
- Seminar companies
- National speaking
- Online courses
- Wellness coaching
- Writing
- Schools for assisting personnel
- CPR, ACLS, PALS, and other canned training programs
How much does it cost to start a nurse education business?
The startup cost for an RN educator is relatively low, less than $5,000 if you have a home office. As an RN, you are licensed to practice as a nurse; therefore, you are not required to start a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), or a corporation.
Will nurse education businesses be around in the future?
The future for this industry is good based on the shortage of nurses and assisting personnel. The more regulations and requirements; the more teachers are needed to provide the training, e.g., hotel hand washing, CPR, medication errors, state required courses for license renewal, to mention a few
How much can I earn as a nurse educator?
Earnings are limited by the number of physical hours a nurse can work. Typical earnings for a consultant working full time are in the range of $125,000 a year. Hourly rates range from $75 to $250 per hour. Daily rates for a seminar range from $600 to $5000 per day plus expenses. Starting as faculty for someone else’s seminar company is a good way to learn while being paid.
What education do I need to be a nurse educator?
You need to be a registered nurse. Certification in your field is optional. No other nursing educational requirements exist. You do not need a BSN, MSN, or any other formal nursing education degree. However, some universities require authors of their continuing education programs to have a masters in education and/or nursing. Business education is needed for nurses to understand the business aspects of being self-employed or a small business owner. The association provides this education customized for nurses. College and community business courses do not understand the nursing community. Advanced nursing courses do not teach the business side of self-employment and small business ventures.
Can a nurse educator provide CE contact hours?
An nurse who provides education or teaches is a consultant. A formal school listed with the education department may be necessary to teach assisting personnel. A nurse must be approved as a provider to give contact hours for nursing continuation. Provider status can be purchased (after meeting certain requirements) through nursing associations, CE brokers, and state RN licensing boards.
Should a nurse educator business be a DBA, LLC, or a corporation?
The legal structure for a consulting service can be a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), or a corporation of one or more. Sole proprietors, LLCs, and S corporations are considered self-employment by the IRS. The regular corporation is an independent legal entity separate from its owners and provides the greatest tax deductions and protection of personal assets. The NNBA recommends that a nurse business be incorporated to protect your personal assets from the debts of the business and to be eligible for tax savings. Providing your services as a LLC and/or corporation does not relieve you of responsibility for your nursing actions or protect your personal assets from judgements related to your actions as a nurse. Education is nursing. You are personally responsible as long as you are a licensed RN.