Nov 2, 2021 | Nursing, Program Insights

https://post.edu/blog/take-back-control-as-a-concierge-nurse/

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When you hear the word “concierge,” you probably think of the comfort services you can enjoy in fine hotels and resorts. As of late, people have begun applying this concept to healthcare, as well.

Concierge healthcare is a deviation from the traditional fee-for-care service model.

 

Key Takeaways

• Concierge nursing allows nurses to provide personalized, on-demand care through a subscription-based model, giving patients direct access to care outside of traditional hospital or clinic settings.

• Concierge nurses often work independently, delivering services in homes, offices, hotels, hospitals, and while traveling, depending on patient needs and the nurse’s specialty.

• Services can include wound care, IV infusions, post-op care, palliative support, wellness services, patient advocacy, and specialized care such as pediatrics, cardiac care, or mental health support.

• For nurses, concierge nursing offers greater flexibility, more control over patient load, reduced administrative burden, and the potential to lower burnout compared to traditional clinical roles.

What Is a Concierge Nurse?

A concierge nurse is typically self-employed and provides personalized care to a patient on a subscription basis. The nurse goes to the patient, so they don’t have to enter a hospital or make an appointment at a clinic. The patient doesn’t pay for every service since the nurse works on a retainer basis. Instead, they pay a fee of the same amount on a regular schedule, whether they need the nurse one day a month or 30. They also pay when they have no immediate need for nursing care.

The point of choosing a concierge nurse is to have someone on call and available when and where you need care. The nurse comes to the patient whether they are at home, in the office, or out in public, and some even travel.

Nurses can choose the type of subscription services to offer. These subscription plans can be anything from hourly to yearly. Nursing services, resorts, and corporations can also provide concierge plans. Even some hospitals and healthcare networks offer concierge nursing services.

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What Does a Concierge Nurse Do?

A concierge nurse does the same as any nurse — care for patients. The difference is where they do it:

• In homes

• At bedsides

• In hotel rooms

• At business offices

• On the road

• And more!

A medical concierge nurse assists patients in navigating healthcare systems and offers treatment wherever you need it.

Types of Concierge Nursing Services

A concierge nurse is an independently practicing RN who is usually not working for an agency, hospital, or physician’s office. That means a concierge nurse can offer any service that a patient requires, so long as it is within the scope of nursing practice.

Services could include:

• Medical escorts

• Wound care

• Palliative services

• Private care in a hospital or facility

• Post-op care

• Wellness support

• Patient advocacy

Nurses can offer specialized services, too, based on their training and interests. For example, an RN Flight Coordinator helps make travel arrangements for patients with special medical needs. Nurse practitioners may provide prescriptions, order tests, and make diagnoses, as well.

Concierge nurses may specialize in:

• Cardiac care

• Respite care

• Palliative care

• Midwifery

• Mental health

• General medical or nursing care

• Cancer care

 

The Benefits of Concierge Nursing

The benefits of concierge nursing services reach both the patient and healthcare industry employees. For nurses, it gives them more control over their practice and the number of patients they manage and allows them to spend more time with each patient. That combination can reduce burnout and on-the-job stress.

They also don’t worry about the administrative issues they might encounter if they work as a home or travel nurse. For instance, they don’t have to deal with insurance companies or wait to get paid by Medicare

Patients may get higher-quality or specialized care and perhaps a better overall healthcare experience. In addition, they eliminate the need to wait for medical care and avoid the insurance company run around.

Even other healthcare professionals can benefit from concierge nursing. It is a way for hospitals and healthcare networks to offer a new service that can make up some of the revenue they lost with the changes to the payment systems.

Thank you for reading!