There are important financial and patient-volume considerations regarding the feasibility of integrating a registered nurse (RN) into a primary care practice.
Is there enough space? A minimum of two exam rooms are necessary. Sometimes it is possible to get creative and utilize space that is not used by another health-care professional on a full-time basis. It may also be possible to either convert a space or rent additional space.
Is there sufficient patient volume? There must be enough patient demand and facility capacity to support the increased number of patients a physician-RN team can see. Working alone, most physicians see four to six patients per hour; working as a team, physicians and RNs can expect to see six to nine patients per hour. It may be possible for the RN to work part time if there was insufficient patient volume.
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