Working as an Independnet CPR/First Aid Instructor

Hi, I have been an ED and Trauma nurse for a few years now. I started as a first responder when I was a teenager, then obtained my EMT. In addition to my current job, I was considering doing some independent work as a contractor. I realize that I can get a CPR and First Aid instructor certificate from the ARC or AHA. However, I don't really want to "work for" either organization. I know that OSHA requires employers to train their employees in first aid (with some exceptions), blood-borne pathogens (in some cases) and they recommend CPR. I was more interested in going to small farms and other industries to offer their employees CPR or first aid classes. I suppose I could buy my own "annie" and other materials. Does anyone have any information on this? Do you know if you can work through the AHA, yet be more independent? If I develop a first aid program that meets the OSHA standards, can I tell employers that my program would satisfy the standards? Any information or insight on this would be helpful. Thanks.
I would contact employers and offer you service. Sounds like a great idea, and don't forget places like day care were they need training.

I taught CPR independently for awhile. I was able to borrow my "dummies" from the American Heart Association. I had to put down a deposit and clean them thoroughly before returning them each time. I went to small healthcare agencies and they paid me per person. I made more than hourly nursing would have paid. Give it a shot!

I applaud your initiative. So many nurses just want "a job". Your biggest challenge will be cold-calling potential clients -- a.k.a. selling. In my urban area, there are several freelance CPR instructors. Some own their own equipment, and others rent it per-use from the local AHA organization. As another poster noted, remember your potential clients are not just farms and companies. With the variety of AHA courses, you can market to everyone from daycare to babysitters to church groups to volunteer firefighters to certain retail (grocery, lumberyard, etc.) to small manufacturing firms. Don't forget staff at LTC, group homes, police, jails, doctor offices, dentist offices, chiropractors,...Get up to speed on AED laws/regulations for your area, as this question will come up.Good luck!

Thanks for all the responses. The "selling" would be the difficult part for me. I know my stuff in terms of nursing and skills, but I don't know if I'm much of a salesperson. Another thing, does anyone know if I should get certified as an "instructor" in first aid from one of the large companies? I realize it would look good, but I can confidently say that there is nothing a basic first aid instructor course can teach me that I don't already know, and they are fairly expensive.

I think you're on to something good, but wish you would reconsider alignment with the AHA, sure they're a PIA..but, from the stand point of product to sell, they have the lions share of the market. I was an instructor several years ago, once I did their cert course I had to purchase the cards for my students. That and the rental for Annie was the only overhead, and you can cover the card cost in the fee to the student. Selling (which is really what you're doing) a certification to Joe's Small Wickets is alot easier if you have the "Biggest and Best" (in Joe's knowledge) product out there. It's an image, you provide the substance. Good Luck.

Quote from MikeyBSNThanks for all the responses. The "selling" would be the difficult part for me. I know my stuff in terms of nursing and skills, but I don't know if I'm much of a salesperson. Another thing, does anyone know if I should get certified as an "instructor" in first aid from one of the large companies? I realize it would look good, but I can confidently say that there is nothing a basic first aid instructor course can teach me that I don't already know, and they are fairly expensive.

That is good in idea, however...pretty much any ems or fire agency including CNA, LPN etc need AHA BLS cert in order to work. That is where most of the money is in teaching. I own a business called lessons4lifecpr www.lessons4lifecpr.com and it is expensive starting out as I also teach for my local training center. It would definately help you out to teach for AHA and then do your own thing such as national safety council or someone....in this business you need credibility as you are teaching skills that are researched to save lives most effectively. You are not teaching ABC's...rather CAB!!!!