Flu pandemic opportunities

There has been a great deal of talk about the coming flu pandemic. While you may be justifiably concerned for your own health and safety, the coming pandemic may create opportunities for you as a nursepreneur.

While much of the talk is about the avian flu (H5N1), flu of any kind can have a significant impact on the health of a given population and on productivity.  As a nurse entrepreneur, you could offer programs and information in the areas of transmission, prevention, and treatment. And you could make a real difference in helping to contain the spread of the disease.

Information on transmission would depend on the specific type of influenza virus. Prevention is rather common sense and yet many can benefit from being reminded of the prevention measures. Prevention measures would include such things as getting vaccinated, effective hand washing, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth, covering coughs, wearing gloves if contact with respiratory secretions is expected, avoiding crowded areas, and maintaining good health. Treatment would include rest, getting plenty of fluids, symptom relief, and possibly antiviral medication. 

Opportunities for nurse entrepreneurs could include consulting with health care and treatment facilities on preventing the spread of influenza. A nurse entrepreneur could help organizations develop a preparedness and response plan. Health care and treatment facilities that could use your services could include long term care facilities, assisted living facilities, day care settings, and clinics. Other potential sites would be workplaces and places where people might gather such as shopping malls.

Look now for opportunities to start or expand your nurse entrepreneur endeavor by launching a product or service in this area. By offering a product or service in the area of preventing the spread of the flu, you could benefit financially and make a difference in a potential world wide health problem.