So You Want To Become An Infection Prevention Consultant

After years working in infection prevention, many nurses reach a point where their role begins to evolve. They may have led programs, prepared organizations for regulatory surveys, responded to outbreaks, educated staff across disciplines, and provided guidance during high-stakes situations. They may also find that colleagues increasingly seek out their judgment when infection prevention issues become complex or urgent.

For some experienced professionals (10 or more years), independent consulting becomes a natural next consideration. Consulting offers the opportunity to apply established expertise across multiple organizations and to focus on specific infection prevention challenges. This guide outlines the practical considerations involved in moving from an internal role to independent infection prevention consulting (you can become a consultant with a larger firm, but those steps are much like applying for any other job).

Clarifying the Scope and Deliverables of Your Consulting Work

Before establishing a consulting practice, it is important to define the type of services you want to offer. Infection prevention consulting encompasses a wide range of activities, and organizations typically seek outside support for specific needs. Consider the areas where your experience has been most impactful, and articulate what deliverables the client can expect:

• Regulatory readiness and survey preparation
• Infection prevention program assessment and development
• Policy and procedure review or remediation
• Staff education and competency development
• Outbreak investigation and response
• Interim infection prevention leadership support

Defining a focused scope helps potential clients understand when your expertise is relevant and allows you to communicate your services with precision.

Identifying Organizations That May Need Your Expertise

Independent consultants are most often engaged when organizations face gaps in capacity, experience, or time. Identifying which types of organizations encounter these gaps can help you determine where your services are most applicable.  Common consulting clients in infection prevention include:

• Facilities without full-time infection prevention leadership
• Organizations responding to regulatory citations or deficiencies
• Long-term care and post-acute settings with limited internal resources
• Healthcare systems implementing new infection prevention initiatives
• Facilities requiring short-term, high-level expertise

Understanding client needs from an operational perspective allows you to align your services with real-world demand.

Establishing the Business Foundation

Consulting requires a formal business structure that allows organizations to engage you professionally. Establishing this foundation early helps prevent confusion and supports long-term sustainability. Key steps typically include:

• Selecting a business name and legal structure
• Registering the business at the state level
• Securing professional liability insurance
• Setting up accounting, invoicing, and record-keeping systems
• Using written agreements that clearly define scope, timelines, and responsibilities

These elements support clarity, professionalism, and risk management for both consultant and client.

Developing a Thoughtful Pricing Approach

Pricing in consulting reflects expertise, preparation, responsibility, and outcomes. Many infection prevention consultants use project-based pricing, daily rates, or retainers, depending on the nature of the work. When determining fees, consider:

• Time spent on preparation, documentation, and follow-up
• Professional liability and business expenses
• The complexity and risk associated with the engagement
• The value of independent expert judgment

A consistent pricing approach supports transparency and professional boundaries.

Building Professional Visibility

Visibility allows organizations to find and assess your expertise before initiating contact. For infection prevention consultants, visibility is often built through professional presence rather than traditional marketing. Common approaches include:

• Maintaining a professional LinkedIn profile
• Sharing insights related to infection prevention trends or challenges
• Speaking at conferences or professional meetings
• Participating in professional associations

These activities support recognition and credibility within the field.

Relying on Professional Relationships

Consulting work frequently develops through professional networks and referrals. Existing relationships built over years in healthcare often play a central role in early engagements. Maintaining connections with former colleagues, peers, and professional organizations can support steady growth and ongoing opportunities. Trust and reputation remain critical components of consulting success in healthcare settings.

Considering a Phased Transition

Many experienced nurses begin consulting gradually. Taking on limited engagements while maintaining other professional roles allows time to refine services, pricing, and operations. A phased transition can provide insight into demand for your services in your area or desired work area, your preferred types of facilities, your personal workload sustainability,  and your long-term professional goals. This approach allows for adjustment before making larger commitments.

Maintaining Professional Standards

Independent consultants continue to operate within established professional frameworks. Being Certified in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) from CBIC is an essential first step, but further certifications will open more doors. Consider CBIC's Advanced Leadership certification, or certifications for specific facilities such as Long-Term Care (LTC-CIP) or Ambulatory Care Surgery Centers (CAIP).

Closing Considerations

Independent infection prevention consulting offers experienced nurses an opportunity to apply their expertise in new ways. Success depends on clarity of scope, thoughtful preparation, professional structure, and sustained engagement with the field. For nurses with extensive experience, consulting represents a professional shift that builds on existing knowledge while requiring deliberate planning and operational discipline. Is it for you? Tell us in the comments below!