The private practice nursing market - France

The independent nursing market in France encompasses all activities related to the provision of nursing care outside conventional hospital structures. These healthcare professionals play a key role in delivering quality care to their patients, offering a diverse range of services including home care, vaccinations, blood sampling, injections and more. In 2022, France counted 135,000 self-employed (or mixed) nurses among its 764,000 nurses, i.e. 17.5%. The average age of French nurses is 40.8, and 87% of them are women The self-employed nursing sector is currently enjoying sustained growth, reflected in an increase in the number of professionals practicing as self-employed nurses among all nurses (from 2012 to 2021, the number of self-employed nurses rose by 42%, compared with 19% for all nurses). This trend is driven by the growing demand for homecare, particularly in view of the ageing population. The liberal nursing market in France is characterized by a variety of services on offer, ranging from routine to specialist care, including mental health services and palliative care. They also play a crucial role in prevention and health education. The liberal nursing sector is marked by strong competition, with many professionals practicing as independents or within care practices. What's more, healthcare policies and government regulations are having a major impact on remuneration methods and working conditions, particularly as regards the areas in which self-employed nurses set up practice (medical deserts). The digitalization of the healthcare sector is also a major trend, with the development of technological solutions for electronic medical record management, care coordination and teleconsultation. These developments are enabling self-employed nurses to offer more efficient and accessible care to their patients. The private practice nursing market in France is therefore booming, with growing demand for homecare and a variety of care services on offer.