What Kind Of Business Do I Start? INS Episode 02

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So, you’ve decided to start a business, but what kind of business do you start? In this episode I share some of those examples of nurse entrepreneurial opportunities.

Now some of these businesses will afford you the opportunity to work from home, and others may require an office that you either lease/own, and some may require travel.

I first have to start off with where you need to be in your head. Every entrepreneur out there is going to have to embrace the sales mindset. Now you may tell me, “But I’m not a salesperson.”

“I can’t sell anything.”

“I don’t want to sell anything.”

“I just want to own a business.”

Sales drive revenue and revenue keeps your business, well, in business.

Try to think about all those times you’ve actually sold something in your clinical practice. Now your response may be, “but I’ve never sold anything as a nurse.”

Well, actually you have. Think about those teaching moments with your patients where you’ve tried to help them decide on steps to take on that healthier lifestyle they’re so desperately needing to implement. There are many other examples, but this doesn’t have to be a transaction, but rather something that comes from a place of education and ultimately filling a need of the client.

1. Selling Products: This could involve buying products wholesale, and then selling them retail, although depending on the product, being a nurse may or may not actually add any value. There are however nurses that are selling health related products where that nursing experience could be an asset. I elaborate further on why I’m eating crow on this one, but as one great example, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Karen Apy, RN-BC, CNLCP, LNCC  who is an independent Consultant for Rodan and Fields Dermatologists. Our meeting occurred at the National Nurses in Business Association Conference and her skin care booth had a steady stream of interest.

2. Content Creator:  Now many of you might be saying right now that you either have nothing good to say, you don’t have the skills to write, or those of you who are creating content might be wondering how you can capitalize on that content.

There are several bloggers out there that are actually converting their skills into dollars. Brittney Wilson of The Nerdy Nurse, Renee Thompson of RT Connections, Erica MacDonald of Self Employed Nurse, and Gail Ingram of NurseGail. These are just a few examples, but I can tell you that these nurses are actually converting their skills into financial returns.

By creating that online profile and producing content, you’re now visible. There are organizations out there that are starting to really embrace content marketing, but may not have those vital (RN) credentials needed to provide that necessary level of authentic content for their current and potential customers. They’re now hiring nurse content creators like you.

3. Many nurses are talking about health and wellness consulting. These services can happen solely based on your nursing education and experience, or in addition to an added modality such as Reiki, massage therapy, nutrition/lifestyle educator, or acupuncture to name a few.

4. Nurse Consulting: This “job title” can actually be pretty broad. This may include childcare health consulting, patient advocacy, medication management, medical records review, corporate wellness, assisting patients with in-home cardiac rehab, technology consultant, educator in the private sector, or an expert who assists companies streamlining their processes.

5. Starting a staffing agency: This path could actually take the most investment of time and money on the front end, depending on the projected size of the agency you’re pursuing. It is possible to start an agency where you’re the only nurse on staff, but it’ll still take a bit of due diligence.

6. Speaking engagements: Your skills and expertise are best shared with others. Take Donna Cardillo, Elizabeth Scala, or Michelle Podlesni. These nurses are well versed in nursing practice, career advice, self-care modalities, and helping others achieve personal and professional success.

7. Equipment consultant: Medical equipment manufacturers may have a salesforce in place, but many of those on the sales team may not have any clinical background or degree. As a nurse you could be contracted to go in and assist the sales team pitch these products to clinical personnel, or you may actually become that “super user” that’s actually showing nurses how to use these devices at the bedside. This opportunity may however involve quite a bit of travel, but offer some pretty hefty financial returns.

These few examples only capture a small fraction of opportunities that are available. What opportunities are you pursuing, or would like to pursue?

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