Starting a business isn’t for everyone.

Working full-time AND starting a business is a recipe for burnout.

But we, nurses, are very attuned to burnout. So, honestly, what’s new?

If you have a desire to turn your professional nursing career into a business, what do you have to lose?

You’re already burnt out. You’re already sleep-deprived.

So, I say, dream, and dream BIG.

Are you with me?!

I know you are. 😜

So, you might have a full-time job that pays the bills, but you’re dreaming of starting your own business and stepping away from the bedside for good.

Starting a business while working as a full-time nurse is honestly not for the faint of heart because there will be many days when you have to sacrifice your time, energy, and money to make your dreams come true.

Your vision for your business (and future) isn’t going to come to fruition quickly or easily (I mean, we can’t all be viral internet sensations), so you have to ask yourself: are you going to feel like the hustle, daily grind, and sacrifices will be worth it for you?

It’s going to take work every step of the way.

So, why exactly do you want to start a side business while working as a full-time nurse?

Most nurses continue to work while building a business because having a full-time job provides the security of a steady income to fund your daily expenses.

When working full-time, you might have more opportunities to explore your passion and interests without worrying about financial stability. You can take risks and try new things without the pressure of relying on your business to pay the bills. But this also means you’ll have to learn how to manage your paycheck to still be able to pay the bills while also funding your business in the beginning.

When you start and scale a business, you’re more likely to build financial independence sooner than a traditional nursing job. With your business generating additional income, you can save money, pay off debts, and invest in your future.

Once you’ve gotten past the hustle phase, your business will provide you with a little more flexibility than some traditional nursing jobs. You’ll be able to work on your business on a schedule that works for you, whether it’s early in the morning, late at night, or on weekends, allowing you to balance your work, personal life, and business responsibilities.

And perhaps most importantly, your purpose-driven business will allow you to contribute to your community by providing a valuable service or product. You can positively impact people’s lives by offering something that uniquely solves their problems.

As someone who works full-time as a nurse while also running a business, I can personally tell you it’s not an easy road.

It’s really freaking easy to get discouraged and feel like success requires sacrificing your well-being. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough to reach your dreams. It’s easy to get discouraged when your goals go unaccomplished.

The journey from the bedside to business isn’t easy. There are long hours, challenging days, and many moments of uncertainty.

On the other hand, pursuing my dreams has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s been challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. And if you’re thinking about finally going after your dreams, I want you to know it’s worth it.

Yes, there will be ups and downs, but the feeling of accomplishment when you see your goals becoming a reality is unmatched.

Don’t give up, keep pushing, and remember that the sacrifices you make today will lead to a brighter tomorrow.

How to start a business as a full-time nurse

Step 1: Brainstorming and market research

Research goes a long way, and every business venture requires research to ensure your idea is viable to your target market and actually a solution your audience needs.

Research allows you to understand the type of services or products your business will offer, the market that your business is in, the costs associated with starting the business, and the competition you are up against.

Research can help you to identify potential risks and make decisions that will help you to minimize those risks. Conducting research will give you the knowledge and confidence to make the best decisions for your business.

To-do list:

Determine your target audience so you can craft a message that builds credibility and trustworthiness. Identify the type of customers or clients you would like to attract and research their needs, wants, interests, and potential problems you can solve with your business. Consider their age, gender, location, income level, and lifestyle.
Research the viability of your business idea and the type of services or products your business will offer.
Research the market for this business, your target audience’s problems, and how your business can help them.
Narrow down your product or service. Research the current products and services available and understand each offer’s features to determine how your business will be different and better serve your customers.
Research costs associated with starting the business, including any necessary permits and licenses required to get started.

Step 2: Loosely create a business plan

I’m saying “loosely create” a business plan because it’s not 100% necessary to have a solid business plan before you get started. What I really mean is for you to genuinely think about the type of business you’d like to run, how you plan on running it, and who you want involved.

Consider your business’s short and long-term goals, such as marketing, sales, and the expected growth rate, then determine a loose timeline for achieving these objectives so you stay on track.

Your business plan should include financial projections, estimated costs of launching and running the business, the potential risks and challenges that may arise, and strategies for mitigating these risks.

To-do list:

Decide your business structure, such as whether to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Consider the tax implications of each structure, the ease of setting up the structure, and the amount of paperwork or other legal requirements. You may also need to consult with an attorney or accountant to ensure that your chosen organizational structure fits your business best.
Estimate the amount of money needed to launch and run the business. Factors to consider include initial costs such as purchasing materials or equipment, rent or mortgage payments, insurance, and licensing fees; operational costs such as wages for employees and ongoing costs like utilities and marketing; and capital costs such as investments in technology or equipment.
Define a mission statement for your business to explain the purpose of the business clearly. Consider what the business stands for, the long-term goals of the business and how you plan to achieve them, and how it adds value to customers, employees, and the community.
Find an experienced mentor or business partner through networking with other professionals in your field, reaching out to companies in your industry, or via social media. Before you launch, get feedback on your business plan from an experienced mentor and adjust accordingly to their recommendations. Bouncing ideas off of your mentor can help you brainstorm new strategies or solutions that you may not have thought of on your own.

Step 3: Take action, launch your business & start marketing

Push the fears aside, and let’s get down to it. Taking imperfect action ensures that you take action even if you don’t feel everything is lined up exactly. If you sit back and never take action, your business will forever remain wishful thinking and theoretical ideas.

Be prepared to put in the work and adjust the plan as needed.

Launching a business is an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. To ensure a successful launch, take the time to plan, prepare, and take action!

Create a timeline for starting the business and stick to it! Don’t let the fear of failure stop you. Your ideas are worthy of action.
Obtain start-up capital. This can be as simple as setting aside some money from your own paycheck or going as big as marketing your business idea to investors. Regardless, in order to start any business, you’ll need capital to launch.
Register the business with local, state, and federal governments and secure any necessary permits and licenses.
Set up a payment processing system. This system can embedded in the e-commerce site you intend to use or the website you build. Once you’ve registered your business with the government and notified the IRS, you can get an EIN and set up a business bank account, which will be essential to your payment process.
Create a website for the business and develop your audience. Consider the design, layout, and content of the website, as well as the features and tools it offers. Utilize search engine optimization (SEO) and other digital marketing tactics to attract and engage customers. Also, heyyy, here’s a shameless plug that you should hire me as your copywriter so I can write words that feel like you while empathetically marketing your business to your ideal audience. 🥰
Invest in marketing and advertising. Develop a business marketing plan and consider the various channels available, such as social media, podcasts, email, content marketing, print, radio, and TV advertising.
Develop a system for tracking sales, customer feedback, and other data. Utilize customer relationship management (CRM) software to track customer data, feedback, and sales data. Utilize analytics tools to track website performance and other key business metrics.

Step 4: Learn how to manage your time

You’ll need to carefully consider how much time you can invest in your business without compromising your full-time job and ensuring you’re still fully present for the job that’s paying the bills. Finding the balance between the two can be tricky, but if you plan your time well and stick to your schedule, you can make it work.

You may have to make some difficult decisions regarding allocating your time, as it can be challenging to do both your job and manage your own business. It may mean sacrificing some of your free time, but it will be worth it if you successfully balance both priorities.

Taking regular breaks and making time for yourself can also help ensure that you can keep up with the demands of the business and remain productive in your full-time job.

Set clear goals and objectives for your business and prioritize tasks accordingly. Break down tasks into smaller chunks and set deadlines for each to keep you on track. Utilize a time-tracking app or tool to help you stay organized and stay focused.
Make a daily schedule and stick to it. Establish a routine and plan out your days and weeks. Determine when you’ll work on the business, when you’ll focus on your full-time job, and when you’ll rest and recover.
Constantly revisit and adjust your schedule as needed, taking into account any changes in the business that could affect efficiency and productivity. Set realistic goals for yourself and try to stick to them to make sure you are not overworking yourself and putting too much pressure on yourself.

Step 5: Monitor your progress

Monitoring your progress is an important part of starting a business while working full-time as a nurse. It allows you to track your progress, identify areas that need improvement, and ensure that you are staying on track to reach your goals.

Tracking your progress can help you to stay motivated and on top of your business goals. It can also help to evaluate the success of your business, identify any potential problems, and come up with solutions.

Additionally, monitoring your progress lets you know when it is time to take a break or move on to a new project. This can help to ensure that you are not overworking yourself or putting too much pressure on yourself, especially in the beginning.

By monitoring your progress and evaluating your performance, you can ensure that your business is running as efficiently as possible and that you are able to stay on track with your goals.

Track progress on the business. Consistently monitor and measure progress to stay ahead of any potential issues and ensure your business is heading in the right direction.
Re-evaluate the timeline regularly to ensure that you are achieving your goals in a timely manner. Consider any unforeseen events or changes that may affect the timeline and make the necessary adjustments.
Make adjustments to the business plan as needed. Tracking progress allows you to adjust any strategies or plans that may need to be changed to ensure your business continues to grow and thrive.

Plan, prepare, and take action.

The steps necessary to start a business while working full-time include researching your idea, creating a business plan, finding a mentor or business partner, taking action, launching your business, managing your time, and monitoring progress.

It takes dedication and hard work to realize your vision, but with the right planning and preparation, you can make your dream of becoming a nurse entrepreneur a reality.

After this VERY long blog post, what more can I offer?

Guess what? This is just the beginning, my friend.

When you’re ready to level up your marketing game with compelling website copy that connects and converts, then I’m your gal. 😉

How to Start a Business While Working Full-Time as a Nurse

How to start a business as a full-time nurse