Convinced you don’t have any other marketable skills besides being a bedside nurse?

Nurse friend, I don’t blame ya.

Leaving bedside nursing is a big decision, especially if it’s all you’ve experienced as a nurse, but trust me, it doesn’t have to be a scary one.

One of the best aspects of being a nurse is the opportunity for variety and growth in this profession. There are many potential career paths for nurses looking to transition into a different role; you just have to figure out where you fit.

While entrepreneurship isn’t the only path for a nurse, I do believe there is ample room for nurses to fill this space and be incredibly successful.

Nurses ready to take on a new challenge in entrepreneurship have an opportunity to redefine what it means to be a nurse — that’s what SDN is all about.

By exploring different career paths and embracing your unique skill set, you can discover a whole new world of opportunity. I’m here to prove entrepreneurship is a viable option for nurses who are sleep-deprived, burnt-out, and ready to disrupt the status quo.

So, can a nurse start their own business?

YES, nurses can abso-freaking-lutely start their own business and successfully transition away from the bedside should they so desire!

Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore new possibilities. Who knows, you may just find your true calling in the process, build a purpose-driven business, and live out your dream life!

Let’s talk about how your nursing skills translate to your ability to start your own business.

1 | Dedication to learning

Nurses quickly learn new skills with little to no guidance and typically excel at them. Nurses willing to research evidence-based interventions create better solutions and care for their patients, but often, they are learning an entirely new skill on the fly.

Like nursing, learning new skills is essential in any industry to remain efficient, relevant, and competitive in the roller coaster that is entrepreneurship.

With online learning platforms and resources, acquiring a diverse range of skills quickly and with minimal guidance is more easily attainable than ever before. The power of the internet has become a ubiquitous tool for learning new skills every day.

And as a nurse, you can easily translate this skill to business, especially at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey when almost everything is new to you and requires extensive research and exponential learning.

2 | Problem-solving Queen

Right from the start of their careers, nurses demonstrate remarkable abilities to solve complex problems creatively and efficiently. They truly have a special talent for thinking outside the box and getting things done, even while working in understaffed and ill-equipped workplaces.

Despite facing numerous challenges on a daily basis, nurses never back down from their goal of improving the health and wellness of those they care for. With their determination and problem-solving skills, nurses are truly an irreplaceable asset to any healthcare team—don’t you agree?

As a nurse, you’ve been putting out fires and developing creative solutions to complicated problems since day 1.

Owning your business is no different.

You will have to find other solutions or invent new creative ones when a plan or project doesn’t turn out as expected. Ultimately, problem-solving at the bedside will be an invaluable skill in your transition from bedside to business.

3 | Composure

A nurse’s most remarkable trait is their ability to remain level-headed and composed in the most challenging situations. They don’t allow their emotions to get the best of them and can handle difficult situations with ease and grace, even when they may not always feel that way.

Luckily you’ve already been practicing this skill at the bedside (probably every day), because this level-headedness can be particularly useful for business owners who inevitably face unexpected challenges.

Staying cool, calm, and collected makes it easier to manage the stress that comes with difficult situations. It is a trait that is not only commendable but also essential for controlling your emotions and making sound decisions under pressure—something I know you’re familiar with, amiright?

4 | Unparalleled perseverance

A nurse’s dedication to persevere when shit hits the fan (literally) is absolutely unparalleled. They are unmatched in their ability to endure, even when things seem to be falling apart. Their exceptional work ethic is evident in the unwavering dedication and focus they display each day, going above and beyond in their duties to ensure their patients receive the best possible care.

If you think about it, your perseverance just to get through nursing school is a testament to how capable you are to persevere in any situation. Your commitment to staying the course, even in the most challenging of circumstances, is precisely the kind of tireless work ethic needed in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

5 | High-quality interventions

Nurses don’t just “get the job done”; they’re constantly assessing and reassessing the results of their interventions. They take a critical approach to every challenge and strive for excellence. This is because they understand the importance of paying attention to every detail, no matter how small, to provide the best possible care for their patients.

In addition to clinical expertise, a nurse’s attention to detail can be applied to nontraditional roles in nursing, and as an entrepreneur, can play a crucial role in managing finances, analyzing data, and ensuring quality control.

With your nursing experience and detail-oriented skills, you can help identify potential cost savings or areas for improvement in your business. You can also analyze data to identify patterns or trends that may inform changes necessary for the future of your business. Your nursing experience ensures all your clients receive the same high standard of services, regardless of their setting.

6 | Adaptability

Nurses are highly skilled professionals who have been trained to be flexible and adaptable in a constantly changing healthcare environment, which can be incredibly useful when navigating the unpredictable ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

The ability to adapt quickly to any little thing thrown your way is a critical trait that can help entrepreneurs succeed in the long run.

Whether it’s dealing with unexpected setbacks, pivoting in response to changing market conditions, or finding creative solutions to complex problems, the ability to be flexible and adaptable is an essential quality for any entrepreneur.

By drawing on your experience as an expert in adapting to change, you can learn valuable lessons about how to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing business landscape.

7 | Unmatched customer service

Nurses provide excellent customer service to their patients, which obviously, translates to exceptional customer service in a business setting.

We all know you’re not just a queen of the call light; you’ve been trained to give your patients the best possible care for the best possible outcome.

You aren’t here to make a quick buck.

Providing excellent customer service is not only about making your clients feel valued and important. It is also about building lasting relationships with them. When you provide exceptional service, your clients are more likely to trust you and refer others to your business.

Just like at the bedside, you’re here to provide the best possible service to your clients, and that’s what will put you ahead of your competitors.

By consistently providing excellent service and building meaningful relationships with your clients, you can ensure the long-term success of your business.

8 | Ability to multitask effectively

Nurses handle multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously, which can be beneficial when they wear all the hats to run their business as solo nurse entrepreneurs.

While multitasking isn’t necessarily the best way to get work done, I know you still out here completing 17 tasks in record time and have time for Bob’s applesauce request.

Your ability to multitask efficiently and easily manage multiple projects at the same time will transfer to a business well, because you’ll be able to build sustainable systems for completing your work in a timely manner.

9 | Communication skills

Communication is a prime example of everyday skills that can easily translate to entrepreneurship. It is vital in every aspect of life, and luckily, it’s a skill that can be developed through your nursing experiences.

As a nurse, you are the hub to all your patient’s critical information, and you have mastered communicating complex topics into understandable, digestible bite-sized pieces.

Nurses must communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals, which again translates to effective communication and the ability to break down complex information for customers, investors, and team members in a business setting.

10 | Empathy

Nurses are generally very empathetic and genuinely want to improve their patient’s outcomes, which can be helpful in understanding and meeting the needs of your future customers.

While you may hold yourself together in critical moments, I know you’re an empathetic mess on the inside, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of there.

Your empathy makes you human, likable, and very relatable - all necessary traits when you’re a one-woman show running the day-to-day business.

Being empathetic can help you connect with your customers on a deeper level, leading to increased loyalty, repeat business, anticipating your client’s needs, and proactively addressing their concerns.

11 | Autonomy

You’ve been making your own critical decisions since the moment you became a nurse. Being a bedside nurse isn’t just about fulfilling the doctor’s orders; you have to make your own judgment calls and work autonomously for the betterment of your patients.

From deciding on the appropriate treatment plan to providing emotional support, a nurse’s work is multi-faceted and requires a high level of expertise and dedication.

As a nurse, you have a crucial role in the healthcare system. A nurse as an entrepreneur is no different. You’ll work autonomously, make critical decisions, and follow through with your interventions and goals, exactly as you have already done throughout your nursing career.

So, does that prove to you that nurses really can start their own business?

Being a nurse is not just a job; it requires compassion, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to the well-being of others. You have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your patients and their families, and as an entrepreneur, you can still impact people’s lives even if you aren’t at the bedside.

As a nurse, you really can start your own business because you possess a unique set of skills that can make you a successful entrepreneur. You can leverage your experience and expertise in patient care to build a sustainable, purpose-driven business that provides value to your clients and allows you to achieve your professional goals.

Ready to redefine what it means to be a nurse and scale the business of your dreams with connection-worthy copy?

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Can a Nurse Start Their Own Business?