4 Innovative Business Ideas for Nurses Looking for Change

Nursing is one of the noblest professions. Nurses, unlike other professionals, don’t work nine-to-five. They often work round the clock to provide care to those in need. Not surprisingly, nurses experience burnout quickly. 

In one job satisfaction survey, NIH reveals that 91.1% experienced high levels of burnout. It’s no wonder many nurses leave their jobs. 

Less than half, or 45%, of nurses intended to quit their job last year—a 2023 McKinsey & Company research revealed that.  

When nurses decide to step aside from bedside nursing, they usually switch to different specialties. But those with an entrepreneurial mindset dip their toes into entrepreneurship. 

If you’re planning to leave bedside nursing, why don’t you turn your nursing expertise into a profitable business venture? Your years of experience, medical knowledge, and patient care skills could be the foundation of a successful business. 

That said, here are some innovative business ideas that could help you transition from nurse to entrepreneur while still making a difference in healthcare.

#1 Start Private Practice

Do you know that over half of states in the U.S. have granted nurses full practice authority? 

According to NurseJournal.org, Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Minnesota, and New Hampshire are some of them. Nurses in these states can assess, test, diagnose, and treat patients on their own without a doctor’s supervision. 

If you belong to a state that grants full practice authority to NPs, start your own practice. 

Approximately 34% of nurses have planned to found or already founded a private practice. 

Decide on your specialty first, however. Do you want to focus on family health, women’s health, mental health, or chronic disease management? Research shows that the specialties with the highest practice potential include weight loss, aesthetics, psychiatry, and medical wellness. 

Starting your own practice also means navigating the business side of things. You’ll need to handle licensing, insurance billing, marketing, and hiring staff if needed. 

It’s a lot of work, but you’ll be your own boss. You set your schedule, choose your focus, and provide patient-centered care on your terms.

#2 Launch a Consulting Firm

Hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Master of Business Administration (MBA)? Why don’t you launch your own consulting firm? 

Healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and even legal teams often seek consultants with expertise in both clinical care and business strategy. 

With your MSN-MBA, you can bridge the gap between patient needs and organizational goals. As a nurse consultant, you can help organizations improve patient care, streamline operations, or meet compliance standards. 

Don’t have an MSN-MBA dual degree? You’re not out of luck, though. Consider pursuing online MSN-MBA programs. 

Many universities offer flexible, online MSN-MBA programs designed for working professionals. These programs allow you to gain the necessary skills in healthcare leadership, business management, and strategic planning while balancing your current responsibilities.

Throughout the online MSN-MBA program, Spring Arbor University says, you will gain knowledge about managing clinical operations and creating guidelines and protocols that guarantee the best possible patient care. 

#3 Become a Childbirth Educator

If you’ve worked in labor and delivery, becoming a childbirth educator will be your best bet. 

Your role would involve educating expectant parents on topics like labor, delivery, breastfeeding, and newborn care so that they feel informed and confident about the journey ahead. 

You can offer offline classes like the Mercy Birthing Center. For parents who can’t take your classes offline, consider offering virtual classes. Your nursing background gives you a solid foundation to answer medical questions and address concerns with authority and empathy.

You can specialize in areas like natural childbirth techniques, postpartum recovery, or partner support and tailor your classes to meet the unique needs of your clients.

Before you start providing childbirth classes, get certified by organizations like Lamaze International or the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA). They can boost your credibility.

#4 Offer Health Coaching Services

One study found that only 2.7% of people lead healthy lifestyles. It’s no wonder that chronic diseases like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. 

The times are changing, however. McKinsey & Company’s latest Future of Wellness survey has found that consumers are taking greater control over their health. 

This shift creates a massive opportunity for health coaching services, and as a nurse, you’re uniquely qualified to step into this role.

As a nurse, you’ve got the credibility and expertise to guide people through weight management, fitness goals, or managing chronic illnesses. 

You can specialize in areas that align with your expertise, such as diabetes management, cardiovascular health, or mental wellness. Offering one-on-one coaching, group sessions, or online programs can make your services accessible to a broader audience.

Obtaining certifications from organizations like the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) can further enhance your credibility. 

Stepping away from bedside nursing doesn’t mean leaving behind the skills and compassion that make you a great nurse. In fact, those qualities are exactly what will set you apart in the business world.

Whether you’re dreaming of starting small or building an empire, there’s no shortage of opportunities for entrepreneurial nurses. So, what are you waiting for? Take that leap—you’ve got this!