Copyright (c) 2012 Nurse Entrepreneur Network
While too many people in most industries are still struggling to find jobs, nursing continues to be one the most in-demand positions. This demand for nurses brings more than job security, it brings opportunities for nursing entrepreneurship to those nurses who are looking for more than just a job.
Taking the Leap to Self Employment
The first question potential nurse entrepreneurs need to answer is whether freelancing or business ownership really suits them. Most everyone can agree on the advantages: being one’s own boss, more flexibility with one’s schedule, able to focus on the work one enjoys most, and best of all, unlimited economic potential.
There are, however, serious challenges as well. People mistakenly believe that the greatest obstacle in starting a business is having the money to get started. This is false. There are a number of business opportunities that require very little start up capital. If some money is needed, entrepreneurs have a number of ways of accessing it.
Instead, the most common roadblock to entrepreneurship is in the mind. A freelancer or entrepreneur has to have the internal fortitude to put themselves into the marketplace and have the confidence to pursue their vision. Everyone’s confidence waivers from time to time, the larger issue is whether such mental blocks can be overcome.
Freelance or Open a Small Business
Deciding whether to freelance, that is work as an independent contractor, or open a small business that will grow to have additional employees, isn’t a decision that has to be made immediately. In fact, since the value nurses have to sell is expertise, it’s very easy to begin as a freelancer. As demand grows and the nurse entrepreneur becomes more comfortable with the business side of the work, then a freelancer can transition into a small business if one wants.
In either case, there are legal issues surrounding working as a freelancer and starting a business. A number of organizations that specialize in helping new entrepreneurs or nurse entrepreneurs specifically can offer some guidance on the potential legal issues that can arise. They will also likely be able to connect new entrepreneurs with lawyers who can help.
What Types of Nursing Businesses Exist
The best businesses are those that find a need in the marketplace that isn’t being met. Any nurse who’s worked through the system can list the situations where nurses, medical staff, patients, or anyone part of the health system has gotten frustrated by an issue. Exploring potential solutions for those types of situations can lead one to a good business idea.
However, it isn’t necessary to reinvent the wheel. There are a number of well-established nursing entrepreneurship ideas that others have already made successful. Just as the need for nurses grows as health becomes a larger national issue, so will the need for the types of nurse entrepreneur businesses that already exist. One should never think because the business already exists, the marketplace is full.
Experienced nurses can use their backgrounds to pursue any of these entrepreneur ideas:
– temporary staffing services
– home care service
– care case managers
– medical bill review
– personal coach in wellness, nutrition, or patient advocacy
– operational consultant for facilities
– trainer either for other medical professionals or to general public as part of a wellness clinic or program
– medical equipment or clothing supplier