By Farah Laurent, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPXP, TCRN, CPEN, CEN

What is my number one regret in nursing? Not starting my Nurse career coaching business sooner!! In nursing school, the focus is truly on passing the NCLEX and not much time is spent exploring all the different opportunities in nursing. It is time to shatter the old narratives and expand our horizons! Traditionally nurses do not look to entrepreneurship as an option, however more nurses are now seeing its benefits! When nurses are truly passionate about what they do, they are truly unstoppable!
Here are 7 Reasons why you should start your nursing business!

1. Expertise
You are an expert in nursing, and you have a plethora of information to share! Yes you do!! There are over 80 nursing roles! How do I know? Because I wrote them all down one day to prepare for my Linkedln live show! Even as a nursing student, you have a tremendous amount of knowledge to share. As a nursing student you can start you own tutoring business and tutor other nursing students. The possibilities are endless, and we need to refrain from putting limits on ourselves and our potential. So spread your knowledge!

2. Problem Solver
“If there was a problem, I’ll solve it” as Vanilla Ice would say! As a nurse you are a natural problem solver and a true detective! Nurses will figure out a solution to just about anything! If you can figure out a solution to a problem and save someone time, then you got yourself a product of service you can sell! That my friend is called a business! Nurses are innovative, highly skilled, and creative individuals who will not give up until we figure it out. Nurses are lifelong learners and obsessed with continuous improvement and professional development which is imperative in entrepreneurship. Our superpower is “adapting” to our environment.
The journey to success never ends because you have to continuously innovate to keep up with the changing times. There is always progress to be made and there is always a calling to a higher purpose. Entrepreneurs are creative problem solvers! Nursepreneurs are natural problem solvers, so as long as there are problems, you will always find a solution and have a job!

3. Flexibility
You can create your own schedule! Take off for a vacation or simply rest whenever you want.
You will be able to spend quality time with your family, friends, and even your 4-legged friends. Time is the ultimate currency! I do not have to say much under this one, I think you get the point!

4. Be your Own Boss
You have full creative control and direction as to what you do in your business. Nothing destroys my soul more than having to report to someone. As an entrepreneur, you do not have to report to anyone, but God. Amen to that. Some nurses will start working “in” their business as a solopreneur, until they can scale enough to work “on” their business. Once you scale your business you can hire others, outsource some of the work and expand it to a team to grow your empire. Play by your own rules and continue to change the game! Innovate and elevate! Stop being boring! Be Authentic, Be Bold! Be YOU!

5. Create your own Income
Not sure if you ever been “broke” before, I am talking looking for loose change type of broke. Worrying about how to pay for simple things such as diapers or food. Well, I have and it is not a good feeling! Being an entrepreneur gives you a feeling of being in control and pride of generating income. So Nurses, go ahead with your bad self and get ready to “Make Money Moves” as Cardi B would say.
Be ready to create your own financial freedom! Be ready to “Brag & Swag”, “No Stylist!” What do I mean by that? Promote yourself, promote your brand, promote your business! You are the brand! Stop playing small and go get what’s yours! Nurses always take care of others, so it’s time to put yourself first and go after what you want! Do not be afraid to get out there and be visible!
One of my favorite quotes by Steven Aitchison states “Money flows Where Attention Goes”. Stand out from the crowd and be bold! Be intentional, Show up and Show out!

6. Job Security
As the former Director of Education of a hospital, I was thrilled doing the work, I finally had my dream position. Well, so I thought, until I got laid off! It was literally a slap in the face! I was in the hospital with my 2-year daughter for 1 week and shortly after I returned to work, I was laid off. It took about 1 min for them to let me know that they were “restructuring” and that my position was affected and where to hand over my badge/keys to the office. The following day I heard my theme song for that summer by Beyonce “You won’t break my Soul” because “I’m building my own foundation”.
I started my nurse career coaching business on June 21 2021. I was laid off on June 20 2022. I was thankful to at least have started my business. I felt a sense of relief and comfort that I had never felt before. It fueled me to be more passionate about my purpose to help other nurses realize their dreams and strengthen my conviction in this pursuit!
Success is not an option; it is a choice! Joel Osteen said it best, you don’t become successful by accident, you must be intentional!

7. Make an IMPACT
You should start your own business because YOU CAN! March is Women’s History month and I truly believe in empowering other women! Yes, I know men can start businesses too and I one hundred percent support them. However historically women have been disadvantaged and deprived of so many opportunities in terms of gender equity. We need more women in entrepreneurship because it is proven to be better for our communities.

I am so proud to be on this journey to full entrepreneurship, to freedom and to bring other nurses along the way. My career coaching services have transformed so many nurses to be more confident and pursue their dreams. I know that I am making in impact in nurses’ lives and doing my part to attract more people into nursing. Nursing is truly the best profession in the world, and it is time to reignite the passion in nursing!

I am here to empower all nurses to consider the journey to entrepreneurship and all its benefits. You have something to offer, so stop keeping it from the world, share it! Nursing has evolved and is still evolving, and we need to move with it! It is time to normalize Nurses in Business and make it a viable option! It is time to get in the entrepreneurship game because Nurses are players too!

Joining the National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) in 2021 has been one of the best business decisions I have made. In such a small amount, I have seen all the benefits that the NNBA has to offer! No one succeeds alone. In nursing much of our success depends on great mentors, educators, and a supportive network. Well, the same is true in entrepreneurship, you need mentors, business coaches and other nursepreneurs to help guide you on your journey to success and financial freedom! There is an African proverb that states “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”.

I highly recommend joining the NNBA today! Do not waste any time because the small investment will give you a return on investment (ROI) that is priceless. The knowledge, opportunities, professional development, growth, and networking events pay you in the highest currency possible which is value! I am a proud member of the NNBA and you should be too!

Sign up here to be a member, whether you are a nursing student or a nurse!

See you at the starting line! And see you at the top “Nothing can stop me, I’m all the way up!

From your Badass Nurse Career Coach!

Author’s Bio

Farah Laurent is the proud CEO and Founder of International Nurse Coach! Farah is shattering the old narrative in nursing and changing the game! She is a Nurse Career Coach that offers top notch career guidance services for nursing students, graduates, and experienced nurses. Farah is master’s prepared, a doctoral candidate, and a 6 times board Certified Badass Nurse! Farah is an energetic dynamic Speaker and Business Coach for nurses looking to start their business. Farah has held positions as an Emergency Nurse, educator and various leadership positions such as the Director of Education in both Canada and the USA.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahlaurentinternationalnursecoach/
https://www.nursefarah.com/ (coming soon)