National Nurses in Business Association

Empowering Nurses Through Entrepreneurship

Since 1985, thousands of nurses looking for a change, desiring more freedom, and becoming their own boss, have chosen to advance their careers by becoming members of the National Nurses in Business Association. You will be joining and networking with nurses who have transitioned into the business world over the past 38 years, as well as nurses who are currently transitioning into new professional careers. Our veteran members’ resumes include thousands of nurse-owned businesses, awards, and millions in revenues. The experience, knowledge, and impact of our community is amazing-as well as the support that is provided to fellow nurse entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. You will have the opportunity to make incredible and meaningful connections by networking with other NNBA members who share your interests and passion.

“In the generation that has passed, since the National Nurses in Business Association was founded, the ranks of nurse entrepreneurs has increased substantially. The NNBA is the vanguard of the nurse entrepreneur movement and that is a result of the active participation and contributions of its richly resourced membership. We are Nurse Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders, and Mentors and organization of Nurses Helping Nurses Succeed in Business!”

-Michelle Podlesni, RN, CEO – President of the NNBA

The NNBA Vanguard Award

We present the prestigious Vanguard Award periodically in the recognition of a nurse entrepreneur exemplar with a proven track record of business success, impact and substantial influence in the nursing profession. Vanguard is defined as the leader in a movement, and the individual recipients demonstrate this leadership in nurse entrepreneurship. The award reads:

“Recognizing Your Impact, Inspirational Leadership, and Extraordinary Contributions to Nurse Entrepreneurship”.

The NNBA is Mission Driven

• Encouraging nurse entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to develop, grow, own, and manage their own businesses
• Developing opportunities locally and nationally for nurses in business
• Serving the networking and educational needs of our members

We achieve this mission through NNBA’s core values of:

Encouragement ~ Empowerment ~ Education ~ Service ~ Connection

National Nurses in Business Association NNBA

Michelle Podlesni, RN President NNBA
Founder and Author UNconventional Nurse® Going From Burnout to Bliss!
Bloom Service Group, LLC, CEO & President

Inspired to help and make a difference in people’s lives early on, Michelle’s unconventional nursing career advanced and reinvented itself from the US Navy to hospitals, to corporate America’s C-Suite, to serial entrepreneur. Michelle’s enthusiasm, critical thinking, and vision enabled her to obtain a proven track record of creating and leading start-ups to financial success, along with their subsequent multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions. Michelle has been coaching managers, executives and nurses for over 20 years. Her passion for helping others succeed has made her a sought after coach, speaker and business advisor and fueled her Amazon #1 bestselling book: UNconventional Nurse®: Going from Burnout to Bliss! Michelle focuses on encouraging and empowering professional growth and business success.

NNBA History

The NNBA was founded in 1985 by a critical care nurse from California. Initially a newsletter known as the Nurse Entrepreneur’s Exchange, it provided information for business minded nurses and a forum for them to connect and share information. This grassroots movement quickly evolved into the National Nurses in Business Association. True to the initial design to provide a networking arena for nurse entrepreneurs and to update nurses on business opportunities, NNBA now includes national educational conferences, workshops and seminars. Past presidents and leadership of the NNBA include: David Norris, RN, Kay Davis, Ed.D, MSN, BSN, Pamela Buckman, MSN, BSN, Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, RN, PhD., and Patricia Bemis, RN, CEN.