A Nurse-owned Business: Is it right for you?

Nurses working in healthcare have voiced concerns regarding their workplace setting. These concerns include the desire for better staffing, reduction in patient violence risk, improved educational opportunities and clinical resources, greater leadership support,

and a healthy organizational culture that promotes improved job satisfaction and retention.

Surveys of nurses over the last several years indicate nurses are burned out, tired, and want a better work-life balance (1).  

Today’s nurse is exploring alternative work options. As healthcare innovation and changes in healthcare delivery occur, business ownership can be an option. Nurses can leverage their clinical expertise to create innovative solutions; examples today include virtual nursing, telehealth consulting, health and wellness coaching, home health services, nurse-owned clinics, and more (2).

Nurses offer specialized clinical services, create health education and online programs to educate both nurses and patients, act as consultants in health policy, quality improvement, and staff education, and offer patient advocacy services helping and advocating for patients in navigating the healthcare system. Nurse business ownership is one solution that can support healthcare innovation, increase earning potential, and allow nurses to have greater flexibility in their scheduling.

As a nurse-owned business can be an answer – much thinking and planning is important before making the move. For instance, did you know that approximately 20% of new businesses fail within the first year, about 50% fail within the first three years, and roughly 65% fail within five years (3)? Primary reasons for business failure include no market need for the service or product (42%), did not have enough money to operate a business (29 %), and the business did not have effective leaders to make it all happen (23%) (4).

Do you have what it takes to plan your success? These are a few Important questions to think about.

What can be your business “niche”?

Know your expertise and what you are passionate about. Is your interest aligned with a need for innovation, patient services, or patient-use product improvement, or is it helpful for other working nurses? Are similar services offered by others whom you might partner or network? Are there health professionals and organizations you can connect with to advance your business idea, who can become potential clients, partners or collaborators?

Knowing there is a need for a healthcare service, product, or innovation can make a big difference in your success.

Can you benefit from additional skill development or business education?

Are there courses or micro-learning opportunities through YouTube offerings, for instance that can help you to understand the challenges or start-up know-how that would be helpful? Business owners have succeeded without additional formal education, however, an openness to new learning and having the right people around you is important.

Does your passion for building your business require a financial investment?

A one-person enterprise, requiring minimal financial investment, is still possible. Social media and the internet can be leveraged to promote and market, for instance, while yet, other expenses can still include office space, payroll needs, website development, computers, additional software, marketing, insurance, and licensing requirements for a start-up.  

Are you able to pivot to a business owner that can result in minimal or no income during early beginnings?

Are you thinking of keeping your job and building your dream on a part-time basis? Do you have time to develop your idea into a business? Time is needed to become a business, acquire work or clients, or generate a revenue stream that leads to success?

Nothing happens overnight. Start-up takes time, commitment and dedication to building your dream. Plan time in your busy life dedicated to focusing and taking the steps needed to start up and build your dream. Are you able to work on a plan, goals, and start-up responsibilities? Do you have time to lay the groundwork for planning for your success?  

Overall, the shift from bedside nursing to owning a business can offer several key advantages - greater control over working hours and schedule, increased earning potential, opportunity to drive healthcare innovation, better work-life integration, and professional autonomy and job satisfaction.

While entrepreneurship or business ownership may not be suitable for every nurse, it can present a viable solution for nurses seeking to escape traditional workplace challenges while maintaining their commitment to healthcare improvement.

References

1.     Muir, K. J., Porat-Dahlerbruch, J., Nikpour, J., Leep-Lazar, K., & Lasater, K. B. (2024). Top Factors in Nurses Ending Health Care Employment Between 2018 and 2021. JAMA network open, 7(4), e244121. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4121

2.     Dunne A. 20 Entrepreneur & Business Ideas for nurses. Nurse Journal. July 25, 2024. 20 Entrepreneur & Business Ideas For Nurses | NurseJournal.

3.     Commerce Institute. What percentage of businesses fail each year? (2024 Data). 2025. What Percentage of Businesses Fail Each Year? (2024 Data)

4.     Levinsky, D. The Ultimate List of Startup & Entrepreneur Statistics (2025). PlanPros. 2025. https://planpros.ai/articles/startup-statistics/

Terri Kapetanovic, PhD RN, is an experienced nurse executive, educator, and business leader dedicated to advancing nurse-led innovation in healthcare. Drawing on decades of experience in both clinical care and business operations, Terri empowers nurses to launch and lead successful ventures, drive evidence-based solutions, and transform healthcare delivery through entrepreneurship and leadership