You have worked hard throughout your years of nursing school, and have finally passed your NCLEX, and proudly earned your title as RN! After putting in your years on the floor doing long, yet satisfying hospital shifts you may feel like you are ready for a change, but you are probably not looking to go back to school or totally change your line of work at this point.
Here are some innovative and fresh ways you can change your career, without putting away your fave Grey’s Anatomy scrubs! Utilize your nursing knowledge and skills in the world of business, and enjoy your newfound freedom of being your own boss while doing work that you love by becoming a nurse entrepreneur.
A nurse entrepreneur is just what it sounds like; a nurse using his/her knowledge and experience to establish their own business within the healthcare industry.
What are some things you can do as a nurse entrepreneur?
Legal Nurse Consultant
A legal nurse consultant is an RN who is hired as a consultant on medical related legal cases. They work hand in hand with attorneys by helping them read through medical records, understand medical jargon and health issues, to aid in attaining the best possible outcome in their client’s cases. An official non-profit organization called the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants was formed in 1989 to promote legal nurse consulting as a nursing specialty.
A legal nurse consultant may work in a variety of work settings which can include: law firms, insurance companies, government agencies, or even in hospitals as part of a risk management team.
Nursing Coach
A nursing coach is an RN or LPN whose job is to promote wellness and good health for their clients. While all nurses want the best for their patients, and try to encourage a healthy lifestyle, the job of the health coach primarily focuses on this aspect.
Many times nurse coaches will work with people who are dealing with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart conditions. They will coach and guide their clients to adopt a healthy lifestyle, allowing them to live their lives to the fullest despite their chronic condition. There are those who work as generalists, dealing with all health issues, while others specialize in a specific health condition, thus carving out a niche for themselves and establishing themselves as experts in a given field.
Nurse coaching is a great career option for those who want to enjoy the freedom of self-employment, while still remaining in the nursing field. You can set your own hours and work as much or as little as you like. You will be required to take an exam to certify you as a nurse coach.
Nurse Writer
Are you a registered nurse, and also enjoy writing? Then this is the perfect career choice for you! A nurse writer can freelance on health websites and medical blogs, or they can write for medical textbooks. Healthcare companies, as well as private individuals are often on the lookout for talented nurse writers. If you feel like putting pen to paper is you calling, then you have found yourself the perfect job. Some publications are willing to pay as much as $1,000 for an article, so this can be quite a profitable business opportunity.
Nurse Educator
If you have a passion for teaching and want to make a significant impact in the healthcare field, consider creating your own business as a nurse educator. A nurse educator is a specialized nursing professional who plays a crucial role in the education and training of aspiring nurses and other healthcare professionals. Their primary responsibility is to facilitate learning and development within the nursing community. Nurse educators work in various settings, such as nursing schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, and healthcare organizations. One way to achieve this goal is by obtaining a nurse educator degree from UTA, which offers a reputable and flexible program that can equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this role.
Final Thoughts
So, for all of you who feel stifled at your current job working on the hospital floor as a nurse, there is hope for you out there. Become a nurse entrepreneur today and feel a sense of fulfillment as you look forward to each day on the job!
