Entrepreneurship may be the answer if you’re a nurse looking for new and unique ways to use your healthcare knowledge, experience, and skills. Nursing provides many opportunities for nurses to put their expertise into practice outside of traditional hospital settings; branching out into business or entrepreneurship can open up exciting doors in the healthcare industry.
From services that help patients thrive physically and mentally to products related to medical devices or health awareness campaigns – being an entrepreneur as a nurse is full of potential! With all these incredible possibilities, knowing where to start is difficult.
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13 Business Ideas for Nurses Entrepreneur
Over 20 U.S. states now give nurse practitioners (NPs) full-practice authority. The idea of opening your private practice may have crossed your mind. However, that is just one of many options nurses can use their skills in business.
There are some popular business ideas for nurses that are showing great prospects in 2023. Here is a list of 11 trending business and entrepreneur ideas for nurses:
1. Drip Bar:
About the Business: In the ever-changing world of healthcare, a new and unique business model has emerged that caters to the growing demand for intravenous hydration therapy. This enterprise, known as a Drip Bar, has taken the U.S. by storm with its ability to provide patrons with intravenous fluids and essential vitamins quickly.
What sets the Drip Bar apart from traditional medical establishments is that patients can walk in and obtain a “drip cocktail” of their choice without a healthcare provider’s order.
According to Dr. Robert Schmerling from Harvard Health, a Drip Bar is a place where patients can go to receive intravenous hydration without needing a prescription from a healthcare provider. They can choose which “drip cocktail” they want to receive.
These Drip Bars are so famous that they can be found in almost every corner of the country, and even mobile units provide services on demand. For those interested in owning an established business, franchises are available for nurse practitioners looking to step into the business owner role.
Skills Required: As the owner of a Drip Bar, you’ll need to possess excellent people skills and a keen eye for detail. Knowledge about intravenous hydration therapy and experience working with medical fluids and supplies are essential. You should also have strong business acumen and be able to manage staff and resources effectively.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on your location, the services you offer, and how many patients visit your facility. Generally, Drip Bars charge anywhere between $90-$250 per drip cocktail.
Future Viewpoint: With an increasing number of people looking to improve their health through intravenous hydration therapy and its convenient availability in multiple locations, there is great growth potential.
2. Mobile Infusion Unit:
About the Business: As a nurse, you can start your mobile infusion unit. This service provides treatments such as antibiotics via IV, blood transfusions, and hydration therapy to patients unable or fearful to visit hospitals or clinics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Skills Required: To succeed in this business, N.P.s need their skills and basic knowledge of accounting and marketing. Experience in customer service is also a must, along with hiring nurses when required.
Earning Potential: Mobile infusion units can be profitable, each visit ranging from $600-$800, depending on the type of treatment requested. Most insurance companies will cover some of these costs, making it a desirable patient service. Your profits should be high with low overhead costs and no need to rent office space.
Future Viewpoint: The future outlook for mobile infusion units is bright. With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, many patients feel unsafe or unable to visit hospitals and clinics. The convenience of having a nurse practitioner come to you instead of traveling is also an attractive option.
This service could quickly expand into other areas, such as home health care and more specialized treatments, with minimal effort once procedures are in place.
3. Health Writer:
About the Business: As a nurse practitioner, you can leverage your knowledge and expertise to become a health writer. In this business, you’ll create content related to healthcare topics such as disease prevention, nutrition, mental health, medical treatments, and more. You can write for websites such as Health Line or even start your blog!
Skills Required: Writing skills are essential for success in this field. Additionally, web design skills are highly beneficial if you plan on starting your site. It would help if you also understood SEO principles so that your content reaches its intended audience online.
Earning Potential: It depends on your writing type and how much you charge for your services. Generally, you can earn anywhere from $50 to $100 per article, depending on the complexity of the topic and the length of the piece. You can also make money through affiliate programs, sponsored posts, and other revenue streams.
Future Viewpoint: Health writing is an area that has seen rapid growth in recent years, with more people turning to the internet for their health information needs. With many topics to discuss, this field offers opportunities for N.P.s passionate about sharing knowledge and helping others learn more about healthcare topics. Capitalizing on this trend could be very lucrative if you have a knack for words! Good luck in your new career as a health writer!
4. Telemedicine Services:
About the Business: Use your skills in providing telemedicine services. You can provide medical care to patients who cannot come into a clinic or hospital due to geographic locations or health conditions through video conferencing and other digital tools. This is especially pertinent during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people choose not to leave their homes.
Skills Required: As an N.P., you already have the necessary skills for offering telemedicine services. In addition, you should be comfortable with technology and have excellent customer service skills.
Business Potential: The amount you can make will depend on your services and fees. Generally, N.P.s who offer telemedicine services can charge anywhere from $50-$150 per visit, depending on the service provided.
Future Viewpoint: These are becoming increasingly popular as people seek more convenient healthcare options. This trend will likely continue, making it an attractive business opportunity for nurse practitioners looking to expand their income potential. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this trend, now is a great time to do so! Best of luck!
5. Health Writing Coach:
About the Business: Our fourth nurse entrepreneur’s idea is a writing coach. As a coach, you’ll help aspiring writers create content related to healthcare topics such as disease prevention, nutrition, mental health, medical treatments and more.
Your services will include:
- Providing feedback on their work.
- Sharing tips and advice on how to improve their writing skills.
- Inspiring them to reach their goals promptly.
Skills Required: You should have an excellent command of English language rules and grammar and knowledge about various healthcare topics.
Additionally, you should be able to provide constructive criticism without coming across as too harsh or discouraging. Lastly, patience is key to effectively working with and nurturing aspiring writers.
Earning Potential: This will depend on how much you charge for your services and how many clients you take on. Generally, most health writing coaches charge anywhere from $50-$150 per hour.
Future Viewpoint: With more people turning to the internet for their healthcare information needs, there is a growing need for quality content relating to medical topics. As an N.P., taking advantage of this trend could be pretty lucrative!
6. Staffing Agency:
About the Business: This involves recruiting, screening, and placing qualified personnel such as nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals into healthcare facilities needing extra help. It’s a great way to use your expertise as a nurse practitioner to make a difference in the industry by helping fill critical roles in hospitals and clinics nationwide.
Skills Required: You should have excellent customer service skills as well as knowledge of medical terminology, regulations, licensure requirements, and other essentials needed to be successful at staffing healthcare personnel.
Additionally, having experience in recruitment or medical facility management will be beneficial when running your own agency.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make will depend on the services you offer and your fees. Generally, healthcare staffing agencies charge a fee based on the number of staff they provide or a flat rate per assignment.
Future Viewpoint: As more and more hospitals and clinics turn to temporary staffing solutions to fill their needs, there is an increased demand for reliable and experienced healthcare personnel placement services. If you want to start a business as an N.P., this could be an excellent opportunity!
7. Private Practice:
About the Business: This is a great way to build a patient base and use your skills as an N.P. to provide care to needy patients. You’ll be responsible for providing medical services such as diagnosing, treating, and preventing various illnesses. You must also manage all aspects of running a successful practice, including marketing, billing, and accounts receivable.
It is essential to start with a business plan that identifies every detail, including:
- Goals
- Insurance Strategies
- Start-up capital
- Location
- The focus of your practice
- Permits
- National provider identifier
- Malpractice insurance
- Supplies
Skills Required: You should have excellent communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and knowledge about relevant laws regarding healthcare practices. Additionally, having business acumen and good people management skills will help you run a successful course.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on your location, the services you offer, and how many patients you have. Generally, private practice N.P.s charge anywhere between $50-$200 per hour for their services. Future Viewpoint: Private practices are becoming increasingly popular, especially with a growing demand for healthcare professionals. As an N.P., opening a private practice could be a great way to capitalize on this trend and become your boss!
8. Medical Spa:
About the Business:
Medical spas are becoming increasingly popular as they provide more advanced treatments than traditional spas. The services provided range from Botox and fillers to laser hair removal and dermal abrasion. You’ll be responsible for providing these treatments and overseeing business operations such as marketing, staffing, sales, and customer service.
Skills Required: You should have in-depth knowledge of the latest aesthetic procedures, good customer service skills, and management experience. Additionally, knowing relevant laws about healthcare practices will be beneficial when running your medical spa.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on the services you offer and your fees. Generally, medical spas charge anywhere between $50-$500 per hour for their treatments. Future Viewpoint: With an aging population and a desire to look younger, there is an increasing demand for aesthetic treatments such as those offered at medical spas. As an N.P., starting your own business could be a great way to capitalize on this trend!
9. Weight Loss Clinic:
About the Business: This clinic offers medically supervised programs to help patients reach their weight loss goals. You’ll be responsible for providing medical services such as diagnosis, prescribing medications, and creating customized treatment plans.
You must also manage all aspects of running a successful clinic, including marketing, billing, and accounts receivable.
Skills Required: You should have excellent communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and knowledge about relevant laws regarding healthcare practices. Additionally, having a business understanding and good people management skills will help you run a successful course.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on your location, the services you offer, and how many patients you have. Generally, weight loss clinics charge between $50-$200 per hour for their services.
Future Viewpoint: With an increasing number of people looking to lose weight and improve their health, there is a growing demand for medically supervised weight loss clinics. As an N.P., opening a weight loss clinic could be a great way to capitalize on this trend and become your own boss.
10. Medical Software Developer:
About the Business:
Medical software developers are responsible for creating and maintaining applications to facilitate healthcare activities, such as electronic health records, appointment scheduling systems, and telemedicine platforms. You’ll need to have a thorough understanding of current technologies and the ability to develop secure and reliable software solutions.
Skills Required: To be successful in this field, you should possess excellent technical skills, knowledge of computer programming languages, and logical problem-solving abilities. Additionally, having experience with healthcare data security requirements will be beneficial when developing medical software solutions.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on the services you offer and your experience. Generally, medical software developers charge between $60-$200 per hour for their services.
Future Viewpoint: As healthcare technology develops, there is an increasing demand for medical software developers who can create effective solutions that improve patient care. As an N.P. with a technical background, entering this field could be a great way to capitalize on this trend and use your skills!
11. Nutrition and Diet Program Owner :
About the Business: You can open and run a nutrition and diet program. This type of business provides medically supervised programs designed to help patients reach their health goals through proper nutrition and diet. You’ll be responsible for providing medical services such as diagnosis, prescribing medications, and creating customized treatment plans.
It would be best if you also managed all aspects of running a successful practice, including marketing, billing, and accounts receivable.
Skills Required: You should have excellent communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and knowledge about relevant laws pertaining to healthcare practices. Additionally, having business acumen and good people management skills will help you run a successful practice.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on your location, the services you offer, and how many patients you have. Generally, nutrition and diet programs charge between $50-$200 per hour for their services.
Future Viewpoint: With an increasing number of people looking to improve their health through proper nutrition and diet, there is a growing demand for medically supervised programs. As an N.P., opening a nutrition and diet program could be a great way to capitalize on this trend and become your boss.
12. Online Tuition & Nursing Courses Business:
About the Business: As a nurse, you can enter the growing field of online tuition and nursing courses. This type of business provides personalized online courses designed to help nurses and other healthcare professionals improve their knowledge and skills. You’ll be responsible for creating the course content, managing student accounts, and keeping track of progress.
Skills Required: You should have excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of healthcare topics. Additionally, having experience in online teaching will be beneficial when creating course content.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on your services and the number of students enrolled in your courses. Generally, online tuition and nursing courses charge between $30-$150 per hour for their services.
Future Viewpoint: With an increasing demand for healthcare professionals who possess specialized skills, online tuition, and nursing courses are gaining popularity. As an N.P., entering this field could be a great way to capitalize on this trend and use your expertise. Additionally, running an online business can allow you to work from anywhere worldwide!
13. Start Your Fitness Centre:
About this business: Another excellent nursing business is opening and running a fitness center. This type of business provides personalized workout plans, classes, equipment, and other services designed to help clients achieve their health goals. As an N.P., you’ll be responsible for providing medical services such as diagnosis, prescribing medications, and creating customized treatment plans.
Skills Required: You should have excellent people management skills and strong organizational abilities. Additionally, knowing relevant laws about healthcare practices will be helpful when setting up the business.
Earning Potential: The amount you can make depends on your location, your services, and how many clients you have. Generally, fitness centers charge between $45-$200 per hour for their services.
Future Viewpoint: With the increasing number of people looking to lead healthier lifestyles, starting and running a fitness center could be profitable. As an N.P., you’ll be able to capitalize on this trend by providing medical services and helping clients achieve their health goals.
Final Thoughts:
Starting a business as an N.P. can be both rewarding and challenging. However, with the right skills, knowledge, and dedication, you can create a successful business that capitalizes on current trends and uses your expertise in healthcare. We hope this article has given insight into the different types of businesses where nurses can start and succeed.
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.