Nurse Practitioners in Healthcare: Branching Out & Starting Up

by | Oct 26, 2015 | 12 comments

Nurse Practitioners in Healthcare: Branching Out & Starting Up #YourNextShift #nursingfromwithinNurse Practitioners (NPs) find themselves in new roles. With the recent changes in levels of authority, NPs have a wide range of career decisions in front of them. Some NPs may decide to go out and start their own businesses. As new nurse entrepreneurs, these nurses need support as they begin this type of career journey.

[Tweet “Here Are 3 Tips for Nurse Practitioners Who Become Entrepreneurs”]

  1. Focus on Your ‘Want’ List. If I were to ask you as a NP, what you want your ideal practice to look and feel like… many of you reading would have a difficult time. And I’m here to say it’s totally normal. I have done it too. It’s OK. The way the human brain thinks is to automatically respond to what it is we don’t want. In terms of career, relationships and even our homes… it can be much simpler to say what we don’t want to have, be, do or feel than it is to say what it is we DO want. However, if you are a NP who wants to go into business for yourself- answering this question will save you a lot of time. And plenty of cash. Figure out what it is you do want. Where do you want to practice? Who do you want to help? How do you want your work day to flow?
  2. Shift Your Language. Now that you realize who it is you want to help and how you want to do it, it’s time to start thinking, writing and speaking like an entrepreneur. Here’s something you may or may not already realize. Most of the public doesn’t care about the degrees that we have or the letters that follow our name. They want someone who can solve their problems. And quickly. As a NP, in your own practice, you’ve got to be able to speak to the benefits of what it is you provide. Avoid using medical jargon or nursing terms. Most of the public doesn’t understand this and it only confuses them more. When you’re creating your websites or printing out brochures, you want to speak to the benefit for the person you are helping. In entrepreneur speak, ask yourself: ‘What’s in it for them?’
  3. Be Mindful of Work Versus Play. I’ll be honest with you. I work very hard. However, I always joke and have been known to say: ‘Work hard; play harder’. Now that you’re in this new role, with this added responsibility, it’s crucial for you to take care of the most important person in your practice. You! Here’s where work life balance is so important. If you are constantly talking about work, thinking about your patients or involved in career-oriented tasks… you’re gonna burn out. And fast. It’s important not only for your career, but now for your business as an entrepreneur, that you take breaks and allow yourself a life outside of work.

For more tips and helpful blog articles on this topic of NPs as new nurse entrepreneurs, here are some more resources you may enjoy:

This post was written as part of the Nurse Blog Carnival. More posts on this topic can be found at http://yourahi.org/blogIf you are interested in participating find out more details and sign up.

Elizabeth Scala, MSN/MBA, RNAbout the Author: As a keynote speaker, bestselling author and virtual conference host, Elizabeth partners with hospitals, organizations, associations, and nursing groups to help transform the field of nursing from the inside out. As the bestselling author of ‘Nursing from Within‘, Elizabeth guides nurses and nursing students to a change in perspective, helping them make the inner shift needed to better maneuver the sometimes challenging realities of being a caregiver.

12 Comments

  1. nurselyfe4115

    Elizabeth this is great! I’m not trying to be an entrepreneur any time soon but I would even say that these tips would apply to those just starting out their NP career.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      Great to hear, thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the post.

      Reply
  2. Deanna

    So true… “Most of the public doesn’t care about the degrees that we have or the letters that follow our name. They want someone who can solve their problems.” To most people we are nurses. They do not know the difference between an RN, LPN, APRN, NP. They only know that as a nurse, we are there to help them.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      Right on, Deanna. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse. Now, I do believe in increasing our education and continuing to learn to provide great care. However, glad that you also see the point that people just want our help. From a nurse, no matter what. Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  3. Carrie Sue Halsey (@LaborFun)

    Elizabeth role strain for new APRNs can be a major stressor. Thank you for sharing these tips to help the new NP ease into their role with success.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      You’re so welcome, Carrie Sue. I am glad that you found the post helpful. Thanks for reading! Feel free to share.

      Reply
  4. Dr Rachel Silva, DNP

    You provide clear and succinct resources for nurse practitioners in pursuit of entrepreneurship. It’s difficult when working as an employee to transition to self-employment. Thanks for providing another resource for nurse practitioners as they aspire to widen the impact on improving healthcare.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      You got it, Dr. Silva. I know as well as you do that the transition from employee to employer is challenging. It can be time-consuming and such a stretch. Thanks for sharing this post as part of the blog carnival.

      Reply
  5. Kathy Quan RN BSN PHN

    Elizabeth
    You give direction with such ease. These are great tips for any entrepreneur and as was said above, anyone starting a professional career. THANKS

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      You got it, Kathy. And thanks for the kind feedback. I appreciate it so much… especially coming from an established and highly successful nurse like you! Enjoy the day.

      Reply
  6. exceptionalnurse

    Elizabeth,

    These are such important tips. Role strain and role ambiguity can be so stressful for NPs.
    Work/life balance is such a challenge for all of us. Thanks for your support!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      You’re welcome. I am glad you found it useful.

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. The Role of Nurse Practitioners Within Healthcare Accessible Healthcare Institute™ LLC. Rachel Silva. All Rights Reserved. - […] Elizabeth Scala notes the increasing role responsibilities of nurse practitioners due to state legislative changes improving access to care for…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Q

Love the Content?

Join the mailing list for even more great information from Elizabeth Scala!

Name
Opt-in Notice(Required)
By submitting this form, you agree to receive email marketing from Elizabeth Scala regarding our products and services.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.