Being a nurse and a business owner can feel like a juggling act, but it’s not only possible—it’s a pathway to greater freedom, empowerment, and a more fulfilling career. Whether you’re just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to take your business to the next level, balancing both your nursing role and your business growth is key. I’ve been running my business, The Nurse Speak, since 2016, while continuing to work as a nurse in a variety of academic and clinical settings. Over time, I have been able to transition from a full-time commitment to my business to a part-time status and back—allowing me the flexibility to shift as needed based on my career and lifestyle goals. In the beginning, it was an evening and weekend affair while I was figuring it all out, and then it turned into me leaving my full-time job to spend two years in a full-time capacity growing and streamlining my business until it became self-running with very little time commitment. Now, I am pulling in a steady stream of clients, helping thousands of nurses develop strategies for success, while continuing my professional accolades, serving the community of NYC and learning more of how I can continue to grow my products and services to help Nurses thrive within our complex healthcare system. The purpose of this blog post is to share some of the sage wisdom I’ve learned over the years so you too can step into your entrepreneurial empowerment and create the professional lifestyle you want and deserve!
Here are five practical ways you can grow your business and keep it thriving while working full-time:
1. Leverage the Stability of Your Full-Time Role
A full-time nursing job offers a steady income, health benefits, PTO, and more—a safety net that allows you to take calculated risks in your business. This stability can be an incredible asset to your entrepreneurial journey. Instead of rushing to leave your job, take advantage of the steady paycheck to invest in your business. Use PTO strategically for business planning or attending networking events, and rely on your schedule to ensure consistent time for your business development.
Your nursing role can also provide you with real-world insight into the needs of the healthcare industry, and how to strategically solve many of the pain points of your potential clients. You’d be smart to take advantage of the learning opportunities and leverage these bits of wisdom to identify gaps that your business can fill, be it consulting, education, products or services.
2. Maximize Time Management with Strategic Prioritization
Time management is the key to success for ALL nurses, especially nurse entrepreneurs. With a demanding work schedule, you need to be intentional with your time. Create a weekly schedule where you allocate specific time slots to business tasks, even if it’s just an hour or two each day. Prioritize high-impact tasks like client outreach, content creation, product development, and business set-up tasks.
Consistency over time will pay off, and even small efforts made regularly will move your business forward. One thing I’ve found is that by setting daily or weekly business goals, I’m able to break down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks that fit within my work schedule. In fact, my full-time job as the Director of Education and Staff Development *BIG BREATH IN* and Assistant Director of Nursing *BIG BREATH OUT* sometimes keeps me within the walls of my organization for up to 16 hours a day. With that kind of full-time role commitment, the additional time I dedicate for my business is largely focused on client outreach, support and high-quality service delivery. Anywhere from 9 to 12 hours per week, I set that time aside to connect with my clients and help them with their specific needs.
3. Build Passive Income Streams
As a nurse working full-time, you may not always have the energy or time to actively engage in your business—remember those 16 hour days, right!?!?. That’s where passive income streams come in, and have helped me tremendously! You definitely want to explore options like creating educational courses, writing e-books, or offering downloadable resources that can generate income without constant effort of time commitment. This allows your business to keep running, even when you’re sleeping.
For example, I’ve developed several online courses and resources through The Nurse Speak that allow me to earn revenue even when I’m not actively working on the business. These passive income streams provide me with more flexibility, so I can continue growing my business and making MONEY without the pressure of needing to be involved 24/7.
4. Cultivate and Expand Your Network
Networking is essential in any business, and nurses are no strangers to collaboration. Use your full-time role and professional organizations, like the NNBA to cultivate meaningful professional relationships, both inside and outside the healthcare field. Attend industry conferences, join nurse entrepreneur groups, and stay active on social media platforms to connect with other professionals. These connections can open doors to potential clients, collaborators, and opportunities for business growth.
By building a strong network, you can create referral streams and partnerships that help grow your business while still maintaining your full-time position. Remember, relationships are a form of currency in business—invest in them consistently!
5. Make Strategic Transitions on Your Terms
One of the most powerful aspects of owning your own business is the flexibility it provides. You don’t need to rush into full-time entrepreneurship; instead, make transitions when it makes the most sense for you personally and financially. I’ve been able to shift from full-time to part-time business ownership as my priorities have changed throughout my career. This flexibility allows me to continue to grow The Nurse Speak while still serving in a traditional nursing capacity, where I can leverage my years of experience to make the IMPACT that I’ve always wanted to do! Not only am I helping nurses develop strategies for success through my business, I am also doing it in a clinical setting that desperately needs my strong leadership, education and clinical skills to repair and elevate nursing practice so our patients and residents can receive the best possible care. This is what every nurse dreams of, and why many of us become nurses in the first place! I am doing all of this on MY OWN TERMS.
Remember, it’s not a race to millions, and it’s not a race to leave patients high and dry by quitting your job and diving into business ownership. Instead, it’s about focusing on building a business that complements your life, your professional goals, and gives you the freedom to shift as needed. Take your time to develop the business in a way that aligns with your long-term goals—whether that’s working part-time or making a full transition to entrepreneurship.
Final Thoughts
Running a business while working full-time as a nurse can be demanding, but with the right strategies in place, it’s absolutely achievable. By leveraging the security of your full-time job, managing your time effectively, building passive income streams, cultivating your network, and making transitions on your own terms, you can slowly and steadily grow your business and keep it thriving, while growing your professional accolades and experience within your specialty.
I and many of the members of the NNBA are living proof that it’s possible. The Nurse Speak has allowed me to empower nurses, offer career coaching, open new schools for training, speak on national stages, help get over 10,000 new nurses licensed and into the workforce, and create valuable resources for ongoing nursing success—all while continuing to work in traditional nursing roles. The flexibility of business ownership has given me the freedom to shift and grow throughout my career, and I encourage you to embrace the journey, knowing that steady growth is still progress, and with that growth comes FREEDOM!
Whether you dream of full-time entrepreneurship or want to continue balancing both roles, remember that your business and your full-time job is a vehicle for achieving the life and career you desire—on your own terms. Keep going, and stay the course.
As always, if there is anything I can help you with, or if you have any additional questions, I’d love to have a chat with you. Feel free to reach out and connect by scheduling a call.
Best Wishes!
Damion
