Are you a nurse who’s been thinking about starting your own small business? If so, it’s important to ask yourself some tough questions before taking the plunge into the deep end.
You can learn more about solopreneurship here if you’re new to the idea of nurses working for themselves. You will learn what a nurse solopreneur is and how you can become one.
Starting a business is not for everyone. Is it right for you?
It takes a special type of person to be an entrepreneur. You have to be able to wear many hats, be comfortable with change and ambiguity, and always be learning.
You also have to be okay with making mistakes and failing. Not every business idea is going to be a winner, but it’s important to learn from your failures so you can improve your chances of success with future ventures.
Before you start a business, there are many things to consider. How are you going to finance your idea? Do you have the time to devote to making your business a success?
As a registered nurse, you can work for yourself in many ways.
But, not every option is a good fit for every. That is why it is important you understand the context in which you want to work.
What is your goal? Do you really want to be your own boss? Why? Do you want to work fewer hours? Earn more money?
There are many ways you can do this, so having an understanding of what you want and the value you can provide is a good place to start if you feel like you have no idea how you would make money for yourself as a nurse.
Nursing professionals are starting side hustles and reinventing themselves.
If you start a side hustle, you’re a business owner. The difference is you just don’t call it that. Anyone who works independently and is not a W-2 employee of a company is providing a service and is technically doing so as a business. You just probably aren’t formally declared as one.
The good news is that as a nurse, you have many skills that are transferable to business ownership. The opportunities are endless! But before you take the leap, let’s take a look at a few things you can ask yourself to get a better idea of if starting a business is right for you.
As a nurse, do you want to be your own boss?
There are many great business resources out there that can help get you thinking more like a business owner. Forbes highlights more of the business technicals when it comes to working for yourself.
If you are considering starting your own business as a nurse, you can start with these simple questions to see if it is for you.
1. Where do you see yourself in five years?
2. Why do you want to start a business?
3. Who is a good resource for you to ask questions to?
4. Do you enjoy learning new things?
5. How do you handle change when things do not go the way you thought they would?
6. Can your schedule accommodate flexibility and last-minute changes?
7. Do you have a passion for helping others with the problems they are facing?
8. Who do you see yourself helping in your business?
9. Why do you want to leave your current work situation?
10. Are your personal finances in order?
These questions will get you thinking in the right direction to see if solopreneurship is right for you. Being a registered nurse gives you a unique perspective and set of skills that can be leveraged in many different ways. So, don’t be afraid to explore your options, ask questions, and get creative!
Remember, there is no single answer that fits everyone. But, if you take the time to understand what you want and why you want it, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your goals.
This list is not exhaustive but it will help you get started on the right foot. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and taking action. The only way to fail is to never start. So, what are you waiting for?
If you know working for yourself is what you want.
There are so many avenues you can go down when it comes to starting a business. The most important thing you could do for yourself is to surround yourself with other like-minded people.
If solopreneurship is what you’re striving for, make sure to have a clear understanding of your personal mission statement. You are the only one who can provide your service or product, so it’s important that your message is clear and concise from the get-go.
Don’t try to do everything on your own- delegate and outsource when possible, in order to focus your attention on billable tasks.
Last but not least, get comfortable with the idea of uncertainty and change. As an entrepreneur, you will experience a lot of pivots, so it’s important to be okay with not having all the answers and being able to trust the process.
What other tips would you give to registered nurses who are thinking about starting their own business? Share in the comments below!
Want to learn more about how you can start making extra income and have more freedom for yourself?