Business Brainstorm

passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 22, 2014

I have a youth program where I teach them how to apply their gifts to running their own business. It is a very basic program but some of the ideas may be useful to you.

I start off by helping them identify their talents, then I show them ways in which they can develop those talents into earning potential. I usually tell them to focus on something they love, become an expert at it then earn money by writing a book, consulting, teaching, professional speaker, developing a product or all the above.

Whatever you do make sure you will enjoy it because running a business is like raising a child and you will grow to resent it if it isn't something you like. And please don't forget to think outside the box, nurses forget they can do many things Outside of nursing.

Good luck! Would like to know how it turns out.

NedRN · Sep 29, 2014

I like this idea. I freq read about Travelling Nurses looking for living accommodations. If there were some way to combine/coordinate arranging contract housing for travelers and/or employing facilities that seems it would fulfill a need for all three parties - the nurse, the facility and you. (Any healthcare practitioner could be in need, also.)

Any place where there is a need, businesses form to meet it. There are very few original ideas and even if you do come up with a new business idea, it will probably not be a licence to mint money and if it is, you will quickly have some serious competition!

In the case of providing turn key housing for medical travelers (agencies are the largest customers) I know of three major companies in this space: Travelers Haven, Med Temp Housing, and the latest one Furnished Finders. Researching the competition is a good way to start on any business idea.

In in this case, your nursing experience won't be as helpful as a real estate background.

tronix304 · Sep 29, 2014

The good thing about starting a business where there are reputable companies established, is that you know there is a market for this particular service/good. The negative aspect is that there is competition. You just have to make your business different or better in some way. Research what those companies are doing right and what they are doing wrong and work off of that. Most new businesses are not started from scratch but from working off of other ideas to make them better (e.g. Google, Facebook).

I agree, nursing experience won't be as helpful but it is definitely not useless or impossible. I think that this idea would work, or even student housing for health professionals.

kalevra, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2014

This isn't nursing related but I recently started working in real estate and although difficult at times, it's great. I currently rent out one home but am in the process of closing on another. Great supplemental income and if you choose the right tenants, it is fairly pain free. Also, if it is in a high demand area, you can get your mortgage paid for AND additional money.

I dont want my side business to be nursing or medical related.

Can you please share how you got into real estate I am very intrigued.

How do you get started?

amoLucia · Sep 30, 2014

Any place where there is a need, businesses form to meet it. There are very few original ideas and even if you do come up with a new business idea, it will probably not be a licence to mint money and if it is, you will quickly have some serious competition!
In the case of providing turn key housing for medical travelers (agencies are the largest customers) I know of three major companies in this space: Travelers Haven, Med Temp Housing, and the latest one Furnished Finders. Researching the competition is a good way to start on any business idea.
In in this case, your nursing experience won't be as helpful as a real estate background.

I was unaware of the market, so your post was informative. Still, it did sound good to me at the time I posted.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Oct 5, 2014

The good thing about starting a business where there are reputable companies established, is that you know there is a market for this particular service/good. The negative aspect is that there is competition. You just have to make your business different or better in some way. Research what those companies are doing right and what they are doing wrong and work off of that. Most new businesses are not started from scratch but from working off of other ideas to make them better (e.g. Google, Facebook).
I agree, nursing experience won't be as helpful but it is definitely not useless or impossible. I think that this idea would work, or even student housing for health professionals.

tronix304 i sent you a PM

has anyone started a product and sold it to home health agencies/nursing homes,etc?

swtonursing · Oct 16, 2014

Just overall in many mental health / physical health case management organizations someone with enough zeal can simply offer a better service and contract with a family member for a set fee.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2014

You could start making haz mat suits for nurses.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2014

or buy stock in companies who manufacture them

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Oct 20, 2014

web researcher

SeaH20RN, BSN · Oct 22, 2014

I also do Real Estate on the side. I have had my real estate license for 8yrs. Planning to eventually become a Real Estate investor full time. Having a positive cash flow from rental property is the best investment. So I work 3, 12's and save every penny to buy property with little $ down. If each property cash flows an average of $900,a month after expenses I just need 4-5 properties. Thinking of buying a home to convert to a Board and Care. Not an overnight plan but nothing is. Planning on getting a Bachelor’s degree in business instead of a BSN.

firstinfamily, RN · Oct 24, 2014

Get with a good IT person and make a decent computer program that meets all the Medicare/Medicaid/Insurance requirements and give us nurses something decent to work with that actually applies to the clinical environment!!!!