Business development/research

[LoveTeleNursing]

Hello entrepreneur colleagues,

I am in the very early stages of researching an idea for a business. I have a BSN, and I am certified in Telephone Triage, with thirteen years in nursing. I am hoping to use my experience and expertise to become an entrepreneur in this field.

I remember reading on one of these very informative forum threads, about the idea to stick your name out in the public via newsletters. I am just wondering if any of you have some more ideas about newsletters or professional journals that would be interested in information that I might be able to provide. I am an excellent communicator and considered publishing.

Veteran entrepreneurs keep reminding the fledgling entrepreneur that a niche, researching competition and networking with other businesses in your field is an essential thread for success. This is a resounding theme of developing a business.

People who may have started call centers in large cities, and those who are affiliated with some of the associations for telehealth and nursing--such as conference writers or presenters--are the only ones I've found that seem to meet the "entrepreneur" definition in telephone triage or telehealth nursing. Most of these people quickly assimilated into a major corporation (by starting the company) or fell back on sponsors by a related association. I'm at a loss to find nurses who have consistently stayed within the bounds of telephone triage and entrepreneur status. A few nurses I've researched have gone into business for themselves under the auspice of telehealth, but specialized in a separate subspecialty such as legal consulting or freelance publication. I am having difficulty identifying any specific small business standing on its own in this field.

I already know about major call centers and telehealth associations, as I work for a managed care call center doing advice, and am certified by an association that sponsors telephone triage/nursing. I need to be careful about my association as an employee with this company because of the potential conflict of interest. So, I am being cautious about researching the business development aspect of my dream.

So far, in relation to researching and developing a "niche" I'm at a loss with this part of business planning.

1. What ideas can you give me about researching in a field of nursing that is still in its pioneer stage?

2. Also, what guidelines do you suggest, when trying to network and learn to avoid opening myself up to "giving away" too much of my business idea? I am an avid communicator and sometimes I don't catch my tongue. I don't want an original idea stolen, just because I let "too much out of the bag."

3. Would you have any suggestions, from a low budget perspective, on how I could begin getting my name out there in associations that may prove to be effective in either sponsorship, financial investment or networking? Do you have any cautions about pursuing my exposure, while currently employed within the industry by a dynamic managed care group?

Let me know of any ideas--accept my gratitude in advance for your input. So far, having read this forum thoroughly in past few weeks, I have gleaned a lot of information and developed hope for a positive future as an entrepreneur! Thank you for the encouragement.

Sincerely,

LoveTeleNursing

[J. B.]

and incorporating this in to your idea?

JB

[nightingale, RN]

TeleNurse:

Welcome to the board.

Could you introduce yourself? I would love to know more about your backround and what has lead you to this point in your nursing career. You mention Fledging Entrepreneurs, where do you network with these other Entrepreneurs?

What business experience do you have? Have you taken any classes that have helped you to get to this point of independence? What has your experience been so far wit hEntrepreneurship?

night

[LoveTeleNursing]

Dear John:

I have heard this term, and read about its use in certain circles of nursing, but is there a particular thread of use, such as independent contracting, that you are referring to when you asked me that?

Or are you talking about use within a structured frame work, such as ombudsman, who advocate for the senior in long term care situations?

A telephone advice nurse is an advocate for clients continually, for the client, and between their provider, other health care professionals, and sometimes the managed care structure or financial constraints. That is a given.

Just curious what you are thinking about with this.

Thanks,

LoveTeleNursing

[J. B.]

I was just bringing up the idea esp with teleconsultant in your topic line. Sorry I dont know much more about it but was just droping an idea for you.

I am a business owner too and have been developing a couple things in order to protect my retirement and long term financial goals.

Take Care and dont ever give up.

JB

[LoveTeleNursing]

Hello Nightngale & JB,

I have nearly fourteen years experience in nursing, currently as a telephone advice nurse for a managed care company in NW USA. I began my nursing career in critical care, building a solid skill base, but without satisfaction in my nursing practice. For some reason, early in my career, I was at the mercy of company dynamics, downsizing and economy politics. This caused me to take positions for shorter periods of time, in a variety of nursing fields, to stay employed. I have worked as a clinic nurse in internal medicine, done home health nursing in a major metropolitan city, worked as a staff nurse, resident care manager and director of nursing in several different long term care facilities, and have worked as an agency nurse in hospitals across a fifty mile radius. I ended up returning to the ambulatory care arena, working in many specialty clinics, including Pediatrics, Womens Health, and Adult Health care. The resounding theme throughout my career has been telephone advice and health education. I like to refer to it as telephone advice, because consumers relate to that much easier than "triage."

While moving in/out of short-lived nursing positions, I found a need to learn to market myself, while competing with nurses who had maturity, specialty experience, and a company track record. Employers translate this to competency and loyalty. Somehow, I needed to market myself as a unique and valuable employee.

I am a highly trained and competent professional as well as a passionate nurse. I began to realize my experiences proved valuable in positions requiring independent nursing practice. I also had exceptional rapport with interdisciplinary health professionals when collaborating to meet client needs. I knew where the client was coming from whether at home or in the hospital, and I understood the variety of challenges presented to nurses in these varied fields - I lived it. I enjoy myself most when working 1:1, using my knowledge, experiences and skill to educate, enhance quality of health care, and relate personally. One of the most independent jobs in nursing is telephone triage.

During some of my shorter job venues, I began to learn a little bit about business and entrepreneurship by attending several local SBA classes and trying to network in the area.

I researched small business and entrepreneurship in more detail. Often, my research led me back to telephone nursing. I developed enthusiasm and desire to be involved in this emerging pioneer nursing specialty. Ever since, I have been "hooked" on becoming a nursing entrepreneur. In the meanwhile, I'm rearing a young family and enjoying simply practicing telephone nursing.

When I attended seminars, I "dreamed" of being the seminar presenter, as adult education appeals to me. I have been active in public speaking through my church. I also do well with written and verbal communication. However, I want to demonstrate competency when I do venture out alone, and that is why I am proceeding rather cautiously. I have a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I received my certificate in Telephone Triage through NCC in 2002. Nursing has been my whole life, apart from my family. Business is a stretch for me, previously protected in a "nuturing" career field. Yet, I continue to be drawn to it.

I haven't been fortunate enough to meet or form any particular bond with entrepreneurs in person, and was referring simply to the "newness" of starting out as an entrepreneur, when I used the word fledgling. I have found this bulletin board most helpful, at several intervals over the past few years, when researching small business and entrepreneurship, and finally took a leap and joined the board. I served in the past on a web site, providing consumer education in health, and truly enjoyed that experience.

I hope that my experiences on this bulletin board provide ample opportunity to encourage other nursing professionals to pursue their dream, and allow me to refine my dream as an independent telehealth professional.

Sincerely,

LoveTeleNursing

[J. B.]

I enjoyed reading your introduction and could not help but be drawn to the fact that I have felt very much the same.

My back ground initially was Trauma and Emergency Nursing followed by a good piece of travel nursing in the same feild through out Southern California.

My Cv is within my profile if you are interested.

Great to have you here and let me know if I can be of any assistance.

I am sure Nightngale will respond too and you will find that she is a great resource as well.

JB

[nightingale, RN]

Welcome TeleNurse:

Thank you for posting. It is interesting to read your story and what has lead you to this point. We all have a story and I feel strongly when we share, like we do here, we grow and learn from each other. I feel very comfortable on this board because of the unique ability we have and do share with each other in our nurturing environment.

Tele, if I may call you by this nickname, you sound advanced in your quest and dream of Independence; I was trying to learn from you when I asked you to share your story, thank you for doing so.

For me, as I have said before, I too have this dream of independence. I do have some abilities to work within my business but I can not (at this time) "quit my day job". Working completely independently is my goal.

I wonder, if you could, do some work/volounteer via your church with blood pressure checks, review medications of parish members to aide in getting out your name and reputuation. It is just a thought and does not nearly touch the areas you have inquired about for queries but I will give it some thought (especially now that I have your image embedded in my mind with your story).

Again, thanks for writing. I do learn so very much from all of you and am happy to share in this positive environment where we can all grow and prosper.

night

[telemetrynurse]

hi i believe i have a wonderful idea but unsure the steps i need to get a us patent. can anyone help?

thanks in advance