More and more nurses are realizing they don’t have to choose between helping people and building something of their own. If you’ve ever thought about running your own business, setting your own hours, or offering specialized services beyond the hospital floor, you’re not alone.
Right now, only about 0.5% to 1% of all working nurses globally are entrepreneurs, according to the Journal of Advanced Nursing. That means the nursing profession is just beginning to tap into its potential for business leadership. As healthcare needs grow and care models evolve, nurses are in a unique position to step up and deliver innovative solutions.
Across the country, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and even nursing students are launching clinics, building consulting firms, and creating services that align with their skills, values, and goals. Whether you’re driven by flexibility, financial freedom, or the desire to serve your community in new ways, there’s space for you in this movement.
If you’ve been thinking about what it would take to become a nurse entrepreneur, this guide will walk you through the essentials. Whether you’re still in nursing education or already deep into practice, there are real business opportunities in the healthcare field.
What Is a Nurse Entrepreneur?
A nurse entrepreneur is a licensed nurse who builds and runs a business in or around the healthcare industry. This could involve offering direct patient care, launching a private practice, developing a healthcare app, or creating an education platform for other nurses.
These entrepreneurial nurses often bring a mix of nursing and business administration skills to the table.
They use their clinical expertise to improve healthcare delivery while also understanding the financial side, legal requirements, and day-to-day operations of running a business.
You’ll find successful nurse entrepreneurs working in everything from telehealth and aesthetics to wellness coaching and consulting.
What they all share is a drive to work independently and shape their own career path.
Why Nurses Make Great Business Owners
Nurses are trained to solve problems, stay calm under pressure, and think critically. These same traits make them natural business leaders. Here are a few reasons why so many aspiring nurse entrepreneurs are thriving in their ventures:
- They know patients. Years of direct patient care give nurses deep insight into what people actually need and value in healthcare.
- They’re systems thinkers. Nurses understand how care is delivered from the inside out and can spot gaps in existing models.
- They’re strong communicators. Good communication skills are essential in both nursing care and business leadership.
- They take a holistic approach. Nurses consider the full picture, physical, emotional, social, which helps create services that truly support people.
With all this, it’s no surprise the nursing profession is seeing a rise in nurse leaders who are ready to create businesses that deliver better, more thoughtful care.
Types of Businesses Nurse Entrepreneurs Can Launch
If you’re exploring ideas, here are some business paths that combine nursing expertise with demand in the current job market:
- Med Spa or Aesthetic Clinics: Many nurses open practices that offer Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling, and other aesthetic procedures.
- Telehealth or Concierge Primary Care: These models allow nurses to deliver personalized care and work independently or remotely.
- Weight Loss and Hormone Therapy Clinics: A growing number of nurse entrepreneurs are offering medically supervised treatment plans.
- IV Hydration and Wellness Practices: These services are popular with patients seeking recovery support or preventive care.
- Legal Nurse Consulting: Nurses with clinical experience and sharp critical thinking often advise legal teams on medical cases.
- Nurse Education and Career Coaching: Some nurses create programs or content to help nursing students pass the NCLEX-RN or to guide others through career transitions.
- Public Speaking or Workshop Facilitation: Nurse educators and thought leaders often host events, both in-person and virtual.
If you have practical experience in nursing practice and an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s a business venture out there that’s the right fit.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse Entrepreneur
Here’s a path many entrepreneurial nurses follow to bring their ideas to life:
- Clarify your niche and service model. Start by identifying unmet needs you’ve seen in your own nursing practice or community. Then decide whether your business will focus on patient care, consulting, education, or something else.
- Assess your education and credentials. You may already have what you need, or you might want to pursue an advanced degree or additional certification to support your business goals.
- Create a business plan. Map out your services, target market, pricing model, operational structure, and marketing strategy. This will guide your decisions and help with funding or partnerships.
- Understand your state’s requirements. If your services involve prescribing medications or offering medical treatments, check your practice authority laws and whether you need a supervising physician.
- Secure a medical director if needed. For clinical services like injections or weight loss programs, working with a licensed physician ensures legal compliance and safer patient care.
- Set up operations. This includes forming a business entity, choosing a location (or going mobile), setting up scheduling and electronic medical record (EMR) systems, and handling insurance or consent protocols.
- Launch and refine. Start seeing patients, track patient outcomes, and adapt as you grow. Don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow nurse entrepreneurs or mentors as you build.
Do Nurse Entrepreneurs Really Need a Medical Director?
Depending on what services you plan to offer, you may be legally required to partner with a medical director. This is especially true for nurses offering treatments like Botox, prescription weight loss meds, or hormone therapy.
Each state has different rules about scope of practice, physician supervision, and what counts as medical care. In many cases, nurses must have a collaborative agreement with a physician to offer certain services. This helps protect your license, your patients, and your business.
At Medical Director Co., we help nurses navigate these requirements by connecting you with licensed physicians who understand the value of your clinical skills and want to support your business goals.
Ready to Launch? Medical Director Co. Can Help
You’ve already built a strong foundation through years of patient care, education, and hands-on experience. Now it’s time to use that foundation to build something of your own.
Whether you’re dreaming of a med spa, a mobile wellness clinic, or a virtual practice, Medical Director Co. is here to help. We specialize in helping nurse entrepreneurs find qualified, supportive medical directors who make it possible to launch with confidence and stay compliant as you grow.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re ready to walk with you.
Become a nurse entrepreneur with the support you deserve. Reach out today and let’s build the future of nursing entrepreneurship together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a nurse entrepreneur?
A nurse entrepreneur is a licensed nurse who uses their clinical background to launch and manage their own business. This could include direct patient services like aesthetics or primary care or non-clinical offerings like consulting, coaching, or education. Nurse entrepreneurs blend nursing expertise with business strategy to improve care delivery and work more independently.
Do I need an advanced degree to become a nurse entrepreneur?
Not always. Many nurse entrepreneurs start with an RN license and build from there. However, depending on the services you want to offer, an advanced degree (like a nurse practitioner or DNP) can give you more clinical authority and flexibility. Business knowledge can be gained through continuing education, mentorship, or hands-on experience.
Can I open a clinic or med spa as a registered nurse?
Yes, but you will likely need a collaborating or supervising physician depending on your state’s regulations. Services like Botox, fillers, and prescription-based treatments require a medical director in most states. Medical Director Co. can help connect you with a licensed physician to stay compliant.
What types of businesses can nurse entrepreneurs start?
There are many options. Nurse entrepreneurs launch med spas, primary care clinics, IV hydration businesses, telehealth platforms, consulting firms, nurse coaching services, and legal nurse consulting businesses. The best choice depends on your background, interests, and the needs of your target community.
How much does it cost to get started?
Startup costs vary depending on the type of business you choose. A mobile IV clinic may cost less upfront than a brick-and-mortar medspa. Some nurses start small and scale over time. Having a clear business plan will help you map out costs for licensing, equipment, insurance, staffing, and marketing.
Do I need a medical director for aesthetic or weight loss services?
In most states, yes. These services typically fall under the category of medical treatment and require oversight from a licensed MD or DO. Medical Director Co. specializes in helping nurse entrepreneurs meet these requirements through affordable, supportive partnerships.
How long does it take to start a nursing business?
That depends on your readiness, licensing requirements, and the type of business you’re launching. With a solid business plan and proper support, some nurses go from idea to launch in a few months. Others may take longer if pursuing additional education, permits, or funding.
How can I find a medical director for my business?
Medical Director Co. provides a streamlined way to get matched with a qualified supervising physician. We work with registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to ensure your business stays legally compliant and medically sound.
Written By:
Kiara DeWitt, BSN, RN, CPN
Kiara DeWitt is a nationally recognized Registered Nurse, Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), and founder of InjectCo—a rapidly expanding medical aesthetics brand with eight thriving clinic locations across Texas. With over a decade of clinical experience, Kiara began her career in pediatric neurology, serving as the Lead Clinical Educator for the Neurosurgery and Neurology Unit at Cook Children’s Pediatric Hospital, one of the most respected children’s hospitals in the country. There, she specialized in training nurses and clinicians in high-stakes neurological care, combining clinical rigor with compassionate patient advocacy.
Her transition into the aesthetics field was fueled by a passion for ethical care and a vision to transform the patient experience in cosmetic medicine. Since launching InjectCo in 2021, Kiara has grown it into a multi-location business—spanning six clinics in Dallas–Fort Worth, one in Houston, and one in Austin—anchored by her commitment to safety, education, and integrity.
As the founder of the Texas Academy of Medical Aesthetics, she also leads one of the most comprehensive hands-on training programs in the country, offering a 100+ hour injector internship where students shadow across all InjectCo clinics. Her approach has earned acclaim not only from patients but also from providers who see her as a mentor and reliable voice in a growing industry.
Kiara’s unique combination of pediatric neurological expertise, clinical leadership, and entrepreneurial success makes her a trusted authority in both medical and aesthetics circles. She is frequently sought after for insight on clinical operations, patient safety, and scaling compliant, ethics-driven practices.
