The 10 Best Things I’ve Done as a Nurse Entrepreneur (That Changed My Life for the Better)
By Nena Hart, Ph.D., MSN, RN, BC-TN, BC-FMNS, CHPN, C-DONA
When I (unwillingly) left corporate healthcare, aka got fired from my dream job, I knew something had to give and I was completely done with how I was approaching work and my career. I wanted more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. What I didn’t realize was how much I would have to unlearn. The hustle and grind culture, the guilt of taking time off, and the constant pressure to do more had to go.
Now, as a successful nurse entrepreneur running TWO 6-figure companies, I can confidently say that my life—personally and professionally—is far better than it ever was in corporate healthcare. Here are the 10 best decisions I’ve made that have made all the difference. These may seem small or insignificant but they translate to HUGE gains in revenue and personal accomplishment.
1. Putting My Family First
My work used to come before everything—my family, my marriage, and my own well-being.
Now, I block off personal time in my calendar first and build my business around it. My husband and kids get the best of me, not the leftovers. I take off many days, I am home when the kids get home from school, and my husband and sister now work with me to support our success.
2. Prioritizing My Marriage Over Everything Else
It’s easy to get lost in work, especially when you’re passionate about it. But I’ve learned that a thriving marriage creates stability in every other area of life. My business no longer dictates the time and energy I am able to give to my relationship. Jeddy and I sit down every Monday morning and have a CEO day. We do our Weekly pour Hour and review important areas of life and business that make everything else feel easier.
3. Paying Myself More Than I “Deserve”
I used to undervalue myself, thinking I had to work harder to earn a higher paycheck. Now, I pay myself well—because I run a business that supports my life, not the other way around. I started out with hourly projects and now I have quickly learned that people value outcomes and my work and impact speak for themselves. Don’t limit yourself to the hourly rate that a company determines you deserve. You bring WAY more than that to the table – plus don’t forget as a business owner, you are responsible for your own taxes, healthcare, and operating expenses, all these should come before paying yourself, and other businesses understand that wen they pay for your services, these items are included in your fees.
4. Blocking Time for Rest & Relaxation
I schedule downtime like an important meeting. The first thing in the morning is blocked off for me. I don’t like to feel rushed, I want to be able to get my kids off to school, wake up, pray, do pilates, drink coffee, and listen to music while I plan for my day. No more working through exhaustion or skipping breaks. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s an absolute necessity for creativity, clarity, and sustained success.
5. Networking – with No Motives
With my number one value being transparency and authenticity, in my corporate life, I dreaded networking. It felt fake and transactional—like everyone was trying to get something from someone or there was nothing deeper below the surface of our conversations. Now, I build genuine connections with people because relationships matter more than sales. I love listening to what other nurses are doing or connecting with hospices to hear about what they’re struggling with. Then something amazing happens, I try to help them on that call in any way I can. I give completely free and untethered advice and guidance with no expectations for anything in return. And it feels AMAZING. The right opportunities come naturally when you focus on people first.
Becoming a member of the NNBA in 2019 and attending the annual conferences both virtually during COVID and in person after was one of the best things I could have done. It connected me with nurses experiencing the same struggles, with the same dreams and goals, and it also showed me possibilities. I learned about what other nurses were doing and it opened my mind to new ideas and options that I had never considered before. The conference content and strategizing with other nurses also helped me overcome challenges that might have kept me stuck where I was for months, who knows maybe even years. The nurses I met are my closest business besties and my inner support circle now. They have been encouraging me and holding me accountable to keep showing up when I didn’t feel like it for over 5 years now.
6. Letting Go of the Need to Sell
I don’t chase clients anymore. I focus on providing value, sharing my expertise, and showing up consistently. When you do that, sales happen effortlessly. I put my attention on building the right relationships and serving the people I feel called to serve. I offer to help and I share what I charge for my services IF they ask me. This has been a very effective method of conversion for me.
7. Focusing on Revenue-Generating Activities
Not all work is equal. I spend my time on tasks that actually move the needle—consulting, speaking, educating, and creating scalable income streams—rather than getting lost in busywork and research. I talk to numerous nurses who are preparing for their businesses to make money someday. Constant courses, research, questions, and content consumption. Many of them are making $0 because of this desire to consume more to feel more qualified. It ultimately goes back to a scarcity mindset. You don’t need to know more or do more, you need to embrace the abundance of knowledge and skills you already have and share that with others. Sometimes more is just heavier.
8. Investing in My Own Growth
When I was first starting out, parting with $100 felt like a huge commitment and frankly it was scary. I was worried that anything I spent on my business could be a waste. This year, I spent $10,000 on one training opportunity, an 8 week program to specialize my hospice business. That $10k immediately yielded four $10k+ clients and a partnership to create workshops and programs to support hospices. The more I grow, the more my business grows. I invest in coaching, education, and mentorship because I know every dollar spent on learning comes back multiplied.
9. Hiring Help & Delegating Without Guilt
I used to think I had to do everything myself and I would feel like I couldn’t take on any more clients because I was overwhelmed. Now, I contract out the work to other nurses I trust, rely on a bookkeeper, and use tools like Relay Bank to set aside money for business expenses. Delegating and expanding my team has freed me up to focus on what I enjoy, what I do best, and running my business well.
10. Distancing Myself from the Grind & Letting Go of the Outcome
I don’t force results anymore. I show up, do my best, and trust the process. This shift has been everything—it’s given me peace, confidence, and a business that works for me instead of consuming me. I was holding myself PERSONALLY responsible for everything that happened and every opinion or outcome that could occur. That is not only unfair but it’s also not sustainable.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a nurse entrepreneur has been the best decision I’ve ever made. It hasn’t just changed my career—it’s changed my life. If you’re on this journey, know that success isn’t just about financial growth; it’s about designing a business that truly serves you.
I’d really love to see you at the conference this year. Catch me on a break and let me know how I can encourage you. https://nursesbusiness.com/nnba-2025-conference/
Which of these resonates with you the most? How can I help you grow your business? Email me with the topics and tactics you desperately need to move your business forward. Let me know how the NNBA can be the best partner for you right now [email protected]
