Why Nurses Make Great Business Owners feat. Sara Fung
Convinced you don’t have any other marketable skills besides being a bedside nurse?
Nurse friend, I don’t blame ya. 😩 It’s easy to think the bedside is the only place your nursing skills belong (especially when that iiis all we’ve been taught). But the reality is your nursing skills go way beyond patient care, and they’re extremely valuable in any industry.
Exploring new career paths and embracing your skill set can open doors you might never have considered. And while entrepreneurship isn’t the only option for nurses, there is sooo much room in this space for those ready to take on a new challenge. By starting your own business, you can redefine what it means to be a nurse and use your incredible nursing skills in fresh, impactful ways.
Nurses make fantastic business owners — just ask Sara Fung, a nurse career coach and founder of TheRNResume who’s been teaching nurses how to transfer their nursing skills to new and exciting career paths since 2019. With over 17 years of nursing experience spanning labor and delivery, clinical research, and leadership, Sara encountered burnout herself and took her skills in a new direction to build a business helping other nurses land their dream jobs.
With a business rooted in hands-on experience, Sara knows firsthand the unique strengths and nursing skills that make nurses perfect for entrepreneurship. So yes, nurses can abso-freaking-lutely start their own businesses and successfully transition away from the bedside. If you’ve ever thought about starting something of your own — or even just dipping a toe into a new field — trust me, you’re already more equipped than you think. 😌
Let’s Talk About How Your Nursing Skills Translate to Entrepreneurship
Sara’s story is a perfect representation of a nurse who is gritty as heck and doesn’t follow a traditional nursing path. In 2007, Sara kicked off her career in labor and delivery, but found herself exploring nontraditional roles like prenatal education, clinical research, and eventually into nursing leadership.
Sara stepped into her new leadership role, only to find that leadership didn’t bring the fulfilling experience she’d imagined. In fact, she explains that this is where things took a turn. “I feel like that was my first taste of what a toxic work environment was, because they were actively trying to make me fail,” and quickly became burnt out. Sara began to wonder if there was another way to help others. And that’s when she had the biggest lightbulb moment. 💡
She remembered how long it had taken her to break into leadership roles and the many hours she spent perfecting her resume to stand out. She decided to put her nursing skills to work, and TheRNResume was born, dedicated solely to helping nurses reach their career goals.
Sara’s work has revealed something powerful about the unique nursing skills that we bring to the table. She explains, “Every single nurse I've talked to — even nurses who have gone into different industries — still tell me they use their nursing skills every single day,” which is because nursing is packed with transferable skills.
1 | Lifelong Learning
Nurses are the ultimate lifelong learners, always adding new certifications, adapting to updated protocols, and quickly mastering skills on the fly. That drive for learning is one of the most transferable nursing skills. Sara notes, “The drive to always want to learn is something that all nurses have … and it’s a skill we can apply in any business.”
In the wild world of entrepreneurship, staying current is just as essential. Learning new skills keeps you efficient, relevant, and competitive. And in today’s internet age, it’s easier than ever to dive into a course or a YouTube tutorial, pick up a fresh skill, and apply it immediately.
As a nurse stepping into business, your eagerness to learn will give you a huge edge — especially in the beginning when nearly everything feels new and is a fast-paced, exponential learning curve.
Embracing your natural curiosity and knack for picking up new skills means you’ll be constantly growing alongside your business. So go ahead, channel that love of certifications and jump into your next learning adventure. 🤓 Your future business will thank you!
2 | Problem-Solving Powerhouse
From the start of your nursing career, you’ve been thrown into high-stakes situations that demand quick thinking, creativity, and resilience. You’re constantly troubleshooting under pressure, finding workarounds when supplies are low, and coming up with ways to improve care — even when the odds are stacked against you.
As Sara says, “Just like in nursing, business challenges need quick solutions, and it’s a huge advantage to already know how to find them.” So when it comes to running a business, you’re already set up for success — you know how to face unexpected twists, handle client concerns, and find solutions when plans go sideways.
The problem-solving muscle you’ve built at the bedside is going to be one of your biggest assets in your nursing skills toolbox as you transition from bedside to business. I meeean, you’ve been putting out fires since day one — now you’ll just be doing it with your own goals in mind! Because let’s face it — you’re a master at making things work, no matter the challenge. 🔥
3 | Cool-Headed Composure
As a nurse, you’re a serious pro at staying cool under pressure. 😎 Every bedside shift requires you to be on high alert, constantly assessing and reassessing situations — even when chaos hits — and it’s that mental agility you need in entrepreneurship, Sara explains. This is because you understand the importance of paying attention to every detail, no matter how small, to provide the best possible care for your patients.
You’ve already spent countless hours staying calm, cool, and collected no matter what the day throws at you. In business, this same situational awareness and composure will help you juggle multiple responsibilities without breaking a sweat.
You’ll read the room, anticipate issues before they happen, and make quick, smart decisions. You’ve been managing high-stakes situations like a freaking champ for years, so handling a product-line crisis or last-minute project tweak? You’ve totally got this!
4 | Unparalleled Resilience & Next-Level Perservance
A nurse’s resilience when shit hits the fan (literally) is absolutely unparalleled. You don’t just “get through tough days” — you thrive under pressure like no one else can. And your exceptional work ethic is evident in the unwavering dedication and focus you display each day, going above and beyond in your duties to make sure your patients receive the best possible care.
From marathon shifts to handling back-to-back crises, you’ve built a resilience that’s practically superhuman. As Sara says, “Nursing requires you to bounce back and stay committed, even when it’s tough,” and that resilience is gold in the world of entrepreneurship.
You’ve got the grit to keep pushing, the determination to stay focused, and the mental toughness to go above and beyond. Your relentless perseverance isn’t just a nursing skill — it’s the fuel that’ll keep your business moving forward, no matter what challenges come your way.
5 | Adaptability & Pivoting Like a Pro
If there’s one thing nurses know, it’s that things don’t always go as planned! From handling last-minute patient changes to pivoting on a hectic shift, adaptability is one nursing skill that is literally in your DNA, which can be incredibly useful when navigating the unpredictable ups and downs of entrepreneurship. As Sara says, “You’re going to get things wrong and that’s okay. You learn as you go and adapt.”
In business, just like in healthcare, the unexpected is always around the corner. Market conditions change, projects take wild turns, and setbacks pop up out of nowhere. But you’ve been adapting on the fly since day one, and now you can put ALL your nursing skills to work for yourself.
6 | Client-Centered Mindset
As a nurse, you’ve mastered the art of putting others first (nearly to a fault, IMHO 🫣). Every shift, you’re focused on giving patients the best care and making sure they feel seen and valued. So in business, your client-centered nursing skills naturally translate into client-centered approaches in business that really set you apart from your competitors.
You genuinely want to improve people’s lives — whether it’s a patient’s health or a client’s experience through your business. And that’s a beautiful thing! Your empathy helps you connect on a deeper level, anticipate clients’ needs, and tackle concerns before they even arise.
Sara puts it perfectly, “Nurses have this genuine desire to help, but you don’t have to be touching a patient to make a difference.” And that’s the real magic — you’re not just here to make a sale or a quick buck. You’re here to build relationships and positively impact people’s lives.
When you approach clients with empathy and a true desire to meet their needs, they feel seen, heard, and valued. It’s more than just good customer service — it’s how you create trust, showing you’re invested in their experience, and building something real.
Aaand a bonus is that happy clients become raving fans and will refer all their friends to you, setting your business up for long-term success.
So, bring that same dedication to care into every business interaction. It’s what you do best, after all — and just one of the nursing skills that will set your business ahead of the competition.
7 | Time Management & the Business Balancing Act
If there’s one thing nurses know, it’s how to manage time under pressure. From coordinating patient care to squeezing in 17 tasks before your next round, you somehow manage to keep it all running — Bob’s continuous applesauce requests included! 😜
While multitasking isn’t necessarily the bessst way to get work done, you’re used to making split-second decisions, adjusting on the fly, and somehow getting it all done. Sara explains, “Being able to work on deadlines and multitask … helps in many different industries.” And in business, these skills are your secret advantage.
Your nursing skills prove that you’re already great at knowing what needs to happen now, what can wait, and how to streamline it all for maximum efficiency. As a solo nurse entrepreneur, you’ll be wearing all the hats, but your time-management and multitasking nursing skills will help you create organized systems that keep things under control. So when the tasks start piling up, you’re ready to tackle them all with confidence and clarity.
8 | Turning a Little Into a Lot
You’ve mastered the art of getting things done, even when resources are tight. You know how to find creative ways to repurpose supplies or manage time under pressure. Sara explains, “As nurses, you just sort of work with what you have,” capturing how nursing skills taught her to find creative solutions in any situation.
In business, this resourcefulness will be one of your most transferable nursing skills. Just think about it — if you’re working with a “lean” budget, you’re already skilled at repurposing, finding affordable alternatives, and thinking on your feet to get the job done. You’ll know how to stretch every dollar and make it count, juuust like you’ve stretched your resources to meet patient needs (it hurts my heart to type this just as much as it probably hurts your head to read it, but we’ve all been there unfortunately 😭).
Whether it’s finding cost-effective solutions, making smart trade-offs, or building systems from scratch, your resourceful mindset will allow you to tackle any challenge and keep your business running smoothly. So when things get tight, trust in your ability to make it work — you’ve been doing it all along.
9 | Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
In healthcare, collaboration is everything. Nurses rely on each other, coordinating with doctors, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, social workers, aides, and the whole rest of the team to make sure patients receive the best care (you get it 😅). You’re constantly working together, sharing insights, and making sure everyone’s on the same page, and working collaboratively doesn’t disappear when you step into nurse entrepreneurship.
And as a nurse entrepreneur, you’ll discover that building a network of support can make all the difference. Whether you’re teaming up with a website copywriter and designer to create your website, smooth-talking vendors to get great deals, or networking with other nurse entrepreneurs and business owners, your collaborative nursing skills will help you build partnerships that move your business forward.
Collaboration also means recognizing when to lean on others for their expertise. Just like in nursing, you don’t have to do it all alone. The ability to work well with others and build real connections can bring fresh opportunities, innovative ideas, and support when you need it most. So take that collaborative spirit into your business — it’s a skill that will make you thrive.
Taking Your Nursing Skills Beyond the Bedside
The skills you’ve developed as a nurse can open doors far beyond traditional healthcare roles. As Sara explains, “I don’t want people to get stuck in this ‘I’m a nurse, so I can only start a nursing business like a foot care business or an IV hydration business’ mentality,” because there’s sooo much beyond bedside nursing that’s worth exploring.
Take a step back and ask yourself: What am I passionate about? What are the things I love doing outside of nursing? Is there something I’ve always wanted to try that could blend beautifully with my nursing skills?
Maybe for you, that’s starting a business, but of course, starting a business feels daunting...as...heck, especially with all the “what-ifs” that constantly come up. And unfortunately, so many nurses worry about risks that likely will never come to fruition, fearing that they might lose their license or their job just for trying something new. But Sara reminds us that these fears, while common, don’t always reflect reality.
There’s so much freedom in taking the leap to start something on your terms — and pssst … most importantly, you don’t need anyone’s permission to do it. 🤫 If you wait for the perfect moment, it might never come. Trust in your nursing skills, take the first step, and give yourself permission to pursue what excites you.
So whether it’s starting a business, diving into a passion project, or exploring a brand-new specialty, remember — your nursing skills are more versatile than you think, and the only permission you need is your own. With the foundation you’ve built, you’re ready to create something truly meaningful and uniquely yours.
Sara has been a nurse since 2007, spending 8 years as a bedside nurse and 7 years in nursing leadership. During that time, she has reviewed countless resumes and participated in many interviews. Since 2019, Sara has been providing expert guidance on creating outstanding nursing resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for job interviews.
As a mom of two school-aged children, Sara understands the challenges of balancing work and family life. She is passionate about helping others achieve their career goals and land their dream jobs.
Sara has extensive experience assisting nursing students, new graduates, nurses looking to change specialties, those seeking nontraditional roles, and nurses transitioning into advanced practice or leadership positions. She is also an advocate for nurse entrepreneurs. Additionally, she hosts a podcast discussing hot topics in healthcare and advocates for issues affecting nurses.
Sara is dedicated to helping all nurses, including RNs, NPs, RPNs, LPNs, and CNAs, succeed in their careers.
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