Question:
Dear Donna,
I’m a nurse working in a busy NICU. I’ve always wanted to start a business. Another nurse and I have been discussing starting a private nursing agency that would care for former preemies, twins, triplets, etc. What do we need to do to get started? What’s a logical timeline for getting started? Who should we contact for these and other answers?
Dear Donna,
I’m a nurse working in a busy NICU. I’ve always wanted to start a business. Another nurse and I have been discussing starting a private nursing agency that would care for former preemies, twins, triplets, etc. What do we need to do to get started? What’s a logical timeline for getting started? Who should we contact for these and other answers?
Kim
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Kim,
It sounds like a great idea. The premise of starting a business is to find a need and fill it — and you have certainly identified a need! Nurses possess a great body of knowledge and skill that is valuable and marketable.
There is a lot to know when planning and starting a business, so I would suggest that you go to the public library and start reading up on what’s required to start a business in your home state and business basics — marketing, sales, record keeping, contracts, etc. A typical time-line for getting this type of business up and running would be six months to a year.
The next step is to find a good nurse attorney. While there are many competent attorneys out there, it is especially important to find a nurse attorney when starting any type of clinical business. Find one through referral from your state nurses association (whether or not you are a member), by asking around, or through The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (http://www.taana.org). Not every nurse attorney belongs to TAANA, but it is another source.
I also recommend finding a good small business accountant to advise you on start-up costs, tax issues, record keeping, business entity set-up (partnership vs. limited liability corporation), etc.
Consider attending my upcoming “How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice” seminar in Atlantic City, N.J., on February 24 (http://events.nursingspectrum.com/event.cfm?EID=674&type=Seminar). I cover all of the above — and much more. You should also read “Nursing and Entrepreneurship: Perfect Together” (http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/perfect-together.html).
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
Dear Kim,
It sounds like a great idea. The premise of starting a business is to find a need and fill it — and you have certainly identified a need! Nurses possess a great body of knowledge and skill that is valuable and marketable.
There is a lot to know when planning and starting a business, so I would suggest that you go to the public library and start reading up on what’s required to start a business in your home state and business basics — marketing, sales, record keeping, contracts, etc. A typical time-line for getting this type of business up and running would be six months to a year.
The next step is to find a good nurse attorney. While there are many competent attorneys out there, it is especially important to find a nurse attorney when starting any type of clinical business. Find one through referral from your state nurses association (whether or not you are a member), by asking around, or through The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (http://www.taana.org). Not every nurse attorney belongs to TAANA, but it is another source.
I also recommend finding a good small business accountant to advise you on start-up costs, tax issues, record keeping, business entity set-up (partnership vs. limited liability corporation), etc.
Consider attending my upcoming “How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice” seminar in Atlantic City, N.J., on February 24 (http://events.nursingspectrum.com/event.cfm?EID=674&type=Seminar). I cover all of the above — and much more. You should also read “Nursing and Entrepreneurship: Perfect Together” (http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/perfect-together.html).
My best wishes,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
