For many nurses, the idea of starting a business is both exciting and daunting. You’ve likely spent years honing your clinical skills and advocating for patients, but the thought of creating something new—a business that solves real-world problems—sparks a fire inside you.

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Is this idea worth pursuing?”—you’re not alone. Nurses are uniquely positioned to innovate in healthcare and beyond, but turning an idea into a business requires more than passion. It demands a strategic approach. In this article, I’ll explore how you can determine if your business idea is worth pursuing as a nurse.

Why Nurses Make Great Entrepreneurs

Nurses are natural problem solvers, communicators, and advocates. You’ve spent countless hours navigating complex systems, adapting to challenges, and delivering care under pressure. These skills translate beautifully into the world of business, where innovation thrives on resilience and adaptability.

As a nurse innovator, you bring a unique perspective that others often overlook. Whether it’s a product that streamlines workflows, a service that improves patient outcomes, or an entirely unrelated venture—your experiences as a nurse give you a creative edge.

Step 1: Identify the Problem You’re Solving

Every successful business solves a problem. As a nurse, think about the challenges you face daily. What frustrates you? What makes your job harder? Chances are that other nurses, healthcare providers, or even patients experience similar pain points.

Ask yourself:

• Does my idea solve a clear problem?
• Who experiences this problem most frequently?
• Is this problem big enough to warrant a solution?

For example, when I struggled to find affordable, reliable housing during travel nurse assignments, I started a platform that connects nurses with vetted mid-term rental hosts called Nursesbnb.

Tip: Don’t stop at identifying the problem—validate it. Speak with colleagues, patients, or friends to confirm that the issue exists on a larger scale.

Step 2: Research Your Target Market

Once you’ve identified a problem, it’s time to research your target market. As a nurse, you might be tempted to assume that other nurses are your audience, but don’t limit yourself. Depending on your idea, your market could include healthcare administrators, patients, or even non-healthcare sectors.

Consider these aspects:

• Demographics: Who will benefit from your solution? Think about age, location, job roles, and income levels.
• Size: How large is this market? The bigger the audience, the greater the potential for growth.
• Willingness to Pay: Are these people willing to spend money on a solution?

For instance, if your idea is a mobile app that helps nurses track continuing education credits, you’ll want to confirm there’s a sizable audience of nurses interested in such a tool—and that they are willing to pay for it.

Step 3: Assess the Competition

In business, competition is inevitable, but it’s not a bad thing. Competitors indicate that there’s demand for your solution. As a nurse innovator, look at what’s already on the market and ask yourself:

• Who are the key players in this space?
• What are they doing well?
• What are they missing?

Let’s say your idea involves creating stylish, comfortable scrubs for nurses. Research existing brands to see what’s popular. Can you offer something they don’t—like eco-friendly materials or custom sizing? Your unique perspective as a nurse will help you spot gaps that non-nurse entrepreneurs might overlook.

Step 4: Test Your Idea on a Small Scale

You don’t need to invest thousands of dollars to determine if your business idea is viable. Start small. Create a minimum viable product (MVP)—the simplest version of your idea that allows you to test its potential.

For example:

• If you’re developing a product, create a prototype or offer pre-orders.
• If it’s a service, run a pilot program with a small group of people.
• If it’s an educational resource, offer a free webinar or e-book to gauge interest.

Track feedback, refine your offering, and test again. This iterative process ensures you’re building something your audience truly needs.

Step 5: Evaluate Your Skills and Resources

As a nurse, you already have invaluable skills—time management, problem-solving, empathy—but business requires additional tools in your toolkit. Before diving into your venture, assess your readiness:

• Knowledge: Do you understand the basics of marketing, finance, and operations?
• Network: Do you have mentors, colleagues, or nurse innovators who can guide you?
• Finances: Do you have the resources to invest or will you need funding?

If you feel underprepared, don’t worry. Many successful nurse entrepreneurs started with little business experience. Consider taking courses, reading books, or connecting with other nurse innovators for support.

Step 6: Analyze the Financial Potential

A business idea might be exciting, but is it profitable? Crunch the numbers to determine if your idea can generate sustainable income.

Consider:

• How much will it cost to create and deliver your product or service?
• What will you charge?
• How many customers will you need to break even?
• What are the long-term growth opportunities?

For example, if you’re launching a subscription box for nurses with curated self-care items, calculate the cost of products, shipping, and marketing. Then, determine how many subscribers you’d need to cover those costs and make a profit.

Step 7: Listen to Your Gut (and Your Heart)

As a nurse, you’ve learned to trust your instincts, and business is no different. If your research, testing, and planning point to a viable idea, but you still feel hesitant, ask yourself:

• Am I passionate about this idea?
• Does it align with my values as a nurse and innovator?
• Am I willing to put in the effort to make it successful?

Sometimes, the best ideas aren’t the ones with the highest profit margins, but the ones that make a meaningful impact—on your life and the lives of others. Looking for feedback or marketing insight on your business idea? Book a time with me for free.

‍Keisha Manning is the CEO and founder of NursesBnB. A former ICU and travel nurse, Keisha has been named one of the Top 30 Nurse Innovators by Nurse Approved.