Intro
[ Michelle Podlesni brings over 25 years of successful business experience to the National Nurses in Business Association as it’s recently named President. Michelle is a Navy Veteran, RN and former corporate executive whose clinical background led to a career in healthcare data analysis and software development. With a proven track record of leading start-up companies to financial success, as well as their subsequent mergers and acquisitions, Michelle has directly managed the strategic, operational and technical areas of start-ups and multi-million dollar companies serving Fortune 500 clients. Michelle speaks nationally on Nurse Entrepreneurship and is the author of the bestselling “Unconventional Nurse: Going from Burnout to Bliss!” She is the founder of Unconventional Nurse® Business Coaching and Training Programs.]
Nurses in Business
- More states are legislating nurse practitioner independence as Connecticut becomes the 18th state to allow nurse practitioner independence. Many NP’s are creating clinics and care models that provide quality outcomes and at better costs savings.
- The average age of nurses is currently 45. Being that nursing is physically and mentally demanding; many nurses will be looking to reduce hours by either going part-time or retiring. While nurses are interested in reducing hours, they are not all interested in reducing income so they are searching for ways to use their nursing experience to create additional income.
- There are more successful nurse business owners available to be role models and provide blueprints of entrepreneurial success. For example, NNBA has been the #1 resource for nurses in business since 1985 and is comprised of leaders and mentors in business as well as nurses looking to start a business. NNBA’s October conference will have several extremely successful nurse business owners as speakers and round table leaders.
Nurses make great business owners; however many nurses don’t realize this. I didn’t realize when I first left the hospital setting that I would become a successful serial entrepreneur! You don’t know what you don’t know. I had been working in hospitals for over ten years and feeling frustrated by the bureaucratic red tape that interfered with my patient care. I was burned out with working shifts, Holidays and many weekends. I started to search for how I could use my nursing knowledge and experience outside of the traditional setting. This was in the mid 80’s and at the time I did not know one nurse that worked outside of hospitals, clinics or educational settings. I found medical and pharmaceutical companies looking for nurses to fill sales positions and a large insurance company looking for a Healthcare Resource Specialist. That sounded right to me so I applied and secured that position. This was a pivotal moment in my nursing career; I had a knack for analyzing contracts, coordinating resources and delving into the world of computer assisted healthcare data analysis. In short, I became a nurse nerd.
My new passion opened many doors for me in different business sectors. While working on a Medicare contract, I was recruiting a physician to be on our peer review panel. It ended up that he recruited me to help him implement his software program into a major administrator’s company in Atlanta. I became a product manager and developer. A few years later I really jumped into entrepreneurial waters, becoming part of a two member team starting a company that provided software and services to the Property & Casualty markets. When revenues exceeded 24 million dollars we merged with the rehabilitation company, GRS, and formed GENEX. After this merger the software company that we originally partnered with to provide services, recruited me to run their company. This is the answer to the question I was continually asked “how does a nurse end up being the president of a software company?”
The bottom line was that I was able to synthesize my healthcare background with IT knowledge to impart useful information for decision making. I had a knack for problem solving and the ability to define and manage processes, programs and projects. I am outlining this information so nurses can readily see how being a good nurse can transfer to being a good entrepreneur and business owner. Believe me, if I can do it, other nurses can do it.
Here is a list of business success principles for nurses willing to give entrepreneurship a try:
- You Are the CEO of Your Life – Own it! You’re the highest-ranking executive in your company whose main responsibilities are developing and implementing strategies, decisions and managing your days. Your nursing license is a business license for nursing. Commit to learning successful business skills and strategies to augment your nursing knowledge.
- Develop a Thorough and Successful Business Plan- After you have written it, analyze each detail so the steps to your success are clear. Plan the work and work the plan.
- Provide Excellence in your services, products or programs and determine appropriate price points. The bulk of your success will rest on the value you are providing.
- Hire Tough and Manage Easy- Have the best people around you. Attracting, recruiting, managing and motivating great people will ensure your success. You cannot do everything on your own for any length of time when growing a company.
- Create a Marketing Plan- Give attention to your messaging and what makes you unique in a competitive world.
- Understand Numbers- Know numbers and key indicators that measure your performance and success. From sales to profit margins, make sure you are financially savvy.
- Develop Excellent Communication Skills- Work on improving business writing, speaking and powerful presentations.
- Learn How to Generate Leads and Convert Prospects into Customers. The Sales Process is a skill that can be learned; learn it.
- Provide Excellent Customer Service. Happy customers talk and post!
- Take Excellent Care of Yourself- You need to have physical, mental and spiritual energy for your body to provide the highest level of performance and happiness. Nurses tend to give too much and over commit their time and energy. Remember laughter and humor give a light hearted perspective to life’s challenges and brings focus away from negative emotions to positive emotions. Maintaining a positive mental attitude will determine your altitude in your business and life.
I believe in Zig Ziglar’s famous quote, “You can have everything you want in this life if you help enough people get what they want”. In 2011 I created Unconventional Nurse® because I saw a real need that nurses had to learn business skills that would assist them in owning and running their own businesses. I provide nurses in depth coaching and training programs on how to build and grow business profitability.
Being the president of the National Nurses in Business Association, I have the opportunity to mentor a great variety of nurses in different stages of business. Every day I am learning new ways that nurses have found to use their education and experience in creating rewarding, thriving and profitable businesses. One of the strongest recommendations I can make to nurses is to try something new! It is human nature to hesitate because we are all afraid of making a mistake. Be aware of this tendency, get comfortable being uncomfortable and try new things anyway. You don’t know what you don’t know and who knows, you could find the career and life of your dreams!
About the National Nurses in Business Association:
The National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) is the most recognized and leading association providing business career development and support for self-employed nurses and nurses in business. For over 29 years, NNBA membership provides further opportunities to connect, grow, learn, inspire and contribute in a safe and secure environment. To become a member and sign up for NNBA’s free newsletter go to www.NNBANow.com.
© 2014 Michelle Podlesni RN, BSGI. All rights reserved
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