For the Nurse in the In-Between: Finding Clarity Before the Leap
To the Nurse Questioning Everything
If you’re reading this, you probably aren't looking for a dramatic exit or a bridge to burn. You aren't necessarily trying to quit your job by Monday or chase a "get rich quick" side hustle.
You’re just... questioning.
You’re questioning if the 12-hour grind and the lack of autonomy is the only way to be a "real" nurse. This quiet, "in-between" phase is where most nurse entrepreneurs are actually born. It’s not about indecision; it’s about the awareness that your current version of nursing no longer fits the life you want to live.
The Phase No One Talks About: Awareness Over Action
Most career advice tells you to pivot fast: start a business, go back to school, or jump into a new specialty. But rushing into a new commitment when you’re already burnt out is a recipe for more of the same.
Before you build a business model, you need pattern recognition. As nurses, we are trained to assess clinical data. In this phase, you are simply assessing your own life data:
What drains you: Is it the patient load, the commute, or the lack of professional agency?
What energizes you: When do you feel most like the nurse you envisioned being?
The Non-Negotiables: What must your next chapter include? (e.g., a specific schedule, higher pay, or more time with patients).
Why You Don't Need a Plan to Start Exploring
One of the biggest mistakes I see is nurses waiting for "perfect clarity" before they look at other options. You don't need a 5-year business plan to start how to become a self employed nurse.
Clarity is built through curiosity, not found in a vacuum. You can explore the world of private pay, consulting, or independent care while still holding your staff position. This low-risk exploration allows you to learn the "business of nursing" without the financial pressure of immediate resignation.
3 Signs You’re Ready for a Shift
You might be ready for something different if:
You love the work, but hate the container: You still care about patients, but the hospital system feels like a cage.
You feel underutilized: You have years of expertise that aren't being tapped into during a standard shift.
You crave autonomy: You want to make clinical decisions and manage your own time without a manager hovering over your shoulder.
Practical Steps for the "In-Between" Nurse
If you’re feeling the pull toward something else, start small to avoid overwhelm:
Identify the Friction: Name exactly what feels heavy—is it time, money, or ethics?
Learn the Language: Start familiarizing yourself with business terms like "compliance," "scope of practice," and "private pay."
Audit Your Time: Stop scrolling and start intentional research. Look for mentorship and nurse-led resources that offer 1:1 strategy calls, free introductory courses, and templates to help you organize your thoughts.
Mistakes to Avoid When You’re Questioning Your Path
Rushing out of fear: Don't sign up for a $10k program just because you had one bad shift.
The Comparison Trap: Your timeline is yours. Some nurses transition in three months; others take three years.
Ignoring Compliance: Before you dream up a service, ensure you understand your Board of Nursing requirements for independent practice.
Final Thoughts
This space you’re in—the pausing, the curiosity—isn’t wasted time. It’s the beginning of your agency. You don't need to leap today; you just need permission to think clearly on your own terms.
Christine Bonaventure, RN