Unleash the power of intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship to revolutionize healthcare.

Nurses serve as powerful change agents and innovators, driving the future of healthcare. Whether shaping new initiatives within established organizations or launching independent ventures, nurses have the skills and know-how to lead and transform wherever they serve.

Intrapreneurship, as described by Aragones and Bitera, empowers nurses to innovate from within their healthcare settings, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement that benefits both patients and colleagues. Jakobsen and colleagues note that entrepreneurship offers the freedom to create entirely new businesses or services that address gaps in healthcare delivery and expand opportunities in all areas of the healthcare ecosystem. Understanding how each empowers innovation and impacts healthcare outcomes allows nurses to explore the path best-suited to their unique skills, experience, and interests.

Aragones and Bitera explain that the key to success in both intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship lies in developing an innovative and resilient mindset. Successful intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs, according to Jakobsen and colleagues, share several core traits, including adaptability, perseverance, and a proactive attitude toward problem-solving. These traits enable nurse innovators to stay focused and persistent, even in the face of resistance, financial constraints, or organizational barriers. An ability to think creatively, combined with a strong desire to improve the system, drives success. (See Intrapreneurship vs entrepreneurship.)

Intrapreneurs

da Silva Copelli and colleagues describe intrapreneurship as the fostering of a culture of continuous improvement, enhancing staff engagement, increasing retention, and improving care quality. For example, intrapreneur nurses may identify inefficiencies in clinical processes and lead projects to address them, such as streamlining patient discharge workflows or implementing telehealth solutions.

To succeed as intrapreneurs, nurses should develop a few essential skills, including project management (overseeing innovations from conception to execution to ensure efficient resource utilization), stakeholder engagement (building relationships with key decision-makers to secure support for initiatives), and strategic planning (aligning innovations with organizational goals for scalability and sustainability). To help garner leadership support of an internal innovation initiative, nurses should demonstrate measurable benefits, such as improved patient satisfaction scores or cost savings.

In addition intrapreneurs, must develop strong marketing and communication skills. Even within an organization, intrapreneurs must “sell” their ideas by framing projects in ways that demonstrate the value to stakeholders, from leadership to frontline staff. This involves communicating the benefits of the innovation, addressing potential concerns, and crafting compelling narratives about how the initiative will impact patient care or organizational efficiency. Developing internal sales skills can help intrapreneurs gain champions for their ideas and maintain momentum for change.

Entrepreneurs

As defined by Tekin and Gurlaş, entrepreneurship in nursing goes beyond the organizational boundaries of traditional roles, enabling nurses to innovate through independent ventures such as launching healthcare startups, consultancy services, or product development. Many nurse entrepreneurs leverage their extensive clinical knowledge and insights gained from patient care to design solutions that address gaps in healthcare delivery.

This empowerment can lead to more flexible work environments, greater autonomy, and a broader range of professional opportunities. According to Thepna and colleagues, nurse-led ventures have the potential to significantly impact healthcare by addressing areas such as remote patient care, chronic disease management, and health technology solutions.

Thepna and colleagues describe the journey for entrepreneurs as beginning with understanding the core pillars of business planning, financial management, and marketing. A well-structured business plan not only serves as a roadmap for the business but also helps secure funding by outlining financial projections, market needs, and operational strategies. Financial management is crucial for tracking the company’s performance, managing cash flow, and making informed decisions about growth and scaling.

Marketing sits at the heart of any successful venture. Entrepreneurs need to clearly define their target audience and understand the needs, pain points, and behaviors of potential customers. Developing a value proposition, what sets a product or service apart from the competition, is vital for capturing market attention. Entrepreneurs also should become adept at branding, which involves creating a recognizable image and voice for their business that resonates with customers.

In addition, successful entrepreneurs must be able to communicate their value effectively, whether pitching to investors, negotiating with partners, or selling to customers. This includes developing strong public speaking and presentation skills for pitches and proposals. Because sales directly impact revenue and business growth, nurse entrepreneurs must understand the sales process, from generating leads to closing deals.

To integrate all these elements, entrepreneurs should continually refine their marketing strategies by leveraging tools such as digital marketing, including websites, social media, search engines, and email to promote products and connect with target audiences. Content marketing, a related strategy, focuses on creating and sharing resources through blogs, videos, podcasts, and webinars, to reach broader audiences and build customer loyalty. Sales funnels also serve as useful tools, guiding potential clients through a structured journey from awareness to decision-making, ultimately converting them into paying customers. For nurse entrepreneurs, this might look like attracting attention through a social media post, sharing an educational blog or webinar to build interest, offering a case study or demo to support evaluation, and then encouraging enrollment in a service or purchase of a product. Sales funnels essentially support awareness, interest, consideration or evaluation, and action or purchase.

Get started

The journey to intrapreneurship or entrepreneurship takes a slightly different path. Therefore, getting started requires different skills and kinds of support.

For intrapreneurs

Nurses interested in intrapreneurship should begin by identifying a problem or opportunity within their organization, such as patient care improvement, operational efficiency, or new technologies. After pinpointing the opportunity, Puspita and colleagues recommend building a compelling case for change that highlights the potential benefits and gains for the organization. Engaging key stakeholders and gathering support early can help turn innovative ideas into actionable projects.

For entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs working outside of an organization require a broader approach. They should begin by conducting thorough market research to understand the need for their idea or service, identifying gaps in the market, and determining the potential competition. Next, they should craft a solid business plan, including detailed financial projections, target audience analysis, and an operational strategy for the first stages of the business. Aragones and Bitera emphasize securing initial funding, whether through investors, loans, or grants.

To help determine the viability of an idea, entrepreneurs should consider using a business idea assessment tool, such as Canvas (bit.ly/4mPy8gq) or Lean Canvas (bit.ly/3UT73wq). These tools provide a framework for evaluating an idea, including its value proposition, customer segments, key resources, and revenue streams. They also help test the feasibility of an idea in a structured way, encouraging early feedback and iteration before launching on a larger scale.

Leverage technology and innovation

Nurses bring a unique set of skills to innovation, including their deep understanding of patient care, clinical workflows, and healthcare systems. These qualities allow them to craft solutions that directly address the challenges they face daily. With digital tools, such as telemedicine, mobile health apps, and wearable technology, nurse innovators can scale their impact and create more efficient, patient-centered care models. In addition, nurses can capitalize on their clinical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and advocacy insights to lead successful technology-driven initiatives. By embracing their roles as innovators, they contribute to both the advancement of healthcare and the evolution of the profession.

For intrapreneurs

Nurse intrapreneurs working within healthcare organizations can tap into their expertise to develop technology-driven solutions, such as optimizing care pathways or enhancing remote patient monitoring. Building minimal viable products (such as prototypes with basic functionality) and securing organizational buy-in can help intrapreneurs advance these innovations. Prototypes help intrapreneurs convey the value of their ideas to stakeholders, recruit team members, and attract necessary resources to bring the product to life.

For entrepreneurs

Nurses stepping outside of traditional healthcare roles as entrepreneurs can launch tech-based businesses, offering services directly to consumers or healthcare providers. Digital tools allow them to not only innovate but also engage a broader audience through marketing and social media platforms. This approach serves to validate ideas, gain customer insights, and navigate the commercialization process. Commercialization typically involves refining an idea, testing, identifying a funding source, and developing strategies for distribution and sales.

Collaboration, networking, and mentorship

da Silva Copelli and colleagues note the importance of building a strong professional network for both intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals and joining nursing organizations remain essential, but today’s landscape offers a variety of new and innovative avenues to network and grow professionally.

Podcasts

Healthcare podcasts offer a platform for nurses to share expertise, discuss challenges, and build connections with a global audience. Many nurse entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs have launched or participated in podcasts to discuss innovations, share their journeys, and collaborate with others in the field.

Fellowships

Professional fellowships and leadership programs provide excellent networking opportunities. They allow nurses to engage with industry experts, join forces on cutting-edge research, and develop long-term professional relationships.

Social media

Social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Instagram, serve as hubs for professional connections. They allow nurses to engage with peers, follow trends, and participate in discussions with healthcare influencers. By sharing articles, joining groups, or participating in live chats, nurses can expand their networks far beyond their local organizations. Nurses who actively share insights on these platforms and position themselves as thought leaders further broaden their reach.

Virtual conferences and webinars

Virtual conferences and webinars have surged in popularity. They provide opportunities to engage in real-time discussions, join breakout sessions, and connect with global peers and experts. Many virtual platforms also offer networking tools to facilitate new connections.

Incubators

For those seeking structured networking opportunities, entrepreneurial incubators and healthcare innovation hubs offer excellent resources. By joining these programs, nurses can connect with investors, healthcare innovators, and industry experts, gaining valuable insights into how to grow their ventures.

Publication

Publication, via blogs or professional journals, allows nurses to share their expertise. Whether in articles, opinion pieces, or case studies, nurses can engage with readers interested in their fields of expertise, which can lead to further discussions and networking opportunities.

Challenges and barriers

Intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship come with unique challenges, including resistance to change within organizations and financial constraints. Building a support network that includes mentors, legal experts, and financial advisors can help overcome barriers and set the stage for long-term success.

For intrapreneurs

Lack of awareness or clarity around intellectual property (IP) ownership can present a challenge for intrapreneurs. Nurses developing new processes or technologies within their organizations may not fully understand who owns the rights to their innovations. Clear contracts or agreements can help ensure that nurses receive appropriate recognition or compensation for their contributions. Navigating IP in an organizational context can prove complex; with legal support, nurses can protect their ideas and ensure compliance with organizational policies.

For entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs also require an understanding of contract law and how to acquire legal advice, especially when forming partnerships, hiring employees, or securing investments. New nurse entrepreneurs may not have the legal knowledge needed to navigate these areas. Seeking affordable legal services, such as those offered by startup incubators or small business support programs, can help mitigate risks.

Access to capital continues to present a significant barrier for entrepreneurs, particularly for those in the early stages of launching a venture. Entrepreneurs can overcome this hurdle by exploring alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding, grants, or venture capital.

Future trends and opportunities

Tekin and Gurlaş describe the future of healthcare as presenting numerous opportunities for nurse intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs. As digital health and telemedicine continue to expand, nurse-led initiatives will play a critical role in improving access to care, particularly in underserved and rural areas, according to Aragones and Bitera. One significant trend to watch is the increasing integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into clinical decision-making, which opens new avenues for nurse innovators to enhance patient care and efficiency.

The rise of value-based care models and a growing emphasis on preventive health create opportunities for nurses to lead initiatives focused on population health management, wellness programs, and patient education platforms. In professional organizations, a focus on interprofessional collaboration and cross-disciplinary partnerships will prove essential for nurses to secure leadership roles in these emerging fields. In addition, the surge in remote work and virtual healthcare services offers nurse entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop virtual platforms, remote patient monitoring systems, and mobile health apps tailored to specific populations.

Nurses also must stay attuned to evolving regulatory environments and reimbursement policies, which will impact both entrepreneurial ventures and intrapreneurial innovations. By staying engaged with professional organizations, nursing innovators can leverage trends to influence the future of healthcare and expand the scope of nursing practice.

Lead the charge

The future of nursing offers many exciting possibilities, and nurses have the power to lead the charge in shaping healthcare for generations to come. Whether you’re inspired to innovate within your organization or launch a new venture, the opportunities to make a lasting impact appear endless. Embrace the potential of intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship and take the first step toward becoming a leader of change in healthcare.

Nurses have always been at the forefront of patient care. Now is the time to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Take action, consider joining an entrepreneurial incubator to gain access to resources and connect with like-minded professionals and explore how you can contribute to the future of nursing.

Alysia Adams is the director for Education Partnerships at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Shane Stone is the chief executive officer at Nursing CE Central.

American Nurse Journal. 2025; 20(10). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ102542

References

Aragones Jr ED, Bitera MXZ. Entrepreneurial competencies of professionally practicing nurses: Basis for a framework. Int J Multidiscip Res. 2023;5(4). doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i04.4781

Barchielli C, Marullo C, Bonciani M, Vainieri M. Nurses and the acceptance of innovations in technology-intensive contexts: The need for tailored management strategies. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021;21(1):639. doi:10.1186/s12913-021-06628-5

Brooks, B.A. Partnering with Nurse Inventors and Entrepreneurs: A Guide for Nursing Professional Development Leaders. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024; 55 (11): 517-519.

da Silva Copelli FH, Erdmann AL, Dos Santos JLG. Entrepreneurship in nursing: An integrative literature review. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019;72(4):1097-1105. doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0523

Gonzalez B. Nurse entrepreneurs and how to make an innovative idea reality. HIMSS. November 17, 2020. legacy.himss.org/resources/nurse-entrepreneurs-and-how-make-innovative-idea-reality

Jakobsen L, Qvistgaard LW, Trettin B, Rothmann MJ. Entrepreneurship and nurse entrepreneurs lead the way to the development of nurses’ role and professional identity in clinical practice: A qualitative study. J Adv Nurs. 2021;77(9):4142-55. doi:10.1111/jan.14950

Puspita APW, Castury D, Suparto TA, Hermayanti Y, Rahayuningsih D. Nursing entrepreneurship development: Literature review. Indones J Community Dev. 2021;1(1):17-25. doi:10.17509/ijcd.v1i1.33157

Tekin Şenel P, Gurlaş F. Nurse entrepreneurship in the emerging healthcare industry: A systematic review. Anadolu Univ Soc Sci J. 2023;23(2):150-62. doi:10.18037/ausbd.1228526

Thepna A, Cochrane BB, Salmon ME. Advancing nursing entrepreneurship in the 21st century. J Adv Nurs. 2023;79(2):341-48. doi:10.1111/jan.15563

Additional resources

The American Nurses Association offers several resources related to innovation.

• nursingworld.org/practice-policy/innovation/
• nursingworld.org/practice-policy/innovation/events/awards/
• nursingworld.org/practice-policy/innovation/events/

Key words: nurse innovation, healthcare startup, intrapreneurship, entrepreneurs