5 DOs & Don'ts I Learned When Starting a Holistic Practice
If you’re a nurse who feels the call to move beyond bedside care and step into your own holistic nursing business, you’re not alone. Many nurses dream of creating freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment by blending their professional skills with holistic healing.
But let’s be honest — the transition can feel overwhelming. You’ve been trained in nursing, not in marketing, cash flow, or running a business. Becoming a holistic nurse entrepreneur is practically specialty in itself, and the leap from steady bedside income to $0 with no clients and no network can feel daunting.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. What you need is clarity, a plan, and courage to take the first steps. Below, I’ll share 5 DOs and DON’Ts that can help you transition from bedside nursing into a thriving holistic nursing practice.
1. DO: Know Your WHY and Your Motivation
Every nurse entrepreneur needs a powerful reason to push through the challenges of starting a business. Your why doesn’t need to be complicated — it could be as simple as wanting more time freedom, flexibility, or the ability to practice nursing in alignment with your values. One of my biggest WHYs was that I didn’t want to work holidays and be away from my family.
Simple.
This clarity is what will carry you through the moments when you feel stressed, confused, or ready to give up.
Write it down. Post it where you’ll see it every day. Let your vision for your holistic nursing business pull you forward.
DON’T: Overthink your purpose. Perfectionism stalls progress. A clear, heartfelt reason is all you need to begin.
2. DO: Create a Safe Transition Plan
It’s tempting to walk away from bedside nursing the moment you feel burned out, but financial stability is key to building confidence in your holistic practice. Start by mapping out your current paycheck and expenses and create a strategy.
For example, if you earn $2,000 a week, ask yourself: How many clients, workshops, or programs would I need to replace that income?
Could I go part-time or per-diem to free up energy for my new business?
DON’T: Quit your nursing job cold turkey. Balancing a new business and a full-time job is exhausting, especially if you also have family responsibilities. Create milestones to gradually scale down your bedside hours as your holistic nursing business grows.
3. DO: Learn the Basics of Marketing Yourself FIRST
Marketing is part of nursing entrepreneurship — but don’t let it scare you. Start by learning the basics: where are your ideal clients spending their time online, and how can you put yourself and your business in front of them? Are they searching on Google for holistic nursing? Scrolling Instagram for wellness inspiration? Joining Facebook groups for nurse burnout support?
Once you know where they are, the next step is understanding what problems they have and how you can offer a better solution. Your goal is to connect the dots between their pain points and the holistic nursing services you provide. The marketing is meant to then help them see why what you offer is what will help them. It’s hard to market what you do if you don’t have this foundation. This creates authentic, meaningful marketing that feels more like service than sales.
DON’T: Hire a marketing team too early. Without clarity about your niche and your clients’ needs, you risk wasting thousands of dollars. I learned this the hard way when I trusted a digital marketing firm and lost 827% of my website traffic in two months. Yikes (thankfully I was able to turn it around which made me MORE confident in my marketing skills).
Until you know your own numbers, message, and audience, keep your marketing in-house or spend low, or build word of mouth networks.
4. DO: Simplify Your Services in the Beginning
Holistic nurses are often multi-passionate — maybe you’ve trained in yoga, Reiki, acupressure, homeopathy, or nutrition. That’s amazing, but too many offerings can overwhelm you and confuse your clients.
Focus on one or two services that feel natural, gets you successful results, and highlight your unique healing presence. Remember, clients don’t just come for the service — they come for you.
DON’T: Chase shiny objects. Adding more certifications or services before building a foundation slows your growth. Certifications don’t translate to confidence either - what you sometimes need is courage!
5. DO: Build Multiple Streams of Income Once You’ve Mastered #4
Long-term freedom in holistic nursing often comes from diversifying your income. Consider offering workshops, online courses, digital products, or passive income through dispensaries or affiliate programs. Active income (1:1 clients, group programs) combined with passive income creates stability and flexibility.
DON’T: Rely on just one income stream. If bedside nursing taught us anything, it’s the danger of burnout from putting all your energy into one role.
Final Thoughts: From Bedside to Business Freedom
Transitioning into your own holistic nursing business takes courage, strategy, and patience. Remember, you don’t need to have it all figured out on day one.
Start with your why. Create a financial transition plan. Learn the basics of marketing. Keep things simple. And when you’re ready, add multiple streams of income.
Most of all, give yourself permission to grow into the role of a nurse entrepreneur. Holistic nursing is not just a job — it’s a calling. And your patients, clients, and community are waiting for the gifts only you can bring.
Ready to make the leap from bedside to business?
Don’t do it alone. My “Bedside to Business” workbook is designed specifically for nurses ready to step into entrepreneurship. Inside, you’ll find practical strategies, reflection exercises, and guidance to help you build multiple streams of income and grow your holistic nursing practice with confidence.
👉 Grab your copy here and start building your freedom today.