Can you really make a living as a Nurse Life Coach?

The Growth of Nurse Coaching: A New Frontier

When I graduated five years ago, full-time nurse coaching was a rarity. In 2018, there were fewer than 1,000 board-certified nurse coaches, and it was hard to find examples of nurses making a full-time income through coaching alone. Today, the landscape has changed dramatically, with countless stories of nurse coaches who’ve left traditional nursing jobs to pursue coaching and even surpass their previous salaries. Like the four-minute mile, once people see that something is possible, it becomes achievable for many others.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Thanks to our tracking of active client revenue over the past three years, we now have evidence-based insights into nurse coaching income potential:

• Five previous clients now make over $300K annually by their third year in business.
• 75% of clients make over $30K by their second year in part-time practice.
• 33% of clients earn over $20K in their first year of part-time practice.
• Several nurse coaches now earn income within their healthcare organizations by integrating coaching into their roles.

Key Factors for Earning Income as a Nurse Coach

1. Commitment to Personal Growth

A successful nurse coach must be dedicated to personal growth, healing, and presence. Being a great coach goes beyond technique; it’s about how people feel around you. The energy, or “vibration,” of a nurse coach influences every interaction. When you’re grounded in gratitude, free from anxiety, healthy, and inspired, you become a catalyst for change in others. This presence allows clients to feel safe, supported, and inspired, which is key to a rewarding nurse coaching career.

2. Learning the Business Side of Coaching

Nurses aren’t typically trained as entrepreneurs. Starting a coaching practice means learning two new skills simultaneously:

• Developing coaching skills to provide meaningful service.
• Building a business to successfully offer those services.

At Nurse Life Coach Academy, we focus on helping students become excellent coaches. Our program includes 60 hours of coaching practice, and we recommend students continue to coach for at least 100 more hours after graduation to hone their skills.

In addition to coaching skills, The Successful Nurse Coach program offers business mentorship, courses, and support specifically for nurse coaches in private practice. Learning the entrepreneurial side of coaching is essential to creating a sustainable and impactful career.

3. The Importance of Resilience: Don’t Give Up

The only true requirement for success is persistence. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely spent years in college preparing to be a nurse, followed by more time developing expertise in your field. Becoming a nurse coach isn’t that different; it simply requires time and effort to build confidence.

However, nurse coaching offers:

• Lower time and financial investment than traditional nursing education
• Higher income potential and flexibility
• Greater freedom over your schedule and choice of clients

Many nurse coaches start part-time, eventually moving to per diem as they gradually reduce their W-2 income and increase their coaching income. This flexibility allows nurses to pursue coaching at their own pace and build a successful practice without the financial strain of an abrupt career shift.

Weighing the Risks and Rewards of Nurse Coaching

In healthcare, we often weigh the risks versus rewards of any treatment or medication, ensuring patients have informed consent. Here’s the informed consent for becoming a board-certified nurse coach:

• You will succeed if you don’t quit.
• The only real risk is quitting and returning to your current role.

Real-Life Case Studies: Success Stories in Nurse Coaching

Here are some inspiring examples from our community that showcase the diversity and income potential in nurse coaching:

• A single mom working full-time started a coaching practice, left her job, and made over $300K in her third year.
• A nurse coach launched a group program within six months of starting her practice, achieving her first $10K month just 18 weeks after launch.
• Another single mom and nurse leader left her full-time job within 12 weeks of starting her practice and made $170K in her second year.
• A stay-at-home mom who didn’t want to return to hospital work built a part-time practice, earning an additional $2K monthly for her family by coaching in the evenings.

Our community has countless examples of nurse coaches who have organized day retreats, led corporate retreats for hospital organizations, coached new grads in hospitals, and offered private coaching in small medical offices. Personally, I worked with a naturopathic doctor, coaching her new patients. This part-time W-2 role provided stability while I built my private practice.

Building a Fulfilling Career as a Nurse Coach

A Career that Aligns with Your Values

Nurse coaching offers a path to build a career that aligns with your deepest values. Whether you’re seeking more freedom, fulfillment, or a more meaningful way to impact lives, nurse coaching provides a structure to achieve your goals.

A Supportive Community and Continual Growth

One of the most rewarding aspects of nurse coaching is the community. Nurse coaches are committed to self-growth and self-responsibility, taking charge of their lives and moving beyond limitations set by the healthcare system. The phrase “heal the healer” is fitting, as nurse coaches are dedicated to creating change, not just for clients, but for themselves as well.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Possibilities

Nurse coaching is more than a profession; it’s a movement of nurses taking charge of their careers, transforming healthcare, and improving lives. The path may look different for each coach, but the common thread is a commitment to growth, impact, and a career that feels aligned with purpose.

If you’re ready to explore this journey, remember that success is within reach. With dedication, resilience, and a community to support you, there are no limits to what you can achieve as a nurse coach. The world of nurse coaching is truly an open door to a fulfilling, impactful career.

Love,
Laura