What do Nurse Coaches Do?

A World of Possibilities in Nurse Coaching

Nurse coaching offers a unique opportunity to expand beyond traditional nursing roles. Whether you envision running a private practice or making an impact in a hospital setting, nurse coaching provides flexibility and freedom. We often meet nurse coaches who, regardless of their path, share two core values: freedom and a desire for greater impact. The appeal of bedside or clinical work has faded for many nurses, even if it’s “the easiest job in the world.” Fulfillment has become a priority, and nurse coaches want to make a meaningful difference.

What Does Fulfillment Look Like for You?

What would fulfillment in your work mean for you? How would you recognize it? If these questions feel big, I’ll offer some guidance. Fulfillment for many nurse coaches is about impact, connection, and creating positive change in healthcare and clients’ lives. It’s about living with purpose and knowing that each client interaction contributes to lasting, transformative growth.

The Path of Private Practice Nurse Coaching

Nurse coaches who choose private practice experience unique benefits and flexibility. Here’s what that can look like:

• Yes, there’s demand. Over the past three years, we’ve recorded nearly $4 million in client revenue, proving that people value and pay for nurse coaching.
• Yes, you can work across state lines. Virtual sessions enable you to serve clients wherever they are. Specific contracts can create the legal structures in place to protect your nursing license.
• Yes, you can build without becoming a social media star. While social media can help, it’s not essential for success in private practice.
• Yes, it’s financially rewarding. Many private practice nurse coaches thrive financially, making their ideal income without relying on employer-provided health insurance.
• No need for perfection. You don’t need to know everything before starting; you can earn while you learn.
• Balanced work hours. Most full-time nurse coaches work around 26–28 hours per week, allowing them to maintain work-life balance.

This path allows nurse coaches to build a fulfilling career that aligns with their values and lifestyle.

Taking Nurse Coaching into the Hospital Setting

Nurse coaching can also make a meaningful impact within hospital settings. Although we haven’t personally worked in this role, many of our clients and students have. Here’s what it can look like:

Supporting New Nurses in Hospitals

“My role as a nurse coach in my hospital is to support new nurses through their first six months. We address common fears and mindsets that cause stress and anxiety. By empowering new nurses to gain confidence and joy in their work, we transform their experience into a positive start in the profession. We set wholeness-focused goals and create action plans for all aspects of their lives. Nurses who feel whole bring that holistic care to patients and families.” – Nicole Lohonen, RN, NC, BC

This approach helps hospitals improve nurse retention and fosters an environment of support and growth. By integrating nurse coaching into healthcare facilities, we can transform both the patient experience and the healthcare system from within.

Nurse Coaching to Enhance Bedside Skills

If neither private practice nor a hospital role is calling your name, nurse coaching can still be a powerful tool to enhance bedside nursing. This approach breathes new life into traditional nursing roles, providing a deeper way to connect with and support patients that doesn’t require extensive additional time. Nurse coaching can improve bedside interactions, helping patients feel seen and heard, while allowing nurses to build stronger patient relationships.

Personal Benefits of Nurse Coaching

Whichever path you take, nurse coaching provides one stellar side effect: tools to take care of you. You’ll learn techniques to manage burnout, reduce compassion fatigue, and build the life you truly want. By doing the inner work, nurse coaches are not only able to support clients more effectively but also create lasting changes in their own lives.

Real Stories from Our Nurse Coaching Community

Hearing from real nurse coaches can offer valuable insights into the transformative power of nurse coaching certification. Here’s what members of our community have to say:

Finding Confidence and Joy

“Finishing up certification, I can say this is the first time in my 46 years I am truly living as myself. I’m prioritizing self-care, re-engaging with life and relationships, and feeling joy for the future. I’m confident I’ll succeed in private practice and can’t wait to see what’s next.” – Sandy Rieder

Embracing a Lifestyle Business

“Nurse coaching has given me tools and resilience to handle life’s challenges differently. I’m building a business that I call a lifestyle business — it aligns with who I am, with no need to conform to anything but my own values.” – Missy Kirchstein

A Journey of Evolution

“Looking back four years, I barely recognize who I was when I started this journey. Nurse coaching helped me see that I could evolve and become anyone I wanted. I’m constantly growing, and my standards have transformed. This is the best place to be authentically me.” – Kaaren Burk

Living Without Anxiety

“Since finishing certification in February, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed. My daily anxiety with heart palpitations is gone! Now, if stress returns, I slow down, breathe, and center myself. I’m truly living now! Despite life’s demands, I’m doing it with joy and purpose.” – Teri Kelley

“Healing the Healer”: Nurse Coaching as Personal Transformation

The phrase “heal the healer” might sound cliché, but it perfectly describes what happens in nurse coaching. In a world where healthcare workers often feel burdened by a broken system, nurse coaching offers a path toward personal responsibility, self-growth, and a chance to create positive change. Nurse coaches are willing to do the inner work to change their lives, build better circumstances, and avoid falling into victim mode.

Choosing Your Path in Nurse Coaching

Nurse coaching offers many paths, and the choice is yours. Whether you’re drawn to private practice, working within hospitals, or enhancing bedside care, each path allows you to bring positive change to healthcare. The profession of nurse coaching invites you to pursue personal transformation, provide compassionate care, and create a fulfilling career aligned with your values.

Nurse coaching is a powerful career that goes beyond traditional healthcare roles, offering the freedom to create the impact you desire. By committing to this journey, you’re not only investing in your clients but also in your own growth and well-being. This journey of transformation, healing, and impact is truly the heart of nurse coaching.