Healthcare Industry for Nurse Practitioners

Top Business Ideas in the Healthcare Industry for Nurse Practitioners

The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving, offering more than just traditional clinical roles. With the increasing demand for personalized, accessible, and innovative healthcare services, nurse practitioners (NPs) are uniquely positioned to branch out and explore entrepreneurial ventures. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income or fully transition into business ownership, there are numerous business ideas in the healthcare industry tailored for professionals like you.

At MD Consultants, we’ve worked with hundreds of healthcare professionals looking to expand their horizons beyond hospital walls. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top business ideas for healthcare professionals, the best nurse practitioner jobs outside of clinical settings, and what to expect in terms of nurse practitioner salary when venturing into business.

Why Nurse Practitioners Make Great Entrepreneurs

Nurse practitioners are highly skilled professionals who blend clinical expertise with a deep understanding of patient care. This combination makes them natural leaders in healthcare entrepreneurship. Their experience in diagnosing, treating, and building relationships with patients offers them a unique insight into service gaps and opportunities for innovation.

Moreover, as NPs are increasingly recognized as primary care providers in many regions, their autonomy and credibility make launching a healthcare-related business more feasible and impactful.

1. Health Coaching and Wellness Consulting

One of the most accessible business opportunities for nurse practitioners is becoming a certified health coach or wellness consultant. This role involves helping clients achieve their personal health goals through lifestyle changes, diet, fitness, stress management, and holistic approaches.

Health Coaching and Wellness Consulting

  • Startup Requirements: Certification (optional), website, basic marketing

  • Average Earning Potential: $50,000 – $120,000/year depending on clientele

You can operate virtually, making it scalable and low-cost. Many NPs use this as a stepping stone into broader health consulting roles with companies like MD Consultants.

2. Telehealth Services

Telehealth exploded during the pandemic and continues to grow. NPs can establish a telehealth clinic offering primary care, mental health services, or chronic disease management.

  • Nurse Practitioner Jobs in telehealth include virtual urgent care, mental health evaluations, and chronic illness management.

  • Licensing: Ensure you’re licensed to practice in the states or provinces where you offer care.

Telehealth nurse practitioner salary can rival in-person care, ranging from $90,000 to $130,000 annually depending on specialization and hours worked.

3. Medical Writing and Content Creation

If you enjoy writing or education, becoming a medical writer or content creator can be both lucrative and rewarding. You can contribute to blogs, create patient education materials, or write for medical journals and healthcare brands.

  • Platforms to Explore: Healthline, WebMD, or direct contracts with healthcare companies

  • Potential Income: $30–$100/hour or $75,000+/year full-time

Many professionals collaborate with teams like MD Consultants to promote expert-written content.

4. Functional Medicine Practice

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that is gaining popularity. Nurse practitioners can open their own practice focused on root-cause healing, using diet, supplements, and lifestyle modification.

Functional Medicine Practice

  • Business Model: Cash-based, not reliant on insurance

  • Setup: Specialized training/certification, clinic or virtual platform

This is one of the top business ideas for healthcare professionals seeking to escape the traditional system and offer more personalized care.

5. Private Practice or Concierge Medicine

Depending on your jurisdiction, NPs can open private clinics or offer concierge-style memberships. This model allows you to provide more attentive care while generating predictable monthly income.

  • Nurse Practitioner Salary in Private Practice: $100,000 – $200,000+

  • Client Model: Membership-based or pay-per-visit

Partnering with a healthcare consulting firm like MD Consultants can streamline your business plan, regulatory compliance, and marketing.

6. Medical Spa Ownership

With the rise of aesthetic medicine, many NPs are getting certified in Botox, fillers, and other cosmetic procedures. Opening a medical spa can offer high profit margins and flexible hours.

  • Popular Services: Injectables, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation

  • Average NP Salary in Med Spas: $120,000 – $250,000/year (business owner)

7. Healthcare Consulting

You can consult for startups, health tech companies, or clinics needing guidance on workflow, patient engagement, or regulatory compliance. MD Consultants, for example, offers mentorship and strategy development for healthcare professionals entering this space.

  • Potential Income: $100 – $300/hour depending on expertise

  • Niche Areas: Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, staffing, clinical protocols, patient experience

8. Continuing Education & Exam Prep Courses

Nurse practitioners can create and sell online courses for NP students or other healthcare professionals. Whether it’s exam prep, pharmacology updates, or documentation best practices, there’s a growing demand for accessible, peer-created learning.

  • Platform Examples: Teachable, Thinkific, or Udemy

  • Revenue Potential: $10,000 to $200,000+ annually depending on course popularity

9. Medical Equipment Sales or Rentals

With your clinical knowledge, you can become a distributor of medical equipment like home health tools, diagnostic kits, or mobility aids. This can be a great side business that scales over time.

Medical Equipment Sales or Rentals

  • Model: Direct-to-consumer or B2B (clinics, home care agencies)

  • Requirements: Vendor contracts, basic e-commerce setup

10. Legal Nurse Consulting

This niche allows nurse practitioners to support attorneys in medical cases by interpreting records, testifying in court, or preparing documentation. It requires some additional training but can be highly lucrative.

  • Salary Range: $80,000 to $150,000/year depending on caseload

  • Clients: Law firms, insurance companies, independent attorneys

What Nurse Practitioners Need to Start a Business

Starting a business in healthcare requires planning and compliance. Here’s what to consider:

  • Licensing and Credentials: Are you permitted to operate independently in your state or province?

  • Business Plan: Outline services, target market, pricing, and marketing strategy.

  • Legal Structure: Register your business and handle taxes appropriately.

  • Insurance: Consider liability insurance, especially for hands-on services.

Working with professional healthcare consultants—such as those at MD Consultants—can help you avoid costly mistakes and get your business running efficiently.

Final Thoughts

From health coaching to telehealth, medical aesthetics to education, there’s never been a better time to explore business ideas in the healthcare industry as a nurse practitioner. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, financial growth, or fulfillment, the opportunities are vast and growing.

Not only can you increase your nurse practitioner salary, but you can also make a broader impact on your community and shape the future of healthcare on your own terms.

If you’re ready to explore your options, MD Consultants offers one-on-one mentorship, business development services, and expert advice tailored to nurse practitioners and healthcare professionals just like you.

Start your entrepreneurial journey today—because your expertise deserves more than a timecard.

Related Reading: How to Leverage Your Clinical Experience in Your Entrepreneurial Journey

Scroll to Top