Can a Functional Medicine Nurse Start Their Own Business? How Nurses Can Build Purposeful, Profitable Practices Rooted in Root-Cause Care

The short answer? Yes. And the time has never been better.

After years of educating over 1,000 nurses and nurse practitioners in functional medicine and holistic nursing, I can tell you with certainty that more nurses than ever are ready to leave burnout behind and step into leadership through a functional, root-cause approach. And for many of my students, that path includes launching their own business. Many never considered entrepreneurship until they find functional medicine, but it pulls them to offer something different that might not fit in the container of their current role. Many start practices on the side and continue their current positions for a steady income while launching.

Whether you’re an RN or NP, your nursing license, your clinical training, and your ability to see the whole person put you in a unique position to build a business rooted in healing.

But let’s be clear- this isn’t about slapping "Functional Medicine" on your Instagram bio and hoping clients come calling. Starting your own practice takes strategy, integrity, and an understanding of how to deliver value within your scope.

Let’s break it down.

Start with Scope: Can a Nurse Own Their Own Business?

Before anything else, you must know what you're legally allowed to do under your current license.

It still amazes me how often I hear nurses—especially women—ask if we’re even “allowed” to build a business or practice in this way. That mindset didn’t come from nowhere. For generations, our profession has been shaped by systems that taught us to seek permission, not power.

But here’s the truth: we are highly educated, licensed professionals with the authority to lead. And functional medicine, rooted in whole-person, relationship-based care, is a natural extension of what we’ve always done best. We don’t need to ask if we’re allowed to lead—we already are.

• Nurse Practitioners may be able to diagnose, prescribe, and manage treatment independently (depending on your state or country). This opens the door to cash-based consulting practices, specialty clinics, or integrative primary care models.

• Registered Nurses can also start functional businesses, but must operate within the scope of nursing diagnoses (yep from nursing school), non-prescriptive care (think: education, care coordination, accountability, and coaching-style frameworks).

My students research their scope, consult local legal experts, structure their business accordingly, and we discuss this topic frequently. These RN and NP students have started practices throughout the United States and in other countries. Whatever your license, staying inside your lane is critical—for your safety, your clients' safety, and the integrity of our profession.

Define Your Offer: What Services Can a Functional Medicine Nurse Offer?

One of the first things I teach in our  Holistic Nursing Entreprenur Program™ is this- clarity is more powerful than complexity.

You don’t have to offer labs, supplements, protocols, and programs on day one (or every). Instead, ask yourself:

• Who do I help? (e.g., tired teachers with autoimmune flares, peri-menopausal women navigating burnout, etc.)

• What problem do I help them solve?

• How do I deliver that help? (one-on-one visits, group programs, online education, etc.)

Many of our entrepreneurial students start small—offering simple, scope-safe services and growing as their clarity and confidence did.

Real-Life Examples: How Functional Nursing Students Are Building Businesses

We have incredible nurses and NPs who are now building purposeful, profitable businesses:

• Nurses in corporate specialty practices like cardiac rehab, endocrinology, GYN, pulmonology, gastroenterology, etc. are offering private consulting for patients looking for a more holistic, deeper dive into their health concern

• NPs are stepping away from the 15 minute appointment grind and starting functional consulting practices that give them more time to dig deep with each patient and offer care that aligns more with what they had been dreaming of

• NPs and RNs are creating brick and mortar as well as telehealth practices

• They are offering one-on-one consulting, memberships, group visits, and more

  
  

These aren’t unicorn stories anymore—these are examples of how real nurses with real practices are doing something different. And they started with the same question you may be asking: Can I really do this?

Yes. You can. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Understand the Business Side: How to Start a Functional Medicine Practice as a Nurse

Let’s be honest—none of us weren’t taught how to run a business in nursing school. But here's one thing that is particularly true about our profession- we learn new skills all the time!

To start your own practice, you’ll need to learn how to:

• Choose a business structure that fits your model (LLC, PLLC, S Corp, etc.)

• Create documentation that protects you and your clients

• Build a website and show up as a service provider in your area

• Market in a way that’s ethical, effective, and aligned with your values (and doesn't take up all of your time!)

• Manage your time and energy so you don’t build a new version of burnout

That’s why we are now offering the Holistic Nursing Entreprenur Program™ through the Institute for Functional Nursing™—to give nurses the tools to navigate business-building without guessing or Googling.

You Can Do This—With the Right Support

The future of healthcare will be shaped by nurses who dare to lead. And that includes building practices that reflect our values of integrity, service, and whole-person care.

Inside IFN’s HNEP™, we support nurses in:

• Clarifying their vision

• Staying aligned with nursing scope

• Creating sustainable business models

• Connecting with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs

Whether you’re still employed full-time and dreaming of your own thing, or already seeing private clients and ready to scale—we’re here to walk with you.

Because functional nursing isn’t just a way to practice—it’s a way to restore our profession and how we feel about our work.

What This Means for You as a Nurse

Yes, nurses can start functional medicine businesses. But doing it right means:

• Knowing your scope

• Getting clear on your offer

• Learning the business side

• Choosing guidance and support that understands your license and goals

Functional nursing isn't just a model of care—it’s a movement. And you don’t need to wait for permission to step into a version of nursing that feels right.

You just need the proper tools, the right guidance, and the courage to begin.

Explore programs and support for nurse-led functional businesses including the Holistic Nursing Entreprenur Program™ at fxnursing.com.