Starting your own nurse coaching business is exciting—but how do you know if you should go all-in or ease into it part-time? In this candid episode, Shelby and Laura peel back the curtain on what they’ve seen work (and what doesn’t) after coaching thousands of nurses through this exact decision. Whether you’re a brand-new grad or an experienced nurse craving freedom, this conversation will give you the clarity you’ve been searching for.

Many nurses feel stuck when deciding how to launch their private practice: jump in full-time or keep a safety net with part-time work? Shelby and Laura get real about their own journeys, what they’d do differently today, and the hidden perks of both approaches. They share updated advice for navigating your first year, building confidence without burning out, and setting up a business that actually lasts.

If you’ve ever wondered how many hours you really need to dedicate, how long it takes to replace your income, or whether part-time is “enough,” this episode will leave you feeling grounded and empowered.

• Discover why starting part-time may actually speed up your success (and reduce stress).
• Understand the financial realities of building a private practice, from taxes to startup costs.
• Learn how to set realistic timelines for your first year without falling into the ROI trap.
• Explore the surprising pitfalls of having too much time in your business.
• Hear stories of nurses who hit six figures and what their path really looked like.
• Get practical advice on balancing work, family, and business while keeping your sanity intact.

If this episode gave you clarity or encouragement, we’d love for you to:

• Subscribe to The Successful Nurse Coach Podcast so you never miss a new conversation.
• Leave us a review—it helps more nurses find this resource and take their next step.
• Join the conversation inside our free Facebook group The Successful Nurse Coaches or learn more about the Nurse Life Coach Academy at nurselifecoachacademy.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Last Call to Join us in Boone for our September Retreat: https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone

In this episode, I sit down with Kathleen Meleedy, a former ER and primary care nurse who left her corporate healthcare job to launch her private coaching practice. Kathleen shares what it was like to make the leap—quitting her job without a backup plan—and how she signed 10 paying clients in just 12 weeks.

We talk about what gave her the courage to go all in, the power of connection, and how she's redefining success on her own terms. If you're craving a real, grounded story about what’s possible when you follow your values, this one’s for you.

You can find Kathleen’s contact info below. And if you’re not already hanging out with us, come join The Successful Nurse Coaches Facebook group.

Get In Touch with Kathleen:

Email: kathleen@itiswellnursecoach.com

Website: www.itiswellnursecoach.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Last Call to Join us in Boone for our September Retreat: https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone

In this milestone episode, Shelby and Laura celebrate 200 episodes of The Successful Nurse Coach Podcast with stories, laughter, honest reflection, and one very exciting surprise…

They share:

• Funny behind-the-scenes moments from the early days
• How podcasting helped them grow as speakers and storytellers
• Why this show has become one of the most powerful tools in their business
• The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship
• A heartfelt thank-you to YOU, our listeners 💛

Plus… we wrote a book!

The Art & Science of a Successful Nurse Coach Practice is almost here — and we want you on our launch team! Click the link below to help us get this labor of love into the hands of future nurse coaches.

👉 Join the Launch Team: Book Launch

https://start.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/tsncbook/

👉 Join our FB Community: The Successful Nurse Coaches

In this heartfelt solo episode, Laura dives deep into the real reason live events are so transformative—not just for personal growth, but for your coaching practice as a whole.

She shares powerful, personal stories from the retreats and live events that shaped her—from her first nurse coach training immersion, to masterminds with 7-figure entrepreneurs, to deeply spiritual experiences she never could have predicted. Whether it's making eye contact during an embodiment exercise, crying mid-flight after a breakthrough, or meeting a future business partner over dinner, Laura explores the irreplaceable magic of in-person transformation.

You’ll walk away understanding:

• Why live events create momentum that Zoom just can’t replicate
• How attending events raises your presence, listening, and coaching skills
• What makes live experiences such a powerful cure for burnout, self-doubt, or stagnation
• Why your identity as a coach fundamentally shifts when you immerse yourself in real community
• What kind of breakthroughs only happen between the sessions

Whether you’re in a funk, in full momentum, or just craving a deeper connection—this episode will inspire you to say yes to stepping out of your daily life and into something sacred.

Laura also reflects on the upcoming Boone Retreat (with guest Leon VanderPol), shares the real talk behind pricing retreats, and offers guidance for those of you who can’t make it but still want to grow.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone

In this episode, I’m naming something we’ve all felt in certification but haven’t quite had the words for: the invisible curriculum.

Yes, you signed up to become a nurse coach—to get CEUs, frameworks, and a board certification. But what you actually get is a mirror held up to your deepest beliefs, fears, and identity.

You might be thinking, “Why does it feel like my life is coaching me?” You’re not doing it wrong—this is the work. It’s emotional, messy, and transformational. You’re not just earning a title… you’re becoming someone new.

I share why this part of the process matters, how it sets our program apart, and why it's the real reason Laura and I decided to run a certification in the first place.

What part of the invisible curriculum are you learning right now?

Courage? Trust? Vulnerability?

Whatever it is, you’re becoming. And I’m proud of you.

—Shelby 💛

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone

In this solo episode, I’m coming to you with a question that’s been sitting heavy in my heart lately:

What if alignment doesn’t feel good at first?

What if it feels like fear, like resistance, like vulnerability? What if pursuing your purpose actually stretches you more than staying stuck ever did?

I talk to hundreds of nurse coaches every month—and the theme I hear over and over again is that we want alignment. We want authenticity, freedom, fulfillment. But when we start to chase it… it doesn’t always feel good. And then we think something’s wrong with us.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own journey—the tears, the closet cries, the “I don’t want to do this today” moments. I’m sharing how I’ve built the muscle of consistency and why I still choose this work even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

• Why we confuse alignment with ease (and why that’s dangerous)
• The emotional labor of building something meaningful
• The myth that hard = wrong
• My personal battles with imposter syndrome, leadership, and showing up when I didn’t feel like it
• Why consistency (not motivation) is the true superpower
• A better question to ask than “Do I want to?”

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone

Hey friends, it’s Shelby here 👋 and today’s episode is a little different… because it’s as much for me and Laura as it is for you.

We’ve been in the trenches lately—cleaning up messes, making hard calls, doing deep reflection—and as we got to talking, we realized: We need a pep talk. So we hit record.

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it really means to stay in this game long-term. It’s not always sexy or aligned or inspirational. Sometimes it’s hard and gritty and quiet and you just… keep going anyway.

We share the three truths that have kept us grounded (and humbled) over the past few months, and we hold nothing back.

Here’s what we talk about:

• 💥 Why you’re not the exception to the rule—and why that’s actually a good thing
• 🧠 The difference between motivation and commitment (and why you can’t rely on the former)
• 😅 How to keep going when it feels like everything is falling apart
• 📆 Why your mood isn’t a board member in your business
• ⏳ And a reminder that time will pass no matter what—so you might as well spend it building something meaningful

If you’re in a low season, this episode is a hand on your back.

If you’re ready to quit, this episode is a flashlight in the dark.

And if you’re flying high, tuck this one away. You’ll need it again.

We recorded this from the middle, not the finish line—and I think that’s what makes it potent.

Come listen. Cry if you need to. And let’s get back to it, together.

🧡 With love and resilience,

Shelby

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone

In this episode of the Successful Nurse Coach Podcast, I dive into the role fear plays in our personal growth and decision-making—especially for nurses who are thinking about becoming coaches.

Fear is sneaky. It often shows up wearing the mask of logic or "just being practical." But what’s really happening under the surface is a set of deeply ingrained cognitive biases that keep us small. I unpack how those patterns show up, how they distort reality, and how to begin shifting them.

I also talk about the importance of self-compassion on this journey—because you can’t bully yourself into transformation. And I share why embracing imperfection is a courageous and necessary step if you want to move forward with purpose and clarity.

Ultimately, my hope is that this episode gives you the language and insight to name your fear, honor it, and then choose growth anyway.

Let’s go there together.

Connect with us:

• Instagram: @successfulnursecoaches
• Website: www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com
• Join the conversation in our Facebook group: The Successful Nurse Coach Community

If you loved this episode…

Please take 30 seconds to subscribe, rate, and leave a review — it helps more nurses find this work and fall in love with the boring parts too. 💕

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.thesuccessfulnursecoaches.com/joinusinboone