The Role of Nurses in Nursing Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century
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Abstract
In the twenty-first century, rapid transformation including population aging, the rising of chronic diseases, inequities in access to health services, and technological change. The role of nurses is changing from hospital-based bedside care providers to innovators and transformational leadership who develop and operate health enterprises that respond to population needs. Therefore, nurse entrepreneur has the potential to create professional expertise into diverse health business models, including nursing and midwifery clinics; services for older adults and people with chronic conditions; consulting services; digital-health ventures; health training institutes; and wellness enterprises. These businesses help expand access to care, reduce congestion in healthcare facilities, promote prevention-oriented services, and support continuity of care. This article aims to analyze the roles, opportunities, limitations, and developmental approaches of nurse entrepreneurs in the 21st century. The study employed is a literature review and document analysis, synthesizing information from academic articles, research studies, policy documents both national and international sources.
Nevertheless, the transition into entrepreneurship faces several barriers: gaps in entrepreneurial competencies, lack of supportive systems, and legal and professional regulations that restrict the scope of practice. These barriers affect nurses’ ability to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. Recommended directions to advance nursing entrepreneurship include integrating entrepreneurship competencies into nursing curricula; building supportive systems; reviewing relevant laws and policies; and strengthening collaboration among professional organization and government agencies. These measures are essential to elevate the role of nurse entrepreneurs in the twenty-first century, ensuring that people receive health services that are accessible, timely, comprehensive, equitable, and appropriately supported. Ultimately, they enable nurses to transition from service providers to health entrepreneurs, creating sustainable service models that meet the needs of modern health systems.
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References
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