From ICU to Online Business Coaching

This ICU nurse took her passion for health and fitness and pivoted to launching her own online business

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week one nurse shares her story of leaving the ICU to launch her online business so she could be in charge of her schedule and prioritize family time. We also discuss the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, inspections of Taylor Farms are finally under way, and the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Congo.

But first...

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Registered Nurse - ED, Mercy

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Nurse Spotlight: Heather Colledge

What I do for work

I’m an online business coach who specializes in helping nurses and other health professionals be able to grow their business with systems, strategies, structure and operations. My nursing background is in the ICU where I worked for 8 years. In 2015, I joined a health and wellness company to pursue my passion for health and fitness by helping more people stay out of the hospital. After two years with that company I was able to replace my nursing income and walk away from my ICU job, and then eventually launch my own business in 2020.

How I got here

I was still working in the ICU in 2015 when I started working for a health and wellness company. I had seen people posting about it on social media, but my first thought was that I didn’t think it was for me. I decided to give it a try and began to see it as a way for me to be able to bring in more income for my family without having to go and work more hours at the hospital. I was tired of working nights, holidays and weekends while missing out on memories with my young boys. My kids were 5 and 1.5 when I left my job at the hospital 2 years after starting with that company, which gave me the freedom to not have to miss out on events, meal time and bed time with them.

I was with that company for 5 years where I helped hundreds of people get healthy, but I really wanted something of my own. So in 2020 I finally started my own business in after putting it off for years because I was scared and unsure. In 2019 my dad passed away and that process helped me reflect on what I would regret if I never started. This made me put my fears aside to go after what I really wanted. So, I hired a mentor to help me and I earned $15k in the first month and $200k in the first year. Now we have surpassed $4 million in the past 6.5 years. I have now helped over 500 nurses and health professionals start and grow their businesses.

Headlines in Healthcare

FDA begins inspections of Taylor Farms

Last week, the FDA announced that it began onsite inspections and sampling at Taylor Farms of Mexico, where the iceberg lettuce of the ongoing multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US was grown. According to Food Safety Magazine, the official case count reaches nearly 10,000 illnesses across 17 states, including two deaths due to cyclosporiasis-induced dehydration in patients with underlying health conditions. The CDC has received reports of 13,895 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1 of this year. They are aware of at least 10,455 additional cases of Cyclospora infection requiring further investigation.

'America's saddest murder trial' highlights postpartum health

Lindsay Clancy admitted to killing her three young children in 2023, then attempted to end her own life after a period of postpartum depression. What is now up for debate is whether she experienced postpartum psychosis, a severe mental health condition that can cause disconnection with reality. According to the Guardian, Clancy’s defense argues she knew something was wrong and tried to seek help in the months leading up to the killings, but failed to receive the necessary care. The court has heard that Clancy was prescribed 13 different psychiatric medications in the months leading up to the killings, without sufficient follow up care from her medical team.

Ebola outbreak in Congo is declared second most lethal

Health officials report that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has crossed 5,000 confirmed cases, outpacing local containment responses. According to Reuters, the outbreak is Congo's worst yet of 17, has so far killed at least 2,325 people. Earlier this month, the WHO stated that reversing Ebola's spread would be possible within a three-month period. However, other leading officials told Reuters that the outbreak was a long way from ⁠being under control, pointing out that between 70-80% of new cases have no known link to patients, meaning the virus is still spreading unchecked in many areas.

More on Heather

A day in my life

I wake up early around 7am to have breakfast with the kids, go to the gym, and then come home to get ready for the day. I work from about 11am to 5pm. Then I turn everything off, I’m with my kids the rest of the day. I drive them around to sports and have time with my family. I’m grateful to work from home, make my own schedule, decide who I work with and how I want to organize my time.

My self-care routine

I exercise every day by going to the gym or to yoga. At the end of the day, I like watching movies with my husband or going out to dinner with my husband and our two boys.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

An image of author Katie Scoggins is pictured.

Meet the author:
Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN & Health Writer)

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