The Nurse Who Turned Mentorship Into Thriving Businesses—Jenny Finnell’s Story
Podcast Episode
In a recent episode of the Nurse Converse podcast, Jenny Finnell, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) turned entrepreneur, joins host Colton Lord and shares her transformative journey. She highlights the challenges and triumphs of moving from bedside nursing to founding innovative ventures like TeachRN.com, a platform empowering nurses with mentorship and resources, and CRNA School Prep Academy. Her story offers valuable lessons for nurses aspiring to expand their influence beyond traditional roles and explore the world of entrepreneurship.
TeachRN: A Marketplace for All Nurses
Jenny’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a simple act of mentorship. After completing her CRNA program, she received countless requests from fellow nurses seeking guidance. Initially, she offered informal advice, but as demand grew, she realized the potential for a structured platform. This realization led to the creation of TeachRN, a virtual marketplace connecting nurses across specialties with mentors and career resources.
The diversity within TeachRN fosters collaboration and learning, offering nurses access to:
- Specialized mentors and career coaches.
- Resources tailored to diverse career paths.
- A supportive community that breaks down professional silos.
What sets TeachRN apart is its inclusivity. Unlike platforms focused solely on advanced practice nursing, TeachRN is designed for all nurses, from those in legal nursing to mental health practitioners. This broad scope fosters a diverse community where shared experiences and expertise benefit everyone.
Building an Audience Before Building a Business
Jenny emphasizes a vital strategy for entrepreneurs: start by building an audience and testing ideas before committing to a business model. Many aspiring entrepreneurs, including nurses, make the mistake of creating a product in isolation and then struggling to find an audience.
Both of Jenny’s businesses—TeachRN and CRNA School Prep Academy—started as free offerings aimed at solving specific problems. This approach allowed her to gauge interest, collect feedback, and refine her ideas based on real-world needs. By engaging her audience first, she laid the foundation for sustainable ventures that aligned with her audience’s demands.
Overcoming the Challenges of Transition
The shift from nursing to entrepreneurship presented unique challenges. Jenny candidly shares how she navigated the steep learning curve, tackling areas like business operations, financial management, and marketing—skills not typically taught in nursing.
Understanding business structures, navigating legal compliance, and mastering customer engagement were all significant hurdles. Financial management proved equally daunting, requiring her to learn bookkeeping, budgeting, and securing funding. Beyond these technical skills, Jenny highlights the emotional challenges of setting boundaries, particularly for nurses who are natural caregivers. Learning to prioritize her time and delegate responsibilities became crucial to avoiding burnout and scaling her business.
Learning Through “Must Stakes”
Jenny refers to her early entrepreneurial mistakes as “must stakes,” essential missteps that taught her invaluable lessons. These experiences reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability. Rather than seeing mistakes as setbacks, she viewed them as opportunities to grow and refine her approach.
Her advice to aspiring nurse entrepreneurs is clear: embrace failure as part of the process. Each challenge presents a chance to innovate, improve, and create solutions that better serve your audience.
The Power of Networking and Community
Throughout her journey, Jenny discovered the transformative power of networking. She encourages nurses to actively engage on platforms like LinkedIn, where they can connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators. Networking, she explains, is not just about professional growth but about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose within the nursing field.
TeachRN itself exemplifies the value of community. By creating a space where nurses can share knowledge and resources, Jenny has built a platform that breaks down silos within the profession. This collaborative spirit is at the heart of her entrepreneurial philosophy.
Empowering Nurses to Lead
Jenny’s advice resonates beyond entrepreneurship: nurses are not just caregivers—they are innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers capable of driving meaningful impact. Whether through launching a business or advancing their careers, nurses have the tools to shape the future of healthcare.
Connect with Jenny on social:
Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonlord17, @nursedaddies
TikTok: @nursedaddies
