Brand Building: A former emergency room nurse turned career coach, shares her journey from bedside care to a six-figure business.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Dr. Farrah Laurent. 

A former emergency room nurse turned entrepreneur and career coach, shares her journey from bedside care to building a six-figure business helping new nurses land high-paying jobs and launch their own ventures. The conversation explores nursing as a lucrative and flexible career path, the importance of mindset, and the power of personal branding.

🔑 Key Points 💼 Career Journey & Motivation

• Dr. Laurent was inspired by the TV show Trauma: Life in the E.R. to become an emergency nurse.
• She worked 13 years in ER nursing, including at a Level 1 trauma center in Detroit.
• Transitioned into education and leadership before launching her coaching business.

💰 Nursing as a High-Income Career

• New nurses in cities like NYC and Northern California can earn $100K–$175K starting salaries.
• National average is around $70K, but opportunities vary by region and specialization.
• Nurse anesthetists can earn $200K–$300K+.

“New graduate nurses today… are making baseline at least $100,000, up to $175K.”

🧠 Mindset & Coaching

• Emphasizes abundance mindset over scarcity.
• Coaches nurses on resume writing, interview prep, and personal branding.
• Encourages nurses to invest in themselves through coaching and professional development.

“If I can do it, you can do it too. It all starts with an idea and the mindset.”

📈 Entrepreneurship for Nurses

• Nurses are increasingly turning to consulting, coaching, and telehealth for flexibility.
• Dr. Laurent founded the Nurses Making Money Moves conference and authored a workbook by the same name.
• Organized her first conference in just 10 weeks, attracting 70 nurses from 20 states.

“You’re using your intellectual property—what you already know—to monetize.”

🌍 Diversity & Representation

• Advocates for racial, gender, and linguistic diversity in nursing and leadership.
• Notes that patient outcomes improve when care providers reflect the communities they serve.

“We need more diversity in nursing and nursing leadership to close the gaps in healthcare inequalities.”

💡 Advice for New Nurses

1. Get clear on your goals and ideal work environment.
2. Prepare thoroughly for interviews—don’t wing it.
3. Build a strong LinkedIn presence—95% of recruiters check it.
4. Negotiate: Know your worth, research salaries, and pitch your value.

“Don’t just settle. Go after what you want.”

🚩 Red Flags in Job Offers

• Disorganized interview process
• Unwelcoming management
• High turnover
• Rushed job offers without clarity on responsibilities

📣 Closing Quote

“Nurses are big problem solvers. Find the problem you want to solve and go for it.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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