Should You Consider Becoming A Nurse Health Coach

There has never been a better time to consider becoming a nurse health coach. These medical professionals work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, corporations, and community health centers. They provide valuable health advice and wellness strategies tailored to individual clients. It is an in-demand field with a growing number of job opportunities across the country.

What Are the Duties of a Nurse Health Coach?

The primary function of a nurse health coach is to provide health and wellness goals as well as the strategies needed to reach those goals. They work one-on-one with patients who likely have their own goals or challenges. They also collaborate with other healthcare providers and medical professionals to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding a particular patient.

Here are three key jobs that a nurse health coach performs:

  1. Develop Healthcare Coaching Plans for Patients

Every patient will have their own set of healthcare needs, hurdles, and goals. As a nurse health coach, you will help develop coaching strategies that will help these patients overcome their hurdles and achieve their goals. Every coaching plan is unique because every patient is unique. They will have their own set of limitations, injuries, and other medical conditions that may require advanced strategies to overcome.

It doesn’t begin and end with outlining a strategy. A nurse health coach continues to work with their patient during the journey with regular appointments. Your goal is to assess their progress toward their unique health goals and make adjustments to the strategy when necessary. It’s not uncommon for a strategy to require adjustments to nutrition or exercise. A patient may also develop new hurdles along the way that require new adjustments to overcome.

  1. Provide Lifestyle Strategies for Reducing Healthcare Risks

Many patients who seek the assistance of a nurse health coach are considered at risk for certain unwanted health conditions. For example, many obese patients are at risk for developing diabetes. Those patients look to nurse health coaches to develop wellness strategies that will help them mitigate the risk through specific lifestyle changes. In the case of a patient at risk for diabetes, it will likely include changes to nutrition and exercise.

Of course, lifestyle and wellness strategies can expand far beyond just nutrition and exercise. Many different lifestyle changes can affect the risk of developing severe health conditions. For example, stress is a serious risk factor for many health conditions. Thus, a strategy that helps a patient improve their stress management can help mitigate that risk factor.

  1. Lead Group Coaching Sessions

Much of the work that a nurse health coach provides is individualized to a patient’s specific needs. However, there are plenty of opportunities for a coach to provide education and training in a group setting. Group sessions can vary wildly depending on specific themes, strategies, or conditions. For example, group sessions focused on actionable health tips for diabetic patients are very common. In these sessions, a coach will provide newly diabetic patients with techniques and strategies they can use to control their blood glucose levels and manage their condition.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Nurse Health Coach

Are you at a crossroads in your career, wondering what the next step might be? Are you considering a future as a professional nurse health coach but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Here are some of the major advantages of pursuing this career path.

  1. Work That Truly Helps People

Not everyone is lucky enough to work in a field that provides real benefits to a person’s health and well-being. If you want a career where you know your work is making a difference, then a nurse health coach is a great choice. It is a rewarding line of work and you’ll likely receive plenty of gratitude from the patients you help improve.

  1. Flexible Work Opportunities

Becoming a licensed nurse health coach will provide you with very flexible employment opportunities. You can essentially start your own business and provide your services to various medical facilities or institutions without signing on as a full-time employee. Or you may choose to work for a specific hospital or clinic on a full-time basis. Many coaches are even able to do some work remotely from home using video software.

  1. A Chance to Take Control of Your Income

The flexibility of this career isn’t limited to your work setting. You will typically have far more control over the hours you work and the rate you charge. Many people have relied on this field to take control of their income and secure their financial freedom. They can work fewer hours and still increase their income over time.

Is Becoming a Nurse Health Coach Right For You?

Becoming a nurse health coach can be a very rewarding choice but it will take hard work, dedication, and long hours to reach your goal. Only some people have the drive to complete the education, training, and licensing process. If you’re interested in a career that can provide true value to the world and you’re willing to put in the effort, then this is an excellent field to consider. And we, at The Nurse Coach Collective, can help you get your dream job.