Top 5 Business Models for Nurse Practitioners Who Want to Travel
Before I first started thinking seriously about traveling full time—or even living abroad—I had no idea how to make it happen as a nurse practitioner. Most of us are trained to believe our income is tied to a clinic, a schedule, or a license locked to one state.
But after years of building businesses that cross borders, I’ve learned that there’s more than one way to earn as a nurse practitioner entrepreneur.
Here are five business models that allow NPs to create more freedom, flexibility, and location independence—whether you're raising kids while traveling or just tired of trading time for money in a fixed setting.
1. Telehealth or Telepsychiatry Practice
For many NPs, this is the first (and most accessible) step. You can provide care virtually to clients in the states where you're licensed. It’s familiar, in-demand, and scalable.
Pros:
High client demand
Easily scalable with a team
Integrates well with EMRs and automation tools
Watchouts:
You’ll need strong systems and reliable internet
Time zone management matters more than you think
This was my entry point. I built a telepsychiatry practice in one state and grew it into a team of providers. I even built a brick and mortar psych practice, scaled it, and sold it!
2. Continuing Education (CE) Courses
Have a clinical skill, framework, or process you’ve mastered? You can teach it—and offer CE credits without becoming a provider yourself. That’s where I come in.
As an approved CE provider, I host live and recorded CE events for nurses and nurse practitioners, helping others get their content into the world without the administrative burden.
Pros:
Can be offered live, recorded, or in-person
Great passive or recurring income stream
Teaches others while positioning you as an expert
Watchouts:
Courses must meet CE standards and documentation requirements
Content structure and delivery matter
You bring the content. I host the course. It’s a win-win.
3. Coaching and Consulting for NPs or Healthcare Entrepreneurs
If you’ve already built a business—or led in any healthcare setting—you can offer guidance to others. Many nurse practitioners are looking for support as they launch or scale.
Pros:
Fully remote and customizable
High impact and high income potential
Flexible in format: 1:1, group, or digital
Watchouts:
Requires clear offers and firm boundaries
Can become draining without structure
I’ve worked with new grads, telehealth founders, millionaire practice owners, and NP moms at various points of their entrepreneurship journeys. The demand is there. If you’ve done it, someone is looking to learn from you.
4. Digital Products or Memberships
Think: templates, toolkits, self-paced courses, community access, or resource libraries. These are perfect for nurse practitioners who want income without constant live delivery.
Pros:
Passive once built
Scalable and evergreen
No license or live interaction required
Watchouts:
Requires upfront time to build and test
Needs regular updates or feedback loops
Most good digital products start by answering the same question for the tenth time. If you’re constantly explaining something to clients or peers, you probably have a product waiting to be created.
5. Medical Writing, Speaking, or Course Collaboration
There are thousands of nursing organizations, CE platforms, and healthcare companies looking for strong voices. If you enjoy educating or storytelling, this could be a natural outlet.
Pros:
Builds visibility and authority
Pays well once established
Can lead to bigger collaborations or licensing deals
Watchouts:
May require pitching or networking early on
Inconsistent income if not systemized
Whether you ghostwrite CE material, speak at events, or co-create with others, this model rewards expertise—and lets you move through the world as a trusted thought leader.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to stay anchored to one location—or one way of working. Nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to build profitable, flexible, portable businesses. Whether you want to slow travel, worldschool your kids, or just reclaim your time, these business models open doors.
Start with one. Grow it. Then stack or shift as your life evolves.
And if you’re ready to explore these paths with guidance, I can help. From CE hosting to strategic planning, I help nurse practitioner entrepreneurs cross borders—without losing income or impact.
Let’s build something that goes with you.
