If you’re a nurse who has ever thought about having a side gig but can’t think of what you’d want to do, consider your hobbies and passions—both now and from the past. You might find that the idea for your side gig was there all along.
Lauren Goston, RN, Froedtert Hospital through CareRev, has a side gig as a Youth Track Coach. She spoke with Daily Nurse about how she got into it, why she enjoys it, and what you can do if this sounds like a side gig that would appeal to you.
How did you get into being a youth track coach? How long have you been doing it? Why did you decide to get into it?
I got into coaching track and field when my two oldest kids wanted to run track in middle school. So we joined a club team called the Milwaukee Mustangs. I ran track in high school and college but had just thought about coaching when a coach approached me and asked me to help about eight years ago.
I love coaching our Mustang athletes. I love contributing to the community and youth sports.
Please explain to me briefly what you do as a youth track coach. What ages do you coach? Boys or girls? Did you have to get additional training/education to do it? Did you run track yourself?
I ran the 100- and 200-meter dash in high school and college. Our club offers track programming for kids ages 6 to 18 years old. I primarily coach the 6 to 11-year-old kids—both boys and girls—but we will rotate coaches, so sometimes I work with our high school athletes.
I have my USA Track and Field Level One certification, for which I studied and tested. We have speed clinics that we have available to us, which is extra training after we get certified.
There is a big track and field culture, and a critical piece of that is an ongoing emphasis on education. As a result, kids are faster than ever, and we use more dynamic workouts to build speed and endurance safely.
Coaching has helped make me a better nurse, and nursing has made me a better coach. Nursing is physically demanding, and you have to multitask–both of which are true for coaching. Both give you a keen awareness of the need to meet the person you are working with–a patient or an athlete–where they are and help get them to where they need to be.
Why do you like coaching track? What do you enjoy most about it?
Coaching track and field is very, very rewarding. The parents and kids are just so thankful for the opportunity to participate in such a positive program. You can connect with the kids and be a sounding board for things happening in their lives.
There is a big track and field culture, and a critical piece of that is an ongoing emphasis on education. As a result, kids are faster than ever, and we use more dynamic workouts to build speed and endurance safely.
And track is really concrete. When you play a basketball game with your team, you can celebrate with your team if you win. We come to the track meets as a team for track and field, but when you run your race, you are really on your own. You can set goals and limits as an individual. Track teaches these kids that they can set high goals for themselves and achieve them.
I love having the opportunity to impact youth positively in our city. We need that more than anything else right now.
What are your biggest challenges as a coach? What are your most significant rewards as one?
One of the biggest challenges is that sometimes the number of athletes participating is so high. The need for more coaches is clear.
The rewards are seeing the smiles on my athletes’ and their parents’ faces when they have accomplished a goal they worked hard toward all season. It’s rewarding knowing I have made a difference in their lives.
If someone wanted to get into the type of side gig you’re doing, what steps would you tell them to take?
First, make sure it is something you want to do. We are volunteers in this, and it takes a lot of dedication. The reward is how accomplished your athletes are, not a monetary reward. You have to have a passion for the sport and some athletic knowledge, but there is training for the intricacies of track and field.
Depending on the season, I coach 8 to 12 hours a week, so I appreciate that I was able, through CareRev, to find a way to nurse full-time but with a more flexible schedule. CareRev’s platform allows me to schedule my shifts to be fully available to my patients and for my coaching side gig. As a result, I work when I want, where I want locally, which is how I can coach.
Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that is important for our readers to know?
The need for coaches in youth sports is more than ever right now. There has been significant growth in track and field since the last Olympics, and sport is growing faster than we can provide coaches..
Sometimes, we get involved in facets of our career or volunteering because of something that has happened in our personal lives or the lives of people close to us, especially when it concerns children with rare diseases.
That’s exactly what happened with Adriana D Glenn, Ph.D., MA, MN, FNP-BC, CNE Assistant Professor, RN-BSN Program Director & Academic Coach at The George Washington University.
Daily Nurse spoke with Dr. Glenn about her research regarding how families of children with rare diseases use technology for communication.
How did you get interested in researching how families of children with rare diseases use the internet for communication? What drew you to it? How long have you been doing it?
My interest in how families of children with rare diseases use the internet or e-health communication directly resulted from my personal experiences. My daughter, Avery, was diagnosed with Alagille syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting the liver, heart, and other parts of the body. One of the major issues resulting from the condition is liver damage caused by abnormalities in the bile ducts. However, because the condition is rare, many healthcare providers are unfamiliar with the disease, its trajectory, or how to manage some symptoms.
Out of desperation and the need for information, I sought knowledge about the disease. I felt incredibly lonely, scared, and vulnerable, and I had experience as a provider in the healthcare system! While searching for the answers to my questions, I constantly thought, “I have a healthcare background. I can read and understand the research. What are parents doing that have a child with this disease and do not have the background, connections, resources, or knowledge?”
The parents of children with rare diseases were underserved and understudied. We did not know how they accessed information, what type of information they were seeking, and how they decided to act or use what they found in searching the internet for answers and support. And thus, I began to explore the issue, which needed to be better described and defined in the research literature at the time.
My daughter died in 2012 at the age of 4 years due to complications of Alagille syndrome. While I no longer directly study how families of children with rare diseases use e-health communication, I have continued to explore the influence of e-health, telehealth, and the internet’s impact on underserved and marginalized populations.
I will always be connected to the Alagille community. They have my heart, as I have been in their shoes–scared, alone, and overwhelmed.
What’s the most difficult thing these families deal with? How does communication with other families via the internet help them? Do they tend to try to find families of children with the same disease or anyone?
The most challenging thing these families deal with is feeling helpless and lonely. Their child is diagnosed with something rare, and physicians often have limited information or sometimes even dated information (i.e., they learned or heard somewhat about the condition in medical school and have not had a reason to keep up with the diagnostics and treatments).
Furthermore, while they [the parent(s)] know intellectually that others have children with the condition, they likely do not know anyone personally (at least at first). So they feel very lonely and scared for their child and their future.
The amazing thing about my research is that I had the privilege of seeing the transition from message board posts at two in the morning and that parents waiting with bated breath for a response to the migration to social media platforms like Facebook, where they can post a question or concern and get an almost immediate and helpful reply. The fact that now parents can get immediate responses from parents from around the world in a matter of a few minutes has been huge and very rewarding to see the change.
This shift in communication speed and platform has helped parents feel not so alone. It has provided immediate and helpful information–ranging from managing a worrisome symptom to what one may expect at a procedure or even referrals for places to seek more information or health care providers. There have been many positives to the expansion of knowledge and access via the internet.
What do families get from this communication?
Families can communicate with a community that ranges in age and experiences and come from around the world. The families get access to practical information. Much of what physicians and other healthcare providers share with parents/families are from a pathological, pharmacological, or therapeutic realm.
The information, of course, is important. However, families often crave how to deal with day-to-day struggles. What families need and get from communication from the internet is how to manage the day-to-day. For example, with Alagille syndrome, one of the major symptoms of the disease is the intense/severe itching (cholestatic pruritus) the child feels as a result of the excess bile in the blood (the exact mechanism of this itching is not well understood). The child will scratch their skin raw, and it is not uncommon for a parent to go into their child’s bedroom first thing in the morning and find bloody bedsheets somewhat akin to what one might expect at a crime scene. It is scary and traumatic for parents and the child.
In the Facebook parent group for Alagille, parents found out about things they could do to ease/reduce the itch. Furthermore, because of the wide availability of the internet and social media, when clinical trials became available for a medication called Livmarli™ (maralixibat), many children with Alagille were eligible to participate because the parents were connected and engaged with Facebook and the internet. As a result, Maralixbat, an oral solution for treating cholestatic pruritus in patients with Alagille syndrome one year of age and older, has since been approved for use in this population thanks to the efforts and information from these children and their families. This is an amazing and powerful example of the benefits of this type of communication.
I have also learned and observed in this research area that families fly and meet one another, and the families and children become really good friends.
What do you like most about conducting this type of research?
I enjoy seeing how empowered people become when they have access to information. They become more engaged with their healthcare providers and can confidently ask questions and follow up on the information they obtain. We expect patients to be healthcare consumers, yet we need to teach people how or what this looks like. I also love seeing how technology and information evolve relatively quickly.
What are the biggest challenges for families of children with rare diseases?
The biggest challenge for families of children with a rare disease is to garner interest in their cause. Because rare diseases are defined as a disease or conditions affecting less than 200,000 people in the United States (Orphan Disease Act, https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/about), funding for treatments and cures are not the priority–as, of course, it is not lucrative for pharmacological companies. This is a source of frustration and adds to feelings or a sense of helplessness. Also, there is still a lot of trying to understand the information they [parents] do find online and how to best use or act upon the information they uncover. This is especially true when you do not have a healthcare background.
What are the greatest rewards they get from this type of communication?
The most significant rewards families of children with rare diseases get from accessing and using e-health communication are hope, encouragement, and a sense of community. Having a community of people who share similar experiences is very helpful to one’s emotional and mental health.
Social support–one of the concepts that came out of my research–is very important to many communities. There is ample research illustrating the importance of social support in managing many conditions. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, accessing information is hugely empowering. When you have a child with a rare disease, you are that child’s best and biggest advocate. Having internet access and communication helps to support effective and efficient advocacy for your child.
Social support–one of the concepts that came out of my research–is very important to many communities. There is ample research illustrating the importance of social support in managing many conditions. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, accessing information is hugely empowering. When you have a child with a rare disease, you are that child’s best and biggest advocate. Having internet access and communication helps to support effective and efficient advocacy for your child.
Is there anything important for our readers to know?
The internet has its positives and negatives, like everything in life. It is important to be aware that while online communication/e-health communication has been a blessing for many people, there can also be dark sides and misinformation. Therefore, your healthcare provider must address serious symptoms and concerns.
It is not in one’s best interest to rely on parents/strangers to tell you when to contact your physician/healthcare provider. If your gut is telling you to call, do not post pictures or ask the advice of laypeople–contact your provider.
Nurses have tough jobs. One of the small things that have helped brighten their days is choosing to wear stylish nursing shoes and scrubs. Whether scrubs are in different colors, with cartoon characters, or feature hobby-related items like books or bikes, they can cheer up nurses and their patients.
But now, a nurse has gone one step further—she’s come up with a shoe line for nurses that will match their scrubs—at least in terms of colors.
Daily Nurse spoke with business owner and nurse Eunsook Choi, RN, BSN, a former travel nurse who is now working full-time at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, about her online shoe company, Forgano. She provided great information about the product line and how she got into this business without prior experience.
How did you come up with the idea to start Forgano? What does the word mean?
I moved here from South Korea in 2017 to further my nursing career. Unfortunately, in 2020, the pandemic took a significant toll on nurses and other front-line workers. For many, it was their first year in the profession. At my hospital, I was moved from my usual unit to the COVID ICU due to a shortage of nurses, so I saw everything firsthand.
So once the dust settled a bit, I felt a purpose in my heart to bring a gift to these nurses–something they could get excited about after surviving this dark period. And so I brought them a new line of trendy nursing shoes that they could match with their scrubs, allowing them to express their personality. I came up with the name Forgano. “Gano” means “nursing or nurses” in Korean. So Forgano means “for nurses.”
Talk about how you started this company. Do you design the shoes? Do you have to handle all the steps involved with it? Please explain.
Once I decided to create a new line of nursing shoes, I faced the issue of designing the shoes in a way that would appeal to nurses and the materials that would be suitable for the job. I didn’t even know what to call the various parts of a shoe, such as an outsole, eyelets, and tongue.
I identified my target audience before I began thinking about designs. I can’t sell a single design of shoes to everyone. That’s impossible. Some senior nurses have been wearing the same shoes for 20 years, and there are new grad nurses who begin their new life journey with new scrubs and new shoes. So I identify my target audiences by age, gender, preferences, and so on.
I also realized most nursing shoes are designed to be practical and dry, so I wanted to create a new design that was both luxurious and practical. I have been working as a nurse for 13 years, and when it comes to shoes, as a nurse, I prioritize comfort. This is also something that all of my coworkers agreed on. So, as a result, my main criteria for new shoes were comfort and design.
I only had a little time to learn about the materials and the design details. So, I sought the advice of professionals when it came to design and materials, and I also got a lot of help from my manufacturer to complete the finished product.
Did you have previous entrepreneurial experience? Or did you learn on the go? How long did it take to get to the point of actually selling the products?
I had no prior experience as an entrepreneur. My mother has a small business in South Korea, selling men’s clothing in a small city. I remember seeing her selling and offering products when I was younger, but I don’t think I learned anything about this new business from her.
When I started my business last year, I met a business coach named James Munn from the United Kingdom. We had weekly Skype business mentorship meetings. I started with only one idea, “Nursing shoes,” and had no business experience. He was helpful to me during the formulation of the concepts stage, targeting audiences, finding manufacturers, developing names and websites, and finding 3PLs, among other things. I started at the bottom and worked my way up step by step. It took about nine months to get from organizing ideas to selling points.
I still do not know what I’ll do next month, but I know what I need to do regularly. I was terrified when I first started my business since I had never done anything like that before. However, I remembered that many people had done it before, and many of them had done well. So why can’t I? I work as a nurse and am very disciplined. Therefore, I believe I am capable of doing whatever others can do.
What makes your nursing shoes different? What did you want to offer to nurses that were different from other types of shoes?
They have a new design that is comfortable to wear all day. Forgano is a unique design when compared to other typical nursing shoe brands. Lately, new style scrubs have become very popular, but no suitable shoes support the latest trend. My shoes fit the new scrubs style for young nurses, giving a positive vibe and extra comfort for a long shift.
What did you enjoy most about your side gig?
I have more to offer the healthcare society than just my nursing job. This makes me feel like a valuable and productive person. I used to avoid listening to motivational speakers because I believed they were boring and everyone followed the same script. However, now I can appreciate what they are talking about.
It’s not only about the money. I think Forgano helped improve the quality of my life and allowed me to be a much happier nurse at work. My coworkers know I own a business, so I try my best at work. If I were lazy or frequently called in sick, they would believe I was neglecting my job due to my business–and I don’t want that.
I am a nurse, and I am proud of myself as a nurse. I also want to provide the best nursing care to my patients. Therefore, running a side gig gives my life meaning and improves my performance as a nurse.
What are some of the challenges?
Since I am a full-time nurse, finding time to manage my business takes time and effort. Every nurse knows we don’t want to do anything when we are off. But, like most nurses, I would love to relax on the couch or watch YouTube.
Of course, there are times when I have little time and do not do much for my business, and I think, “Why did I start this?” However, it is just for a brief period, and I’ll get up and do what needs to be done. I’m running my business slowly because it’s not my full-time job. But I enjoy it when I have new sales or followers on my IG. I feel blessed that I provide a unique vibe and products to nurses.
What would you say to someone considering developing a product specifically for nurses?
Listen carefully to what nurses are saying they need right now. And when you find a way to be of service, start now. It’s easy to think about creating and imagining it, but it can be intimidating to go forward when you lack experience. But I now know that if I can do this, anyone can. I am not special.
Only a few years ago, when I left South Korea and immigrated to the United States, I had no contacts or connections. I knew such little English that I could not even order a coffee at Starbucks. However, I overcame the odds, landed a position at a nation-leading hospital in Chicago, and started my own business.
It’s that time of year, and the flu is hitting hard. While nurses learn all about the flu vaccine and treatment in nursing school and life, it’s good to revisit some basics—especially when healthcare experts strongly urge people to get the vaccination.
Ernest J. Grant, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association, talked with Daily Nurse about what nurses need to know for this year’s flu season.
How can nurses initiate conversations with patients about the importance of getting the flu shot? What should they say to them? What should they *not say to them?
When discussing flu vaccines with patients, nurses should emphasize that annual vaccination is important as the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time and as the circulating flu viruses–and flu shot formulation–vary from year to year. It’s also important to emphasize that although anyone can get the flu, individuals with chronic health conditions, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and some racial and ethnic minority groups are at a higher risk.
Nurses should avoid telling patients that they have waited too long to get a flu vaccine or that it’s too late to get one, especially for those at increased risk. While the fall is the best time to get a flu vaccination, each community may experience flu activity and spikes at different times, so it’s never too late to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines remain the best way for patients to protect themselves and their loved ones.
So many people are tired of getting vaccines—because of COVID and all the subsequent boosters that folks may have gotten. How can nurses encourage patients to still get the flu shot—and the COVID booster? What should they say/not say to patients? What if patients argue about not getting the vaccines for themselves or their children? What kinds of information should nurses be sharing with them?
Despite the past two years of lower flu incidence due to social distancing and mask mandates, the flu remains a threat that should not be deprioritized. I encourage nurses to empower and educate people about the importance of flu shots this season. This includes teaching patients about the safety of the flu vaccine and how it helps to mitigate serious flu-related complications.
With some patients who may be more hesitant about receiving a flu vaccination, it will be important to help dispel some of the myths that are circulating about the flu vaccine. For example, some patients may think the flu vaccine gives them the flu. We know this is not the case and that side effects are usually the result of the body building an immunity to the flu virus, which is a good sign. If patients experience any symptoms or are worried about potential side effects of flu vaccines, it’s important to encourage them to discuss these concerns openly.
In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, flu vaccination can also help protect patients as we face the possibility of a “tripledemic,” with flu, COVID-19, and RSV this winter. Staying up-to-date on all CDC-recommended vaccinations is critical to help fight these and other viruses. The CDC has also advised that it is safe for patients to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine or booster simultaneously. As trusted healthcare providers, nurses play a critical and influential role in encouraging Americans to vaccinate against COVID-19 and the flu to help protect themselves and individuals in their communities who are at increased risk of severe flu-related complications.
When can nurses push too hard? What do they need to be careful about encouraging people to get the flu vaccine and COVID boosters?
As nurses, our role is to educate and inform patients so they can make the best decisions possible for their health. It’s important that we aren’t pushing patients but rather giving them the best advice we can, based on science. For example, we know flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help protect people from serious complications, severe illness, and hospitalization, and we need to ensure our patients know that too. We also need to ensure we’re respecting our patients and their personal views when we’re having these conversations.
When should nurses discuss the differences between high-dose flu vaccines vs. the standard dose? What kind of information should they give patients regarding why they do or don’t need a particular type of flu vaccine? For example, a healthy person with no comorbidities wouldn’t need the higher dose—but suppose they insist?
Flu vaccine recommendations have only changed for those 65 years and older. Right now, there are three vaccines favored for more senior adults. Two of them are high-dose vaccines which vary in strength, and the other is the same strength as the standard dose flu vaccine, but it adds an adjuvant called MF59 to boost its immune response. These high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines are usually restricted to those adults 65 years and older. Which flu vaccine the patient may receive should be based upon consultation with their health care provider or nurse.
Particularly, nurses must educate those patients in the 65+ demographic to ensure they’re aware of the vaccine doses available to them, and which options are best for their health concerns. It’s important to remember that if one can’t access a higher dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine, a regular flu shot will suffice because getting a flu vaccine is better than not getting vaccinated against influenza.
How can they broach the subject of the CDC guidelines regarding why adults 65+ should get the higher dose? What information should they share?
Scientific evidence has shown that adults 65 years and older are at high risk for flu-related complications, hospitalization, and death. Studies have also shown that higher-dose flu vaccines are more effective in these more senior adults and individuals with comorbidities. When vaccines are well-matched against circulating flu viruses, they can reduce the risk of illness by 40-60%.
As the nation’s most trusted health professionals, nurses are ethically obligated to share this and other relevant health information and recommendations with their patients.
Can everyone simultaneously get the flu shot (either type) along with the COVID booster? Should nurses encourage this? Why or why not?
According to the CDC, you can get a COVID-19 and a flu vaccine simultaneously if you are eligible and the timing coincides. Nurses should emphasize the importance of flu vaccines and COVID-19 boosters in protecting patients and their loved ones and encourage their patients to time their vaccines however, works best for them.
Everyone must continue to do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19. While COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, they require different vaccines. Getting an annual flu vaccine continues to be more critical than ever to help prevent the spread of influenza in your community.
It’s important to remember and to reiterate to patients that getting the flu vaccine doesn’t just mean being protected from flu infection. It can help prevent the flu and its potentially serious complications, such as cardiovascular events, pneumonia, and hospitalizations. Nurses are uniquely positioned as clinicians and educators to help encourage patients to take ownership of their health and get their annual flu vaccine
Ever wonder what it would be like to work at a wellness center as a nurse concierge with VIP patients?
So did Nena Hart, MSN RN, CHPN, CLPN, CDONA, RAC-CT, Owner and Consultant of Hart Healthcare Solutions, and the author of Quick Start Guide to Nurse Consulting, The Long-Term Care Sustainability Strategy, and the Open Window Opportunities Journal for Nurses.
Hart took the time to answer Daily Nurse’s questions about working as a nurse concierge.
How did you get interested in becoming a Concierge with VIP appointments at a wellness resort? How long have you been doing it?
I’ve been doing concierge visits at two resorts near me for almost a year. A physician I previously worked with at a facility is a mobile doctor with a concierge wellness business, and I contract with him when visits are needed.
How many appointments do you tend to have each week? Or does it vary?
The resort schedules them inside the window I have available. Right now, I do Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 a.m. We can also do Saturdays. An NP and an MA will cover for me if I am off the island or on Saturdays.
I average 2-6 appointments each day. They take about 15 minutes to obtain the sample and run the test to ensure everything returns.
Nena Hart, MSN RN, CHPN, CLPN, CDONA, RAC-CT, Owner and Consultant of Hart Healthcare Solutions
Explain why you are “testing biomarkers at a wellness resort.” What are you/the clients looking for? How does it help them?
I do a fingerstick blood test and run their Glucose, A1C, and lipids with a point-of-care machine that gives the results in a few minutes. I leave the results for the resort dietician or nutritionist. The resort uses the biomarkers as part of a wellness program, teaches the guests nutrition habits, and gives them tips and wellness plans for improving them.
Why do you enjoy about being a nurse concierge with VIP patients?
This is extremely low-stress, quick, and easy work. I love it. I love meeting new people and talking to the guests, and learning about them.
I love going to the resorts. They are high-end, and I love the scenery and serenity of going first thing in the morning. It gets me up early and starts my day in a good mindset. I’ll walk around after I’m done and exercise if I don’t have anything immediately after. If they have a guest who needs something at night, they can call the doctor’s on-call line, and I will sometimes go to give injections of steroids or whatever is ordered by the doctor.
If nurses are interested in getting involved in this kind of work, what would you suggest they do?
I’d suggest they network and introduce themselves to resort management and ask about the programs they offer and if a nurse could supplement that. If they’re looking for a subcontract and not running a contract themselves, I’d start building relationships with concierge nurses and physicians who likely need help covering their contracts at times. This type of work is 100% based on relationships and networking.
What do you get out of it besides the money?
One day they messed up the schedule, and I had just gotten back to my house and had a call scheduled with one of my consulting clients. But they should have scheduled a guest, which would result in a complaint. So to provide good service, I ran back up and did it for them without expectations. The manager was so grateful she gave my husband and me 90 minutes of private self-guided spa time; it was the most fantastic experience ever. I have pictures and can’t get over how amazing it was for us to do that—it was something special I wouldn’t have done for myself.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about being a nurse concierge?
Nurses can get these contracts for themselves. I am primarily a nurse consultant, so this is a subcontract for me and is my main side gig other than courses and coaching other consultants since I work for myself full-time. Nurses can do anything they want. It’s all about thinking outside of the box. It takes time and effort to build relationships and rapport. Don’t give up!
I’d love for nurses to connect with me on social media. I have a FB group for aspiring and established nurse entrepreneurs and do a podcast for nurses looking to use their skills in a new way, Nurses Making Waves. We discuss opportunities like this that nurses can use to add to their revenue streams.
