From Healing Hands to Business Minds: Lived Experiences of Retired Nurses Shifting to Becoming Nurse Entrepreneur

Retired nurses who lack formal education or training in business demonstrate entrepreneurial skills driven by their desire to engage in post-retirement activities and opportunities to innovate in healthcare.This study aims to address this research gap by delving into the lived experiences of Filipino retired nurses' entrepreneurial prowess in their transition into entrepreneurs guided by the central question: How do retired Filipino nurses' entrepreneurial prowess describe their lived experiences in their transition into nurse entrepreneurs and in their entrepreneurial endeavors?This study aimed to investigate the experiences of retired Filipino nurses who transitioned into entrepreneurship.The study used a qualitative descriptive phenomenology design.It involved retired nurses from various urban and rural areas in the Philippines.The Philippines' national participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods to ensure they met the specific criteria aligned with the research objectives.The study involved four participants who were interviewed via a face-to-face Zoom meeting with the help of an aide memoire.The data collected were analyzed using Collaizi's method, and verification procedures were performed through member checking.The study ensured the credibility of the research by observing reflexivity, bracketing, and resonance.Throughout the research process, ethical guidelines were followed.The researchers identified the following four (4) themes: (1) Pandemic Challenges and Healthcare Realities, (2) Navigating Post-Retirement with Resilience and Determination, (3) Strategic Transition through Support Networks & Self-Learning, and (4) Integration of Nursing Expertise into Entrepreneurship.Retired nurses have miraculous resilience, which shows how anything can be achieved with determination, support from friends, and a continuous quest for knowledge.Supporting retired nurses through building holistic nursing businesses can be the best way to transition to technological advancements, informed policies, and the practical use of innovations in the healthcare sector.