Nurse Advocate Entrepreneur

01/12/2026

Why are ED wait times so long? It’s not what most people think.

Emergency Departments are overwhelmed — not because staff don’t care, but because:
• Staffing shortages are real
• Patients are treated by acuity, not arrival time
• Ambulance patients may go straight back or wait in hallways when bays are full
• Hospital beds are short nationwide, so some patients wait days in the ED
• ED care is billed in 15-minute increments at higher rates than inpatient rooms

Sometimes an urgent care is the better option — EDs are crowded and full of infectious illness.

Most important reminder:
This is never the providers’ fault.
Be patient. Be kind. Never yell at the people caring for you — they’re doing the best they can in a broken system.

💬 What do you think patients misunderstand most about the ED?
Let’s talk about it.

01/10/2026

Advocacy isn’t about being loud.
It’s about being present when someone doesn’t know what to ask next.

In healthcare, the system is complex, rushed, and overwhelming — especially when people are at their most vulnerable.

An advocate helps slow things down.
Explains the options.
Asks the questions patients and families don’t even know they can ask.

When do you think advocacy matters most — before a crisis, or during one?
I’d love to hear your perspective.

01/09/2026

I recently wrote an article breaking down what we’re actually seeing with the 2025–2026 flu season—and why it deserves more attention than it’s getting.

According to current data, from October through December 2025 alone, there were nearly 5 million diagnosed flu cases and 1,900 flu-related deaths in the U.S. That’s not a typo—and it’s not business as usual.

What makes this season different isn’t just volume.
It’s speed.

Experts are noting that the current strain—often referred to as “subclade K”—appears to be particularly good at evading existing immunity, whether that immunity comes from prior infection or vaccination. That doesn’t mean prevention doesn’t matter—but it does mean the flu is behaving differently than what we saw last year.

As Dr. Santina Wheat of Northwestern Medicine noted, this strain is similar to past ones—but it’s moving faster.

And that’s the key takeaway.

When systems are stretched, information is fragmented, and patients are left trying to interpret risk on their own, advocacy matters more than ever. People don’t just need statistics—they need guidance, clarity, and someone helping them navigate decisions in real time.

This is exactly why I continue to believe so strongly in patient advocacy and education—inside and outside the healthcare system.

If you’re interested in the full breakdown, context, and why this matters beyond the headlines, the article is linked below.

Let’s keep the conversation grounded, informed, and human.

I wouldn’t go so far as to categorize the pandemic as the “good old days,” but during the 2020-2021 flu season, only 1,316 positive flu cases were reported in the U.S. Why? Because most of us we...

01/09/2026

I didn’t start my career in healthcare thinking, “One day I’ll be talking about entrepreneurship and advocacy.”

I started where so many of us did—wanting to help people. Wanting to do the right thing. Wanting to make a difference.

And then… reality hit.

I saw incredible clinicians doing everything they could inside a system that was clearly broken.
Burnout wasn’t the exception—it was the norm.
Patients were falling through cracks no one had time to patch.

That’s what led me here.

Discovering patient advocacy—and eventually my work with Nurse Advocate Entrepreneur—completely reframed what helping people could look like. Advocacy gave me purpose and sustainability. It showed me there was another way to serve without losing yourself in the process.

If you’re a nurse or healthcare professional who:
• Feels the system isn’t built for patients or providers
• Knows there has to be a better way
• Is curious about advocacy but doesn’t know where to start

Let’s talk.

📞 Book a call and start a real conversation about what your path into advocacy could look like—no pressure, no pitch, just clarity.

Sometimes the journey doesn’t start with a leap.
Sometimes it starts with a simple conversation.

01/07/2026

Hi everyone, Teri here 👋

I’m excited to share that our next Nurse Advocate Entrepreneur cohort begins January 29th — and I also want to take a moment to highlight a truly glowing testimonial from one of our nurses, Amber Straub BSN RN CCRN BCPA NCBC

Amber spent 20 years at the bedside, starting as a CNA and later working in the ICU. Like so many nurses, she saw firsthand how our healthcare system was failing patients and knew they needed stronger advocacy. After reading my book Nurse Advocate Entrepreneur (which she finished in just a day or two!), she reached out, joined the mentorship program, and took the leap into entrepreneurship
(available here: https://tinyurl.com/cpawxe9e).

Today, Amber has successfully launched her own advocacy business,Your Nurse Champions in Naples, Florida. She’s stepped down from her hospital role, is earning more than she ever did before, and — most importantly — is truly helping patients in a way that is deeply needed in healthcare right now.

If you’re a nurse who feels called to do more, to advocate differently, and to explore entrepreneurship, I would love to support you on that journey. Our upcoming cohort starts January 29th, and I’d be honored to work with you.

📞 Book a call to learn more — your next chapter may be closer than you think.

https://tinyurl.com/veump92f

01/06/2026

I previously had the honor of being interviewed by Catie Harris on her YouTube channel Nursepreneurs, where we talked about something I’m deeply passionate about:

How nurses can turn their existing skills into a thriving business—without burning out or starting from scratch.

In this conversation, I shared:
• How nurses already have everything they need to become entrepreneurs
• The mindset shift required to move from employee to business owner
• Why patient advocacy is one of the most impactful (and needed) paths right now
• What it actually takes to build a business in 90 days

If you’re a nurse who’s feeling stuck, exhausted, or quietly wondering “Is there more than bedside care?” — this interview is for you.

Huge thank you again goes out to Catie Harris for creating a platform that empowers nurses to think bigger and step into

In this enlightening journey, we’ll guide you through the transformative world of board-certified RN patient advocates and show you how to elevate your pract...

01/05/2026

✨ Honored to be featured in the Daily Herald ✨

I’m excited to share that my latest article, “Patient Advocate: Games seniors play may help them stay sharp,” was published in the Daily Herald.

In this piece, I explore how something as simple—and joyful—as games can support cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connection for older adults. From puzzles and cards to board games, research continues to show that meaningful engagement matters just as much as medical care when it comes to healthy aging.

As a nurse and board-certified patient advocate, I’m passionate about looking beyond prescriptions and diagnoses and focusing on the whole person. Advocacy isn’t only about navigating healthcare systems—it’s about improving quality of life.

You can read the full article here:
👉 https://www.dailyherald.com/20260102/health-and-fitness/patient-advocate-games-seniors-play-may-help-them-stay-sharp/

Grateful to the Daily Herald for the opportunity to share this message and continue the conversation around patient advocacy, aging well, and compassionate care.

Did you get together over the holidays and play games with your family? It was certainly a good time to do it, and those games may help keep brain synapses firing — especially for seniors. Admittedl...

01/05/2026

✨ New Student Cohort Starts January 29th — Spots Still Available! ✨

Nurses… let me ask you something honestly.

Is 2026 the year you stop running yourself into the ground inside a broken hospital system?
Or is it the year you finally use your experience, compassion, and clinical expertise to build something of your own?

Our next student cohort begins January 29th, and we still have limited spots open for nurses who are ready to:

• Break free from burnout
• Reclaim work-life balance
• Become entrepreneurs
• Build and run their own professional patient advocacy business

If you’ve ever felt like:
👉 “There has to be another way to nurse”
👉 “I love patients, but this system is breaking me”

…this may be your sign.

📞 Please book a call to learn more, ask questions, and see if becoming a nurse patient advocate is the right next step for you.

https://lnkd.in/e3NGDGtK

2026 doesn’t have to look like more exhaustion.
It can look like purpose, freedom, and impact. 💙

01/02/2026

🌟 Welcoming 2026 with New Opportunities in Advocacy! 🌟
As we step into what I hope will be your best year ever, I’m thrilled to share that on January 29th, we’re launching our first cohort of 2026! For everyone who’s been following along and wondering if advocacy is a real, viable path to a more balanced and entrepreneurial life—this is your moment.
This year, we’re introducing a comprehensive workbook, new materials on patient rights, and a special monthly group mentoring program we call “The Tribe.” It’s all about building a supportive community so you never feel like you’re on this journey alone.
Let’s make 2026 the year you say goodbye to hospital burnout and hello to a thriving advocacy business.

👉 Book a call with me today and join a community that cheers you on every step of the way.

https://tinyurl.com/veump92f

12/31/2025

As we close the chapter on 2025, I’ve been reflecting on how much can change in a single year — professionally, personally, and everything in between.

Some lessons were expected.
Others… not so much.

💭 What’s your biggest takeaway from 2025?

Was it about growth?
Boundaries?
Taking the leap?
Or finally trusting yourself a little more?

Looking forward to carrying the right lessons into 2026 — and leaving the rest where they belong.

12/30/2025

As we approach 2026, it's the perfect time to turn those big dreams into real plans. Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish—and if you've been on the front lines of healthcare, you probably already know how to advocate for others. The next step is just learning how to turn that passion into a thriving business.
If you're feeling like you're hitting a wall in traditional healthcare roles and you want to find a rewarding path forward, let's talk. Whether you're an emerging advocate or a seasoned one who just needs a bit of guidance on the business side, I'm here to help you make 2026 your breakthrough year. Feel free to reach out, ask questions, and let's see how we can turn your advocacy skills into a flourishing business.

Book a call today,
https://tinyurl.com/veump92f

12/28/2025

🚨 Attention Nurses! 🚨

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a professional patient advocate and stepping into entrepreneurship, now is the moment.

Our next cohort kicks off January 29, and heads up—prices are increasing January 1. That means this is your chance to lock in current pricing before the increase hits.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, consider this your nudge. We’re honoring the current rate through December 31, and we’d love to welcome you into the cohort.

Your next chapter could start now.

👇👇👇