7 Oct 2025 ● Emma Lewis
Why I left the hospital to start my own nursing practice
Emma Lewis had checked all the boxes—registered children's nurse, general nurse, and midwife, with nearly a decade of hospital experience. But when she returned to work after her first child, the cracks in the system became impossible to ignore.
“I was working nights, weekends, had no control over my roster, and still got called in for overtime,” she recalls. “I wanted to do a good job for women and families, but I just couldn’t. We were so understaffed. I often went home feeling like I hadn’t helped anyone, even though I tried.”
Like many nurses, Emma had started to question if there was a better way. The spark came unexpectedly—in her inbox. While searching for sleep help for her baby, she came across a newsletter from The Mama Coach. What she discovered was a global community of registered nurses offering private, compassionate care to families—and she thought, could I do this too?
The answer turned out to be a life-changing “yes.”
In January 2024, Emma launched her Mama Coach practice in Ireland. Just five months later—despite a rough second pregnancy—she’s thriving. She quit her hospital job, partnered with a local parenting store, secured a recurring workshop series, and even landed a spot on local radio offering parenting advice.
Her CPR and choking workshops quickly filled up after she ran a community campaign in memory of a child she once cared for. “That family’s story hit me deeply. I wanted to honour them by teaching parents life-saving skills. The response was overwhelming—and incredibly moving.”
But Emma’s success isn’t just about classes and clients. It’s about how she feels: more present, more purposeful, and more empowered.
“I used to wonder if anyone would pay for my care,” she admits. “But people do—and they come back. They want continuity. They want to see the same nurse, to feel heard, to trust someone. Now I get to provide that, and I get told directly, ‘Thank you—you made a difference.’ That never happened in the hospital.”
Emma Lewis
Emma’s story is one of courage, conviction, and creativity. She’s not just running a private practice—she’s helping redefine what modern nursing can look like.
Thinking of starting your own practice?
Emma says: “If you feel even a spark of interest, listen to it. It’s scary, but it’s so worth it. Our family life is better, my work-life balance is better, and I know I’m delivering incredible care.”
At The Mama Coach, we help nurses from all over the world launch thriving private practices—no business background required. Whether you're in Ireland, the UK, Canada, the U.S., or beyond, our proven 12-week program gives you everything you need to get started confidently: education, programming, mentorship, and ongoing support from a global community of nurses doing the same.
Because great nurses deserve careers that support them, too.
About the author
Emma Lewis is a registered nurse and midwife who writes about work-life balance, family care, and empowering nurses through entrepreneurship.
