How often have you come home from your 12+ hour shift drained and tearful over the difficulties you faced that day? Have you often thought about how that shift would have been better if their had only been enough nurses to go around? Has a solution to your particular problem ever come to mind? But, did you actually DO anything about it? My guest this week is an extraordinary woman who did just that, starting not one but TWO different companies to help the nursing world in her own "little way". Listen in as Fumi shares why and how she started Valley Of Joy Homecare, and later Valley Of Joy Medical Staffing, how she pushed on through the tough times, and what her message is for the nursing community at large. Get ready to be inspired!
Show Notes:
- Became a nurse in 2012
- Stayed with and cared for her grandmother who had early dementia starting at the age of 18 and grew to love the elderly community.
- In 2017 started a home care agency called Valley Of Joy Homecare in Pennsylvania to make home care more accessible to the elderly in her community.
- When COVID-19 hit in 2019 she saw another need and decided to start another company, Valley of Joy Medical Staffing, to fill that need.
- Fumi has a rare gift in that she is able to see a need in nursing, realize she can do something to help, and then puts in the time to research and get the job done.
- Starting a business is challenging. Fumi has found that using the Department of Human Services and nursing boards were both very helpful in learning how to start a nursing business.
- What is the draw to working for a staffing agency? Travel nursing. With her agency you can even travel with your family and they will find lodging for you. And the pay is pretty good too!
- Finding a balance with nursing, family time and running a business proved to be too much. Fumi learned she needed to hire more help and step back into an administrative role to have more time with her family.
- Fumi's advice for those who have an idea they would like to pursue as an entrepreneur: "As a nurse, you are already special. Just go for it. Listen to your heart... Don't hold back. Just keep pushing as nurses. You can do this!"
- Businesses take a while to get rolling. Don't expect to make money right away. Fumi says it took about 3 years before her first company was well established and providing income.
- More advice, hold off on getting funding until after your company is already bringing in a little money. Hold off getting into debt as long as you can.
- What kept Fumi going when times were tough and it was tempting to give up? The patients and clients she was trying to help. She would look at them and be motivated once more seeing how badly they needed her services.
- Fumi's staffing agency is making a big impact in her area. In one nursing facility they were able to boost the nursing staff from 25% capacity up to 67%. She notes that placing more nurses in these facilities has decreased the number of falls as there are more eyes and hands available to help the patients.
- Finally Fumi shares that her experiences becoming a nurse entrepreneur has taught her to "never give up!"
Show Links:
- http://www.valleyofjoyhomecare.com/home Click here to find out more about the homecare company Fumi started.
- https://valleyofjoymedicalstaffing.com/ Click here to learn more about the medical staffing agency Fumi started.
- https://nyweekly.com/business/fumi-ogunsemore-establishes-valley-of-joy-medical-staffing-to-help-hospitals-and-healthcare-professionals-serve-pat