Experience of nurse entrepreneurs in long term institutions for elderly people

Abstract

Objective: To understand the nurse entrepreneur experience in long term institutions for elderly (LTIE) and to elaborate a theorical model regarding that experience process. Methods: Qualitative research with theorical saturation, through analysis of the 10th nondirective interview, audio-recorded and transcribed, according to the Grounded Theory, with nurses in activity and those who had to quit the business. Results: Three subprocesses emerged: (A) looking at the LTIE as a promising business to offer to the aging population; (B) discovering herself/himself without entrepreneur training/experience to carry on a social enterprise; (C) changing from preservation, expansion, and finally business discontinuance. The core category (process) was abstracted from the realignment of those subprocesses components: From the dream to expansion, preservation, and business abandonment: nurse training/experience for social enterprise as an intervening component. Final considerations: In light of the Business Model Canvas, it showed the experiential process little instrumented by the fundamentals of business management, to support the proposal, overview and altering business.