Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amber Soiland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amber, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The inception of Rapid CPR was born out of a deep passion for education and a commitment to saving lives. I recognized an urgent need in my community for accessible, high-quality training in life-saving techniques such as CPR, ACLS, PALS, and other critical interventions. As a licensed instructor with the American Heart Association and a professional deeply embedded in healthcare, I saw an opportunity to fill a gap by offering more dynamic, hands-on training that could truly prepare medical professionals and laypeople alike to act confidently in emergencies. Starting my practice required a meticulous combination of planning, resource allocation, and bold decision-making. I had to build a solid business plan that aligned with my mission and long-term goals. This included identifying the services we would provide, securing partnerships (such as with the American Heart Association and SIMX for Virtual Reality technology), and ensuring compliance with state regulations. I focused on creating a brand that emphasized trust, innovation, and excellence in education. I leveraged my expertise and existing networks to gain early referrals and built partnerships with healthcare institutions.While the process was rewarding, it was not without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles was breaking through the competitive landscape of training providers and distinguishing my practice through innovation. I faced logistical challenges in obtaining the latest technology, such as virtual reality simulators, and ensuring seamless integration into our training modules.

Another key challenge was navigating the balance between managing a growing business and maintaining the high quality of education we promised. I learned the importance of delegating effectively and trusting a well-trained team to handle day-to-day operations.

If I could do anything differently, it would be to lean into technology and automation earlier in the process. I now see the immense value in streamlining administrative tasks so I could have focused even more on scaling the business and expanding services sooner.

For those considering starting their own practice, I would offer three key pieces of advice: Know Your “Why”: Establish a mission that resonates deeply with you and serves a genuine need in your community. This clarity will guide you through challenges and help you make decisions aligned with your goals. Plan Strategically but Start Boldly: While planning is crucial, don’t let the fear of imperfection delay your launch. Learn as you go, adapt quickly, and always remain open to feedback. Invest in Relationships: Build meaningful connections within your field. Mentorships, partnerships, and professional networks are invaluable when establishing credibility and expanding your reach.

Amber, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Amber, a nurse, educator, and entrepreneur with a passion for empowering others through knowledge and practical skills. With a background as an emergency nurse and pursuing a doctorate-level education in nursing practice, I’ve dedicated my career to advancing healthcare, saving lives, and teaching others to do the same. I also live with a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, along with other chronic conditions, which has profoundly shaped my approach to care and education. My personal experiences have deepened my empathy, resilience, and drive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

My journey into healthcare coupled with education began during my time as an emergency nurse, where I saw firsthand the critical importance of quick, effective action in life-or-death situations. I recognized a gap in the quality and accessibility of training available to healthcare professionals and the general public. This realization inspired me to take a proactive approach by founding Rapid CPR, a training institute designed to empower individuals and organizations with the skills and confidence to respond in emergencies.

As a staunch advocate for anti-bullying and a promoter of health and wellness within the nursing profession, I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, compassion, and support in healthcare. Nursing, at its heart, is a calling rooted in service and empathy, as epitomized by Florence Nightingale’s legacy. However, today’s profession has seen a shift, with many entering the field primarily for financial stability rather than an intrinsic passion for caregiving. This change has given rise to a troubling “sorority-like” culture in some environments, characterized by cliques, exclusion, and behaviors that contradict the core values of nursing. Such dynamics not only alienate those with genuine dedication but also hinder the profession’s ability to provide holistic, patient-centered care. My mission is to challenge this culture, advocating for a return to nursing’s foundational principles of respect, collaboration, and selfless service, while empowering nurses to prioritize their own well-being to better serve others.

Problems We Solve
The services we provide are designed to solve critical issues:

Life-Saving Preparedness: We equip individuals and teams with the skills and confidence to act in emergencies, reducing fatalities and improving outcomes.
Healthcare Training Gaps: By incorporating state-of-the-art technology like VR, we provide training that goes beyond traditional methods, ensuring healthcare professionals are prepared for real-world challenges.
Public Health Crises: Our harm-reduction initiatives, including Narcan distribution, tackle the opioid epidemic head-on, saving lives and educating communities.

What We Offer
At Rapid CPR, we provide a wide range of training and certification services, including:

CPR and First Aid for individuals, schools, and organizations.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) for medical professionals.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers and laypeople.
Virtual Reality (VR) Training Simulations through our partnership with SIMX, offering realistic, immersive learning experiences.
Mock Codes and Trauma Events for healthcare teams to practice under high-pressure scenarios.
Narcan Distribution and Fentanyl Testing Supplies, addressing public health crises with harm-reduction tools and education.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of the lives we’ve saved and the skills we’ve instilled in others. Each certification, mock trauma event, or Narcan kit distributed represents a ripple effect of preparedness and safety in the community. On a personal level, I am proud of the resilience I’ve shown in navigating my own health challenges while building a thriving business that positively impacts so many lives.

What I Want People to Know
At its core, Rapid CPR is about empowering people to make a difference. Whether you are a healthcare professional looking to refine your skills or a parent wanting to learn CPR to protect your family, we are here to equip you with the tools you need. My work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of education and preparation, and I hope to continue growing our reach, innovating in training methods, and saving lives for years to come.

Above all, I want people to know that my journey is not just about business; it’s about service, community, and making the world a safer place.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A significant lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that hard work alone guarantees success and recognition. Early in my career, I believed that if I poured my heart, soul, and countless hours into my work, my dedication would naturally be acknowledged and rewarded. However, my experience taught me that the healthcare field, like many others, isn’t always meritocratic. While working as an emergency nurse, I faced systemic challenges, including discrimination due to my disability, being overlooked for projects, and encountering a toxic work culture that undervalued genuine contributions.

It was a painful but necessary realization: success requires not just hard work but also advocating for oneself, setting boundaries, and recognizing when a system is not serving you. This shift in mindset empowered me to take control of my career trajectory, step away from toxic environments, and build my own business where passion, effort, and fairness could thrive. Unlearning this belief allowed me to focus on creating meaningful impact on my own terms and to help others navigate similar challenges with resilience and purpose.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most defining moments of my journey—and a testament to my resilience—was navigating the challenges of a workplace culture that prioritized conformity over individuality. As an emergency nurse, I poured my heart into providing exceptional patient care and fostering a supportive team environment. However, I often felt alienated because I didn’t fit the “sorority-like” mold that some of my colleagues seemed to expect. The cliques, exclusion, and subtle bullying created an environment where those who were different or unwilling to conform were ostracized, regardless of their skills or dedication.

Rather than allowing this toxic culture to diminish my passion for nursing, I chose to stand firm in my values. I refused to compromise my authenticity to fit into a mold that contradicted the true spirit of nursing—compassion, collaboration, and care. This experience inspired me to become an advocate for anti-bullying in healthcare, challenging the toxic norms that undermine the profession and diminish its integrity. It also pushed me to create my own space, Rapid CPR, where individuality, respect, and inclusivity are celebrated. By embracing my differences, I’ve built a career and business that reflect the very values that the traditional system often failed to uphold.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TheRTI.org
• Instagram: the_rapid_cpr_girl
• Facebook: The Rapid Training Institute, Amber Soiland RN, Amber Michaela