We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Lendra James recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Lendra , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
The journey to launching my own practice was both personal and purposeful. After over two decades in nursing leadership, I found myself experiencing burnout—exhausted not just physically, but spiritually. The deeper I climbed the professional ladder, the more I became aware of the political undercurrents in healthcare. Despite contributing valuable expertise and driving outcomes, I realized I was building someone else’s dream—often at the cost of my own well-being.
What truly shifted things for me was a growing misalignment with the missions and values of the institutions I once served. I knew I had more to offer—on my terms. That’s when I founded DLJames Consulting and later, Premier Infusions & Wellness. These ventures allowed me to channel my clinical expertise, executive experience, and entrepreneurial spirit into platforms that center purpose, power, and possibilities.
One of the most pivotal steps I took early on was hiring a coach. It was a game-changer. Too often, new entrepreneurs try to cobble together a business using YouTube tutorials and Google searches. While resourcefulness matters, it’s not a replacement for real guidance. I also learned the hard way to be cautious about pricey programs that promise everything but deliver very little. Smart investing in mentorship, legal structure, branding, and wellness support were crucial for me.
If I could go back, I’d give myself permission to think bigger from the start—and to trust that creating something of my own wasn’t just possible, it was necessary. My advice for anyone ready to launch their own practice is this: don’t wait for the system to affirm your worth. Invest in your growth, lead with clarity, and build a business that reflects your values, not just your resume.
Dr. Lendra , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Dr. Lendra James—a healthcare leader, nurse expert, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across clinical, executive, and consulting roles. I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) after navigating the highs and hurdles of healthcare leadership. My journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by two powerful realizations: that I was no longer aligned with the values of the institutions I worked for, and that the knowledge I had gained could—and should—be used to create something of my own.
Today, I lead multiple platforms where I empower healthcare professionals and organizations through strategic consulting, leadership development, and mentorship. Through DLJames Consulting, I guide high-achieving nurse leaders to break through burnout and build powerful platforms that position them as innovators in healthcare and entrepreneurship.
One of my signature initiatives is the Health & Wealth Expo—a vibrant, action-driven event where nurses and healthcare professionals learn how to monetize their knowledge, launch purpose-driven businesses, and reclaim their well-being. It’s a space where ambition meets strategy and fuels growth.
I’m also the founder of Premier Infusions & Wellness, a concierge wellness practice serving busy professionals and organizations. We provide IV hydration, vitamin therapy, and medically supervised weight loss and wellness programs designed to enhance vitality and improve workplace performance.
To amplify the voices often unheard in healthcare, I host the Nurses With Voices podcast—a platform for bold conversations around leadership, bias, wellness, and entrepreneurship. It’s a space for truth-telling, empowerment, and real solutions.
My work is rooted in solving pressing issues like burnout, organizational dysfunction, lack of representation in leadership, and the silencing of diverse voices. Through coaching, speaking, and consulting, I help clients reconnect with their purpose, own their power, and open up new possibilities.
What sets me apart is my lived experience and my refusal to play small. I’ve been in the rooms where decisions are made—and I know how to navigate, disrupt, and elevate within the system. I’m also the author of Confessions of a Nurse Executive, where I speak candidly about bias, identity, and leadership as a woman of color in healthcare.
At the core of everything I do are my pillars: Purpose, Power, and Possibilities. I don’t just help people build businesses—I help them build lives and legacies aligned with their values. What I’m most proud of is the ripple effect: when one nurse discovers her value, starts her business, or heals from burnout, it shifts the entire healthcare landscape.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
While clinical training and degrees are important, what’s often overlooked is the power of internal validation. As healthcare professionals, we’re conditioned to believe that more degrees, more certifications, and more accolades are the only pathways to success. We’re taught to chase external confirmation instead of trusting that much of what we need—resilience, brilliance, and leadership potential—is already within us.
The truth is, success isn’t just about credentials. It’s about clarity, confidence, and courage—and those come from doing the inner work. That’s why I believe deeply in investing in yourself through coaching, mentorship, and wellness. These aren’t luxuries; they are necessities for leaders who want to sustain impact without sacrificing themselves.
In my work, I help healthcare professionals reset from burnout and shift their mindset so they can lead with intention and authenticity. I offer courses and programs specifically focused on burnout recovery, mindset transformation, and entrepreneurial leadership—because true success starts with wholeness, not just hustle.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments of my journey came at a time when, on paper, I had “made it.” I held a high-ranking nursing administrative role, led teams, and was seen as a trailblazer in my field. But behind the scenes, I was exhausted—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I was navigating the politics of healthcare leadership, dealing with unconscious bias, and constantly feeling like I had to prove my worth in spaces that weren’t designed for people like me to thrive.
Despite all my accomplishments, I felt disconnected. I realized I had climbed a ladder that leaned against the wrong wall. That moment forced me to confront a painful truth: success without alignment is still a form of suffering.
Instead of pushing through the burnout, I made the bold decision to walk away and start over—on my own terms. It wasn’t easy. I had to rebuild not just my business, but my belief in myself. But that decision birthed DLJames Consulting, Premier Infusions & Wellness, and the Nurses With Voices platform. It turned my breakdown into a breakthrough.
That experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward with purpose. It’s about choosing alignment over applause, and trusting that even when the path is uncertain, you’re being led toward something greater.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dljamesconsulting.com
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/dr-lendra-james-dnp-ms-rn-ne-bc-a8a619ab
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NursesWithVoicesPodcast
- Other: healthandwealthexpolive.com to access the virtual summit replays
