Meet Mona Clayton, MSN, RN | CEO, The Nurses Pub & Registered Nurse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mona Clayton, MSN, RN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mona, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting “The Nurses Pub” was due to my reflecting on the obstacles that I endured as a single parent during my education while in nursing school and the impact that my success has had on my daughter. I knew that there were many single mothers that needed a chance to flourish and live their dream of becoming nurses; however I also knew the obstacles that I endured such as the need for childcare, financial difficulties, having money for rent and living expenses as well as ensuring that my daughter was successful in her academics.

I decided that if I were to begin a non-profit called “The Nurses Pub,” I would be able to offer valuable resources for students such as scholarships, seminars, tutoring, employment placement and mentor matching as well as child-care resources and other personalized services that the typical nursing program does not emphasize.

I observed that many individuals were not aware of the process for becoming nurses and also many did not have the self-esteem and confidence. I thought by writing a book. “Surviving The Journey As Painlessly As Possible,” would help students understand my journey and give them the confidence to start their journey.

I also wanted to incorporate our services on a national and global platform by launching, the 100K initiative because I observed that many students from other countries and states were very hungry for education and valued the opportunity to become nurses in their demographics but needed creative resources to assist them along the way towards success. The 100k initiative is a global outreach for gaining 100,000 future nurses globally.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Becoming a registered nurse was not at all easy. Looking back over 20 years ago; I am amazed that I was able to conquer the rigorous education is takes to become a nurse. Looking through the lens as an instructor for LVN students, I am now more aware that becoming a nurse took a great amount of skill, courage, study, and discipline. After receiving my Masters degree in nursing education, I decided that my purpose was to go back and teach in a community that needed the resources that I could offer through The Nurses Pub organization that was founded in 2018 in addition to share my expertise as a seasoned professional.

The hardest part of getting to where I am is having discipline to never give up. I have learned through trial and error how to start a for profit and non-profit business. The to0ls that I gained as a nurse such as organizational skills, time management, oral and written communication and problem-solving is what sets me apart from other business professionals.

Having family support and support from other nursing professionals have enabled me to continue with the drive for continuing the vision and helping me to remember my purpose for assisting others.

The lessons that I have learned along the way is to attach yourself to others that are like minded and are team players. It is easy to become distracted if you have people around you that are not really on your team. So be mindful of who is in your corner while climbing the ladder towards success.

I want the world to know that nurses are not just bed pan handlers or people that just takes doctors orders. We are professionals with a very high skill-set for saving lives and that we are the backbone (the rock) of the medical profession.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to Las Vegas! We would fly out on Jet Blue Airline and once arriving in Vegas, start off with manicure, pedicure, massage. We would take in a show; Lionel Richie or Elton John or Bruno Mars. Have dinner at an exclusive restaurant like “Top of The World.”

Next day relax by poolside (if weather permits) and lots of shoe shopping.

We would go see another show like the Michael Jackson’s Water Show. A stop at Javier’s is a must. Ariel Hotel would be the place to stay. We would also take limo to all attractions.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to my Aunt Daisy for pushing me forward when I tried to drop out of the Nursing Program.

Website: www.thenursespub.org     /   www.theonlynursemona.com

Instagram: theonlynursemona

Linkedin: Mona Clayton, MSN, RN, CEO

Facebook: theonlynursemona