Scrubs2Estates: Leaving Nursing For Freedom, Wealth & Real Estate Development | Ian Duffy E34

After eight years as a travel nurse, Ian Duffy — better known as Scrubs2Estates — walked away from the bedside to pursue real estate investing and multifamily development. In this conversation, we dive into the reality of nursing burnout, the toll healthcare can take on your health and life balance, and the pivotal moments that pushed Ian to step away from a “safe” career to bet on himself. He opens up about the lessons learned from failures, what it really takes to transition into entrepreneurship, and how he’s building long-term wealth and freedom through development projects.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your W-2, questioned whether nursing (or any job) is sustainable for the long haul, or wondered if there’s a path to more freedom, this episode will resonate. Ian’s journey is proof that you don’t have to spend a lifetime in a career that doesn’t fulfill you — and that with action, education, and community, you can build a new life outside of scrubs.

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Things We Talk About in This Episode:

• Ian’s journey from eight years of travel nursing to leaving the bedside for real estate
• The hidden realities of nursing burnout and life inside healthcare during COVID
• How injuries, worker’s comp, and system flaws impact nurses on the front lines
• The turning point that pushed Ian to pivot from scrubs to estates
• Early mistakes in real estate and the lessons that shaped his approach
• Why multifamily development is a long game — and how to break into it
• Building wealth and freedom by raising capital and creating housing
• The importance of community, mentorship, and betting on yourself

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🎯 Follow Ian Duffy
Instagram: @Scrubs2Estates

Ian's Email:

• Personal: IanPatrickDuffy@gmail.com
• Business: Ian@Scrubs2Estates.com

Ian's Website:

• Scrubs2Estates.com

Ian's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scrubs2estates-podcast/id1788976707

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🚀 Connect with Lorenzo Mercado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_/
Website: www.mercasaventures.com & www.ascentcapital.llc

🎙️ Listen to The Lo-Down

🎙️Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lo-down/id1764777761

 🎙️Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YjwXXjvFT3mqve6uMF983?si=d2501028127246f3
Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado

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Chapters

00:00
From Nursing to Real Estate: A Journey of Change

03:05
The Reality of Nursing: Challenges and Insights

07:46
The Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers

19:43
A Pivotal Moment: Realizing the Need for Change

24:39
Healthcare Misconceptions: A Nurse's Perspective

26:41
Empathy in Nursing: Lessons from the ER

28:00
The Decision to Leave Nursing: A Personal Journey

30:24
Discovering Real Estate: A New Path

32:48
Transitioning from Nursing to Entrepreneurship

35:44
Overcoming Doubts: The Importance of Self-Belief

38:06
Life After Nursing: Finding Peace and Purpose

40:30
Owning Your Time: The Freedom of Entrepreneurship

43:04
Skills from Nursing that Benefit Business

44:14
Choosing Real Estate Development: A Strategic Decision

46:55
Understanding Development Deals: From Single Family to Multifamily

51:04
Innovative Housing Solutions

53:42
Navigating the Development Process

57:52
Lessons from Experience

01:02:05
The Value of Risk and Resilience

01:07:35
Vision for the Future