one that people here don't talk about: making more financially

smartnurse1982 · May 25, 2014

Yes,get 2 full time nursing jobs.

Make sure it is something easy on your feet like Private Duty Home Health.

The benefits are not the greatest though.

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 25, 2014

PRN jobs are awesome because they don't have to pay you benefits, so you can get a higher salary. Get yourself one of those on the side. :)

OCNRN63, RN · May 25, 2014

The easiest way to make more money is to contribute to your employer's 401K/403b; if they match up to a certain percentage, make sure your contribution qualifies you for the employer contribution--it's free money, and it decreases your taxable income.

There have been several threads about finances. Search the archives.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 25, 2014

From what I can see up front, picking up overtime, extra shifts is your best bet at the moment. Have you talked to anyone in your staffing office about filling holes on other shifts, other departments (that you might be eligible to work in)?

Gaining experience tends to add to your bottom line in terms of the $$ you can get. So does continuing education, getting higher degrees AND certifications (once you are eligible--I see you're quite new).

The more you have to offer, the more you can be offered, simply put. A new grad doesn't bring much to the table, but in time, you certainly can!

tarotale · May 25, 2014

@smartnurse: yes, one of surest ways to get lots of money, and pay A TON of taxes... plus I would hate to work 80+ hrs a week. I know this resource nurse who is a work addict and she pulls those 6 days, 12hrs week stuff... I will probably jump out the window.

@calivianya: you are right, the travel nurse I mentioned actually told me the same thing. Get a PRN home health job (or an easy PRN job) and see as little as 3-5 patients, and make $150-200 a day. I am definitely looking into the easy PRN job for one day route, but expanding my options here; I am scared of home health... God knows where they will send you to.

@OCRN: solid advice, just that 401&403 are too long term on the outlook. I'm looking for more of a present-tense money, in addition, I plan to get NP and possibly live outside US.

@RNsRWE: picking up extra shift for critical bonus is another uncomplicated route (only problem is more you work, more you get, more the uncle Sam robs you). Currently I am trying to get into specialty I am dying to get into and get off from MS boat. Until then, it's pretty tough doing even 3 days/week; the grownups were right, tis miserable doing what you hate for living.

Thanks for the awesome advices so far. This PICC certified nurse who works on my unit also advices getting a PICC certification (god knows how) and working for agency or starting your own agency, which sounds pretty good down the road.

kalevra, BSN, RN · May 25, 2014

Max out your 401 or 403B if your facility matches to a max percentage. Once you have a nice little nest egg, you can borrow against it. The intrest rate will be lower than your credit card or loan interest rate. The really plus side is that the money you pay back is going mostly back to you. You now have something to borrow against should you feel like you need to pull some money out for another endeavor.

Talk to a financial advisor about this. but you should look into it. just my advice.

Also all the money you put into the 401 or 403 is before taxes, so you actually decrease your taxable income.

kalevra, BSN, RN · May 25, 2014

try hospice, i know some of my friends do it on the side as their low stress job. they do chart audits, they sit there sip coffee in an office with no pts. very relaxing, and very easy money.

AWanderingMinstral · May 25, 2014

Marry well. I say that half-jokingly. It's refreshing to read a post about earning more money. As far as I'm concerned, there is NOTHING wrong with that. I spend 6-7 months a year working a seasonal assignment and I try to do an overtime shift at least every other week.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 25, 2014

Just one more comment, concerning additional income taxes for extra hours worked: it's something of a misconception that you lose "too much" in taxes when you work additional hours. It's still a percentage of what you earned; if you earn more, you make more, simply put. While no one likes seeing more money on the 'outgoing' column of paystubs, the fact is you are putting more into your earnings column as well.

ceebeejay · May 25, 2014

The only reason you pay more in taxes is because you are making more money. It goes by a percentage of income. The percentage for a single person will stay relatively the same. So, if you pick up PRN jobs you will pay less tax on the outset because the income is less, but when you file your income tax at the end of the year it will all balance out. You need to make millions to not pay taxes. As long as you work for a living, you will pay those taxes. Do what satisfies you. Basically, the short answer is you have to work more and spend less.

RunBabyRN · May 25, 2014

Travel nurses seem to do well, and many of their living expenses are covered. If you're not paying rent back home (or just have a storage unit or bedroom somewhere), you can save on everyday living expenses. Plus, you may not need to own a car, pay renter's insurance, etc. These all save you money.

If you're not up for that, if you shop around, you can find out which hospitals in the area pay the most. I know which hospitals here pay more, and if I wanted to, I could commute an hour to the city and make more per hour.