Congratulations on your ingenuity. I agree that working OT can increase your salary, but everything is relative. Starting salary at my facility is well above yours, but I am in the Northeast. I have significantly more experience, and I earn significantly more than you with all the overtime, but cost of living is a factor in salary. I agree with the prior reply that you should save for the future. I would also suggest you don't work yourself until you burn out. Nursing is a stressful and physical job.