How To Make More Money As A Nurse

Nursing salaries these days are a lot better than they used to be. However, that doesn’t mean they are enough for everyone, and if you want to be a nurse but feel the salary you could get isn’t enough, or you already are a nurse and want to earn some more money because living costs are rising, then you might wonder if there are other jobs out there that you could look into.

Searching for a better-paid job is certainly one option. However, if you love being a nurse and you’ve worked hard to get where you are, then it would be a shame to give that up. Luckily, you don’t have to. In many cases, there will be a way – or a number of ways – to make more money and still remain in the nursing profession. Read on to find out what you can do.

Ask For A Raise

You might not realize it, but nurses can ask for pay increases just like anyone else. Whether or not you would get the raise you want or need is something that will be determined by a number of different factors. They include:

• The budget of the facility you’re working in
• Your experience
• Your past work record
• Your qualifications

Budget and experience are perhaps the two most important elements to bear in mind. If there is no budget to give you more money, then that’s the end of the discussions, but if there is and you can show that you have the experience and knowledge that warrants a higher salary, it might be possible. The first step is to ensure your nursing record is positive and impressive, and then ask the question.

Get More Qualifications

If you want to make more money as a nurse, it will often be worth going back to learning and obtaining additional qualifications. There is always more to learn, so studying for these credentials will give you a lot of knowledge that will make you better at your job and therefore, potentially in line for a raise, as mentioned above.

Also, if you want a promotion or to work in a different area of nursing that pays more than where you are now, these qualifications will be crucial. Obtaining an AGPCNP master’s degree to help you specialize in gerontology, for example, means you can be paid more since specialists tend to have higher salaries than generalists.

Finally, gaining these qualifications means that you can prove to any potential employer that you are dedicated to being a nurse. They are more likely to pay more for someone who has the experience and can show loyalty than some who can’t.

Work Overtime

Although it’s not a long-term solution, working overtime can be an excellent way to get some more money when you need it. If you have a special event coming up, for example, or want to pay off some borrowing, then taking on some overtime is a good way to do it.

You will need to ensure you have enough energy to tackle the extra work, of course, and you’ll need to ensure you can keep working at a high level of quality – when you do overtime, you’re sure to be tired, and that can cause quality to fall. As long as you know you can do the work, physically and mentally, then it’s a great option. Even better, due to nursing shortages, there is sure to be work available for you, even if it’s in a different department (which is why amassing lots of experience in various areas of nursing can be useful).

Start A Side Hustle

The idea of essentially working two jobs might not appeal to everyone, but if you are able to do it and it won’t interfere with your nursing work, starting a side hustle can be an ideal opportunity to bring in some more money.

You could put your nursing qualifications to extra use by starting some kind of medical business, perhaps selling scrubs or other equipment. Or, you might decide to do something entirely different so you can have a break from healthcare; this can be better for productivity.

Whatever you do, you’ll need to find a business that allows you to make something of a passive income because your shift work might otherwise prevent you from making as much money as you otherwise would. You should also be careful not to wear yourself out. Extra money is useful, but if you suffer burnout because you’re trying to do too much, it just won’t be worth it.