I didn’t expect New York to change anything. But it did.
I went to a wellness retreat hosted by Indeed, thinking I’d get a little break, meet some people, breathe a little. Instead, I walked away with clarity I didn’t know I needed.
You know those seasons in your life where you’re doing everything “right” on paper… but inside, something feels off? Something feels like it’s shifting? That was me walking through the streets of New York, replaying one question I heard during the retreat:
“Are you living your life… or just working through it?”
And that question opened up an entire conversation I want to have with you today because I wish I knew this when I was starting out in my nursing career.
The Four Types of Jobs Every Nurse Will Experience
One of my biggest realizations: Not every job is supposed to be your dream job or your passion job. I used to think that there’s no such thing as a dream job… but there is.
I worked bedside for 8 years before working outpatient and I though that I hated nursing. But in reality, I didn’t like my job. And i find this true with most nurses. Most nurses get stuck feeling guilty for wanting “more” or thinking something’s wrong when their job doesn’t fulfill them. But really? You’re just in the wrong job type for the season of life you’re in.
Let’s break down the 4 types of nursing jobs.
1. The Job Out of Necessity
This is your “I need income, now” job. Maybe it’s your first job out of nursing school.
Maybe it’s the job you took because it was the only offer that came through.
Maybe it’s what you chose during a hard season—financially, emotionally, or personally. For me, i found to be in this type of job when I was a new grad nurse practitioner.
I worked in a busy FQHC in primary care seeing over 20 patients a day and getting pennies in terms of nurse practitioner pay here in California.
There’s no shame in this. I needed the experience. I needed the salary. It’s important to remember that survival seasons happen. And these jobs serve a purpose. But they are not meant to be permanent.
2. The Compensation & Benefits Job
This job offers stability, security, PTO, health insurance, retirement match, pretty much the “grown-up job.” Many nurses stay here because it’s what allows them to build a stable life.
The truth is that job can be the financial engine of your wealth-building era. With any type of career job, you can:
- Max out retirement accounts
- Save aggressively
- Pay off debt
- Fund future dreams
- Build your FU Fund
- Reach Coast FI faster than almost any profession
If you use this job strategically… it can change your life. I know a lot of nurses who are stuck in this type of job for long years.
3. The Bridge Job (My Favorite, And Where I Am Now)
A bridge job is the stepping stone between where you are… and where you want to be. It might mean working remotely, hybrid roles, per diem nursing jobs, travel contracts even working part time with full time benefits. The goal isn’t to stay forever. The goal is to buy yourself time, energy, and capacity to build your real dream.
If you’re building a business, exploring content creation, starting a side hustle, or simply wanting more quality of life… A bridge job might be the best career decision you ever make.
And right now? I am in my bridge era, and it feels aligned. Hybrid NP work gives me stability + space to build Nursing Flowsheet, my programs, my community, and my purpose.
4. The Dream Job
This is the work you’d do even if no one paid you. The thing that lights up your soul. The thing that feels like purpose, not just productivity.
For me, that’s this: teaching nurses how to build wealth. It is using my creativity to help other people succeed. I love building communities, planning and hosting workshops and helping other people thrive.
Your dream job will look different.
But here’s the secret: You don’t find it. You build it—slowly, intentionally, piece by piece—using the other three jobs as stepping stones.
Fulfillment Doesn’t Come From the Job Title — It Comes From Alignment
During the retreat, surrounded by other creators and leaders, I felt something I rarely feel in the day-to-day busyness of life: Clarity. Peace. Alignment.
It reminded me that fulfillment isn’t about being in the “perfect” job. It’s about being in the right chapter for the life you’re designing. And I want you to ask yourself:
What chapter are YOU in right now?
- Necessity?
- Compensation & benefits?
- Bridge?
- Dream?
There’s no wrong answer. There’s only awareness, and from awareness comes power.
How Nurses Can Use Their Career to Build the Life They Truly Want
Nursing isn’t just a job. It’s one of the most flexible, secure, option-rich careers out there.
Here’s how to leverage it:
1. Use your earning power wisely
Nursing gives you above-average income early in your career. Don’t waste it.
- Negotiate your salary
- Switch units
- Explore specialties
- Pick up PRN shifts
- Look into hybrid or remote roles
- Increase your market value every 2–3 years
Your income is a wealth-building tool if you use it intentionally.
2. Save and invest early and consistently
This is where freedom is built.
- Automate your retirement contributions
- Invest in index funds
- Use your employer match
- Build your emergency fund
- Work toward Coast FI
- Use “high-income nurse” to create “high-options nurse”
Your money should be working harder than you are.
3. Choose roles that support the life you want
If you want:
More time → hybrid or PRN
More money → in-demand specialties or travel nursing
More creativity → entrepreneurship or content creation
More fulfillment → teaching, leadership, community roles
You are not stuck.
You are not behind.
You get to choose again.
And again.
And again.
My Biggest Takeaway From New York
Flying home, looking out at the clouds, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: Fulfillment.
Not because everything in my life is perfect… but because I’m building a life that feels like mine.
And I want that for you too. Whether you’re in your necessity job, your benefits job, your bridge job, or stepping into your dream… You can build the life you envision.
One choice at a time.
One step at a time.
One chapter at a time.
And I’m here to walk with you through it.
If you want more support on building wealth as a nurse…
👉 Join Wealthy Nurse Academy
👉 Download my Free Investment Cheat Sheet
👉 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly guidance
You don’t have to navigate your career or money alone. I’m building a community where nurses grow—financially, emotionally, professionally. And I’d love for you to be part of it.
