Many nurses enter the healthcare field because they want to give back to their community. Since nurses are givers by nature, it can be very difficult to focus inward instead of on patients. Right after clocking in, patients become the number one priority—regardless of their personal or professional circumstances. Nurses can take control of their finances and create a positive change in their lives by having their finances in order.
Being in control of your finances allows you to go to work because you want to, not because you have to. When you’re not worried about finances at your job, you can show up as the best version of yourself.
Nursing is a physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually-demanding profession. Keeping up with the fast-paced demands of today’s healthcare environment requires a great deal of energy. Therefore, it’s no mystery why nurses are leaving the profession at a faster rate than they are being replaced.
If you are burnt out but need to pick up extra shifts to make ends meet, it could be extremely difficult to deliver the effort your job requires.
A Financial Foundation
By starting with your values, you are bound to end up where you want to go. With a budget, you can map out exactly how to get there. When it comes to money, understanding what’s important and why you want to feel in control are critical to staying focused.
Assessing your current situation is a great first step. This involves taking an objective look at your financial situation and totaling up your current debt and net worth. Many people do not know the total amount of debt they have or what their net worth is. Creating a plan and knowing where your money goes is key to carrying out your
Money can be incredibly powerful if you have the right mindset, but many people view it through a limited lens. If you grew up believing that money is evil, your mind will do its best to protect you from it
Decide how you want your finances to look and don’t stop until you achieve it. Imagine being a part of a company you love and only having to go to work once or twice a week. You have so many more options when it comes to your job and lifestyle once you have a good handle on your finances.
Reaching Financial Stability
Financial stability will mean something different to everyone, but it always brings a mindset shift. It shows that money is not everything and making a real difference in your community is what truly matters.
Once you reach financial stability, you are able to proudly show up to a job that you love and serve your community in a positive way. You will be fully present at work and not worry about what will happen if you lose your job. Additionally, you can better anticipate financial situations before they take control of you.
Being financially stable allows you to leave a job you don’t align with and move into a role where you and your patients thrive. Rather than getting stuck in a toxic work environment and perpetuating a broken system, you are able to step outside the box and make a valuable impact.
Having your finances in order can also be empowering when you experience unsafe work conditions. If something happens to your job, you have the freedom to seek a better-suited opportunity.
Final Thoughts
It can sometimes feel selfish to put yourself first as a nurse, but it often benefits both you and your patients. When nurses provide care as the best version of themselves, they are doing a great service to their community.
If more nurses had the financial control to walk away from unsafe working conditions, the healthcare system would be functioning at peak performance. With all nurses loving the role they fill, the positive change would be immeasurable. When nurses take ownership of their personal finances, they can act as positive role models and change agents for the healthcare system as a whole.
