When I became a nurse in 2021, my first job wasn’t in a hospital. I was giving COVID-19 vaccines for $45/hour. It was flexible, fast-paced, and nothing like the bedside nursing roles I’d eventually take on.
Fast forward just three years, and I’m on track to earn over $140,000 this year, all while investing 12% of my salary toward retirement, holding nearly $40,000 in long-term investments, and having the freedom to choose when I work, thanks to three different nursing jobs.
Here’s my full income story and the steps that helped me nearly double my pay.
2021 — Starting Outside the Hospital
• Sept 2021 – April 2022: COVID-19 vaccine clinics at $45/hour.
• Flexible hours, steady income, and no bedside stress.
• Even with just 4 months of work that year, I earned $74,718.
2022 — First Step-Down Hospital Job
• May 2022: Joined a step-down unit at a major NYC hospital.
• Took overtime and night/weekend differentials whenever I could.
• Ended 2022 with $113,343 in earnings.
2023 — Building Skills & Pay
• Stayed at the same hospital, got an annual raise, and continued picking up OT.
• Bilingual in Spanish, I am often called to help with patient communication, increasing my value on the unit.
• Total earnings: $132,133.
2024 — My Peak Year at First Hospital
• My last full year there before making a change.
• OT and differentials pushed my total to $143,298.
• December 2023: Started consistently contributing to retirement accounts.
2025 — More Control Over My Time
• March 2025: Switched to a new full-time hospital job with slightly lower base pay but much better benefits.
• Now contribute 12% of my full-time salary toward pension and retirement.
• Added two per diem jobs. I work them only when I want to, giving me flexibility and control over my schedule.
• To keep track of shifts for all three jobs, I use this fridge calendar from Amazon — it’s simple, big enough to see at a glance, and keeps me organized.
• Already at $105,000 by August with 4 months left in the year.
• Retirement accounts now total ~$40K (not including savings).
My Biggest Tip for Nurses: Invest in Your Future
A higher paycheck is great, but financial security comes from what you keep and grow.
• Start early, compound interest rewards time.
• Automate contributions, I send 12% of every paycheck to retirement before I even see it.
• Treat savings like a bill, non-negotiable and consistent.
My Pay Growth Strategy
1. Start where the money is don’t be afraid to take high-paying non-bedside roles like vaccine clinics.
2. Maximize differentials and OT early in your career.
3. Stay long enough to grow, but move when it makes sense for pay or benefits.
4. Leverage your unique skills, bilingual ability, certifications, or specialty expertise.
5. Build flexibility per diem jobs can keep income high without burning you out.
6. Prioritizing investing alongside earning more income growth means little without wealth growth.
Final Thoughts
In just three years, I’ve nearly doubled my nursing income while building a retirement fund that’s already approaching $40K. The key wasn’t just chasing the highest paycheck — it was making intentional career moves, protecting my time, and letting my money grow for the future.
My Nurse Tools
These are the tools I personally use to stay organized and make my shifts easier.
(Yes, these are affiliate links; if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
• Large Fridge Calendar – Helps me track shifts for all 3 jobs at a glance.
• Comfortable Nursing Shoes – I’ve tried many brands, and these are the only ones that keep my feet happy through 12+ hours.
• Favorite Scrubs – Comfortable, durable, and look professional without breaking the bank.
• Multi-Color Pens – For color-coding notes and patient charts.
• Retractable Badge Reel – Keeps my ID and keys handy without tangling.
