The Year of the Nurse 2020….has been crazy.   Everyone else’s job is telling them to stay home.  You, on the other hand, realize that staying home is not an option for you.  Nurses are required to be in the trenches during the most difficult of times.  Whether we are tired, hurting, hungry or scared, our profession requires us to keep pushing through regardless of the circumstances.  Oftentimes, we are encouraged to speak and advocate for our patients, however, that voice is often stifled and silenced.    

We’ve all heard it….

“This is what you signed up for.”

“You are a nurse.”

All the while, in the back of your mind you are thinking to yourself, “Nah, I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS.”  You did not sign up for constant the stress and headache, limited time to regroup and take care of yourself, and limited resources to protect yourself especially as you care for our everchanging sick population.    

Contrary to popular belief, you as a nurse have many options.  Nursing school may not have told you about the grim details of the profession, but they also left out a few other details.  They didn’t tell you that the precious skillset that you earned can be translated over into butter opportunities.  They didn’t tell you that you are smart enough to control your own schedule, your own cash flow and your own cashflow.     

So why not think of five things that you could start this week that will, at minimum, help you to earn additional cashflow that is not contingent on your 12-hour nursing shift.

#1: Consulting–Your knowledge is priceless.  Now go package and sell it.  People will pay good money to hear your expertise.  You can consult on almost anything.  Need inspiration?  Start with your nursing background or something in nursing you are good at.  For instance, do you have years of experience in public health, wound care or infection control?  In this COVID-19 era, these skills are valuable.      

#2: Online Tutoring-Who better to tutor new nursing students or graduates than nurses who have already made it.  You understand the stress and pressures that students will endure while trying to pass nursing school and NCLEX.  Your knowledge is valuable and can help students to transition smoothly.

#3: Writing– It is time to put that ENG 101 to use.  Ever wonder why they make us take English and Literature?  Here is your big chance to use it to your advantage.  In nursing, we are constantly writing.  Put all of that practice to use to earn income for yourself.  Many of us have a little extra time right now, so you can write an article, blog post or even a book.  These are all great ways to monetize your writings.    

#4: Drop shipping– One thing about us is we like to look good and we like to make fashion statements.  How about get a nice logo or graphic made.  Put it on some attire or other products and drop ship it.  Drop shipping allows you to have a creative vision without having to handle the physical products and ship them.   

#5: CPR– This skillset is valuable.  And most nurses have it.  Teaching CPR is an easy side hustle.  They require you to take this class for your job, so why not go a step higher and teach it.  COVID-19 might require us to think a little differently on how to teach CPR, nonetheless, the skill isn’t going anywhere soon. Make sure you read up on the guidelines and safety precautions to stay safe and compliant.

Although we maybe extraordinary human beings, this title doesn’t require you to be super human.  Taking care of yourself is priority.