How I Ended Up in the Wonderful World of Ambulatory Surgery Nursing So, I’ve been an RN mostly working in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)—mainly in PACU, occasionally helping in Pre-Op when they’re short staffed. And let me just tell you, I’m seriously thanking my lucky stars I stumbled into this area of nursing. Because… Continue reading A Day in the Life of an Ambulatory Surgery Center PACU and Pre-Op Nurse
I began working as a Per Diem Nurse (Read: What is a Per Diem Nurse) in 2018 after burning out from a full-time critical care position I held for five years. I was fed up with the rigid system that prevented me from taking time off when needed. Constantly having to beg my manager for… Continue reading Is Per Diem Nursing Right for You?
From a personal perspective, I’ve met an increasing number of nurses exploring “side hustles” or venturing into work outside traditional nursing roles (myself included). This trend extends beyond my immediate circle. In fact, a 2023 survey by nursingbeat and connectrn found that nearly half of the nurses interviewed had “nurse side hustles”. Merriam-Webster defines a… Continue reading Why are Nursing Side Hustles so Popular?
Having met nurses here in the U.S. who attended Private Nursing Schools costing nearly $150,000 for a Bachelor’s Degree, I fully understand how outrageous tuition fees can be. I’m the first to acknowledge my privilege in graduating nursing school debt-free. I went to a four-year college in the Philippines, where tuition was affordable enough for… Continue reading How Much to Save for Kid’s College Fund
At almost 40 years old and with nearly 15 years working as a Registered Nurse, I find myself feeling behind on my savings and net worth. Despite earning a higher salary, especially given that I started my career in California, I still feel like my retirement savings are insufficient. One reason for this feeling might… Continue reading My Current Net Worth, Lessons Learned, and My Plan to Rebuild for Financial Independence
Sometimes, being diligent with money—like contributing and maxing out your 401(k)—is not enough to make the most of your investments. A few weeks ago, around September, I noticed that my paycheck was suddenly getting bigger. After a quick look, I realized I had stopped contributing to my 401(k) because I had already reached my 2024… Continue reading Don’t Miss Out on Free Money While Contributing to Your 401(k)
Origins Story My story began in the Philippines. I was the middle child in a family where my father was a seaman, and my mother was a CPA. Both of my parents came from very poor families. On my father’s side, my grandparents were fishermen, and none of his family members made it past the… Continue reading The Money Lessons That Shaped My Life: Influences From Family, Culture, and Experience
The Growing Popularity of Travel Nursing Although travel nursing has been around for a long time, demand surged significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of lucrative travel nurse salaries and crisis contracts (sometimes up to $5,000 per week) made becoming a travel nurse an attractive option for nurses seeking fair or high compensation for… Continue reading How Long Does it Take to Become a Travel Nurse?
What is PACU and What Does a PACU Nurse Do? PACU stands for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, also known as the recovery room. PACUs are always attached to an operating room or procedure room. They may be part of a hospital, medical center, or a standalone surgical center. PACUs vary based on the types of surgeries… Continue reading PACU Nurse: From a PACU Nurse
Brand New Nurse, California Dreamin’ I have been a Registered Nurse for 15 years. I moved to California from the Philippines when I was 21 years old. My first job was at a nursing home in Los Angeles. Although the pay was low, the benefits were almost non-existent, and the nurse-to-patient ratio was overwhelming, I… Continue reading My Personal Story as a Henry Nurse
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“HENRY stands for ‘High Earner, Not Rich Yet.’ This isn’t a financial advisor website; it’s a space where I share my own financial journey as a nurse, along with stories from other nurses. My goal is to inspire you to start your own path toward financial independence. Remember, you don’t have to be a high-earning nurse to become a wealthy nurse.
