The Hustle and the Humble: Nurses Trading Stethoscopes for Side Gigs
In a groundbreaking revelation that has absolutely rocked the medical community (not really), St. Thomas University (STU) has discovered that a staggering four in five nurses are moonlighting with side hustles. Because, you know, who wouldn’t want to squeeze in a side gig between saving lives and preventing bedsores? It’s not like they have stressful, life-or-death jobs or anything!
The Financial Weight of Nursing
What’s behind this deluge of nursing side hustles? Oh, just your typical financial burdens: soaring living costs, student loans that seem to have sprouted their own legs and are sprinting away, and burnout that leaves many nurses wondering if they should have just majored in underwater basket weaving. Really, it’s either hustle or prepare for a life of ramen noodles—your choice!
Side Hustles: The New Normal or the New Necessary?
STU maintains that these findings, while astonishing, offer no surprises given the kerfuffle surrounding nursing these days. In fact, around 46% of nurses have taken the plunge into side hustling in just the last few years. Over 66% have at least one side gig. So much for work-life balance, right? And let’s not forget the brave 5% who have decided that why stop at one or two hustles when you can juggle three or more? They must be living on caffeine and sheer willpower!
Let’s Talk Numbers (and Lattes)
So, what’s trending in the world of nursing side gigs? Apparently, Etsy shops selling homemade crafts lead the charge at a charming 37%. Because nothing says ‘I’m a nurse’ quite like selling artisanal macramé plant hangers. Following closely are per diem and travel nursing shifts (20%), rideshare gigs (17%), and the always-popular content creation on platforms like TikTok (16%). Who knew nurses could wield a camera with as much ease as they do a scalpel?
Nursing’s Side Hustle Dilemmas
Despite the rising trend in side hustles, many nurses still find joy in their well-earned time off. A shocking 41% cite burnout as their reason for steering clear, while 38% are too busy trying to remember what ‘free time’ is. A mere 34% admit they have no idea where to even start a side hustle. And a sensible 28% suggest their nursing paycheck is just fine—until it isn’t, right?
The Driving Forces Behind the Hustle
As for why these nurses are hustling harder than a barista during finals week, the answers are fairly predictable: 71% blame inflation and rising costs. More intriguing, however, is the 24% who yearn for creative fulfillment. Because nothing screams “artistic expression” like shuffling between night shifts and side gigs, am I right?
Contemplating the Great Escape
Here’s a kicker: over 21% of nurses have pondered the idea of abandoning their nursing careers altogether for the sweet allure of side hustle independence. Great! Just what we need—a nurse exodus leaving us in the lurch while they venture into full-time crafting or TikTok fame. If they decide to leave, we can just refer to it as the Great Nursing Shortage of 2023. Call it a trend!
Social Media: The New Marketing Frontier
Interestingly enough, most nurses are turning to social media like it’s a lifebuoy in a sinking ship. TikTok is the top contender, with 45% using it to promote their side hustles. Not far behind are Facebook and Instagram, reminding us that scrolling through feeds and keeping up with memes is a vital part of the entrepreneurial journey. Who needs a business degree when you have social media savvy?
