By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Last summer, I read a survey on ConnectRN that found a growing number of nurses (50%) have side gigs. Unlike what we have seen historically, these side gigs are not second jobs in healthcare but rather in other passions that nurses hope they can ultimately grow into fulltime businesses. Since reading that study, I have asked nurse managers if this is a trend they see with their nursing staff. Their resounding answer has been yes. One manager told the following story:
My younger staff no longer want to work overtime, nor do they have second jobs in nursing in other health systems. At first, I thought, well, I guess they don’t need the money, but have instead found out that many have lucrative side hustles. Several have told me they will continue to work in nursing until they feel confident they can make enough in their businesses. This is all so new to me. I have one nurse who has become a very successful realtor and another who is taking classes to become a certified financial planner. Both tell me they don’t anticipate still being in nursing within five years. Amazingly, one of my new graduates still works her Starbucks barista job that she had while in school. She could make more with overtime on our unit but says she loves working at Starbucks much more than her nursing job. I can’t remember anyone in my age group working jobs outside of nursing, but today, it is common.
Some of the side gigs frequently mentioned by nurse managers in addition to the above include the following:
- Etsy craft businesses
- Professional bakers and caterers
- Book authors
- Website developers
- Instagram and image consultants
- Wedding planners
- Professional photographer or videographer
- Working musicians in bands
- Home repairers and painters
- Housing flippers
- Uber drivers and Uber eats deliverers
- Social influencers posting regular how-to videos
- Waiters and waitresses in high-end restaurants
- Babysitting and part-time nannies to wealthy families who travel
- eBay sales of items purchased at garage sales
This trend could explain some of the nursing staffing shortages we now see nationwide. Historically, up to 20% of our nursing workforce had second jobs in nursing. Many young nurses now work more hours in their side gigs than in their full-time jobs. As explained to me by managers, the challenge is that nurses tell them that they love these side gigs much more right now than their work in nursing.
In the ConnectRN study, 80% of those surveyed indicated a desire to start their own business. It has never been easier to do this, which many of our nurses appear to be doing to achieve better well-being. It is a trend worth tracking.
© emergingrnleader.com 2023
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