When I graduated nursing school, I was proud, exhausted, and $50,000 in debt.
I remember sitting in my car after my first paycheck, doing the math on my phone. After taxes, rent, groceries, and the minimum loan payment — I had almost nothing left. The idea of ever being debt-free felt like a fantasy.
But five years later, I made my final payment. And I want to share exactly how I did it — because if I could do it working 12-hour shifts and raising a family, you can too.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
The first thing I had to do was stop treating debt as a permanent condition of my life. I had quietly accepted it as "just part of being a nurse." That acceptance was costing me thousands of dollars a year in interest.
I started treating my debt like a medical emergency. In nursing, when a patient codes, you don't shrug and say "well, that's just how it is." You act. You prioritize. You do whatever it takes.
I applied that same urgency to my finances.
The Two Methods I Used
The Total Money Makeover
Dave Ramsey's classic step-by-step debt snowball plan — the book that helped millions get out of debt for good.
I call them the IV Drip and the Code Blue methods — and yes, I named them after nursing because that's just how my brain works.
The IV Drip Method is slow and steady. You make consistent, slightly-above-minimum payments on all your debts every month. Like a steady IV drip, it keeps things moving without overwhelming you. This is great when money is tight.
The Code Blue Method is for when you're ready to go all in. You pick your smallest debt, throw every extra dollar at it, and eliminate it as fast as possible. Then you roll that payment into the next debt. It's the debt snowball — but with a nursing twist.
I started with the IV Drip when I was barely making ends meet. Once I picked up an extra shift per month and cut two subscriptions I'd forgotten about, I switched to Code Blue mode.
The Practical Steps
Here's what actually moved the needle for me:
1. I tracked every dollar for 30 days. Not to judge myself — just to see the truth. I was spending $340 a month on things I didn't even remember buying.
2. I found one extra income stream. I started doing per diem shifts at a local clinic on my days off. Even two extra shifts a month added $600–$800 that went straight to debt.
3. I automated my extra payments. The day after payday, an automatic transfer went to my loan servicer. I never saw the money, so I never missed it.
4. I celebrated milestones. Every time I paid off a loan, I did something small to celebrate — a nice dinner, a new book, a day trip. Progress deserves recognition.
What I Wish I'd Known Sooner
I Will Teach You to Be Rich
Ramit Sethi's no-guilt, no-excuses system for automating your finances and paying off debt faster.
I wish someone had told me that financial wellness is part of your overall health. The stress of debt affects your sleep, your relationships, your ability to show up fully at work. Paying it off wasn't just about money — it changed my entire quality of life.
You don't have to be a financial expert. You don't have to earn a six-figure salary. You just need a plan and the willingness to stick with it — even on the hard days.
If you're a nurse, a caregiver, or anyone who gives so much to others — you deserve financial peace too.
Start today. Even one small step counts.
— Amy Barry Jankowski, RN
Debt-Free Forever
Gail Vaz-Oxlade's practical, no-nonsense guide to taking control of your money and eliminating debt.
