How Nurses Can Build Financial Confidence With The Weekly Money Date

Money is one of the most stressful topics for nurses, yet it is one of the most important tools we have for shaping our careers and our lives. In nursing school, we learn how to care for patients, pass the NCLEX, and survive long clinical days. What we do not learn is how to manage a paycheck, understand benefits, or build a financial plan that actually supports the life we want.

In this conversation, I sat down with April Waddell, a former ICU nurse and the founder of NurseMoneyDate, to talk about financial literacy in a way that feels realistic, supportive, and doable for nurses at any stage. April shares her personal journey with money, how COVID changed her perspective, and the simple framework she uses to help nurses move from avoidance and anxiety to clarity and confidence.

This is not about budgeting every dollar or living on restrictions. It is about awareness, intention, and building trust with yourself.

From Student Loans To Financial Clarity

Like many nurses, April started her career with student loans. Paying off that debt became her first financial goal, and through that process she discovered something unexpected. She actually enjoyed learning about personal finance.

What started as curiosity quickly turned into confidence. She became the nurse coworkers went to with questions about benefits, credit cards, and retirement plans. Over time, she realized how big the gap was between what nurses earn and how confident they feel managing that money.

COVID became a turning point. The pandemic forced many nurses to reassess their careers, priorities, and futures. For April, it clarified that bedside nursing was not part of her long term vision. She wanted to help nurses build financial lives that gave them options.

That was the beginning of NurseMoneyDate.

Why Money Feels So Overwhelming For Nurses

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that money avoidance is incredibly common among nurses. It is not because nurses are bad with money. It is because money feels emotional, overwhelming, and often tied to shame.

New nurses are suddenly thrown into conversations about 401k plans, employer matches, and benefits during orientation. At the same time, they are adjusting to shift work, emotional patient care, and being responsible for lives. It is no wonder finances get pushed aside.

Add in the emotional experience of being a new grad. After years of school, exams, and stress, that first paycheck feels freeing. Many nurses want to enjoy it. Traveling, eating out, and celebrating is normal. The problem is when there is no plan and money feels like it disappears overnight.

April emphasizes that awareness is the first step. You do not need to change everything at once. You just need to start looking.

The Weekly Money Date Framework

At the heart of April’s work is something she calls the Weekly Money Date. It is a simple, repeatable process that helps nurses build confidence without overwhelm.

Instead of focusing on an entire month or year, the Weekly Money Date focuses on the next seven days.

This matters because seven days feels manageable. You can remember what you spent last week. You know if you made a big purchase. You are not guessing.

The Weekly Money Date has three core steps.

Step One: Look (or Assess)

The first step is looking. This is where nurses lean into the skills they already have.

As nurses, we assess patients constantly. We review vitals, notice trends, and ask the right questions. Money works the same way.

For the next seven days, you ask two simple questions.

What money is coming in? What money is going out?

That is it.

This includes fixed expenses like rent, car payments, and phone bills, as well as flexible spending like groceries, meals out, or appointments. The goal is not perfection. The goal is awareness.

April encourages nurses to stop saying, "I have no idea where my money goes." After seven days, that statement is no longer true.

Many nurses are surprised by how empowering this step feels. Simply looking reduces fear. When you know your numbers, your nervous system calms down.

Why Seven Days Matters

There is a psychological reason this works so well. Seven days limits damage and builds momentum.

It is much easier to face your spending from the last week than the last month. You likely remember what happened. You can course correct quickly.

April also recommends paying off your credit card every seven days if possible. This keeps balances low, reduces fear, and builds the habit of checking in regularly.

Instead of dreading your credit card statement, you stay connected to it.

Make It An Experience

One of the most important parts of the Weekly Money Date is making it enjoyable.

Money is emotional. If every interaction with your finances feels stressful or punishing, you will avoid it.

April encourages nurses to create a ritual. This could mean lighting a candle, putting on music, wearing a face mask, or pairing your money date with a favorite meal.

The goal is to create a positive association so you actually want to show up.

Step Two: Name (or diagnose)

The second step is naming your priorities.

Once you know what money you have available in the next seven days, you decide what that money is for.

This is where nurses apply triage skills.

What is urgent? What is important? What can wait?

April emphasizes that personal finance is personal. There is no one size fits all answer. But there are helpful guidelines.

If you do not have an emergency fund, that often comes first. A fully funded emergency fund is typically three to six months of expenses.

If you have high interest debt like credit cards, paying that down usually takes priority over investing.

If your debt is low interest, like many federal student loans, investing may make more sense long term.

This step is not about forever decisions. It is about right now.

What does my money need to do for me this week

Step Three: Adjust (or Treat)

The third step is adjusting.

Just like patient care, financial plans need reassessment.

Maybe you thought you would have extra money but an unexpected expense came up. That is okay. You adjust.

Maybe you consistently have more flexibility than you realized. That information matters.

Every seven days, you repeat the process.

What came in? What went out? What is left? What is the priority?

Over time, patterns emerge. You learn your habits. You build self trust.

Investing Without The Overwhelm

One of the biggest misconceptions April sees is around investing.

Many nurses think investing means day trading, watching charts, and making risky moves. That is not what long-term investing looks like.

Most nurses are already investing through their employer retirement plans.

Target date funds are common default investments. These funds automatically adjust risk based on your expected retirement year.

April uses a nursing analogy. A 401k or Roth IRA is like the syringe. The investment inside is the medication. It is important to know what you are actually invested in.

Time is one of the biggest advantages nurses have early in their careers. Compound growth does the heavy lifting when you start early.

The Importance Of Vesting

One of the most critical topics discussed is vesting.

Vesting refers to how long you must stay with an employer for their matching contributions to fully belong to you.

Many nurses are unaware of their vesting schedule. Leaving a job even weeks early can mean losing significant money.

This does not mean you should stay in a harmful environment. But it does mean you should make informed decisions.

Vesting policies vary. Always check your specific benefits.

Sinking Funds And Planning Ahead

Sinking funds are another powerful concept.

These are funds for expenses you know are coming. Holidays, vacations, car maintenance, and birthdays.

Instead of scrambling or picking up overtime, you spread the cost over time.

What feels overwhelming as a lump sum often becomes manageable when broken into weekly amounts.

This reduces stress and burnout.

Reducing Burnout Through Financial Awareness

One of the most powerful outcomes of financial clarity is reduced burnout.

April shares stories of nurses who were able to reduce hours after realizing they had more financial flexibility than they thought.

When you know your numbers, you gain options.

You stop working extra shifts out of panic and start making intentional choices.

Money Is Emotional

Throughout this conversation, one theme stands out. Money is emotional.

Our beliefs come from childhood, family, culture, and experiences.

Weekly Money Dates help rewrite those stories.

Each check in builds confidence. Each decision reinforces trust.

This is not about perfection. It is about progress.

Final Thoughts

Financial literacy gives nurses power.

Power to make career decisions based on values. Power to reduce burnout. Power to build a life that feels aligned.

You do not need to do everything at once. Start with seven days.

Look →  Name → Adjust

Confidence comes from consistency.

As always — I have one hand for me, and the other for you. 🤍

Signing Off…

Caroline

PS. Want more on this topic? Listen to Life After Nursing School    Podcast  Ep 53