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Why Some Nurse Practitioners Are Leaving Salaried Positions in Exchange for Financial Freedom
- Lori Fauquier, APN-C, WHNP
- May 11
- 3 min read
For years, the “safe” salaried NP job was seen as the ultimate career goal—steady income, benefits, and the prestige of working in a well-known clinic or hospital system. But lately? The narrative is shifting. More and more nurse practitioners are saying goodbye to salaried roles and hello to something they’ve always craved—but were told was unrealistic: financial freedom.
If you're feeling burnt out, underpaid, and undervalued in your current clinic role, this post is for you. You're not alone, and there is another way.
The Burnout Is Real—And You're Not Crazy for Wanting More
Long hours. Rushed visits. Endless charting. Low reimbursement.
Sound familiar?
Nurse practitioners across the country are reaching a tipping point. Many entered healthcare to make a difference—but now feel like they’re stuck on a treadmill, giving everything and getting very little in return. What once felt meaningful now feels like a drain.
If that’s you, it’s not a personal failure—it’s the system. And it’s why so many NPs are walking away.
What Does Financial Freedom Look Like for a Nurse Practitioner?
Here’s the truth: financial freedom doesn't mean working 80 hours a week in private practice. It doesn’t mean sacrificing patient care or your passion.
It means:
Having control over your time
Earning income that matches your value
Choosing who you want to work with
Building a sustainable career that supports your lifestyle
Financial freedom can come in many forms, but for many nurse practitioners, it starts with telemedicine or building a private practice that aligns with their mission—on their own terms.
My Story: From Burnout to Building My Dream Business
I’ve been exactly where you are.
After working in clinical settings for years, I made the leap into telemedicine, thinking it would finally give me the freedom I craved. But while I loved the virtual care model, I quickly realized that working on W2 telemedicine platforms still came with restrictions—limited autonomy, set schedules, and capped income.
That’s when I decided to make a change.
I broke free and went all-in on 1099 telemedicine work while also launching Telemedicine Chick—a passion project to help other nurse practitioners get into telemedicine, streamline their licensing, and build careers on their own terms. And all along, I knew I was working toward a bigger goal: starting my own private practice.
Today, I run both businesses—and it’s brought so much freedom into my life. I no longer have to ask for time off. I set my own schedule. I have full control of my workday. And for the first time in a long time, I feel relaxed and energized by my career.
And if I can do it, so can you.
What Could Your Next Chapter Look Like?
There’s no one-size-fits-all path to financial freedom.
Here are just a few things nurse practitioners are doing to break free from burnout and build careers on their terms:
Getting started with one telemedicine platform
Expanding into multiple telehealth roles across different companies
Starting a niche private practice (like weight loss, hormone health, or mental health)
Creating a mobile concierge practice for local patients
Offering virtual wellness consults or health coaching
Launching a membership-based care model
Selling digital products or creating courses for patients or other NPs
Monetizing clinical knowledge through blogging, speaking, or mentoring
The truth is, your degree can open more doors than you think—it just takes strategy, support, and the belief that you’re meant for more.
Ready to Explore What Your Path to Financial Freedom Looks Like?
You’ve already got the skills. You’ve already got the heart. Now it’s time to create a career that works for you.
🎯 Let’s build it together. Whether you want to break into telemedicine, start your own private practice, or your just not sure where you want your career to take you. I’m here to help you take that next step with confidence.
💬 Book a 30-minute 1:1 session with me—ask unlimited questions, get personalized advice, and walk away with a clear direction.
💡 Want a head start on a private telehealth practice?
🎁 Grab your FREEBIE: Top 10 Things to Consider When Starting a Private Telemedicine Practice
It’s packed with insights that will help you get clear on your next step—whether you’re launching a practice or just thinking about it.
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