A Note From Your Financial Educator: The 'Triage' Mindset

You're probably here for a simple reason: you're a highly-skilled nurse, you work incredibly hard, but your finances are a source of stress, not peace.

You might be looking at debt balances that feel overwhelming, credit card debt that feels "stuck," or you're just living with the "financial fog" of not really knowing where your money is going—especially with a variable income. You’re living paycheck to paycheck.

If you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even a little embarrassed, I want you to take a deep breath. Those feelings are normal, and they are welcome here. But we're about to replace them with a "Care Plan."

This is Not a "Budget Boot Camp"

First, let's get one thing clear: this is not a "budget boot camp." I am not a "drill sergeant" who is going to yell at you about your latte spending.

This is a "Financial Care Plan."

I use this "medical" language very intentionally. We are going to treat your finances just like you, a skilled clinician, would treat a new patient:

1. Module 1 is "Triage": We will (calmly and without judgment) "diagnose" your "vitals." We'll look at your "symptoms" (your debt) and your "life-support systems" (your income).

2. Module 2 is the "Care Plan": We will create a step-by-step "treatment plan" to stop any "financial bleeding" (high-interest debt) and create a "healthy" cash-flow system.

3. Module 3 is the "Wellness Plan": We will "discharge" you with a long-term "wellness" plan (your automated savings and retirement) to keep you out of the "financial ER" for good.

The "No-Judgment" Rule

This brings us to the Golden Rule of this entire 75-day program:

There is zero judgment here. Ever.

In our 1-on-1 sessions, I am going to ask you to share your "Spending Journal." I want you to think of this as a "food journal" you'd give a doctor.

A good doctor would never "shame" a patient for what's in their food journal. That would be unprofessional and counter-productive. The doctor just looks at the data to find the "triggers."

We are doing the exact same thing.

Shame is a terrible "treatment plan." It doesn't work. It just makes you want to hide. The "patient" (your finances) may be "sick," but you are not your finances. You are the "clinician" who is finally stepping in to create the plan to heal it.

How to "Succeed" in This Program

You've already done the hardest part, which is showing up. Now, here is your "prescription" for success over the next 75 days:

1. Trust the "Learn -> Apply" Process: The 3-minute videos are your "textbook." Our 1-on-1 sessions are the "clinical lab." You must do the "pre-work" (the videos and quizzes) to make our "lab time" 100% effective.

2. Be 100% Honest (with Yourself): This "Care Plan" will only work if the "diagnosis" is accurate. Be honest in your "Spending Journal." The data is just data.

3. Embrace the "Triage" Mindset: Our first job is to stop the bleeding. That means in Module 2, our "Care Plan" will be focused on your "Acute" (high-interest) debt. We must stabilize the patient before we can talk about long-term "Wellness."

You are in the right place. You have the right "specialist." And you have the right "treatment plan."

Now, let's get your "Patient Chart" (your spreadsheet) open, and let's get started on Day 1.

I'll see you in our first session.

If you have yet signed up for the Financial Literacy for Nurses program, ENROLL here!