Passive Income for Nurses: How to Build Wealth

Nurses are among the most dedicated professionals, often working long hours to care for patients and improve public health. However, the demanding nature of the job can leave little time for additional work or side hustles. This is where passive income becomes a powerful tool. Passive income allows nurses to create financial stability and even build wealth without sacrificing time that could be spent with family, friends, or on self-care.

In this article, we will explore some of the best passive income ideas with little money that are perfect for nurses in 2024. These ideas require minimal investment upfront and allow you to earn money with little ongoing effort, providing more financial freedom and flexibility.

What Is Passive Income?

Passive income refers to earnings that require little to no daily effort to maintain once they are established. Unlike active income—such as working shifts at the hospital or clinic—passive income allows you to earn money even when you’re not actively working. Whether through investments, digital content creation, or other entrepreneurial ventures, passive income is a great way for busy professionals like nurses to build additional income streams.

Why Passive Income Is Ideal for Nurses

Nurses often work irregular hours, and their schedules can be physically and emotionally demanding. This makes passive income a great option, as it allows for financial growth without requiring constant involvement. Many passive income ideas can be managed in your free time and scaled up over months or years, offering long-term benefits.

A recent survey by Bankrate found that nearly 45% of Americans have a side hustle or passive income stream. With healthcare workers looking to offset burnout and secure their financial futures, passive income has become an increasingly attractive option for nurses.

Let’s explore the top passive income strategies that work well for nurses, with minimal startup costs and the flexibility to fit into a nurse’s demanding schedule.


1. Investing in Dividend Stocks

One of the most reliable passive income strategies is investing in dividend stocks. Companies that pay dividends distribute a portion of their profits to shareholders regularly, typically on a quarterly basis. As a nurse, you can invest in reputable dividend-paying companies like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Procter & Gamble—all of which are healthcare-related and familiar brands in the industry.

Dividend stocks provide a consistent source of income with minimal effort after the initial investment. According to Statista, U.S. companies paid over $536 billion in dividends in 2023, making dividend investing a solid option for long-term passive income. The key is to reinvest your dividends to compound your returns over time.

You don’t need a large sum to get started. Many online brokerages, such as Robinhood or M1 Finance, allow you to begin with just a few dollars, making this one of the best passive income ideas with little money.

2. Real Estate Crowdfunding

Traditional real estate investment requires significant upfront capital and can be time-consuming to manage. However, real estate crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul have made it possible to invest in real estate projects with as little as $500.

With real estate crowdfunding, you invest in commercial or residential properties alongside other investors. The platform handles property management, and you earn passive income through rental profits and property appreciation. This allows nurses to benefit from real estate without the headaches of being a landlord.

According to Forbes, real estate crowdfunding offers annual returns between 8% and 12%, making it an attractive passive income option for those looking to diversify their investments.

3. Create and Sell Digital Products

If you have a creative streak or enjoy teaching, creating and selling digital products is a fantastic passive income stream that requires little upfront investment. Nurses, in particular, have valuable knowledge and experience that they can share with others. For example, you could create:

  • Nursing guides: Write downloadable eBooks on topics like test prep for nursing certifications (e.g., NCLEX) or tips for new nurses starting their careers.
  • Printable planners: Design planners for nurses to organize their shifts, track patient care, or manage their continuing education.

Platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, and Teachable make it easy to sell digital products. Once created, these products require minimal ongoing effort and can generate consistent passive income for months or even years.

The digital products market is booming. According to Statista, the global digital content creation market is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024. With no physical inventory or shipping costs, this is one of the most accessible passive income ideas with little money.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to earn passive income online by promoting other people’s products and earning a commission on every sale. Nurses who have built an online presence—whether through social media, blogs, or YouTube—can leverage affiliate marketing to promote healthcare-related products or services.

For instance, if you’re active on Instagram or run a blog about nursing tips or health and wellness, you can recommend scrubs, medical equipment, or even self-care products for healthcare workers. Programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate offer thousands of products you can promote.

Affiliate marketing requires some initial work to create content and grow an audience, but once your platform is established, the income can become passive as you continue to earn commissions from your referrals. According to Statista, affiliate marketing spending in the U.S. is projected to surpass $8 billion by 2024, making this a lucrative option for nurses looking to create a passive income stream.

5. Start a Blog or YouTube Channel

Nurses have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be shared with the world. By starting a blog or YouTube channel focused on healthcare, nursing tips, or self-care for healthcare workers, you can build a platform that generates passive income through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content.

A blog or YouTube channel allows you to create content once and continue earning income as it attracts viewers over time. For example, you could create videos on how to manage shift work, stay healthy on the job, or pass nursing exams. Once your blog or channel starts generating traffic, you can monetize it through:

  • Google AdSense: Earn money by placing ads on your blog or videos.
  • Affiliate marketing: Promote products and earn commissions on sales.
  • Sponsored content: Partner with brands for paid collaborations.

Building a successful blog or YouTube channel takes time, but it’s a great way to create a long-term passive income stream. Forbes reports that successful bloggers and YouTubers can earn between $500 to $5,000 per month, depending on their audience size and engagement.

6. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

If you’re interested in real estate but don’t want the responsibilities of managing properties or tenants, investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is a great option. REITs are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate, and they pay dividends to investors.

REITs allow you to invest in commercial or residential real estate without needing large amounts of capital. You can buy shares in a REIT just like you would buy stocks, and you’ll earn dividends as the trust generates income from its properties.

According to Nareit, the average dividend yield for REITs in 2023 was around 4.1%, making them an attractive option for nurses looking for reliable passive income. Plus, many online brokerages offer REITs with no minimum investment, making this another one of the best passive income ideas with little money.

7. Create and Sell an Online Course

As a nurse, you likely have a lot of specialized knowledge that others would be willing to pay for. Creating an online course allows you to share your expertise while generating passive income. For example, you could create courses on topics such as:

  • Preparing for nursing exams
  • Managing stress as a healthcare worker
  • Time management strategies for shift workers

Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable make it easy to create and sell online courses. Once your course is live, it can continue to generate income with little to no ongoing work. The e-learning industry is projected to reach $457 billion by 2026, according to GlobeNewswire, making this a high-potential passive income stream for nurses.

8. Peer-to-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms allow you to lend money to individuals or small businesses in exchange for interest payments. This is a relatively low-effort way to earn passive income, as the platform handles loan management, and you earn returns as the borrower repays the loan.

Platforms like LendingClub and Prosper allow you to start with as little as $25, making it an accessible option for nurses who want to invest with minimal capital. According to LendingClub, average returns range between 5% and 7%, depending on the level of risk you’re willing to take.

P2P lending carries some risk, but it’s a viable way to diversify your passive income portfolio without needing significant upfront funds.

9. Sell Stock Photos

If you enjoy photography as a hobby, you can turn it into a passive income stream by selling your photos on stock photography websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock. Stock photos are used by businesses, bloggers, and marketers around the world, and every time someone downloads one of your images, you earn a royalty.