​

Hey Reader,

If you’ve ever thought:
​“I’d love to work less, but I need the money…”

I get it.

I used to think working less meant earning less.
But once I stopped chasing full-time by default and started working strategically, my income actually went up—and my burnout went way down.

Here’s how I made that happen:

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1. I Made My Hours Count

(Not all hours are created equal.)

Early in my career, I stopped trying to just work more—and started looking for ways to earn more per hour.

What that looked like for me:

• I took travel therapy contracts that doubled my income overnight
• I picked up holiday shifts (New Year’s, Memorial Day, July 4…) but never Christmas (hard boundary 💯)
• I said no to low-paying outpatient roles and yes to PRN, SNF, and weekend work that paid more

Even just 10 extra hours/week at a higher rate added up fast.

Example:

• 30 hrs @ $50/hr = $78,000/year
• 10 hrs @ $60/hr = $31,200/year
• Total: $109,200/year

Compare that to:
​40 hrs/week @ $50/hr = $104,000/year

→ Same hours. More money. Less burnout.

Try this:

• Mix PRN shifts into your schedule
• Stack travel contracts during high-demand seasons
• Pick up high-pay weekend or holiday shifts

This is about strategy, not hustle.

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2. I Negotiated Smarter—Not Just Harder

I used to think negotiation was only about bumping up my rate.
But real negotiation is about designing a job that works for your life—not just your paycheck.

Here are things you can (and should) negotiate:

💸 Compensation

• Hourly rate or salary
• Sign-on bonuses or relocation funds
• CEU stipends or education budget

🕒 Schedule

• Compressed or flexible workweeks
• PTO, holidays, or unpaid leave
• Shift differentials (weekend, holiday, evenings)

🚀 Career Growth

• Promotion tracks or title changes
• Performance-based raise opportunities
• Protected time for mentorship or training

Personally, I’ve negotiated:

• A promotion
• A 10-hour compressed shift schedule
• A rate that reflects the value I bring
• A raise

💡 If your raise hits a wall, negotiate for fewer hours—with benefits intact.

Example:​
If they won’t bump you from $45 to $50/hour, ask to work 32 hours/week instead of 40.

Use that extra time to:

• Pick up higher-paying PRN
• Build a side hustle
• Recharge and protect your energy

Negotiation isn’t about being pushy.
It’s about building a life that actually works for you.

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3. I Built Income Streams That Don’t Rely on Clinical Hours

These days, I work 2–4 days/week and still grow my net worth.
Why? Because I stopped relying on just one paycheck.

Here’s what I’ve built:

• 💼 Part-time clinical income
• 🏠 Rental income
• 📈 Investment growth (Roth IRA, brokerage, 401k)
• 💳 Credit card rewards + bank sign-up bonuses

You don’t need to be an entrepreneur to diversify.
You just need to start with what you have—and build slowly.

Other income ideas to explore:

• CEU teaching or mentorship
• Creative or digital side hustles
• Freelance writing, virtual consulting, or PRN flexibility

The more streams you have, the less pressure on any one of them.

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🎁 Want to work less without sacrificing income?

👉 [Download the Part-Time PT Dream Week Workbook]​
It’ll help you design your ideal schedule, clarify your income needs, and figure out exactly what working less could look like for you—without leaving patient care.

Whether you're ready to go part-time, stack PRN shifts, or just carve out a better work/life balance… this is where you start.

Get the workbook here!

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🗓️ Coming Next Week:

📊 I’m sharing my full salary breakdown—from $62K to $126K
…including how I made $95K working just 30 hours/week.
(No fluff. Just numbers and strategy.)

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You don’t have to leave the profession to reclaim your life.
You just need a strategy that puts you back in control.

Talk soon,
​Mariah​
​The Part-Time PT​
​Work Less. Build Wealth.