I'm A Travel Nurse In A Prison Making $9K A Month

Kevin Levu, 24, earns $112,000 a year as a travel nurse working in Pelican Bay State Prison. Levu, who studied nursing while serving in the U.S. Army, took his first travel nursing job in 2023 after learning how much money he could make. Here's how he manages his money.

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

Produced by: Lauren Shamo
Senior Managing Producer: Eric M. Clark
Editor: Nic Golden Henry
Camera: Charles Greenwood
Animator: Elham Ataeiazar
Reporter: Mike Winters

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I Make $112K A Year As A Traveling Nurse Working In A Prison

[Not_A_Hopeless_Romantic]

As an aspiring nurse, I greatly appreciate you documenting this guest and I’m happy he decided to share his story

[zhibekmukhamedina]

When he said “coming home and filling up groceries is a sense of accomplishment for me” -I know what he is talking about. The people like us only understands that ❤❤❤

[ngoalpo]

Vietnamese brother here. Great job Kevin! Keep it up! 💪

[uofnkkt]

Kevin seems like a very hard working and dedicated young man. Best wishes on his continued success.

[stefanossmitty]

Good for him! Also noticed that even with his income, he’s driving a very practical Toyota Camry, and not a new luxury car.

[rubanikq]

Interesting to see that you made it to Crescent City, CA/ Brookings, OR. I'm glad Kevin has goals and a brilliant plan on how to achieve them. Good job sir!

[itr]

as a new nurse working bedside in a hospital . im already burnt out on bedside nursing and was curiouis about working in a jail/prison. thank you for the video.

[UnCannyValley]

This man deserves all of his success! Great episode

[WinstonDu]

Enjoyed learning about Kevin's story keep up the good work man!

[RichardTouchfaith]

Just a side note for the young kids thinking about this career: sometimes travel nurses get stuck with undesirable positions and even trouble patients that the "regular" nurses on the floor do not want to deal with at even a regular hospital.

In our state the nursing profession has a 50-75% burnout rate (based on nurses who DO NOT renew their license).

Honestly with most medical careers, do it because you want to help others, not for the money.

[IHappyChicken]

Someone needs to do this and props to him for doing it.

[SamMcKinley]

I always enjoy this segment. My son was in the nicu. I think it’s great that he does not think that he is above working in a prison. I respect the struggles that immigrants go through. Great story

[rubychew]

The pay has to be attractive since your life is always in danger.

[barano]

Most prisons and jails are critically understaffed, particularly in their medical departments. The guy in the video can work an endless amount of overtime. He writes his own pay check.

[wisly]

0:31 he’s not even a millennial that’s a Gen Z, born in 1999 or 2000.

[katierose]

Way to go, Kevin! Thinking of doing travel nursing myself, soon!

[har]

How is he saving $9000 a month when he makes $6400 a month. $12K spending in a June is double his monthly pay. Math isn't adding up

[davidcantor]

Staff nurse here in Vegas getting $42.60 med surge with less than 1 year of experience. I wonder if travel nursing is really worth it now.

[DressingUpDollyLady]

You go Kevin. I am so happy for you, like a mother. You will probably never read this, as I am sure your life is full of important things and enjoying personal time. I wish you a long healthy life and successes with nursing and the family business. I am so glad that your family is here and made it through. thank you for serving. hugs

[davidgolf]

Shanks for the video. A little prison humor. I am here all week. Cheers from Australia.