Daily Inspiration: Meet Memwanesha Daniels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Memwanesha Daniels.

Hi Memwanesha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been a nurse for 10 years. I knew early on—back in nursing school—that I wanted to work in California. I’d heard those “urban legends” about nurses who worked just two weeks in California and were set with bills paid for three months. I’ve always been someone who wanted more for myself and my family.

I come from humble beginnings—I grew up in poverty as the oldest of eight kids. My father served 29 years in prison, and I could have easily become another statistic. But I refused to let my circumstances define me. At 26, I faced one of the hardest moments of my life when my late husband died by suicide, leaving me to raise our two children alone. Even through all of that, I kept going.

Today, I’m a bicoastal nurse—splitting my time between Florida and California. I started sharing my journey online one day, and it went viral. Since then, I’ve worked both as a staff nurse in the Bay Area and as a contractor. No matter what, California always calls me back—it’s where I thrive, and I’m not leaving.

Through my platform, I’ve helped so many other nurses figure out this lifestyle because too many people gatekeep information. I don’t believe in that. As a Black woman in healthcare and a mom, I know we already face enough challenges. People often assume moms can’t live this kind of lifestyle, but I’m here to prove that we can. Everyone has to make sacrifices—mine is spending time away from my kids temporarily so I can build a better life for them. I know what it’s like to go without, and I don’t want that for myself or for any other nurse.

Florida doesn’t pay nurses what they deserve, so I went where the pay is. That decision opened doors I never imagined. I’ve become an entrepreneur, building a social media business from sharing my story. I even keep a private studio in the Bay Area that costs only $1,289 a month. People assume living in California has to be expensive, but if you plan wisely, it’s manageable—I keep my overhead under $2,000 a month.

Now, I use my platforms—Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads—to educate and inspire other nurses. I share free tips, host mentorship Zoom calls, and offer guides that teach others how to build financial freedom through nursing. There’s truly no place in the U.S. that pays nurses more than the Bay Area, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve created by taking this leap.

Most importantly, I want other moms to know—you can do this too. When fathers leave home for work, no one questions it. But when a mom does, people act like it’s the end of the world. I’m here to change that narrative. A mom can be career-driven, ambitious, and still present for her family. I’m living proof that it’s possible.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
At times, it’s smooth, and other times it’s not. The hardest part is leaving my family — that’s a sacrifice in itself. But I’d rather have that time away and be able to come back fully present, instead of being exhausted from working long shifts in Florida for low pay. Back then, I was constantly working overtime, missing time with my kids, and still struggling financially. Now, I’m able to be financially stress-free, and that benefits my entire family. My kids understand this lifestyle — they’ve pretty much grown up with it — but missing them is still the hardest part. There are moments when I cry, but I remind myself that the time apart goes by quickly and I’ll be home soon. Over the years, I’ve stayed in all kinds of housing — from renting rooms that didn’t always work out to ones that did — but now having my own private studio makes everything so much better for me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a nurse who works on the telemetry unit, and I’ve also worked on progressive care units. I specialize in Med-Surg, but I’m flexible and have experience floating to postpartum and ICU units when it’s a safe assignment. My team knows my skills and trusts me, so I’m often willing to float where I’m needed. That flexibility is one of my strengths—it’s also why I’m able to pick up overtime even if my home unit doesn’t have any. I’ll always find another floor to help on.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Over the years, it’s really just come down to meeting people, talking to people, and staying open and pleasant. You never know who’s watching or who might connect you to your next opportunity. I always say, your network is your net worth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bicoastalnurseguide.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurse_memwa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/memwanesha.curtis?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nursememwa
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nurse_memwa