💎 I’m Not Expensive — I’m Valuable

I was told recently that I’m expensive — whether it’s in terms of a buyout or salary. And honestly, it made me pause.

Because I wouldn’t say I’m expensive. I’d say I’m valuable.

I’ve been in long-term care for 20 years. Twenty years of showing up, growing, leading, and learning. I didn’t wake up one day and arrive here — I put in the time, the effort, and the heart.

I’m a self-learner. A thought leader. A problem solver. A woman who grows teams, implements processes, and always shows up.

I lead by example. I improve outcomes. And I never stop learning.

So no, I wouldn’t say I’m expensive. Because what I bring to the table can’t be measured by cost alone.

For full pay transparency — my last full-time Director of Nursing position paid $155,000 per year. But that salary reflected the value I added to that organization.

It represented systems that worked, leaders that developed, outcomes that improved, and teams that thrived.

That value came from dedication. From being the one who stays late to finish audits, the one who creates processes, so others don’t have to struggle, and the one who believes in consistency over convenience.

See, I fell in love with the process — not the paycheck. I fell in love with learning, with growth, and with the journey of becoming better every single day.

🌸 Progress, Not Perfection

I am by no means perfect. I’ve made many mistakes to get here — the kind that humbled me, stretched me, and shaped me.

But those mistakes became my greatest teachers.

They’re also the reason my mentees and clients don’t have to make the same ones — because I learned not only what to do, but what not to do.

One of the questions many Directors of Nursing ask me is,

“What should I ask for in terms of salary?”

And my answer is always the same: Know your worth.

No one has all the answers. And being a DON doesn’t require you to know everything. It requires that you know how to find the answer.

That’s leadership. That’s growth. That’s value.

I don’t believe I’m expensive. I know I’m valuable — in every space I enter.

Whether I’m your friend, your employee, your employer, or your mentor…I will always bring value. 💜

Lead with Love,

💜 Your Fav Nurse Leader,

Bilquis Ali