Kate Gosselin is happy to be a working mama—even if that means working 12-hour days.
In the comments of her Aug 11 TikTok video, the Jon & Kate Plus 8 alum explained why she returned to nursing full-time years after appearing on reality TV.
“Honestly? Providing for 8 kids,” Kate—who shares twins Cara and Mady, both 24, and 21-year-old sextuplets Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel, with ex-husband Jon Gosselin—wrote to a user. “College funds which I am proud to say covered all of their college and more and LAWYERS.”
Kate—who last appeared on reality TV in 2019—added, “Sickening but I was drug [sic] into court constantly and that costs A TON. Sad bc my kids could have a lot more saved and I could have a retirement saved if it weren’t for lawyers :(. It’s okay. I’m helping other families and I feel needed and I enjoy helping.”
After another user questioned why she would have to work after spending years on screen, she noted, “reality TV doesn’t pay as well as it should when you have to provide for 8 kids on your own.”
Kate—who made her TikTok debut in July—renewed her nursing license earlier this year after relocating to North Carolina from Pennsylvania. In the video, Kate got candid about her full day with her pediatric patient.
“Today was a very busy day,” Kate told the camera as she unloaded her dishwasher. “It was another 12-hour day, and my patient and I did a bunch of things. We went on the swings together. We also went to a birthday party. We played in the water. We spent a lot of time outside.”
“My patient loves to spend time outside,” she continued. “And I of course did all of the medical care as well feeding, bathing and all the things.”
Indeed, Kate hasn’t been shy when it comes to her sharing her life, even discussing her reality TV days with patients.
“I am an RN, I work in PEDs home health care,” Kate said in an Aug 3 TikTok. “I work with one family currently. The patients already know my name and some things about me so before I come into their home, they know who I am. And I imagine they already know me.”
“They’ve been very lovely and very happy to have me,” she added. “And ask me advice. In fact, on their older kids that are in fact teenagers.”
And while the network cameras are off on her home life, Kate is fulfilled in her latest chapter.
“It’s actually been a really rewarding and fun job,” Kate gushed. “To come in and relive a family of their medically challenged child so that they can spend time with their other kids and do other things.”
Keep reading for more on Kate and her eight children through the years…
Sextuplets Turn 21
Sextuplets Hannah, Collin, Alexis, Aaden, Leah and Joel turned 21 on May 10, 2025, and Kate shared pics from the latter four's birthday celebration.
Hannah's 21st Birthday Celebration
Hannah celebrated her birthday with her dad and his fiancée Stephanie Lebo.
Sextuplets' 20th Birthday
On Mother's Day 2024, two days after the former couple's sextuplets turned 20, Kate shared a tribute the four who lived with her: Alexis, Aaden, Joel and Leah.
"No more teenagers in this house! Happy 20th birthday, my forever babies! I love you!" she wrote on Instagram. "Who feels old? I know I do! #20yearsold #ItsaPICKLE."
Hannah's Birthday Post
Hannah shared new pics of herself on her and the other sextuplet's 20th birthday.
Hannah the Graduate
On to the next chapter! The sextuplet graduated from high school in 2023.
High School Graduates
Jon shared a pic of sextuplets Collin and Hannah graduating from high school in 2023, years after they had moved in with him.
Girls' Trip
Kate appeared with twin Mady and Cara in New York City in this 2019 pic.
All Grown-Up
"Happy 18th birthday!" Jon wrote on Instagram in 2022. "Today is your birthday we gonna say it loud. I love you. Love, Dad."
Birthday Bash
"Our big celebration of #15 is finally winding down here! We celebrated ALL DAY LONG, beginning with a present at 6:30 am before school! I'm so very thankful for my ‘babies'.... somehow they are 15 already?!" Kate wrote on the special milestone in 2019. "I'm amazed by them each day! I'm so proud of the positive qualities I've seen developing as they edge closer to adulthood."
Back to Class
"This was yesterday! Feels like school never ended...and they're already back! #SeniorYear #EighthGrade #ProudMom," Kate wrote on Instagram in 2018.
Birthday Greetings
"Happy 15th Birthday Hannah, Collin, Alexis, Aaden, Joel and Leah!!!! Wow I can't believe you are 15!!! Time is flying by!!!" Jon Gosselin shared on Instagram when posing with Hannah and Collin Gosselin. "I love you all very much. I wish you the best day ever and I hope you enjoy your birthday celebrations today and this weekend!!! Love always, Dad."
Girl Power
"My beautiful 'little girls' .... they keep reminding me how many days until they turn 14. Today it was '12 days til we turn 14, Mom.' HOW'S THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!" Kate shared with her followers in 2018. "I told Leah that she's too small to turn 14. She said 'Yeah, true. Are you sure I'm not turning 11 or 12?' I'm positive. I gave birth to you. They'll always be my babies....I love them so very much!"
Growing Up Gosselin
"I can't believe they're 13!" Kate Gosselin wrote on Instagram when celebrating a major birthday for her sextuplets.
Greetings From Alaska
Rewind to 2014 when Kate and her children found themselves visiting Alaska.
Girls Trip
Kate also treated her twin daughters Cara Gosselin and Mady Gosselin to a trip to New York City in 2014, where they stopped by the Manhattan Hotel.
Happy Holidays
"A precious Christmas memory. My 6 were 6. Christmas Eve 2010 and they're SO excited for Christmas!" Kate Gosselin wrote on Instagram with a throwback photo. "Look at those adorable smiles! #TheyAreMyHeart #My8ReasonsToKeepOnKeepingOn #NoMatterWhat #TrueLoveX8."
Camera Ready
Back in October 2007, Jon and Kate Gosselin gathered their eight kids together for a trip to New York City. First stop? A visit to NBC's Today show.