[gnursetobe]

Hi,

I am taking prerequisites to go to nursing school and I was wondering if nurses feel they are adequately compensated for the job they do. Some of the reasons I was drawn to nursing was for the nature of the job, the tasks involved in being a nurse as well as the salary. With different sources stating that nursing is a high demand field and high job satisfaction (US News & World Report and CNNMoney) are nurses paid enough to do the jobs they do? I have read some comments on the forums and from other sources stating that some nurses feel that they are not and I would really like to get a glimpse of what nurses really think. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.

[caliotter3]

No. The BSN program I attended and in several texts I read, go on and on about the "profession" of nursing. If society requires professional education, professional job performance, and professional behavior, then society should be willing to pay professional wages. A supermarket checker who is a member of a union makes more money and has better benefits than I do. They weren't required to spend money and time to get a college degree to obtain their job. Their fear of a lawsuit for doing their job is a lot lower also. You won't find one of them paying for malpractice insurance.

[SteveRN21]

I personally feel well compensated in my current position. That being said, I work in a huge unionized Ivy League university hospital in NYC. When I worked in semi-rural SC, my wages were not what I would consider adequate. I would like to see more flexibility in allowing nurses to actually take their holidays, sick days and vacation days, instead of paying us out for them. I'd also like to see a healthier differential pay for night shifts and weekend shifts (Fri Sat and Sunday.)

[Suesquatch]

Nope. I'm an LPN in a rural area and I made more as a word processor 15 years ago.

I'm finishing my RN so I can advance in informatics, where non-bedside work, with responsibility for data, not humans, will pay me more for less stress.

[gnursetobe]

Thank you for your comment SteveRN21. I know that there are some regional areas where nurses are not adequately compensated for their work. This may be due to the cost of living in the area or other issues. I would also like to thank Suesquatch for your comment as well. I was thinking that the degree level would also affect the amount nurses are paid.

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by gnursetobe

I was thinking that the degree level would also affect the amount nurses are paid.

An RN with an ASN generally makes the same as a BSN. Of course, they can get into management.

[Valerie Salva]

No. Not by a long shot.

[JailRN]

Not no, but, HELL NO!!

1. An associates degree nurse needs more credits than any other major, and makes less money,
2. most facilities don't compensate for a BSN, let alone a MSN, unless you're in management,
3. new grads make almost as much as an experienced nurse.


All comes down to money, respect, appreciation.

We're supposed to get our reward in heaven.

[traumaRUs]

I'm an advanced practice nurse with a masters degree in nursing plus an additional advanced practice nursing certificate. I am paid well and have wonderful benefits. Am very happy with my benefits.

[JessieRN]

No. And after I got married my husband was outraged the first time he show my paycheck and hourly wage. (He works in the medical feild as well, and has a fairly good idea of the job we preform)