[ilstu99]

Originally Posted by IampattyRN

I personally wen to nursing, because I love and respect the career, and to get a job to pay for my expenses (I have a baby)........ and so I would better myself in the world, and not stay a CNA forever!

I get paid $22.53/hr and if I work weekeneds they add $0.50Cents/hr <-- and the way things are here in FL that is not "big money"

I tell people to go into nursing because of the love of helping people, not because of money.

I think that in the first semester that is why only 50% make it (well in my school at least), because only half of us had the heart & soul to put up with sadness our instructors made us go thru, and because we knew in our hearts that, THAT is what we wanted to do for a living.

People have no common sense, and think that nursing is so "glamorous"..... when we have to change big people diapers, bathe big people, have butts in our faces, vomit on our arms & not to mention being up on our feet for 12 hours of a day/night, following "orders" ............ and all of this headache for $22 per hour???

I LOVE WHAT I DO........ and I love it not for my $22 per hour, but I love it because I know that I am helping a human being in their time of need, I am part of a team that helps people get better... now that is what I love.

I went into nursing because I loved my old job, but I wanted to help put my kids through college some day.....and retire....and have affordable health insurance....and not have to worry about my grant falling through every 6 months.....and a lot of other reasons....

I think only half of the class makes it because a lot of people are lazy/not as smart as they thought they were, have personal issues that get in the way, or just decide the gross-out/stress factor is too high. I'm sure "heart & soul" helps.

I have yet to meet someone who thinks that nursing is "glamorous," but when I do I'll ask them what they're smoking. Most people I know understand the basics of what nurses do every day....and that "glamour" doesn't really play a part.

Okay....it's not that I don't appreciate the hearts & flowers aspect of the ideals you presented. It's just that not everyone feels that way, and it doesn't make them any less dedicated or qualified. Nursing needs both kinds. It's not my life. It's my job.

I love what I do. I love watching a new mom get to hold her baby for the first time after looking at him through the aquarium window for 3 weeks. I love watching a big, tough dad cry because his daughter wrapped her hand around his finger for the first time. It's heart-melting. I love that most of the time I get to walk them to their car to start their new family together. Totally awe-inspiring.

I also love that they pay me a lot of money to do it. Woohoo! Chinese take-out for everybody!

[Bonny619]

The pay helps...I went from working at Target through school to making a good chunk of change per hour here in San Diego. It makes the tough times easier. I don't think anything is wrong with that. Job security is huge as well.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Originally Posted by Glina

I never, in any other profession, heard people talking so much about how they did not go to school because of the money, than in nursing. What's up with that?

Way back in the days of the dinosaurs, when nursing was a young profession, nurses were nun-like and claimed only to have a vocation to serve. Had very little to do with money.

That "Martyr Mary" stereotype is yet another myth that persists to the detriment of our profession. After all, why pay a decent wage to nurses? It'll only attract those who are only in it for the money.

[carebearRN08]

I agree with those that said its all relative. The most I ever made an hour before nursing school was $7 bucks an hour, so the thought of being able to bring home a paycheck that actually pays the bills was a huge motivating factor in going to college. If I could find a job that paid as much as nursing, with the same job availability and security, that kept me as interested and busy everyday, I'd probably have saved the 5 years in school and $18,000 I spent on my education!!

That being said, I don't think ANYONE should go into ANY career just for the money. Money fades away but job satisfaction is what really makes you happy at the end of the day.

[nursemike]

Originally Posted by Angie O'Plasty, RN

Way back in the days of the dinosaurs, when nursing was a young profession, nurses were nun-like and claimed only to have a vocation to serve. Had very little to do with money.

That "Martyr Mary" stereotype is yet another myth that persists to the detriment of our profession. After all, why pay a decent wage to nurses? It'll only attract those who are only in it for the money.

There are times when I sort of almost think it might be a little sad to win a big lottery jackpot and have to give up all of this. Mostly, though, adjusting to newfound wealth is a challenge I would be willing to undertake.

[nurturer]

Money and Caring are BOTH important to me. This is why I chose nursing. My husband and I are self-employed and pay over $1,000 per month for health insurance....this is with a $5,000 deductable!
We have 3 kids and one of them has epilepsy. No health insurance is NOT an option. This is what propelled me into the desperate search for a new career. But along with choosing a job for the money & insurance I personally needed to choose a job that included making a difference in the lives of others....where my natural tendancies to nurture and care can shine. I'm only about to start school....so I'm a tad horrified at this point....but determined and ready for the storm.

[toomuchrock]

well when the median income in your city is $32k, and your looking at making at least $45-55k... thats big money.

Minimum wage is $6.25.... when I graduate I will make AT LEAST $18.50 an hour... thats HUGE money.
Grannit, thats not the primary reason I choose this career path... but there ought to be some incidentive for doing this work? Don't you think?

[Jaguar Boy]

Yes, "Big Money" is indeed relative...ironically, since I'm in the field of corporate real estate, many people around me are under the impression that I will be taking a big pay cut to be a nurse, but, no so...the pay, in dollars and cents will be about the same. I'm not a big wig in the industry, nor do I own anything...so no big bucks for me. The range and flexibility of career options, plus the opportunity to work shifts and with people is what draws me to nursing.

I find it intriguing that there are certain professions where it is "socially undesirable" to be in it for the money or other perks. What would these be? Nurses, teachers, religious leaders and servers...etc. Now, if we were to flip things around and place ourselves as the recipients of such services, what would our priority be? The reasons behind a person's entry to a profession? Or, perhaps, their level of competence, integrity and professionalism? I'm willing to say that the two are generally unrelated...As a patient or student, the latter is my priority. And really, to attract competent and engaged individuals...you need to pay them well!

I'm going to be a nurse, I will be a competent professional...and I expect to be compensated for my skills, knowledge and service.

[linzz]

Nursing is a tough job with an exteme amount of responsibility and I truly believe that nurses should be compensated as the professionals that they are and they should not consider is the least bit wrong to demand appropriate compensation. After all Nightingale nursed in a much simpler time in many respects.

I have been admitted to a BSN program and although I enjoy nursing most of the time, I am furthering my education to increase my opportunities and paycheque. I have children and a spouse who has a progressive disease so money has to be a priority.

[RunninDad]

Originally Posted by linzz

Nursing is a tough job with an exteme amount of responsibility and I truly believe that nurses should be compensated as the professionals that they are and they should not consider is the least bit wrong to demand appropriate compensation. After all Nightingale nursed in a much simpler time in many respects.

I have been admitted to a BSN program and although I enjoy nursing most of the time, I am furthering my education to increase my opportunities and paycheque. I have children and a spouse who has a progressive disease so money has to be a priority.

You're exactly right. Nurses should be compensated for their services appropriately. In Pensacola, Florida there are 3 hospitals - Baptist, Sacred Heart, and West Florida Regional Medical Center. All 3 work with each other at keeping pay low so that neither hospital pays out significant dollars. One reason theya re able to do that is because of the Navy Base here. Many of the wives of Navy personnel don't have to work but do it to get out of the house or just be productive. Nursing is one of the few jobs where they can up and relocate on the spur of a moment, as a military member must do, so it's perfect for them. Since they usually work PRN, benefits and normal hours don't bother them, because they get all that with their significant other. The people who live in town get screwed though, because the Hospitals use this fact to their advantage, continuing to pay peanuts for hourly pay.

My wife was getting $18.29 hourly working in the NICU with a BSN. I was working as a Surgical Tech at a veterinarian while she was in school, making $15.75 hourly, with no degree. We're looking very forward to when I finally finish the nursing program, get my bsn, then we're moving the hell out of this place where pay is at least halfway decent. It's not possible to live on that kind of salary with a 4 member household.

Dallas here we come? kididng