[SoundofMusic]

I think nursing is good money. I worked in the communications field and it was tough for me as a mom who had to move with my military husband, to ever break the 30K mark in a full-time job. Now, the job was a piece of cake compared to nursing, but it didn't even pay to work.

With nursing, you get paid well for the 3 days of the week you have to work. It's pretty good money for a shorter amount of time at work, and days off during the week. I kind of like that.

But it's not "big" money - if you want that, you need to work in sales, or work your butt off in corporate career where you work 80 hours a week and never see your family.

Money doesn't make you happy, but it comes in handy when you have kids in college, debts to pay, teenagers that are eating you out of house and home, etc.

[scarymary]

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?

For me nursing is a vocation, felt a real drive to do it. However money is what pays the bills and puts food on the table, clothes on your back and even holidays.

I am not a personal charity for the NHS and had to think long and hard if we could afford my loss of wages while I went back to school for 3 years. Set up a spreadsheet and it looked like I would break even in 3 years post registration. However since then we have had some pay rises and I earn a reasonable wage for this part of the UK.

Unfortunately since I qualified my husband has been injured, and is now disabled. He still works a little but my wages now pay for just about everything.

We are not really any better off financially because of his loss of wages but I am doing a job I love, with people I care about.

BTW, one of the best nurses I know was ordered (!) to go to nursing school by her father to stop her being a layabout. She didn't have a vocation etc but is the most caring, considerate person, all the patients love her.

[PiPhi2004]

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?

I notice you are a pre-nursing student. You will understand in due time lol. You may START for the money, but you will FINISH because of so much more.

[nursemike]

Originally Posted by november551

Well, if it ever happens, I'm there for you buddy.

Your support is very much appreciated. Just lately, though, I seem to be on a bit of a losing streak, as far as the lottery goes. I'll bet I've played over a hundred times, and still haven't won a big jackpot. Maybe that means my luck is due to change...

[lainith]

Going from making $8.90 an hour to maybe making double that or more is a BIG jump for me, especially as a younger single female. I wanted a career where I could make enough money to live on my own, have a reliable vehicle, maybe get married and have a family, and take a vacation every couple years or so. I choose nursing because I wanted to make that money doing what I know I am good at - taking care of people. I researched many health care field options before making my choice and yes, the money was one of the main reasons I made the choice that I did.

[momof2nurse]

While I wanted to get into nursing because I have a strong caring and compassion side to me and feel more fulfilled taking care of people than anything else, I was also looking forward to the doubled pay. I was making $10-11/hr in my previous job and while I'm still looking for a job since passing my boards in Feb, I am looking forward to that first paycheck.

Also, nursing will be the career that will allow me to work AND homeschool my kids all while being a single mom since my husband and I are getting a divorce.

Before getting my degree, there's no way I could live on my own let alone support 2 kids! It won't be easy even on a nursing salary, but I plan to get my ARNP eventually and that will be a wonderful, wonderful day....

[gerry79]

Yes, I must admit, I am a nurse for the money And the job security and flexibility I have been a nurse for a year, make a decent wage ($36/hr), and am able to provide for my family comfortably. Although I certainly did not have "The calling" for nursing, I do my best to provide good care to all patients in my charge.

I dont understand why some people believe that choosing to be a nurse equates to taking a vow of poverty. Nurses must pay the outrageous price of gas, nurses must pay child care expenses and college tuition for their children, nurses have bills like doctors, lawyers, and everyone else who works to pay the price of living. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not know of any government voucher that allow nurses to be excluded from paying the high cost of living. No nurse food stamp program, or partial tuition payment, or even a tax break. So why aren't nurses suppose to want to earn a decent living????

Also, I have never witnessed any nurse decline, or donate their paychecks. Not even the one's who have "The Calling" which leads me to believe that money is somewhat important in ones career choice.

[kiyasmom]

Hmmm...I don't think it has to be a choice: caring over income. Would I be a better nurse if I made minimum wage and needed the state to provide me food stamps to feed my children? I make $20 an hour as an LPN. My last job in 2001 I made $7.50 an hour and at that time I was glad to have that. It was good money to me. I loved my job and I made all of $220 a week. Now I can put that in perspective and when I think about the fact that I a lot of people still work there and still make that weekly income I, in comparison, am making big money. I can make $300 a day (I work doubles if I can). That is big money. I still love my job.

[Leaninstreet]

Some places are paying nurses $20 an hour? I make $18 an hour as a CNA, I'm surprised pay varies that much by location. Oh ya, and I'm doing nursing for the money and the fact that I will get fulfillment from what I have to do everyday. Nothing wrong with that.

[Nurseismade RN]

I did not become a nurse for the money.......that's the first thing everyone says or thinks when I tell them I am a nurse. Before nursing I made what I thought was okay money, around 17 an hour. When i started nursing school I had to go p/t....and I remember food shopping one day and getting to the register and telling the cashier to put stuff back. I felt horrible. However now as an RN my salary has nearly doubled and if i want plenty OT w/bonuses available............it feels so good while food shopping to buy what I want. I thank God everyday for that and remind my daughter (16) whenever she says mom can I get this and I say sure....to thank God that we are now in this position.
So even tho I did not get into nursing for the $$$ I am sure glad we make good money and we sure "work hard for the money". remember that song!

And to the Original Post......some say big money some say decent money I like the latter.. but it's all relative or OT.