[Pretzlgl]

So just because a few years ago RN's were being laid off - is this reason to believe that we are paid enough for what we do?? I'm sorry but it is this complacency that keeps nurses right where they (we) are! No disrespect, just an opinion.

[MK2002]

Marnna,

I would like to write a much longer response concerning a few items in this discussion, but my time is limited for the next couple evenings. These 12-hour shifts leave me no time or energy. They were not my choice, and they will not last forever. Hopefully, everything I write here tonight will be communicated well.

In regard to my comment about a house costing $90,000, one can buy a brand new home for that price here in the Dallas area. One of my co-workers recently had such a house built. About a year ago a different co-worker had a home built in nearby Fort Worth for about $103,000. Yes, I know most homes cost more elsewhere. In fact, I myself live in a prestigious section of Dallas where homes are likely to cost $175,000 and up. But it can be done.

To relate the low prices to what I wrote earlier, I have observed that northern residents find such low prices shocking. Sometimes they don't even believe me. They think I am kidding or exaggerating. However, the fact is one can buy a brand new house for that little money if desired.

I felt it was a significantly related item to a nursing salary, because after one is settled into a career she/he has begins to think about owning a residence. Owning a home that costs $90,000 - $110,000 is certainly possible on a salary of $45,000. I suppose there are people who will tell me even the $175,000 home is affordable on that same salary, but I want to keep the cost and earnings realistic.

Maybe later in the week I will have time to write more. I had hoped this thread was going away. It does not seem like that will happen immediately. If it continues to be interesting with civil discussion, then I will add to it.

By the way, no offense to those living in the northern states. I am originally from the Chicago suburbs. My comment was directed at those who never go anywhere. They fail to examine regional differences. Hence, by their skewed standards a higher quantity than average of employees will be considered underpaid.

[mark_LD_RN]

Konni I thought thats where you were from,used to live in louisiana and fish in south louisiana often. it sure is the lond o skeeter

I do find this topic amazing! why do nurses feel they should be grateful for what they get? it beats me. I enjoy my job but still feel for everthing envolved we are way underpaid. as long as we have the attitude that "be glad you have a job" we will continue to be treated this way. believe me i have been in management positions and they are banking on us keeping that attitude

[ICUBecky]

just wondering...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program? did you all think you were going to start working...and WHAM everything would change. i dunno...i knew these things before i started my 4 year program, and was realistic to the fact that many other professions/jobs get paid a whole bunch more, sit around a whole lot more, and get more respect than i would. still, i chose to do it. face it people...you all chose the wrong career to get an awesome salary.

[Q.]

Originally posted by ICUBecky
just wondering...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program?

No. But like I said, we're fed, clothed, and have an income. We're comfy. Therefore we can ponder things like this.

[mark_LD_RN]

Originally posted by ICUBecky
just wondering...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program? did you all think you were going to start working...and WHAM everything would change. i dunno...i knew these things before i started my 4 year program, and was realistic to the fact that many other professions/jobs get paid a whole bunch more, sit around a whole lot more, and get more respect than i would. still, i chose to do it. face it people...you all chose the wrong career to get an awesome salary.

yes i knew it, i choose this because i wanted to do it,I choose to make at least 50% less than previous career that i had without a college education.also choose to work in an area that has less holidays and worse hours.why because i love what i do.

BUT that does not change the fact that we are ubderpaid and should stand up and demand what we desrve not just la there and take it. does this make sense to you?


well as one of my least favorite presidents would have put it "its not the money STUPID" it doing what you enjoy

[enlite]

Yes!!! Im of the opinion that many nurses are ungrateful and often expect the patient and the general public public at large to give them respect bcecause of the academic, physical , and emotional rigor of nursing school. People, respect will be owned by the manner in which you practice nurisng. Stop following doctor's orders blindly. Use your nursing education and experience to implement , patient-focused independent nursing interventions. Most nurses are functioning at the technicain level. And you expect high salaries? You will be paid for what you do now, not what you have done. No matter how rigouros your past endeovors might have been.

[enlite]

Yes!!! Im of the opinion that many nurses are ungrateful and often expect the patient and the general public public at large to give them respect bcecause of the academic, physical , and emotional rigor of nursing school. People, respect will be owned by the manner in which you practice nurisng. Stop following doctor's orders blindly. Use your nursing education and experience to implement , patient-focused independent nursing interventions. Most nurses are functioning at the technicain level. And you expect high salaries? You will be paid for what you do now, not what you have done. No matter how rigouros your past endeovors might have been.

[nell]

Originally posted by MarnnaRN
If you are so upset with your career, get a new one, wait tables, go back to school for something else.....

Yep! That's exactly what I and maaaannny other RNs are doing!

I am sick and tired of being treated like something between a nun and a waitress except as a nurse, I can't make a mistake and I'd better catch everyone else’s too.

I'm sick and tired of having to do everything from the lowly washing of beds to highly complex procedures. The latest in our facility is that when security comes through on their rounds, they have to sign a logbook with the date and time and we have to co-sign it. I work in an intensive care unit and had one of these guys come to my patient's bedside and shove the logbook in my face to sign while I had my hands full and was dealing with a potentially life-threatening problem. The suits have added babysitting security to our jobs!

I am sick and tired of having the responsibility, education and skills to respond to life-threatening emergencies requiring that the right choice be made instantaneously - but not getting any recognition from the public or hospital administration.

Originally posted by ICUBecky
...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program?

Actually, yes I was. I entered nursing as "a calling". It never occurred to me that I could end up being a single parent and be stuck struggling to find child care for nights, weekends and holidays. I was young and single and didn't need to feed and clothe anyone but me. I was very naive. After all, around that time I also married a jerk…

[Q.]

Strangely enough this is a very old argument.

I read this in the literature:

Some nursing practitioners argue that inadequate care of patients is a result of the nurses' compliance with excessive "expectations" of administrators, physicians, directors and supervisors of nursing which leaves them insufficient time to care for patients according to a professional conscious. Frustrated and dissatisfied, some nurses plead for more workers to help them; others work still harder to comply with the "expectations" while attempting to care for patients at the same time; still others leave the active practice of nursing entirely. Conversely, less frustrated nurses view compliance with these "expectations", excessive or not, as the nature and purpose of their jobs. Another of these arguments ascribes the inadequacy of patient care to nurse's preoccupation with procedural activities prescribed by doctors and administrators.

In other words, we will gain respect when we start recognizing that we are responsible for how our profession is viewed and treated. We are complacent and allow this to happen. Until all of nursing understands that we are NOT simply there to "care" for everyone, and that our ultimately goal TO provide good care is our OWN needs as a profession, we will never gain respect.

Oh, and the above quote was written in 1973.