Print And Share

by Lachrymologist

I've seen a lot of people around here state that if you get into nursing for the wrong reasons, then you are going to hate it. Well, what exactly are the wrong reasons? What are the right ones?

[Otessa]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

wrong, IMO would be just for the money.............

right would be because you enjoy it and you like the money

[Bx_RN2B]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

I know of people who get excited at the prospect of making 60-70k (NYC BSN starting salary) straight out of college. A lot of entry level positions don't pay a recent college grad that much. It's also a pretty steady paycheck. I have a few nurses in the family and they are never out of work. So sometimes peole focus on the money and job security and forget that these nurses are working their buns off for the money. They also forget that the reason that nurses can always find a job is because nurses get burned out and quit. Those are the wrong reasons for getting into nursing and it's likely that someone who goes into it for those reasons won't last long.

I am working on becoming a nurse but I was a CNA during college and it is very ard work.

I think some of the right reasons are: You have a genuine interest in helping people. You are a hands on type of person...you like to work in a physical capacity rather then sit behind a desk. Nurses stay on their feet. One of the things I remember about being a CNA was that at the end of the day my feet would usually ache; a problem I never had when I worked in an office.

Nursing isn't just physical labor though, you have to like being a problem solver and you have to be a diplomat because you will deal with all types of people.

Hmm..that is all I can think of right now but I am sure you will get plenty of responses.

[Lisa CCU RN]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

I don't think there is a wrong reason for going into nursing.
If you want to make good money, you can do that.
If you want job security, you got it.
If you want variety, it's there.
If you want to make a difference, you can.
If you want to travel, there's opportunities for that.
If you want an advanced degree, you can get one.

I personally know nursing is hard, but what job isn't? You have crabby bosses, mean co workers, and bad days in ANY profession. One could say that you went into any career for the wrong reasons. The only reason I answered this question this way is because their is always someone who will come along and say DON'T get into nursing for the money because you have to have a love for it and you must care for people. I guess they think if you are just in it for the money, then you are going to end up killing someone or that you will be very disappointed with the work environment in the hospitals and LTC's. Well, you could kill someone with undercooked beef at McD's, so I don't see what the difference is.
I am almost positive someone will come along and say that people who go into nursing for the money are not "called" for it and somhow you have to be a special person. Well, you do have to be a certain kind of person to do it. You need to be patient, organized, and dedicated.

As far as wrong reasons for getting into nursing, I don't think there are any. The right reason would be if you have the temperment for the job.

[Lachrymologist]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

Thanks for the replies, guys! Would anyone else care to express their point of view?

[Tweety]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

People get a little high and mighty sometimes about nursing for the wrong reasons and nursing being a "calling".

I agree there are plenty of compelling reasons to become a nurse.

I will say this, you have to have some semblence of compassion and people skills to succeed in nursing, no matter the reason you choose. People that choose it only for the money or security but have the personality and compassion of a toad irritate me. Some people just don't have the self-awareness to realize they won't be good nurses. Thankfully those people are few and far between. Nursing school tends to weed out the toads, but a few make it through.

Nothing wrong with choosing nursing for your own personal reasons. I agree there isn't a wrong reason.

[banditrn]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

Well, going into it for the money, or just to have a steady job CAN be the wrong reason.

Also, some people are in it because they need 'approval', or like to be 'in charge' - and that can be a personality thing, and it may not turn out the way they want.

I've worked with a few nurses who have been on a total power trip with their patients, and a few that have been total floor mats. I don't have much respect for either type.

Nursing has done a lot for me - it brought me 'out of myself' to realize that I'm a 'people person'. I love the interaction with patients, and it can be a rewarding challenge to be able to deal with certain folks.

BTW, tweety, I've seen some of the 'toads'! They go into management frequently.

[jahra]

Re: What exactly ARE the wrong reasons?

Originally Posted by banditrn

BTW, tweety, I've seen some of the 'toads'! They go into management frequently.

[Blee O'Myacin]

Why would I do this for free?

I get paid well, whether I am bringing an ice pitcher, wiping a butt or pushing meds in a code.

Its a matter of preference. If I was a banker or an accountant, I'd probably go postal. And then there are people who enjoy putting on a suit and sitting in meetings and "doing business". I like doing something with a tangible end result, but I certainly wouldn't do it for a penny less than what I am getting now.

Every job has its BS - you just have to find the minimum BS for the maximum payoff. And I like the fact that I can be a nurse anywhere.

Blee

[rach_nc_03]

Re: Why would I do this for free?

Originally Posted by Blee O'Myacin

Every job has its BS - you just have to find the minimum BS for the maximum payoff. And I like the fact that I can be a nurse anywhere.

Blee

In my life, I have done a multitude of things, including:

cleaning out litterboxes and bird poop at a pet store
modeling for a hair magazine
singing in a jazz band on a cruise ship
legal assistant/attorney babysitter
international corporate strategy for a big tech company
nursing

Blee's words sum it up- I do it because it's the maximum payoff with minimum BS- once you find the right working environment. The great thing about nursing, though, is that you CAN work pretty much anywhere- and I don't know of any other field where the variety of work (acute care, eduation, home health, pharm sales, research, to name a few) is so great.

I did NOT do it because I 'just love helping people' or I 'felt called'. And I clearly didn't always want to be a nurse. After going through the corporate downsizing craze of earlier this decade, I DID want some job security, and the pay's not bad, depending on what area of nursing you do and where you live.

I think maybe the only wrong reason I've ever heard was, 'well, I want to go to nursing school because it looks pretty easy.'