A good answer to those who ask our salary

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

You're a nurse?? That's cool...I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?"..."WHAT DO I MAKE?? I make holding your hand seem like the most important thing in the world when you're scared. I can make your child breathe when they stop. I can help your father survive a heart attack. I make myself get out of bed at 5am to make sure your mother has the medicine she needs to live. I work al...l day and night to save the lives of strangers. I make my family wait for dinner until I know your family member is taken care of. I make myself skip lunch so that I can make sure that everything I did for your husband today is charted. I make myself work weekends and holidays because people don't just get sick Monday thru Friday from 9-5. Today, I might save your life. I make a difference... What do you make?"

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.

This made its way around my Facebook. Very nice answer though. :)

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I learned my lesson about pay rates one time when another person didn't answer with her pay rate after I disclosed mine during a discussion of pay. Now I just say that I don't discuss pay, other than to say I am tired of getting CNA pay for licensed nurse work. That is as far as I am willing to go. I would never take the time for the warm, fuzzy answer. They would probably laugh at me.

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I like this...

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
This made its way around my Facebook. Very nice answer though. :)

Yes it did. I wanted to share it here. I figured everyone hear would appreciate it more than my FB friends who aren't in the health field.;)

Caliotter: I don't think feel is a warm and fuzzy answer. I'm hoping it makes people think of the sacrifices we make. Of course I wouldn't be saying it in a warm and sugary tone either.:lol2:

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

More than you...

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Ugh, I hate that question.

I answer simply by saying I do not discuss stuff like that.

If prospective nurses ask that, I immediately think less of them.

If money interests you so much that it is the first thing you ask, nursing ain't for you.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Hospice,IV Therapy.

When people ask me that question I reply "not nearly enough for what we have to do and put up with".

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Specializes in I.C.U,PERIOPERATIVE NURSING,BSN.

thanks for sharing.... i loved it.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
Yes it did. I wanted to share it here. I figured everyone hear would appreciate it more than my FB friends who aren't in the health field.;)

Someone else beat you to it:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/youre-a-nurse-639579.html

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Specializes in school nurse.
When people ask me that question I reply "not nearly enough for what we have to do and put up with".

You could always respond by asking them how much they weigh...

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

This was making its way around the public hospital nurses in Victoria Australia as we are in the middle of negotiations with the government about our bargaining agreement

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