And we wonder why...

I saw this on CBS news' website. Thought that ya'll would REALLY appreciate it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/24/tech/main537899.shtml

So, with a BSN, I'm a blue-collar worker. News to me.

Happy Monday!

[fergus51]

A lot of blue collar workers have better salaries and working conditions than nurses. I wouldn't mind being included with them.

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

So now we are blue collar, huh? Lumped right in their w/ cashiers and plumbers...except that they often make more $$ than we do, and don't have 1/1000 as much responsibility!

When it comes to pay, employers want us to think we're blue collar. But when it comes to organizing or joining a union, THEN we are PROFESSIONALS, and should never consider such a thing!

[micro, RN]

didn't read the site.........yet

but I don't have a problem being called a blue collar worker.....

a good honest days work for a good honest day's pay.......

and if organizing and unions are good enough for blue collar workers.........then they are good enough for me.....

my father who I respect with more than words will ever say......was a blue collar worker for the majority of his life, before he retired........and raised a family of four children on what a blue collar made.........

enough outta micro

[Furball]

I always thought nurses and teachers were referred to as "pink" collar. Blue collar is a step up?

Whatever...nurses aren't respected....trusted but little real respect.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Considering "White Collar" is someone that sits on their a$$ behind a desk all day I don't mind.

[eltrip]

Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse

So now we are blue collar, huh? Lumped right in their w/ cashiers and plumbers...except that they often make more $$ than we do, and don't have 1/1000 as much responsibility!

When it comes to pay, employers want us to think we're blue collar. But when it comes to organizing or joining a union, THEN we are PROFESSIONALS, and should never consider such a thing!

It just seems odd/wierd to me. Are we a profession or not? Confusing.

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Apparently, blue collar in the context of this article means paid by the hour. Obviously there are many nursing positions which are salaried.

Having worked both salary and hourly, I can tell you, I prefer hourly. Once you go salary, you are expected to work over and above, provide more revenue, or cover for staff absences, whatever...forget it! I went for an interview for a great CM job today and was told, we are very demanding, we will expect you to be here each day as long as it takes, it's not uncommon to have a nine hour day, if anyone leaves at 4:30, that is a miracle.

Then I called VNA to confirm my per diem days and rates and found out we got an huge increase to $30/hr weekdays and $36/hr weekends. I can bring home more than I did working 32 hours (yes every weekend tho) than I did working FT salary!

So I say, I'd rather be blue collar and free to choose my hours and days to work, than be a white collar slave to the rat race!

[-jt]

They dont tell us that in NYC. It would be illogical for them to try to use such an argument because we have doctors, dentists, attorneys, teachers and college professors, - all kinds of professionals - unionized in this city.

[MrsK1223]

Well, just my spill but I think this is another example of how nurses are not seen as professionals. I know plumbers, mechanics and such make much more but in no way do they have the responsibilities we do. If nursing was a male dominated profession we probably wouldn't be having this discussion. I realize this was based on hourly wage earners but I think its sad that we are thought of as nonprofessionals as a whole.

[Hardknox]

The article said "blue collar and service" and I think they consider us a service profession, as in "the service around here stinks, nurse".

[SandyB]

Originally posted by Hardknox

The article said "blue collar and service" and I think they consider us a service profession, as in "the service around here stinks, nurse".

LOL