Are you a Nurse just for the money or do you do it from your heart?

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Specializes in ACE.

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I've been doing a lot of OT's lately. To me its not really about the money because if I work many overtime I am just paying more and more taxes (especially here in Canada). I think one time I worked OT and holidays and I accumulated like $1100 in taxes on just 1 cheque. I calculated it and I only make maybe an extra $50-$60 if I work OT.

I actually do feel bad when they need staff sometimes. The residents always thank me for coming in on holidays and weekends, and appreciate me. So its not really about the money. But thats just me.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

When I was actively working as a nurse, DK, I did it for both reasons and it was a paramount reason that I became a nurse and stayed in the nursing field.

I wanted to make money, but also wanted to contribute something to society.

Edit: I wanted to add another reason that I got into, and stayed with, nursing- it was to grow in a spiritual way. I am by nature a selfish, self-righteous, being. Somehow, I intrinsically knew that I had to work in a profession that would expand my sense of consciousness and allow me to grow.

The Fates led me into nursing and allowed me to grow in various venues, all the while creating an income.

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Specializes in ACE.
1 minute ago, Davey Do said:

When I was actively working as a nurse, DK, I did it for both reasons and it was a paramount reason that I became a nurse and stayed in the nursing field.

I wanted to make money, but also wanted to contribute something to society.

Sounds good. I hate to see people doing it just for the cash.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
10 minutes ago, DK123 said:

Sounds good. I hate to see people doing it just for the cash.

However, there are those who do it for the cash and all the while are good nurses.

I've known some who have the empathy of a reptile yet are techy and provide quality care to those they serve.

They just don't get all emotionally involved like some of us do.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I originally came to nursing out of practicality. My first degree covered many of the prerequisites for both teaching and nursing as I came to a career change. I perceived that there was more flexibility in the job options with nursing, so that's the route I took. No calling to the field, no huge emotional tie to it, just a practical decision.

I have found since coming to the field, though, that I'm fiercely committed to providing the best possible care for my patients. When I've been faced with situations I thought weren't right, I've stood up to doctors and administrators to get what my patient needs most. I don't need anyone's thanks or praise. When I walk out of the building in the morning, if I know in my heart that my patients are just a little better off in some way because I was there for 8, 12 or 16 hours, then I'm satisfied.  Sometimes it's something as small as knowing their hair is combed and there aren't any wrinkles in their sheets. I'll take my wins wherever I can find them. 

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.
3 hours ago, DK123 said:

Sounds good. I hate to see people doing it just for the cash.

LOL, I do this for the money.

It didn't start out that way; I wanted a job where I could do something meaningful while still supporting myself. These days it's hard to feel like I'm doing much of anything. I feel like I'm taking care of executive administration, the documentation system, the doctors - everyone but the patients. So yeah, if I could find an alternative career that didn't require a ton of schooling, would support me this well, and would give a feeling of purpose, I'd go do that instead. But, here we are; I'm trapped with a damn sign-on bonus and six tele patients a shift, so I'll make the best of it while I'm here. But if I could move on, I would. I'm only here to make a living at this point.

And yeah, if I were to pick up overtime, that would be alllllllllll for the money. But I don't pick up a ton. I know the quality of the care I am able to give would go down if I regularly picked up. I'd rather be a good nurse on my three shifts a week than an exhausted, cranky, careless one on four or five shifts.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.
3 hours ago, Davey Do said:

Edit: I wanted to add another reason that I got into, and stayed with, nursing- it was to grow in a spiritual way. I am by nature a selfish, self-righteous, being. Somehow, I intrinsically knew that I had to work in a profession that would expand my sense of consciousness and allow me to grow.

The Fates led me into nursing and allowed me to grow in various venues, all the while creating an income.

I kinda love this! I wouldn't consider myself particularly spiritual, but I'm gonna try thinking of my career through this lens more. I definitely have my quirks, faults, and weak spots, and nursing is full of opportunities to challenge and improve those.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I don't understand why it has to be one or the other. Nursing is a second career for me and I did go into it for a reliable income but I also am deeply committed to the welfare of my patients. I have not let nursing make me jaded or angry and I honestly look forward to going to work most days. There are times when I do work a lot of overtime usually around holidays or to support my Amazon habit. Nursing has afforded me a comfortable income while doing something that I love.

Hppy

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False dichotomy.

I like the job.

I like the pay.

Best pay I can get with a 2 year degree, and scrubs are comfy.

Also- occasionally I save lives, and sometimes I get to use a load of skills I have accumulate over the years.

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   For the money all day, every day and I have absolutely no shame about it.  Does this make me an incompetent or uncaring nurse, you be the judge.  I do enjoy using my clinical skills and knowledge to help people when I can, but that warm, fuzzy feeling doesn't pay my bills!  Like many nurses, I work nights, weekends, and holidays.  I care for patients that have communicable diseases that I, or a loved one, may contract.  I have enormous responsibility placed on my shoulders and can be held financially liable for an error or lapse in judgment resulting in patient harm.  Forget the personal growth, spirituality, or altruism and show me the $$

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
18 hours ago, DK123 said:

Sounds good. I hate to see people doing it just for the cash.

Why? As long as they're doing their job effectively, what difference should it make their motivation?

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
43 minutes ago, klone said:

Why? As long as they're doing their job effectively, what difference should it make their motivation?

And, how can you tell? I can't think of when a coworker has ever asked my motivation for working. I have some miserable coworkers that say they love nursing. Doesn't look like it to me, but it's also not my business.  Sometimes if I pick up an extra shift it's because of a specific bill, or an upcoming vacation, sometimes it's just to help out my coworkers on a short night, sometimes it's even to try to work with a friend I haven't seen in a while. Doesn't change who I am as a nurse. I'm fortunate that I have a job with flexibility that allows me to make some extra if I need it. 

I think someone already pointed out, for some reason we expect nurses, and maybe teachers, to have an emotional attachment to their jobs that we don't expect of other fields. I wonder if it's because they're traditionally more female dominated professions and we attribute more caring and nurturing to women. Whatever their reason for working, I judge my coworkers, and I admit I do judge, on their ability to provide competent care of patients and how they treat them while doing that. Why they show up to do it doesn't matter to me. 

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