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.
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I started as an LPN at something like $2.80/hr in 1971, and remember being happy when at my 2nd job they boosted my pay to $3.10.hr. So you betcha it wasn't working for the money. As long as I could pay my rent ($150/mo.) at the time, I was happy. Lived in the city and used subway and bus to commute. Everyone told me I should go back and get my RN, but I was just happy as could be doing grunt-work at first. As the time passed I learned more and I became trained and certified to perform various more 'complicated' procedures, so got a bit more money.
But actually I just wanted to make people FEEL BETTER, ie more comfortable, not as afraid, that they were listened to, and all the finer points of human interaction. Never wanted my RN, as I wasn't interested in the responsibilities that go with it.
Now I am retired and I read all the changes in the profession...I admire folks that stick with it, because I know it isn't easy. Staffing didn't used to be a problem when I started nursing. We had "Team Nursing" which worked well for us/me. Then someone came up with the idea of Primary Nursing, which in theory was supposed to solve problems, but then the whole idea and set-up of Primary Nursing was bastardized so that instead of having 3 as a max patient assignment, the RN's were having to take on more and MORE patients, plus charge and meds ...everything...EVERYTHING!....for ALL of their (too many for one person) patients.
But I am happy and satisfied with the career I was able to enjoy so much, even though it never got me ahead in any financial way, and am happy now to be well out of it!
But I see most the nurses working at my job through staffing agency are just there for they money. Either they’re incompetent (don’t work agency if you only have 1 year worth of work experience) or just plain lazy.
That's nice to be bothered with nurses who are in it for money. I wish I live in your perfect world. Me, I wish I didn't know some kids were stolen and exploited for money. I wished those kids weren't sold, and I wish I could buy out their traffickers so they'd stop stealing and selling kids. I can add some horrendous things that some people have been doing. However, I'll stop here. I can never understand people like you who get upset over this "nursing" and "making money." Perhaps, you need to experience in some dark places to appreciate people who live without harming others. For real, it's not too late to get your foot wet somewhere because you're getting bored.
I hope you'll be happier to see people trying to do their best.
No Stars In My Eyes
5,662 Posts
I started as an LPN at something like $2.80/hr in 1971, and remember being happy when at my 2nd job they boosted my pay to $3.10.hr. So you betcha it wasn't working for the money. As long as I could pay my rent ($150/mo.) at the time, I was happy. Lived in the city and used subway and bus to commute. Everyone told me I should go back and get my RN, but I was just happy as could be doing grunt-work at first. As the time passed I learned more and I became trained and certified to perform various more 'complicated' procedures, so got a bit more money.
But actually I just wanted to make people FEEL BETTER, ie more comfortable, not as afraid, that they were listened to, and all the finer points of human interaction. Never wanted my RN, as I wasn't interested in the responsibilities that go with it.
Now I am retired and I read all the changes in the profession...I admire folks that stick with it, because I know it isn't easy. Staffing didn't used to be a problem when I started nursing. We had "Team Nursing" which worked well for us/me. Then someone came up with the idea of Primary Nursing, which in theory was supposed to solve problems, but then the whole idea and set-up of Primary Nursing was bastardized so that instead of having 3 as a max patient assignment, the RN's were having to take on more and MORE patients, plus charge and meds ...everything...EVERYTHING!....for ALL of their (too many for one person) patients.
But I am happy and satisfied with the career I was able to enjoy so much, even though it never got me ahead in any financial way, and am happy now to be well out of it!