Are you in Nursing for the Caring or the Cash?? Be Honest

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2004

When I was in school I constantly talked about how I couldn't wait to get a paycheck. Probably because I was totally in debt, driving a 15 year old car, and couldn't afford to do nice things for myself. Having a paycheck is NICE (I bought a brand new car by the way!) but the money in nursing is not THAT great for what we do. Therefore, if people just go into nursing for the money only, they will not last long. But money is necessary to live, and it's nice to get compensated for what we do. It is important-- I like knowing that I have a steady, reliable source of income.

nurseygrrl, LPN · Jun 10, 2004

If I wanted to be in something for the money, it certainly wouldn't be nursing. I truly love what I do...the patient care part at least...or I'd be moving on to something else!

susanna · Jun 10, 2004

I guess that when I think about it, even though I'm obsessed with having enough money, I'm in it for the caring and understanding. I wouldn't have left a very stable 55,000/year job to go back to school for it.

But I don't want to be abused and I don't want to see any of my co-workers being abused either. It sounds like healthcare's as crocky as any other kind of industry and that there's a lot of this kind of stuff going on.

rica75 · Jun 10, 2004

I would say I am in it for the caring. I love to talk to people, help poeple, relate to people, and I can not work a job unless I'm on my feet alot of the time! But financial freedom is a BIG perk! I can't wait for the day I don't have to worry if bills are going to get paid, or do I have enough left over for diapers and toilet paper. I don't want to drive a car older than me, that smokes and I have to put a quart of oil in before I go anywhere. I'm sure that the majority are not in it for the money, or they'd be going for M.D. There you don't HAVE to get personal with you're patient. I'm talking from personal expeience. I no longer visit the doctor when I'm ill, I go to a nurse. They tend to care alot more! :nurse:

Sheri257 · Jun 10, 2004

Uh ... Cash. :chuckle

Actually, it would be nice to have a job where I wouldn't have to worry about getting laid off all the time.

And, I'm a member of the older generation (43 years old), which is why I'm going back to school to become a nurse. Pink slips get kinda old after awhile.

Truly_Blessed · Jun 10, 2004

6 years ago I wanted to be a nurse for the "taking care of people" part. I didn't even know how much nurses made. A divorce, a baby, and 6 years later, hmmmm....I will say it's the need for cash that got me into nursing school. I would have gone back to school eventually for nursing had I stayed married, but now that I am a single mama getting no child support, I need a steady paycheck ASAP. Why? Because the MOST important people I need to take care of are my son and I...no one else is going to do it. My family is first...I don't care how many people say it's not about me. The people that say that need to work without a paycheck, see how they like it when it TRULY isn't about them, ha:chuckle

hypnotic_nurse · Jun 10, 2004

Not the cash so much as the job security and flexibility. I'd be helping people no matter what -- previously worked as a teacher and have hours towards a master's in counseling.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 11, 2004

Lisa, are you in a LPN-RN bridge program? Maybe that's why your fellow students are talking about the money. Let's face it- a $10/hr pay increase is reason enough to go from LPN to RN.

I don't understand why people knock the young ones who are actually in school, and making very wise career choices. At least they're not hanging around their parents' basements doing nothing, or out committing crimes, etc. How many of us have had other degrees, other careers, and later chose to go to nursing school? At least they're getting it right the first time. I say more power to them, no matter their reason for choosing nursing.

Sheri257 · Jun 11, 2004

I don't understand why people knock the young ones who are actually in school, and making very wise career choices. At least they're not hanging around their parents' basements doing nothing, or out committing crimes, etc. How many of us have had other degrees, other careers, and later chose to go to nursing school? At least they're getting it right the first time. I say more power to them, no matter their reason for choosing nursing.

I agree.

J Lynn · Jun 11, 2004

It can't be for the money 'cause cashiers get paid as much as most LPNs.

SharonH, RN · Jun 11, 2004

Why must it be either/or? Does wanting to get paid well or anticipating a large pay raise mean that you don't care? I have to tell you after 4 years of being a college student (in other words very poor) I was ecstatic about the money I made when I got out of school 13 years ago. Does that tell anyone just how poor I was, heh-heh? Seriously, I hate it when people try to act like nurses are not supposed to care about the pay; that attitude is what has kept us paid poorly for years. It's okay to look forward to more pay, it really is. Normal, in fact. And future nurses(and present ones) please do not feel guilty for asking for more pay. Demand it. God knows you will earn every penny. I have gotten two raises in the past year because I asked for it while coworkers that I work with have not received any.