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

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2004

Of course we deserve to be well compensated, that's not the issue.

It's the people that just want to get into nursing for $$ and to look cool w/ a scope around their necks that irk me.

I mean, how do you feel about docs you know who really don't give a crap about the pts, just the ca$h and the prestige?

CarolineRn · Jul 31, 2004

hello i am currently in nursing school and the weirdest thing is how future nurses talk about how they are going to be getting paid!! it's as if caring is not involved in their frame of mind, this type of mentality is not going to help the nursing shortage it's only going to aide it because as we know we do not get paid for our actual services, but this younger generation feel since it is a shortage this is the field to go and make some quick money, so i'm curious and please be honest what are you in it for, caring or cash?

complete honsety here: both.

i should be paid well for caring. geez, look at what coorporate ceo's are paid for not caring about people but profits. in a just world, should i not get at least an 8th of their salaries? gimme a break! (not that your q wasn't fair, but man oh man, are our bossess overpaid!)

redwinggirlie · Jul 31, 2004

I care in whatever job I do. I've got two now, hospital shifts and for a friend who is paralyzed. Yep. Money is good. Gotta make money for cat food.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 31, 2004

Of course we deserve to be well compensated, that's not the issue.
It's the people that just want to get into nursing for $$ and to look cool w/ a scope around their necks that irk me.
I mean, how do you feel about docs you know who really don't give a crap about the pts, just the ca$h and the prestige?

I don't even give those people a second thought because I know for a fact that they will either grow up or nursing will chew them up and spit them out in a matter of months.

LPN4Life · Jul 31, 2004

Agree with all, the cash isn't so great the reward

It's the smiles and appreciation from your patients that are the real reward:p

Gromit · Aug 1, 2004

I don't even give those people a second thought because I know for a fact that they will either grow up or nursing will chew them up and spit them out in a matter of months.

I'm with RN4 on this. I've seen these people come, and seen 'em go. Rarely ever see 'em next year, though. They are 'non-issues' to me. I certainly don't get all upset and excited about it like our politically based poster was getting. Quite honestly, I don't even care if their sole motivation is ca$h -as long as they do a competent job, and the patient is better off for their effort, then their motivation is (to me) irrelevant. As for them looking 'cool' with a scope, the rest of us who are a bit more experienced in the healthcare environment (I may be new as an RN, but I've over 16 years in the healthcare field) don't see 'em as cool, but foolish and/or immature. It simply doesn't matter.

lovelee · Aug 1, 2004

hey lisa,

what a great question!! i will be graduating in the fall of 2004, and i have never felt so proud of myself for such a great accomplishment!!

am i in this for the money?? not in a million years!! for starters nurses are under paid if you ask me, not to mention we do alot more than the average doctor these days. i do understand where you're coming from, becuase in school alot of girls talk about the same thing, about how they can't wait to get paid, and i have also heard (mind boggling by the way) the reason for going into this field is 5% caring and 95% for the money. my reply to those dummies is why don't they go hang from a pole and dance around they'll get much more money than the average paid nurse and you don't even have to think!!! unfortunately you can't change how some people think, but hopefully someone will touch their heart during the cours of their career and they'll have a change of heart!! after all they'll be a pt. one day!! my prof. a brilliant woman said to me one day "the ability to become a great nurse is a gift from god, he either gives you the gift or he doesn't"....... we have all seen those nurses who have the gift and those who do not..............

i believe i was given that gift and will share it always with my patients.......lovelee

hello i am currently in nursing school and the weirdest thing is how future nurses talk about how they are going to be getting paid!! it's as if caring is not involved in their frame of mind, this type of mentality is not going to help the nursing shortage it's only going to aide it because as we know we do not get paid for our actual services, but this younger generation feel since it is a shortage this is the field to go and make some quick money, so i'm curious and please be honest what are you in it for, caring or cash?

koan · Jan 21, 2007

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!

That day never really comes in my experience, the more you make the more you spend.

ann945n, RN · Jan 21, 2007

I went into Nursing for a great pay check, job security and the ability to work in many fields so i wouldnt get bored. Being able to care for people just sweetend the deal. Lets face it we all go into a career for the money other wise we would all voulnteer. Theres nothing wrong with wanting to own a house and put your kids through school.

RGN1 · Jan 21, 2007

Coming from the UK I can whole heartedly say I'm definitely NOT in it for the cash - because we get absolutely c**p wages. I think it's wrong that we get paid so badly & the government is in a bid to drive our wages down further over the next 10 years & it's soooo not right!!

That is why I am in the process of coming to the USA, where I will at least be able to earn a living wage! It may not be a fortune but my family & I will be able to have a decent enough lifestyle. Does that make me a bad person? I just want to be paid sensible money & not the pittance we get here!

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 21, 2007

I don't see why it has to be so black and white; a person can be in it for more than one reason. I am going into it for the caring, the cash, and the security. If I simply wanted to "care" I could skip the aggravation of returning to school and do volunteer work. If I was just looking for the cash, I could find another line of work that would bring me far more money than what a nurse makes; maybe some sketchy enterprise like exotic dancing or a home meth lab (it's a joke, no one flame me for it.) If I was just looking for job security I could go work for the post office or the city; they seem to never get fired no matter how rude or incompetent.

ETA: Sometimes I want to barf when I hear people talk about how they are going into nursing solely for the caring aspect of it. :uhoh3: It almost feels to me like they want a pat on a back for how noble and good they are and the rest of us are bad, bad, bad for having more than one reason for doing it.

Agnus · Jan 21, 2007

I had a couple of options. I wanted something where I would not have to work from paycheck to paycheck. Where I could make a decient living without worrying. Where I could work fewer hours and still live.

Nursing was one of two options where I lived at that time.

I stay because currently in this (new) location it is the best paying job there is.

I enjoy my lifestyle. I am 55.