Becoming a nurse for the money...

Nursing Students General Students

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...just wondering who's becoming a nurse for the eventual excellent pay???

I am. :D

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I have never heard of an LVN making that much. Most make under $20 in my area of NorCal. My friend is starting out at 58/hr in S.F. but the cost of living is astronomical. In my area I get 29.40/hr which includes NOC diff and the cost of housing is one of the most affordable in the state in comparison to the average income. The average home in my town was $358,000 in March of 2008. For a 30 yr loan at 7% a mortgage payment would be $2,381.78 a month. This does not include home owners insurance. Working full time I can make $4,233.60 before taxes (about $3,000 after taxes) and not including deductions for heath insurance. Then there are other bills other than a mortgage that have to be figured into the cost of living; gas is expensive than most areas in the state ($3.15/gal) and this is a rural area where nothing is close, our food is more expensive than most areas too. And simply living in the state of California you are taxed more than most states.

Opps I ment one of the most un-affordable in the state...

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I am blown away at people saying that nursing doesn't pay that well. I understand that it's not alot for the amount of work but I have family members in their 30s who live on 12.00 an hour (and have kids). As long as I am making more than that I am happy. But then again, I am very easily pleased.

People are not saying the amount is not good, yes I make a lot more than 12/hr, but for what a nurse does equal to the pay. What do your family members do for 12/hr?...Don't get me wrong, I love my job. It is hard to see people do much easier jobs and get paid the same or more.

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I guess it's all relative. I personally do not think that the average RN salary is great money. I made much more in my prior career, but I didn't have a passion for what I did. That's what's brought me to this field. Thankfully, I am not motivated by money. As long as I have enough to live somewhat comfortably, that is all I need. I just want to like my job most days of the week!

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It is more of a hierarchy, at a hospital, than it is in other working environments. Whether people choose to believe it or not, doctor's/residents/administration do "look down" on nurses. I have heard about snide comments doctors/residents have made about nurses. Most doctor's wouldn't even consider dating or marrying a nurse. They view themselves as being "too good" to even consider doing such a thing. Anyway, this is all beside the point. Nurses do a lot of hard work to help people. Whether a person goes in with the intent of making money or not, nursing is a hard profession both mentally and physically. People must come in with the attitude of not expecting any appreciation in any form or fashion. If they come in with an attitude of wanting a pat on the back, they will be highly disappointed.

So, just who are the doctors you know marrying??? Only other doctors, maybe attorneys? How funny! I've been dating a resident for over a year and I'm a nurse! If a physician were so narrow in thinking that profession determines the dating potential, unless living in India or somewhere where it's norm in that culture for a caste-like system, etc., I'd not want ANYTHING to do with such a small-minded person anyway!!! Most physicians I know aren't dating or married to other physicians, but then again, I'm not talking to the physicians who wouldn't "befriend" a lowly nurse, so who knows...haha!!! I know my boyfriend doesn't think highly of some of the nurses he works with, but others he thinks are golden...it all depends on the nurse, the level of professionalism as well as personal style/intelligence I'd say.

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I agree the pay is great, but in my experience, even getting through nursing school takes a huge amount of dedication and passion! You have to want it really, really bad, more than anything! You have to be willing to put aside, family, friends, relationships, and just focus on your goal! It is definitely not for the weak of heart or someone who is just looking for a good paying career. It's a passion, a drive, that not all possess!

Michelle Willerford

Elsevier Student Ambassador

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
It is more of a hierarchy, at a hospital, than it is in other working environments. Whether people choose to believe it or not, doctor's/residents/administration do "look down" on nurses. I have heard about snide comments doctors/residents have made about nurses. Most doctor's wouldn't even consider dating or marrying a nurse. They view themselves as being "too good" to even consider doing such a thing.

I choose not to believe it. Why? Because I have actual, personal experience working with doctors,residents, and administrators. As opposed to hearing "about" snide comments someone's friends heard about that time when it happened to them. Perhaps the nurses you know that told you doctors would never consider dating them is because no one asked them for a date. Trust me, doctors date and marry nurses.

I think you are cheating yourself out of some potential good friendships if you assume that everyone is looking down at you. The title a person holds tells you but a slice of who that person really is. Give them a chance!! :wink2:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab, HH.
I know alot of RNs in Califonia making 100k plus a year. Northern calif does pay more but many of the RNs I know are doing it in southern calif also. (noc shift, overtime..) I know LVNs in Norcal making 80 k with overtime. An RN making 55/hr or LVN making 32-35/hr doesnt take long to gross that kind of money.

I have never met an NP that doesn't make over 100k. From what I read at this site I think calif pays lot more than other states?

The cost of living in CA is outrageous. So when you consider that in, its really not "lot more."

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doing it out of love... but if money comes with it, all better :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab, HH.

Vanillavirtue, I must have missed the post that said nurses were looking for respect or wanting to marry doctors.

Nurses marry doctors, and doctors marry nurses. Attorneys marry secretaries or lawclerks and vice versa. It depends on the person, not the title. Just because a person is a doctor doesn't mean they aren't human. FYI, some doctors spend most of their day at a hospital. Where do you think the "dating" will come from?

Nurses do get respect from some doctors. There are some nurses who don't respect some doctors. And not all nurses look down on nurses aides.

We shouldn't go around with preconceived ideas like these. It can cause bad attitudes and a "big chip on shoulders." Give people a chance. NOT everyone fits in the mold you suggested.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i choose not to believe it. why? because i have actual, personal experience working with doctors,residents, and administrators. as opposed to hearing "about" snide comments someone's friends heard about that time when it happened to them. perhaps the nurses you know that told you doctors would never consider dating them is because no one asked them for a date. trust me, doctors date and marry nurses.

i think you are cheating yourself out of some potential good friendships if you assume that everyone is looking down at you. the title a person holds tells you but a slice of who that person really is. give them a chance!! :wink2:

as someone who also has actual personal experience working with doctors, residents and administrators, i, too chose not to believe that nurses are looked down upon. perhaps some nurses are, but i suspect it's more because of the individual than the profession.

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So, just who are the doctors you know marrying??? Only other doctors, maybe attorneys? How funny! I've been dating a resident for over a year and I'm a nurse! If a physician were so narrow in thinking that profession determines the dating potential, unless living in India or somewhere where it's norm in that culture for a caste-like system, etc., I'd not want ANYTHING to do with such a small-minded person anyway!!! Most physicians I know aren't dating or married to other physicians, but then again, I'm not talking to the physicians who wouldn't "befriend" a lowly nurse, so who knows...haha!!! I know my boyfriend doesn't think highly of some of the nurses he works with, but others he thinks are golden...it all depends on the nurse, the level of professionalism as well as personal style/intelligence I'd say.

Well, congratulations on you actually finding a doctor/resident who actually has character. I have talked to guys who were in med school, and they were very cocky and arrogant! Which I found very surprising that they were so obnoxious before they even graduated med school. I couldn't imagine how they are now after they have graduated. Most physicians are arrogant and think they know it all. You will find a few that are actually nice. Very few.

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as someone who also has actual personal experience working with doctors, residents and administrators, i, too chose not to believe that nurses are looked down upon. perhaps some nurses are, but i suspect it's more because of the individual than the profession.

your head is in the clouds. of course doctors, residents, and administrators are going to act like they like you in your face, (or treat you like you are on the same level) but behind your back is a total different story. :wink2:

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