Is it just my idealistic view of what a nurse should be or does this bother other nurses? I have heard several times lately and have read articles of people who are going to nursing school, not because they want to be a nurse but because they want the paycheck and a stable job. My sister in law is one of these people. She said to me, " I really don't want to be a nurse but I figure that I can work as a nurse while I go back to school." I find that mentality very frustrating. I worked very hard to become a nurse. I worked as a nursing assistant before I became a nurse so I could make sure that I knew what I was getting myself into, I shadowed nurses when I was in high school. I really feel that this is what I was put on this earth to do and to hear people talk like this who have absolutely no concept of what they are getting themselves into and who have no respect for the profession just boils my blood. I feel like these people, who have no intention of staying in nursing for an extended period of time just make it harder for the nursing student who actually wants to make a career of nursing because they take up spaces on the wait list for getting into nursing school.
Maybe some of these people will be excellent nurses and will contribute well to the profession but I personally would not want a nurse to take care of me who only got into the field because they wanted a stable paycheck.
Don't you agree that to do well in nursing you have to have some desire to be here in the first place? These are people's health and lives that we are dealing with. This field isn't just about a paycheck!!!
I know I'm probably being naieve and idealistic when I say this but I really feel that nursing is a calling, not a JOB!!! I've been doing this type of work for going on 10 years now and I have felt that way about it from day 1.
What do you think? Does it bother you that people are getting into nursing who have no desire to actually be a nurse? Just wanting to hear other people's perspectives on the issue.
Me personally i dont agree with it but now that this country is in a recession many people are looking for recession-proof jobs and nursing is one of the top, but can u blame people who want stability in their lives?
This is not about stability,this is more about fulfillment one should strive for in their career...I could had have choosen other medical fields like for instance ultrasound,nuclear medicine and others I mean there are plenty of well paid professions if you ask me with a guaranteed job market...but I knew that I wont be happy in other fields that is why I choose nursing...I think it is a sad reason to choose a career based on income,am I an angel of mercy??Hell no, and often I'm very frustrated at the clinicals,school etc...like any job nursing can be a pain but at the end of the day I'm happy that I got this opportunity to train for this job and that is all that matter to me...
I think it's more about stability. People are willing to do whatever it takes to make money to provide for their family. If they are willing to go though nursing school to do just that then more power to them. Isn't being able to provide for your family fulfilling enough? I know it is for some people.
Ah well, I just laugh. I believe we should be paid well for what we do. Certainly I thought that what I'm being paid now was a lot of money BEFORE I became a nurse. Now, I think the pay I get is barely adequate for the responsibility I hold and the things expected of me. If they need a good job that is in demand, then I'd say they made a good choice. However, most people who are in it for the pay alone will probably get the "cold water" shock when they realize just how hard nursing is. I just smile at those who say things like, "Oh well, I'll just become a nurse until I find out what I want to do." I smile because I know what they're getting into, but they don't. A rigorous schooling, which in turn doesn't adequately prepare you for the real world, is just the beginning. Then come the responsibilities, pt load, non-existant supplies, etc. People choose other careers as temporary paychecks also, and I'm sure it insults those professions just as much. But, at the least, if they are only in it temporarily, then they will be leaving the field anyway, so don't worry. Hopefully, while they're in it, they will contribute positive things. If not, then at least they'll be gone soon. I've only been an RN for 7 months now, and if I didn't have the desire to be a nurse, believe me, I would not be here at all. Seriously, I have never encountered a job before that has left me breathless and crying in my car after work. I don't imagine there are too many other professions out there that physically/mentally rape you the way nursing can.
(although on some nights, I feel I'd prefer flipping burgers ).
Amen to this!! When I get frustrated I always tell people I'm gonna go work the counter at McDonald's...At least there people say thank you when you give them their Big Mac...
(But I wouldn't say "no problem" back:sofahider...oh wait that's another thread:D)
What do you think? Does it bother you that people are getting into nursing who have no desire to actually be a nurse? Just wanting to hear other people's perspectives on the issue.
I'm way late in this conversation, but I appreciate that there are others out there who feel the same way I do about the nursing profession. I agree with the author of this article, Nellie Nurse, 100%.
I don't really care why someone becomes a nurse, as long as they give good care. I do believe that if it's not in your heart, it might be more difficult to maintain.
To the original poster - Would you still work as a nurse for Free?
This says it all. I'm not in love with nursing, but I worked very hard to get where I am and it makes me no less of a compassionate and caring person.
Nursing may be someone's "thing" but not everyone has the opportunity to do the self-actualization thing. People have bills to pay and people to support (children.)
All the touchy feely compassion in the world is trully a good thing, but it wont pay the bills, it wont bring food on the table, it wont mean savings for retirement. So if a person decides to go into nursing for this money, I have something to say.
1. Rn s do get paid decently, but it is not the end all be all of making money
2.Some people dont have to love their job in order to do a good job.
3.A job is a means to an end.. that is living.
4. It is always nice if a person can love the job they do.
5. It is important to enjoy nice things in life, like going to the Catalina Wine Mixer for example
Numbers 3 and 4 are very central to this discussion. Well said! (I agree with the others, too, of course.) Would anyone be arguing that lawyers and actuaries, janitors and pilots should only learn their professions/practices/careers or whatever you want to call it if they were called to do the job they have? Of course not! People go to work to earn a living! The trick is simply finding something you can do day in and day out with a smile. I consider myself to have lucked out, big time!
is it just my idealistic view of what a nurse should be or does this bother other nurses? i have heard several times lately and have read articles of people who are going to nursing school, not because they want to be a nurse but because they want the paycheck and a stable job.
and change it around a little.
is it just my idealistic view of what a doctor should be or does this bother other doctors ? i have heard several times lately and have read articles of people who are going to medical school, not because they want to be a doctor but because they want the paycheck and a stable job.
and again:
is it just my idealistic view of what a lawyer should be or does this bother other lawyers? i have heard several times lately and have read articles of people who are going to law school, not because they want to be a lawyer but because they want the paycheck and a stable job.
one more time:
is it just my idealistic view of what a pilot should be or does this bother other pilots? i have heard several times lately and have read articles of people who are going to aviation school, not because they want to be a pilot but because they want the paycheck and a stable job.
just for giggles:
is it just my idealistic view of what an accountant should be or does this bother other accountants? i have heard several times lately and have read articles of people who are going to accounting school, not because they want to be an accountant but because they want the paycheck and a stable job.
Well, the pay is darn good and in this day & age a healthy & stable income is VERY VERY hard to come by. People have kids to feed and bills to pay......and it just so happens this profession is in constant demand for fresh meat!Whether the individual is fueled by cash or the chance to help their community is their issue. No matter what the circumstance, anyone who manages to earn their RN must have put in a lot of long hard work and will subsequently make a positive impact in the life of somebody, somewhere, and somehow. The intentions of all may not be pure & selfless, but don't knock um for chasing the $$$, we all have our reasons. This country needs all the education, healthcare, and nurses it can get. Don't get your britches in a bundle, worry about YOU!!!!! I've been a member of this site for less than 24 hours and all I see is hate, hate, and more hate.....you ask a question and all people do is rip ya up! what with that? We don't all work the same but we all work together and lets start acting like the community this site was intented to create.
I"m sorry, nursing is a mindset... not a paycheck! You have to WANT to be there, caring for patients, taking orders from Dr's... you have people's very lives in your hand!
Not to mention... the salary a nurse makes, whether you are an LVN, LPN, RN, BSRN, or PN... does NOT compare to the amount of work you do and stuff you put up with and go through! There is not enough money to pay a good nurse!
I am here, still trying to become a LPN & I know this... come on people... it is so much more than a stable job & good paycheck.
). 
When I get frustrated I always tell people I'm gonna go work the counter at McDonald's...At least there people say thank you when you give them their Big Mac... 
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lovehospital
654 Posts
This is not about stability,this is more about fulfillment one should strive for in their career...I could had have choosen other medical fields like for instance ultrasound,nuclear medicine and others I mean there are plenty of well paid professions if you ask me with a guaranteed job market...but I knew that I wont be happy in other fields that is why I choose nursing...I think it is a sad reason to choose a career based on income,am I an angel of mercy??Hell no, and often I'm very frustrated at the clinicals,school etc...like any job nursing can be a pain but at the end of the day I'm happy that I got this opportunity to train for this job and that is all that matter to me...