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.
Is it just me, or do others feel this is actually the branch of a tree of a bigger issue? For me, this topic boils down to:
Do you define who you are by what you do as a career?
Think about that for a minute before you answer. A great many Americans do, but very few will admit that at the center of their esteem is their career.
If you answer yes, are the type that signs everything "First initial, last name RN" and prefaces everything with "I'm an RN and I think..........", then you are more apt to be annoyed by people in this for money.
If you answer no, then you are not bothered by it and probably answered something like "As long as they give good pt. care............"
For me the answer would be no. Everyone who knows me knows I'm an RN, but thats because I'm a travel nurse and they often ask me why I move about so often. So eventually it comes up. Outside of that though, it doesnt.
See, if being a nurse is central to your self esteem, then you are prone to "pump up" or build up the profession. You will attach to it aspects that are spiritual, emotional and intellectual that others dont. You will take things that reflect on the profession very personally.
If being a nurse is simply a career to you, you are less likely to consider being a nurse "a calling" and such. You also wont take it to heart when someone reflects poorly on the profession.
IDK, I dont take things that reflect poorly on nursing so personal. When I was a teen-ager and washed dishes, sometimes you'd hear on the news a crime committed by someone and then they'd go on and on "And Joe The Thief was arrested at Blah Blah resteraunt". I didnt react by saying "OMG, he is not a real dishwasher, he was in it for the money, wasnt really a true dishwasher." See, being a dishwasher wasnt a core element of my esteem.
Had in instructor once go on a rant about nursing being more than a job. Said: "Nursing is a lifestyle, not a job or career. You will make personal sacrifices that no career or profession should ask for. You will have less time for friends, family and self." Went on to point out that many nurses dont take care of themselves as an example. I thought to myself "BS, you couldnt juggle career, family, personal health and friends so you are pumping up your own ego by saying we wont be able to either. You sound like the alcoholic who says booze is dangerous when you are the one with the problem."
IDK, if you let nursing be too much of your ego/esteem, you'll be like her IMO.
Had in instructor once go on a rant about nursing being more than a job. Said: "Nursing is a lifestyle, not a job or career. You will make personal sacrifices that no career or profession should ask for. You will have less time for friends, family and self." Went on to point out that many nurses dont take care of themselves as an example. I thought to myself "BS, you couldnt juggle career, family, personal health and friends so you are pumping up your own ego by saying we wont be able to either. You sound like the alcoholic who says booze is dangerous when you are the one with the problem."
IDK, if you let nursing be too much of your ego/esteem, you'll be like her IMO.
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.
Well no for me fullfling my family needs is not simply enough for me,it might be for some though.I didnt go into nursing school simply to make more money or because I was bored...family is one thing,self-fullfilment is another...I believe a wife,a mother,a women and first and foremost a human being should should strive for their own sel- fullfillement seperate from their family needs.
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.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
well, my calling was "alone with child to support, only jobs in newspaper were for nurses and truck drivers" so guess what? I went to nursing school....
I have been a nurse for almost 30 yrs. now and do feel that I am caring and help my pts.....BUT I am sure ready to retire....5 more years !!!!!! then I am hitting the beach....
well, my calling was "alone with child to support, only jobs in newspaper were for nurses and truck drivers" so guess what? I went to nursing school....
I have been a nurse for almost 30 yrs. now and do feel that I am caring and help my pts.....BUT I am sure ready to retire....5 more years !!!!!! then I am hitting the beach....
Good for you,I'm not talking about mighty calling but at least some interest...
I had an instructor in nursing school who maintained that nurses really didn't need to wear a uniform or a nametag except to be compliant with agency policies. "When I walk into a room", she said, "everyone knows I'm a nurse." I never felt that way. I am very much for the patient and against customer service. I will do things for my patient that I would never do for a customer. But I am more than a nurse, and I don't think anybody is going to look at me and say, "That must be a nurse!" As long as the patients are treated right and we do our best for them, that should be enough. It's a big plus if you feel you are called and have a special relationship, but really in the end it's a job. A job you should perform with honor and diligence because you have the public's trust at very vulnerable times in people's lives, but still a job. We have held ourselves down for far too long because we don't realize it's a job and a profession.
eriksoln, BSN, RN
2,636 Posts
Is it just me, or do others feel this is actually the branch of a tree of a bigger issue? For me, this topic boils down to:
Do you define who you are by what you do as a career?
Think about that for a minute before you answer. A great many Americans do, but very few will admit that at the center of their esteem is their career.
If you answer yes, are the type that signs everything "First initial, last name RN" and prefaces everything with "I'm an RN and I think..........", then you are more apt to be annoyed by people in this for money.
If you answer no, then you are not bothered by it and probably answered something like "As long as they give good pt. care............"
For me the answer would be no. Everyone who knows me knows I'm an RN, but thats because I'm a travel nurse and they often ask me why I move about so often. So eventually it comes up. Outside of that though, it doesnt.
See, if being a nurse is central to your self esteem, then you are prone to "pump up" or build up the profession. You will attach to it aspects that are spiritual, emotional and intellectual that others dont. You will take things that reflect on the profession very personally.
If being a nurse is simply a career to you, you are less likely to consider being a nurse "a calling" and such. You also wont take it to heart when someone reflects poorly on the profession.
IDK, I dont take things that reflect poorly on nursing so personal. When I was a teen-ager and washed dishes, sometimes you'd hear on the news a crime committed by someone and then they'd go on and on "And Joe The Thief was arrested at Blah Blah resteraunt". I didnt react by saying "OMG, he is not a real dishwasher, he was in it for the money, wasnt really a true dishwasher." See, being a dishwasher wasnt a core element of my esteem.
Had in instructor once go on a rant about nursing being more than a job. Said: "Nursing is a lifestyle, not a job or career. You will make personal sacrifices that no career or profession should ask for. You will have less time for friends, family and self." Went on to point out that many nurses dont take care of themselves as an example. I thought to myself "BS, you couldnt juggle career, family, personal health and friends so you are pumping up your own ego by saying we wont be able to either. You sound like the alcoholic who says booze is dangerous when you are the one with the problem."
IDK, if you let nursing be too much of your ego/esteem, you'll be like her IMO.