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.
I know a few nurses (thanking god right now that I don't still work with them) that I can almost bet my life on that they became nurses for the paycheck. They are lazy, lack compassion, and I really don't know why they come to work, other than for the paycheck.
On the other side of the argument, I know that there are nurses out there that origionally went to nursing school for the money and the stability that a nursing career gives them. They grew into wonderful nurses, an asset to the nursing community.
So, what can anyone do about it? Nothing. People want security in life, people want money and a great career. Nursing is just that, a great career choice. If that person can learn and grow into a wonderful nurse then kudos to them. If they can't, then I hope they stay away from patients and maybe get a job away from the bedside.
I was trying to resist not saying anything but oh my, "manofcare", as part of your name stated "care", yah you have to care to be a nurse, doctor, surgeon, any healthcare person, knowledge, know-how etc. just won't cut it. As I said before, some days a nurse is just not paid enough, we earn every cent we get and more somedays. AND if you are a nurse in it only for the money, no compassion and just about "performance" yikes, I choose the compassion any day. Again we all passed the same exam, no high-horses please, nurses too, do bed baths, change sheets, keep pts. comfortable, hand out meds, many competent and compassionate nurses- yes, you can use both words in the same sentence when describing a nurse! And honestly, if you don't like taking care of people, you won't last, or if you do, you will be one of those miserable people that we all know and probably work with. Sorry I just had to say something -:selfbonk:
Again I ask: why does it matter? If they get their degree, pass NCLEX, work "temporarily"...that's up to them. Why should WE have the right to judge??
I'm allowed to have an opinion. And i'm sure my opinion isn't going to stop anyone from doing what they want to do on this topic.... people can do whatever it is they want, i just happen to think it's foolish if you're going through 4 years of school, certification, and training, for something you're not going to do for very long...
Something else to note along these lines, I have seen nurses who have the skills and knowledge of good nursing, BUT, lack the compassion and empathy needed. In fact, I have seen them be down right rude to patients, in spite of their great nursing care! They, obviously, wanted to be somewhere other than at work.
I did not read the entire thread---but let me just say I most likely chose nursing for what I think our selfish reasons. I wanted a part time job where I could use my mind, work with people, job security and get good health benefits. I also wanted to make a decent hourly wage. Nursing was my perfect fit.
I could not imagine doing anything else!!! No I did not have a burning desire to save a life, or help the needy. I looked at it from a very practical standpoint. I also worked my way through school as a CNA--just to make sure I could in fact handle nursing. I Love being a nurse. I dont care why someone decided to become a nurse as long as they are a good one, the world is a better place!!
PS I also say to those "I didnt go into nursing for the money" my response is "so why dont you volunteer" I am sure our CEO would love an all volunteer nursing staff!!!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I was trying to resist not saying anything but oh my, "manofcare", as part of your name stated "care", yah you have to care to be a nurse, doctor, surgeon, any healthcare person, knowledge, know-how etc. just won't cut it.
If I had to choose between the compassionate nurse who only knows how to hold my hand and smile when I'm having respiratory distress, versus the proficiently knowledgeable nurse who is intervening swiftly and getting on the phone with the doctor, you can bet that I'm going to kick the compassionate nurse to the wayside.
Even if my nurse is not always smiling or practicing "customer service," my only requirements are that he/she possesses the knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking, and common sense to care for me. Sorry, but a smile and a warm hand are not enough.
if i had to choose between the compassionate nurse who only knows how to hold my hand and smile when i'm having respiratory distress, versus the proficiently knowledgeable nurse who is intervening swiftly and getting on the phone with the doctor, you can bet that i'm going to kick the compassionate nurse to the wayside.
even if my nurse is not always smiling or practicing "customer service," my only requirements are that he/she possesses the knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking, and common sense to care for me. sorry, but a smile and a warm hand are not enough.
i don't understand why people keep acting like it is an either/or situation in nursing, compassion vs brains and skill. come on here, that's like saying all blonds are dumb! i am here to say that i am smart (3.98 in my ms program), skilled (always have had excellent evaluations from supervisors, peers, and patients for 32+ years of being an rn) and very compassionate. and yes, i am blonde too! :chuckle
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.
for me, fulfilling my family needs is more than enough... however i also want to contribute to my community and serve our god. first - i am a woman of god, then a wife, mother and woman... i would like nurse to bring up the end of that list - and the extra income is just an added bonus.
good for you,i'm not talking about mighty calling but at least some interest...
exactly
there is an art and a science to the nursing profession.
all who enter nursing and successfully exit nursing school have to pass the science portion in order to obtain their license.
after many years, i've come to the conclusion that the art portion to nursing comes into play when we have to be actors/actresses in front of our patients so that they have no clue as to what we are really thinking when we're having a bad day.
agreed - but some professions require being proficient in both art and science.
:wink2: they will find out the hardway.........when they deal w/ blood , guts ,poops, and so many other things, that you do not have to in other jobs. it is definitely a calling, and not just a job! let them find out the hard way . i just hope they do not kill any patients in the process !! let your sister find out the hardway! the private schools for nursing is not a help either. you see when there are only the community and university nursing schools, there was always a long , waiting line to get in and selection was based from how may pre requisites you have finished of the science subjects and some experience in a hospital , preferably a nurse aid (patient contact) . your points adds up as you finished the required sciences before gettin into the nursing training.they would prefer if you have already finished your chemistries, microbiology, anatomy,physiology, not to mention the maths and algebras before you can even get to the ones above. these are not easy task for the ones that just want to have a pay check!
talk about paychecks ....we nurses must get together and lobby for a higher paycheck and a much safer nurse patient ratio-----the population we are dealing with now are older with multiple diagnosis and needs, and not as black and white in the older days. if we leave it to the hospital corporation , especially the one for profits. they will understaff you to death !!!! it is our license and you know how hard we got that license, huh?
agreed - nursing is so much more than a 'job'. and please, if you do not actually want to be in the profession, try not to cause any harm in the process of figuring it out!
the school i am going to is a private school, there are no community or university LPN programs in my area, so i am left with no choice as my lpn is what i want to peruse right now. luckily for me, the need for nurses is so great that there was no waiting for classes or clinicals. and - no pre-reqs, just the nursing courses (including the science portions) needed to obtain my practical nursing diploma - then take the nclex. and still - the classes are not easy ones... why put yourself through all of that if it is not something you really want to do?
and - i know of many nurses who are way under paid and have unsafe nurse - patient ratios. i agree... the money isn't that great when you think about what you are actually doing to earn that pay check!
i totally agree, and i have people say that very thing, "the pay is great and i am going to become a nurse"- sorry but find this crazy and yes insulting, it is a calling and for those in it for the money- they won't last and thats a fact. thats the truth so there, i said it and i'm not sorry as this is how i feel- end of story!
again - the pay is not that great when you consider the bodily fluids you are exposed to (and get covered in), the risk of desiese - needle pricks - working with awful dr's... nursing is hard work... worth way more than what they are actually piad!
im sure my garbage man doesn't love his work but he does it for the paycheck. come on, of course people have gone into nursing for the money. those are usually the nurses that start looking for ways to get out of it once they start their career.
then again... why invest 15 months to 4 years (depending on what field of study you go into) not to mention the thousands of dollars it takes - and the fact that you don't start earning until after you graduate and pass the nclex - why would you do all of that if you are going to quit or give up in the first year - or first 20 for that matter~!!!
i feel that this is a problem with my nursing program. we have a general nursing class that covers study skills, past, present, and future of nursing, historical events that shaped the profession etc. what it does not cover, is a nursing rotation. i see and hear so many people that i have been in pre-reqs with talk about the money, but never about the patients, the hours, the difficulty, the hard work. i think that the pre-req nursing class should have a rotation or two of observation. from what i understand there are many dropouts in the first semester that have nothing to do with the workload, but rather the reality of the job.
it irritates me when my own husband, who is a fire fighter and should know better, talks about how much money i'll make. i don't think i'll earn the salary he thinks i will, even though we are in a very good market for health care jobs.
again - the reason i like my school. it is a private school. the have a couse just for the pros and cons of nursing - just to make sure you know what you're getting into! they really don't want their graduating nurses to go into this blind and in the interviewing process - there is an evaluation to see exactly 'why' you want to become a nurse and that has a huge baring on weather or not they admit you to the college.
they do that???
no wonder every airline flight attendant i've ever met has been unnaturally cheery.....
haha!!! the last time i flew tho the flight attendants were not particularly 'pretty' or friendly.
i have been a nurse for many years and i went into nursing because of wanting to care for others. yes i have made decent money and continue to do so. many of the nurses that work for me (yeah i'm in management) make more money than some of our doctors and myself if we figured out the hourly pay that i would make considering how many hours i put in each week. nursing is an excellent career and in certain parts of the country nurses make close to or over $100k /year. new grads in my city start off making 60k/ year. my issue is when you have a job you should come to work to work. i take exception with the nurses that feel they can come to work and complain that they actually have to work during their shift. some of my staff feel that a set of vital signs and making sure that the patient is fed is all that they need to do (then they can sit around, gossip, read magazines/novels or complain). of course these are the same nurses that complain the most that there is not any discharge teaching completed at the time of discharge or heaven forbid they have to actually talk with the patient or family. some staff do not even introduce themselves till several hours after the family arrives. we are professionals so let's all act like professionals. this means following policies and procedures, completing competencies, helping each other out, clean up the messes you make and not complaining in front of families. i love nursing and hope that most nurses who go into nursing feel the same otherwise; look for another area of nursing or a career you are happy with. there is plenty of ancillary staff that works in hospitals that make a lot less money than the nurses and they actual are working hard their entire shift.
amen amen amen!!! i have been in retail management for several years (until my son was born). customer service is a huge part of the industry, as it is in nursing. i feel that customer service, along with technical knowledge, are the absolute most important attributes in nursing!
well, if it's just the paycheck that matters i guess you could always switch to maintenance.
very true, very true!
as i see it, the profession of nursing is not a job, but a lifestyle. someone with a "paycheck" attitude might do well for a while, but they will burn out as they find themselves faking it more. i know a few nurses that now sell cars or real estate or ...?
on the other hand, the job shapes you as you progress. a nurse is faced with decisions that test and shape their perceptions and beliefs. this very discussion is not the kind of non-productive activity that a for-the-money nurse would be drawn into. you can't be a nurse without facing what's in your heart. the choice then becomes to adapt or leave. nurses take a bite of the apple; they lose their innocence. a person that does not embrace what we are and what we do will find that the exit door becomes easy to find. but for those of us that stay, we do so knowing that it never gets any easier. there's no real coasting. new ideas pass through the doors at a dizzying rate, and we are constantly balancing the old and the new. if a person does not want to walk that tight wire, they will discover that no amount of money is enough do do a job you have to fake.
but what if someone comes in to nursing because economic security and stability are attractive, and they find that their heart and mind are tested and challenged -- and rewarded --in ways unexpected? in making the good money, they find that the profession pushes them to the point where they accept gladly the changes in attitude they need to make... well, then the profession of nursing has lost nothing, and that person has truly gained the world.
in short, come on in for the money. leave if you don't like it. don't do harm along the way.
the true question is not "would you be nurse for free?", but rather, "what else could you imagine yourself being?"
but make sure this is what you want to do before investing the time and money into it yourself!
i'm allowed to have an opinion. and i'm sure my opinion isn't going to stop anyone from doing what they want to do on this topic.... people can do whatever it is they want, i just happen to think it's foolish if you're going through 4 years of school, certification, and training, for something you're not going to do for very long...
exactly!!!!!!! not to mention the amount of money it takes to become a nurse!
something else to note along these lines, i have seen nurses who have the skills and knowledge of good nursing, but, lack the compassion and empathy needed. in fact, i have seen them be down right rude to patients, in spite of their great nursing care! they, obviously, wanted to be somewhere other than at work.
i hate that no matter what industry they are in... especially when it involves caring for people!
if i had to choose between the compassionate nurse who only knows how to hold my hand and smile when i'm having respiratory distress, versus the proficiently knowledgeable nurse who is intervening swiftly and getting on the phone with the doctor, you can bet that i'm going to kick the compassionate nurse to the wayside.
even if my nurse is not always smiling or practicing "customer service," my only requirements are that he/she possesses the knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking, and common sense to care for me. sorry, but a smile and a warm hand are not enough.
i'm sorry... but when you become a nurse you should be required to posess both technical knowledge and compassion and caring customer service! this could make all the difference to a sick patient or a family in distress.
If I had to choose between the compassionate nurse who only knows how to hold my hand and smile when I'm having respiratory distress, versus the proficiently knowledgeable nurse who is intervening swiftly and getting on the phone with the doctor, you can bet that I'm going to kick the compassionate nurse to the wayside.
Even if my nurse is not always smiling or practicing "customer service," my only requirements are that he/she possesses the knowledge, technical skills, critical thinking, and common sense to care for me. Sorry, but a smile and a warm hand are not enough.
Whyare we jumping from one extreme to another.What is wrong with liking your job and be good at it.This is how it it usually works...you like your job,you strive for the best because you simply take a joy in the things you do.You indifferent about your job you aim for the minimum and just want to get the hell out of there...
Magsulfate, BSN, RN
1,201 Posts
I know a few nurses (thanking god right now that I don't still work with them) that I can almost bet my life on that they became nurses for the paycheck. They are lazy, lack compassion, and I really don't know why they come to work, other than for the paycheck.
On the other side of the argument, I know that there are nurses out there that origionally went to nursing school for the money and the stability that a nursing career gives them. They grew into wonderful nurses, an asset to the nursing community.
So, what can anyone do about it? Nothing. People want security in life, people want money and a great career. Nursing is just that, a great career choice. If that person can learn and grow into a wonderful nurse then kudos to them. If they can't, then I hope they stay away from patients and maybe get a job away from the bedside.