Becoming an RN just for the paycheck

[Nellie Nurse]

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.

[oohnurse]

I remember I hated nursing school. I wanted to go back for NP school but my horrible experience in nursing school keep haunting me. My motivation was that it was the jobs that I could get green card from and allow me to stay in the country, not money. I could think of many other stable health professions or other careers I can get in... . So.. here I am. Almost 30 years old and still doing career searching... I don't regret it because at least I got greencard to stay with my mom and family.

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

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.

You should not be surprised that people are doing this. Its not only in the field of nursing. But if work is not about getting paid then what is it about. it is just a added bonus of loving the job you do. And also most people tend to be appreciative of nursing after venturing into it. I am one of them

[OC85]

Do you lack reading comprehension?? You're having a LOT of trouble understanding more than MY posts.

My post was perfectly clear although you may need dictionary.com to understand it!

You have made clear your stance on having some "calling" to nursing and initially put down any that went into nursing because of job stability/income. It's only in the last few posts that you've come down a notch and said salary was important to you, too.

Troll Pot Pie

1 troll (should feel light for the size...they're full of hot air, ya know)

Marinate in ignore overnight. Then let stew in own juices until tender..this

could take several hours to days depending on age/experience of troll.

Skin, debone and shred troll. Place in prepared pie crust with the following:

1 tsp excuses

2 Tbsp borrowed logic

2 tsp unaccountability

Dash of spite

1 Tbsp obtuseness

1 heaping cup arrogance

1 dollop immaturity

Bake in preheated oven (as hot as it gets) until dark brown. Garnish with sprigs

of poison oak. Throw the whole mess away because nobody likes troll.

.....I :redbeathe you.

[seriously, you brought a smile to my face. :)]

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thread closed for staff review.