Do nurses get paid enough for what they do?

I am wondering your take on this, because I believe that nurses are one of the most hard working profession, but do they get paid what they deserve? I think I am getting what I deserve by helping people, but others cringe at the though that some bartenders are making more then them. what do you think?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

It's all relative. New grads that are used to making a lot less think it's a lot of money.

Those of us who have been in the trenches for many years are more doubtful because of the stress, liability and responsibility.

Check out this recent discussion: https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/what-complaint-nursing-salaries-133211.html

There are nurses in certain parts of the country that I think are horribly underpaid. Whereas nurses in other parts like California and the NE seem to be doing much better.

Personally, I've worked like a dog, gotten education and certification to make a decent middle income, so I'm not complaining.

Although I am not a nurse, I agree with Tweety. I too have noticed that some states' pay is very little IMHO.

[mercyteapot, BSN, RN]

No, they don't. "Nuff said.

No !!

How many folks do you know that believe they made an adequate salary? Most don't.

I do okay but I have a gazillion years of experience ... well, okay, 20+. And I can do any floor, Trauma, ER, ICU/CCU, PACU, etc. Well, except Peds. I'm just no good at Peds, I want to take them all home with me and shoot their parents.

I'm doing contract work now and that pays even better but does not include much in the way of benefits.

I think that nurses are not paid enough. I am always harping on the fact that actors are paid millions for entertaining while others are saving lives and usually make less than $50K per year. I guess that's the injustices of life and we just have to live with it.

[NurseCard, ADN]

I wish I made more money, but I'm still fairly new and I work at a GREAT place in terms of nurse-pt ratios, staff satisfaction, etc.. so I guess I probably make what I should.

I've also heard that nurses out in CA especially, make quite a bit more money, but I've also heard that housing in CA is *ridiculously* high. So I think that wherever you are, what you make at any job is going to depend somewhat on the cost of living for that region. Here, the cost of living is fairly low.

I wish I made more money, but I'm still fairly new and I work at a GREAT place in terms of nurse-pt ratios, staff satisfaction, etc.. so I guess I probably make what I should.

I've also heard that nurses out in CA especially, make quite a bit more money, but I've also heard that housing in CA is *ridiculously* high. So I think that wherever you are, what you make at any job is going to depend somewhat on the cost of living for that region. Here, the cost of living is fairly low.

I agree. Nurses in New England (CT, NJ area) are paid a bit more too, but housing is too much IMO.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

No, I don't think we get paid enough.

I don't necessarily think I'm underpaid for the work I do. However, for the drama and BS I endure from the staff and higher ups....heck yea!!! (Could you ever pay me enough?)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Nope, they don't.

I found that outside of the hospital pays better in my situation. It is much more than I made before I was in nursing. However, I must say that with daily exposures to biohazards, holding lives in your hands with your decisions, no we don't make enough. Which is probably why there is a shortage. Who wants to work in a biohazard nightmare, short staffed and huge pressures and not be compensated accordingly. (not to mention the attitudes you have to put up with at times)

Let's fix the nursing shortage by actually getting the compensation in line with the responsibilities.

I think experienced, well-educated nurses, in particular, are horribly underpaid.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Yes, we are "underpaid" ... but so are a lot of people -- police, firefighters, military personnel, etc.

We perform services that people expect to receive whenever they need they need them -- and we can only perform those services for a relatively small number of people at a time. If we were to produce a product or perform a service that we could sell a million at a time, we would make lots of money. Sell a million items at $1.00 a piece and you make $1,000,000. -- Perform a service or sell a product that sells for $100, but you can only sell 3 at a time, and you only make $300.

That's the economics of it. While we might make some gains in compensation and working conditions through hard work and political strategy, we will never get away from that fundatmental economic fact.

llg

I'm happy with what I make. I live in California.

I hate to buck the trend but I'm pretty happy with my pay. I graduated in 2000 and make 85K, 5 weeks vacation. I'm due for a merit increase this month of about 3k and a 4% COL increase sometime this year. This is base pay-no call or overtime included. Over half the staff in my unit are making over 100k base pay. Say what you want about unions, but we sure beat employment in a "right to work" state.

I hate to buck the trend but I'm pretty happy with my pay. I graduated in 2000 and make 85K, 5 weeks vacation. I'm due for a merit increase this month of about 3k and a 4% COL increase sometime this year. This is base pay-no call or overtime included. Over half the staff in my unit are making over 100k base pay. Say what you want about unions, but we sure beat employment in a "right to work" state.

What state are you located in? COL in a particular area does effect pay.

For those who don't think they make enough: what would you consider "enough"? Exact numbers, too, please.

Jim Huffman, RN

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

About 10K more.

Cost of living is the reason. And i don't say this as an LPN, i'm factoring in the RN as well.