Ethics: Does it bother you when people are in nursing to make money?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I just wondered if others as I do feel there are some in our line of work who look at money, security of earnings first rather than having a passion for their patient's welfare or wanting to work at finding ways to improve their performance as a nurse.

Any thoughts? Comments? Rants?

Specializes in Medic, ER, Flight, ICU, Onc.
Sorry, I didn't read all the replys but I'm at work and time is limited. I'm only in it for the money! The pay stops and so do I. Nursing as some sort of "holy calling" is damaging to our profession. You can expect a person who is following thier calling to take double assignments, poor pay, no respect, verbal abuse, mandatory overtime...it comes with the calling. An educated skilled professional can demand fair wages, decent assignments, and to have a voice in the way the job is practiced. They have a life outside of thier job and it takes president.

I do a good job but that is what it is-a job.

I wasn't "called" to nursing- or at least I'll never tell my employer that I was!

You said it. Adding to your comments...loving your job still doesn't make it a calling, anymore than an architect that loves his job or an engineer that loves his. And no one would even consider calling them unethical for accepting a paycheck. And if the paycheck is not a priority there are lots of other ways out there to help people such as Habitat for Humanity, where everyone is a volunteer. But don't denigrate those of us who have to make a living. I am a college-educated PROFESSIONAL and I do my job well, but I do it for the paycheck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a CNA for the last 8 years and going to school hopefully for my LPN. In case some have forgotten if it was not for the patient then you would not have a job. The patient is what pays your salary. Some healthcare professionals have gotten so BOLD about the fact that they are only in it for the money. No wonder health cost have gone through the roof. I truly hope that some day when you are in a hospital, you have health care professional that are truly professional and not money hungry. The money is nice but the patient is first and for most.:madface:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The money is nice but the patient is first and for most.:madface:

Of course they are. Any nurse who doesn't put pt care first is not doing their job, regardless of motivation. I still fail to see how being motivated by money has anything to do with being unprofessional.

The reason that health care has become expensive is not because of underpaid RN's but rather the large profit margins of insurance companies, but that's another thread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If anyone would like to take a vow of poverty, I volunteer to stay home (and play on Allnurses). You can work and send me your money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

message from the op

i feel that some people just don't get it regarding the thread i started from the get go! i don't mean i want nurses to earn zip; i don't want martyrs. no! i want nurses to earn as much as they are deserved of and more! what gets me is that some folks entering this field are looking at nursing as a career choice for stability and yes the money, however not reasoning within their head that this job is very hard, takes stamina, requires one to endure mental fatigue and keep on going like the energizer bunny, requires one to be diplomatic at all costs and not lose one's cool, is not an easy money making career choice, none whatsoever. so, whoever assumed this thread is about people earning nothing for doing honest to god very hard and sometimes unthanked work is crazy and needs to consider the main thrust of this thread rather than assume its all about the money, ok!? cheesch!

i understand what you are saying, and i share your views.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Don't kid yourself when people say they don't do it for the money. No matter what your job, everyone works for the money. You need money to survive....to pay bills, mortgages, buy groceries, etc. I realize that more than ever now that I have kids and a family to help support. When it was just me, I found jobs that I enjoyed doing that payed crap, but I got by. Now I worry about everything. My husband is having problems and going in for a "procedure" end of the month. I wonder what I would do without him, raising two kids on my own. I want to know I can take care of them myself, without worry or asking for assistance. So everyone has to work to live.

I do worry about people that say they are doing it only for the money. People that have no interest in medicine or patient care. People that are otherwise lazy and would rather sit on their butts than help someone. Those people scare me.

What is just as bad, if not worse, are people that have "a calling" and truly want to help others, but have no aptitude for nursing. I have seen more of these. Nurses (or students) that have no technical skills, make stupid errors constantly, and are just a liability to the profession. These people are dangerous and can hurt or even kill a patient.

So honestly, I don't care why you entered the profession. As long as you are competent, patient, good at what you are doing and not afraid of hard work. If you do your job to the best of your ability, safely and effectively, then more power to you. We need more good nurses, who cares the motivation behind their decision.

I share your views.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
And I truely wonder,

If it were world war three in these here states, would you as a nurse volunteer your services to the wounded. Since, possibly the country could be in financial ruin. Would you just think bottom line mother dollar and run?

I would do it in a heartbeat. I already volunteer my time for a local charity and would do it for free for those that need it on the side. Of course I need my money so I would have to keep a job that pays. Once I am married though, I probably wouldn't need my paycheck since my bf makes more as a union electrician than I do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i don't see genuine caring and big bucks as mutually exclusive.

i think what we do is RARE in our society and culture today -- all the more reason to PAY US WHAT WE'RE WORTH which is at least 3x what any of us are getting now.

come on! look at other careers / jobs!

doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. are not bashful or question the ethics of demanding big bucks!

as far as someone doing nursing as just a job -- well, if they doing their job -- i don't see a problem. if patients are suffering or receiving substandard care, then that's a problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
i don't see genuine caring and big bucks as mutually exclusive.

i think what we do is RARE in our society and culture today -- all the more reason to PAY US WHAT WE'RE WORTH which is at least 3x what any of us are getting now.

come on! look at other careers / jobs!

doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. are not bashful or question the ethics of demanding big bucks!

as far as someone doing nursing as just a job -- well, if they doing their job -- i don't see a problem. if patients are suffering or receiving substandard care, then that's a problem.

I agree with you. Go to any college campus and listen to people trying to decide what career path to take. They are going for what interests them and for job availability and salary.

I love being a nurse, but wouldn't do it for minimum wage because of a calling.

Yes, I would definately volunteer if there were a war within the US and there was a dire need. That's a no brainer to me. But I'm not lining up to go to Iraq for free.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
as a pre-nursing student (i will find out in april/may if im in for fall 08) i find it very very annoying being in classes with other students who have either already gotten in our are applying just for the money. these people are cheating the real candidates, like myself, who actually care about the patients (i'm already a cma) and want to further their education in order to provide better care, not to bring home a better pay check!! if i wanted money so bad i'd have taken steps to take over my father's corporate job! it just really gets me fired up!!!!!!! :angryfire

wanting to make a decent living and caring about pts are not at all mutually exclusive.

in my experience, the people who do the best job in any field are those with the pride in doing a task well. that pride also carries over into wanting to be recognized as a true professional, and part of that recognition is a professional paycheck.

many of the idealists tend to flame-out rather quickly. some become cynical and hang on. others leave the field and find something else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also think that a lot of people are not honest with themselves when saying they are in nursing only for helping people. If that's the only reason they are doing it, they can do that for free and not be paid 30$/hr.

you know thats right. the first day of nursing school i was the only one in a class of 60 that said i was in it for the money. my classmates looked at me like i was crazy, and i looked at them like they were full of it. i graduated at the top with the very best grade in that class,, and i am still in it for the money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

you know thats right. the first day of nursing school i was the only one in a class of 60 that said i was in it for the money. my classmates looked at me like i was crazy, and i looked at them like they were full of it. i graduated at the top with the very best grade in that class,, and i am still in it for the money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment