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 ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

It does not bother me at all. As long as they do the job safely and don't harm anyone I could care less why they went into nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
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.

_____________________________________________________________

I often help people/friends out by explaining their medications, doing things they aren't able to do (like rearranging their closet, taking their garbage out), giving/organizing their meds {with their doctor's signed prescription form ordering me to do that}, etc.) for free. It just makes me feel good, especially if it prevents harm.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

o.k so this will probably make some people mad, so i apologize if it does. Im 19 yrs old right now and starting to get all my pre-reqs to get into the nursing program BUT!! ive read a couple threads and heard how hard being a nurse can be. So to be honest with you, i am getting into nursing for the money. I've done some research and 60k seems like great pay. So is it worth going into this field for the money??..do you guys really make that much??..how much do u make to start??..and how expensive is school??..i hear a lot of nurses are in debt because schools/nursing programs are expensive. finally, how long did it take most of you to get your RN license and start working?

Thank You

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical/Surgical, L&D, Postpartum.

Hello there and welcome to the boards. I am NOT a nurse yet but I will be graduating in May. Let me just tell you straight up, DO NOT NOT NOT GO INTO NURSING FOR THE MONEY!!! I believe in my heart that it takes a passion for the field of nursing to be a great nurse. If you are just in it for the money then you will be very unhappy. Nurses work extremely hard, it is extremely stressful. If you don't have a love for nursing then I don't see how you could make a career out of it. Where I live, nurses do make a lot of money. For me, that is an added bonus. But you need to do more research into what nursing is all about and what nurses do. Nurses have so much responsibility, they earn every penny of their salary. And like many people have said on these boards, nurses are never paid what they are worth. So please think long and hard, and find another reason to go into nursing. Do not do it for the money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, please don't go into this career for the money.

Hospitals and the like need all the martyrs they can get.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

Honestly, money played a big factor in my decision to pursue nursing. I knew I could make pretty good money and not have to worry about not having a job.

That said, I'm also very dedicated to what I do, but that's always been my work ethic. Personally, I don't think nurses get paid enough for what we do. Nursing for me is a career, not a 'calling' like some people think it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

Thanks for pinpointing those 2 replies. They said exactly what I was thinking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MPCU.

Very good point Emmanuel Goldstein, but as sole motivation the pay in nursing is not worth it. One professor explained it well. "No one could possible afford to pay a good nurse a fair wage. A nurse who is not good is overpaid at minimum wages." approximate quote, that was almost 20 years ago. They are few, but I dislike working with mercenary nurses. They tend to become very good at keeping their jobs and very poor at patient care. But there is nothing wrong with accepting the $40.00 new grad pay at Kaiser in CA, just be a good nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
finally, how long did it take most of you to get your RN license and start working?

Thank You

Sorry, missed this question. I had a job offer before graduation and worked as a GN while waiting to become licensed.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.
how much do u make to start??..and how expensive is school??..finally, how long did it take most of you to get your RN license and start working?

With my first job, I've started at well above $60K per year. My program was roughly $3000 per year once I started the actual program, so I'd say it worked out to be $7000 total for my associates degree. I graduated in May 2007, took the NCLEX in August, and started working as an RN in November.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Thanks. In fact I merged the two threads. No need for several ongoing threads about a controversal subject. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment