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

Nurses General Nursing

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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 CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

Just had a moral boosting conference for work yest and the speaker said if every job offered only x amt of dollars what would you be doing? If your answer is not what you are doing now then it's time to rekindle your passion or get out. You need to be passionate about what you do and not focus on the money factor becasue the money will find you. I though that was very true.

I love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. For those in this for just a paycheck it's too bad because then you don't experience the fullness of your profession and what you are doing for others.

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Just had a moral boosting conference for work yest and the speaker said if every job offered only x amt of dollars what would you be doing? If your answer is not what you are doing now then it's time to rekindle your passion or get out. You need to be passionate about what you do and not focus on the money factor becasue the money will find you. I though that was very true.

I love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. For those in this for just a paycheck it's too bad because then you don't experience the fullness of your profession and what you are doing for others.

I'm sorry to break this, but all jobs don't pay x amount of dollars. And part of the whole process of doing our work is knowing what pays, and what doesn't, and I would virtually guarantee that almost all those at this morale boosting conference were women. Because -- as an earlier poster pointed out -- men almost always think in terms of money. Not that it's the only thing. We look for what we enjoy, for what works for our families, for growth, but men almost never pretend that we are angels of mercy sent by God to sooth the fevered brow. Please. I believe the money will find you, too. I also believe in finding the money.

I want nurses to find niche areas where they can be good, where they can grow, and where they can make a lot of money. If you do that, you'll be a better nurse, and you'll serve your patients better, PLUS ... you'll make more money. Don't kid yourself: a nurse who's making a lot of money is doing so because that nurse has found a way to serve patients better.

Lots of women feel guilty about saying they want to make money. And employers can smell that guilt a block away, and will milk it for what it's worth. If you don't want to make money, you won't. Guaranteed.

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Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.
I'm sorry to break this, but all jobs don't pay x amount of dollars. And part of the whole process of doing our work is knowing what pays, and what doesn't, and I would virtually guarantee that almost all those at this morale boosting conference were women. Because -- as an earlier poster pointed out -- men almost always think in terms of money. Not that it's the only thing. We look for what we enjoy, for what works for our families, for growth, but men almost never pretend that we are angels of mercy sent by God to sooth the fevered brow. Please. I believe the money will find you, too. I also believe in finding the money.

I want nurses to find niche areas where they can be good, where they can grow, and where they can make a lot of money. If you do that, you'll be a better nurse, and you'll serve your patients better, PLUS ... you'll make more money. Don't kid yourself: a nurse who's making a lot of money is doing so because that nurse has found a way to serve patients better.

Lots of women feel guilty about saying they want to make money. And employers can smell that guilt a block away, and will milk it for what it's worth. If you don't want to make money, you won't. Guaranteed.

I understand your point but I was trying to imply that you can have both love for your job and good pay to back it up. I know that all jobs don't pay x amt of $$ but the point was about finding a profession you love. If you are unhappy w/ your job then what are you gaining from it? Money is not everything, it helps, but there are more important aspects to being a nurse than just the $$. I also don't believe that women are afraid or feel guilty about wanting to make $$ otherwise there would not be as many of in the workplace that there is. As women we have to fight harder to make good $$ and most of the women including myself do work hard and also want to make a good living. I think as nurses we are always continuing to grow and learning how to better provide for our patients but money is not the #1 driving force behind that. I appreciate your opinion and maybe my thoughts from my OP did not come across how I intended them to but I'll agree to disagree w/ you.:nuke:

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
Oh my gosh. Here we go again. So tell me are you doing it purely out of love? Do you mean you do not need the income and either do not accept it or turn it over to charity? Come one get real.

I do it for a living. That does not make be a bad nurse. It does not mean I do not have compassion or passion for what I do.

Did you ever hear about Maslow's hiarach of needs? You MUST meet the bast needs first. So YES I put income and security ahead of fulfillment.

Please, don't play this holier than though cra22. I have been around this world much too long. I understand full well idealism but I also know you can not eat idealism, you can not wear idealism, you can not get out of the rain using it, and your question makes no more sense than the person in the following joke.

Man in flood. he refuses to get on evacuation bus because he knows God will save him. Water gets higher boat comes to rescue him. Still he prefers to wait for God. Healicoptor comes and he rejects this help as well as he has firm faith that God will rescue him. Finally he drowns. He ask God why He let him drown. God says I sent you a bus, a boat and a heilocoptor what else do you expect.

I know this joke is off the subject. However, it demonstrates some of the inane thought processes people have that are totally lacking in sense. The guy in this story made no sense just as the original question makes no sense.

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Well, I'd have partially agreed with you, were it not that the TV news came on as I opened this thread............. with a story from Virginia Beach, VA about a "nurse" who, it may be, took enough money from a dead patient's money clip, to take himself to "Best Buy", and purchased himself a laptop computer (no doubt to join the fun on this website:chuckle).

It made me sick, to hear that the very nurse sat with the grieving widow, just before possibly profiting from the death of her husband (was all done that could be done to prevent his death?:nono:).

The idea that so much money was available by the bedside, belies the admission process of putting valuables in safekeeping for patients - but that piece of trash called a "nurse", may have had to sign the form for it, so he wouldn't have done that! It seems that we'll now need 2 nurses to sign for valuables, just as narcotic counting requires.......at least it seems the culprit wasn't addicted to drugs............but wouldn't that latter disease be easier to live with than out and out thievery?:zzzzz

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We have 2 people who sign for valuables - it doesn't have to be 2 nurses though.

steph

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Well, I'd have partially agreed with you, were it not that the TV news came on as I opened this thread............. with a story from Virginia Beach, VA about a "nurse" who, it may be, took enough money from a dead patient's money clip, to take himself to "Best Buy", and purchased himself a laptop computer (no doubt to join the fun on this website:chuckle).

It made me sick, to hear that the very nurse sat with the grieving widow, just before possibly profiting from the death of her husband (was all done that could be done to prevent his death?:nono:).

The idea that so much money was available by the bedside, belies the admission process of putting valuables in safekeeping for patients - but that piece of trash called a "nurse", may have had to sign the form for it, so he wouldn't have done that! It seems that we'll now need 2 nurses to sign for valuables, just as narcotic counting requires.......at least it seems the culprit wasn't addicted to drugs............but wouldn't that latter disease be easier to live with than out and out thievery?:zzzzz

What does this have to do with the discussion at hand? This is theft, pure and simple. Equating theft and nurses doing their best to make as much money as they can tells us something about the way some nurses think about this subject.

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
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well, i'd have partially agreed with you, were it not that the tv news came on as i opened this thread............. with a story from virginia beach, va about a "nurse" who, it may be, took enough money from a dead patient's money clip, to take himself to "best buy", and purchased himself a laptop computer (quote]

it will be interesting to follow this story and see if this really is a nurse--just working for the hospital proves nothing, and how often does the media get this wrong???

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What does this have to do with the discussion at hand? This is theft, pure and simple. Equating theft and nurses doing their best to make as much money as they can tells us something about the way some nurses think about this subject.

There are thieves in every category of career choices. Good point.

This thread is so long I can't remember if I've posted prior to today. :bugeyes:

I have no problem if a person is "in nursing to make money" as long as they do their job well.

steph

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
What does this have to do with the discussion at hand? This is theft, pure and simple. Equating theft and nurses doing their best to make as much money as they can tells us something about the way some nurses think about this subject.

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There are thieves in every walk of life, unfortunately. Please, folks, don't take my message in the way it was above. Here are some of the ways I've seen inappropriate acts regarding money in our missions.

IF the concept that anyone (not just nurses) has the right to consider the compensation aspect of a healthcare profession its main attraction, much is lost. We've all seen (at least I have) coworkers anticipating payday with the zeal of a child waiting for ice cream. Many routine aspects of our work have been neglected as the wait for that all important cheque shortens......

I had the job as supervisor, the carrier and distributor of the weekly pay checks, and had to be at the appointed community center for that Home Health Agency's paycheck distribution, an hour before I was allowed to give them out (the payroll deposit wasn't made available until 4 PM). Most of the employees there to receive their checks were those who were the lowest paid, living "hand to mouth". There was no "automatic deposit", which usually happens the night before payday, after midnight. That could make the employer lose a day of interest the payroll funds made.....

When I decided to utilize the hour (most people were there throughout the time), by teaching better charting methods, making a game of it with a "word of the week", which if spelled correctly and used appropriately in the following week's charts, would give the writer a point toward acquiring a membership at the well equipped community center. My boss took exception to the class, saying that "they can't learn". When they did, charting improved and was more about the patient than the caregiver, and the boss said accusingly, "Now they'll want more money!"

Another example of inappropriate emphasis on money in the provision of healthcare occurred in 1986 during my 13 year old son's visit to his new physician. That doctor was making conversation by asking his new patient what he "wants to be, when you grow up". Much to my surprise, John replied in the lowest voice he could muster, "I've been thinking of medicine". The doctor reared back, and said seriously, "You don't want that! There's no money in it anymore".

If I was another person, the little "devil" on one of my shoulders may have won over the "angel" on the other, and I would have socked the idiot! As we drove home with nothing physically wrong found during the examination, I tackled the impression made by the doctor we would never see again.

I said, "John, be honest about your intentions when you choose your life's work, as you'll be doing it a long time. If money is your object, go into business where that goal is foremost". Well, he did one better, by becoming a stock broker and makes a huge income, although the stress he experiences daily is wearing on him and his mother.

I say the same to others in healthcare, be sure your intentions in life match your goals.:rolleyes:

What can be lost when the focus on money is uppermost, is the satisfaction and appreciation of doing one's job well.:saint:

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There are thieves in every walk of life, unfortunately. Please, folks, don't take my message in the way it was above. Here are some of the ways I've seen inappropriate acts regarding money in our missions.

We can agree to disagree. But I just have to point out: I have a career, and my work. I don't have a mission. Honestly, I think it is presumptuous and dishonest to regard nursing as a "mission," any more than I would consider pharmaceutical manufacturing or hospital administration or physical therapy a "mission." We have a job to do. Let's do it.

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Most any career choice is "about the money" IF people are honest w/ themselves and others...Most people probably look for something they are remotely interested in, then look at the potential earnings, and then decide to go for it. I'd dare to say most MD's did it for the $$, as well as most engineers of anykind, celebrities, atheletes....no one is sitting around saying "oooo i love my minimum wage job" they are saying "man...if I just made X amount of money..."

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when I was young and single/childless I was a pre-nursing major. I was interested in it since the time I was about 9, it seemed like a perfect fit for me and my personality and giftings. However, I started to get cold feet when it came time to start the nursing course work. I wasn't sure it would be the best fit and had some reservations, I really enjoyed psychology so I switched my major with the plan of getting a graduate degree eventually.

Well, then I got married and had a baby, and wound up divorced shortly afterward. The prospect of working on a master's or doctorate and then having just a few job choices made me nervous. Plus, being a single mom I've always looked for the situation that will give me the most time at home with my son, but still pays the bills.

Now, nursing seems like the perfect fit. I won't lie: the job security/stability and pay are huge to me now. They weren't things I worried about when it was just myself. I know it's something I'm going to love, but honestly, I don't feel like I have the luxury to seek a career solely based on my enjoyment of it. I love the flexibility of options as far as specialties and educational advancement.

If nursing paid, I don't know, what a secretary makes or something I can't say I'd be going this route. I think I'd be more passionate about being a child psychologist, but right now my son's needs are more important than my "passion" and before I know it, he'll be grown and I'll have time for those things if I still want to pursue it. For now, I'm going with the secure, well-paying, flexible option with a job I think I'll really enjoy.

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