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

GregRN · Nov 19, 2007

I've seen some very passionate people, for whom nursing is their calling, do some very mind-numbingly, stupid things and compromise safety with patients. At the same time I've seen some money-grubbing bastards provide care in such a way that their patients are blown away by the attention they've received and frequently get nice comments from them. Point being, so long as the standard of care is met and/or exceeded, I really don't care the reasons someone chooses nursing. My care doesn't suddenly become better because I receive less money. If so, I'll really suck when I'm a CRNA.

But if you insist on being paid less then what you're worth for the sake of being noble, you are more than welcome to come work for me some day.

wooh, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

If you're looking solely for money, there's easier ways to make it. But I don't care why you get into whatever career you're in. Just do the job well, get paid what you can to do it.

not now, RN · Nov 19, 2007

I am not bothered if people are in it for the money. Especially around here where nurses are in demand and paid quite well. I like what I do and being paid well is a benefit. Would I do it for half of what I make? Not a chance.

I was bothered when my NM sent out an e-mail about caring being our responsibility. She wrote that if were "in it for the money you are in the wrong profession." Good way to get you staff on your side. :uhoh3:

shodobe · Nov 19, 2007

I have been in nursing for 30 years so that can tell you I like what I do. I went into nursing for the security and pay that I knew would benefit me down the road. I like taking care of patients and being their advocate in the OR. Passion? I don't really think I have a passion but desire to make others better. Pay is the number one reason for my longevity because I started out at $7 per hour and now I am up to $45 per hour. Just tell me where you are going to find that kind of pay out there? I have had 7 years of over $100,000 and this year will be my best at nearly $150,000. I make more than some MDs out there. My retirement fund is growing very well. So those out there that think money is secondary and it is only the passion for nursing that drives them. I say, don't rely on Social Security because it probably won't be there. Look out for numero uno!

Shantas · Nov 19, 2007

Yes, but that doesn't have anything to do with wanting to make a decent living in a secure job.
I don't begrudge docs their income or status. Lord knows, I wouldn't want to put up with the headaches they have to deal with day in and day out. Nor would I want that responsibility on my shoulders 24/7. So I don't think that they earn more than us 'unfair'.
As far as having a divine calling to be a nurse, sorry but my decision was much more practical than that; if that ruffles a few feathers so be it.
I invite those who think I'm a 'bad' nurse because I chose nursing as a way to independently support myself and my kids to contact me via PM. I will be more than happy to email them all my bills for them to pay so I can focus entirely on being altruistic in my career. But as it is, my wings are a bit crumpled and my halo slightly tarnished.
Frankly, I'd want to call in a psych consult on anyone who'd do this job for free.

lol:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

I know that there are those who work overtime, big overtime. You know! Six out of seven days! All twelves!

Well, does this act of potentially undermining your health, not being well rested enough to work a solid shift (some of us resent taking up slack of overworked nurses) do you, your patients, and your coworkers harm?

Are we kidding ourselves when we go all out for the big $$$ ???

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

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?

leslie :-D · Nov 19, 2007

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?

dang, you make it sound as if the bunch of us, are solely comprised of $$-mongering greed.

big difference between being realistic/practical, vs. being blinded by the almighty $.

to address both your posts, i do not work overtime.

i am content with the paycheck i take home.

for those who work lots of ot, yes, i would be concerned how it impacts the care they give.

and yes, i would definitely volunteer my time if this country was in a state of war.

my charitability has nothing to do with being a nurse.

but if it is nursing that i do, i will give of my skills where/when needed.

leslie

smk1, LPN · Nov 19, 2007

WHen my daughter was 3 1/2 years old. I looked at our finances and dicussed our future as a family with my husband and decided to go back to college. I knew I liked biology and had worked as a health assistant and nursing assistant in the past and enjoyed many aspects of those jobs and had an interest in nursing. I looked at the job outlook, the salary, the potential benefits and the schedules and decided that nursing would be a good fit for me in many ways. So here I am a few months from graduation from nursing school. I still think I made a good choice, I will be able to contribute to our household, provide health insurance and I will enjoy a lot of what I will be doing. Did money factor into my decision to pursue nursing? You bet! I have to be able to justify the time away from my family, but I certainly am not in it "just" for money. The two aren't mutually exclusive concepts inmho.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

dang, you make it sound as if the bunch of us, are solely comprised of $$-mongering greed.
big difference between being realistic/practical, vs. being blinded by the almighty $.
leslie

I agree that we should be paid well, leslie. I agree that we should do our jobs damn well as well. And I know there is more to our work than just earning a living. Just want to know what others think that's all.;0)

EmmaG, RN · Nov 19, 2007

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?

*sigh*

Now we're discussing hypotheticals?

How 'bout this:

On 9/11, I watched the attack from a restaurant my coworker and I went to after working a grueling night. I saw live the 2nd plane plow into that tower. Then reports of the Pentagon being hit.

This was a huge restaurant, several dining rooms with TVs mounted in every corner. It was packed and had a line waiting to be seated, but you could have heard a pin drop. We all sat there watching in silence. After a while, we all just filed out.

I heard reports of the first tower falling as I drove home. I got home in time to witness the second fall.

My first call was to my daughter on the west coast, still sleeping. She and her husband had just been discharged from the Army, and I knew this meant they could be recalled.

My second call was to my brother who is in AF special forces. Why I did so should be obvious.

My last call was to my DON to offer my services to assist in NoVA or even NYC. I was told they were in the process of getting supplies and manpower together, should it be needed.

Not once did how much I'd be paid ever enter my mind.

Does that answer your question?

jmgrn65, RN · Nov 19, 2007

no it doesn't bother me, they are the ones that will be unhappy at what they do.