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

Mommy2NQ · Nov 19, 2007

I am not a nurse yet although, I would think some people would look at the salary, flexibility and job security that nursing provides. As long as they perform as good nurses and care about the patients then there should not be anything wrong with wanting to make decent money and the benefits involved.

EmmaG, RN · Nov 19, 2007

I just wondered if other 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.

Why should one be independent of the other? I don't see it as an "either / or" proposition.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 19, 2007

Who is not in it for money? Don't we all want and need to be paid?

I understand your point though and will only say that even if I were selling shoes at Sears I would still want to do the right thing by my customer. So the right thing is always the right thing to do, not matter what the job.

RNMom2010 · Nov 19, 2007

My first reason for going into nursing is my love of healthcare. My reason for choosing Nursing instead of say, Rad Tech or Surg Tech is because of the salary, job security and flexibility. Not to mention the huge number of options as to where I can work and what I can do. I more than likely will find a niche that I enjoy doing. I am not saying I do not enjoy caring for patients, because I do, however it is not my main reason for getting into this field.

James Huffman · Nov 19, 2007

I just wondered if other 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?

I think I know what you're asking, but like another poster, I'm not sure this has to be an either/or situation.

Most nurses who are "in it for the money" (call it getting better in their career, or whatever) will tend to be very good nurses. They tend to be technically proficient, professionally responsible, and have good people skills, both with patients and professional colleagues.

So, in my estimation, one of the best things a nurse can do is look out for their own needs (in money or career advancement). By doing so, their patients will be cared for by a top-notch professional who will do their best for their care. That's a good combination.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

Why should one be independent of the other? I don't see it as an "either / or" proposition.

Ok OK you have a very good point EG! We earn what we justly deserve in salary; some of us think otherwise...that MDs earn exponentially more than us and that's just not fair.

Does it bother you when someone comes to work, sits on there ass, complains about patient's in an unprofessional manner, gripes about pay, appears to have more interests in how well the Starbucks stock is doing than doing the tasks, the nursing process at hand or being even an inkling of the best nurse that they can be?

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 19, 2007

I originally got into nursing because I knew I could always get a job and the pay was decent. I didn't want to do what I was originally educated for, teach.I didn't have a passion for it. (Nursing or teaching either one).

It took me 10+ years to finally realize that nursing really was, for me, a calling.

I don't think I was a bad nurse or bad employee before that.

I think the only thing that bothers me is when someone truly hates every minute of what they do, and that goes for me as well as others. Sometimes that has a lot more to do with the particular job situation than it does with actually being a nurse.

EmmaG, RN · Nov 19, 2007

Ok OK you have a very good point EG! We earn what we justly deserve in salary; some of us think otherwise...that MDs earn exponentially more than us and that's just not fair.
Does it bother you when someone comes to work, sits on there ass, complains about patient's in an unprofessional manner, gripes about pay, appears to have more interests in how well the Starbucks stock is doing than doing the tasks, the nursing process at hand or being even an inkling of the best nurse that they can be?

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.

ASSEDO · Nov 19, 2007

I like the money above patient care. Respect for a patient and respect for a nurse is a two way street. Patients no longer respect nurses, so that battle cry has been lost.

Patient care would be nice too, except its not and has not been a top priority of medical care since downsizing of the mid 70's and 80's.

Marble tile has a greater value in most institutions then patient care or nurse salvage.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

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.

:lol2:

fultzymom · Nov 19, 2007

It depends for me. Are they doing the job like they are just there for a paycheck? I hate it when there are nurses who only do it for the paycheck, and the patients suffer. In this situation, yes, it bothers me. On the other hand, if they are kind and caring to the patients, but are really there for the pay, then no, it does not bother me.

I will admit, I started nursing for the money. I knew that there were plenty of jobs out there and they offer stable, good income. I do love my job and I care about the patients that I help take care of. It is hard not to because I work in a LTC facility where you know them all well. But one of the draws was the benefits, pay, and flexible schedule.