I hate to say this, but I think it's true.....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I think alot of people are going into nursing these days because of the economy and the stories drilled in peoples heads about how nurses make alot of money for only a 2 yr degree. I can tell this by listening to students in my pre-req classes. Some whom I talk to don't have the slightest clue about nursing but they can spout off how much money they think they'll make when they first start out. I'm sure some of you on here will agree with me. I was talking to this one student and he told me, "Yeah, I'm going into nursing. I was a mechanical engineer and was laid off. I can't find work in that right now. Nursing is only two years. I made good money on my last job."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well coming from someone who was laid off from their engineering job, im NOT getting into nursing ONLY because of the economy. Yes, it is a factor, but this is something Ive wanted to do since I was in high school and I wasnt allowed to go into anything related to medicine (my dad and mom are in the medical field and said they wouldnt support ot payfor it). When your 17 thats a scary thing to have said to you by your parents. Now that I am 29 and have an opportunity in my life (laid off, no kids, no opportunity in my current field) Im taking that opportunity to do something I always wanted. Dont pass judgement unless you know the whole story.

With that said though, I'm applying to Direct Entry programs and dont believe for a second its going to be easy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

It isn't just nursing. How many people do you think try to get into medical, dental or pharmacy school every year because of the money. A lot of people that I started nursing school with that had that kind of attitude never made it past first semester. We had close to 50% fail out or quit because they couldn't take it. If you are not in the program yet, just wait and see what I mean. We all have our reasons for becoming nurses and I don't think we should judge people for those reasons. A nurse just in it for money can be just as good a nurse as any if she knows how to do his/her job. If nursing paid $10 an hour I wouldn't do it either!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It isn't just nursing. How many people do you think try to get into medical, dental or pharmacy school every year because of the money. A lot of people that I started nursing school with that had that kind of attitude never made it past first semester. We had close to 50% fail out or quit because they couldn't take it. If you are not in the program yet, just wait and see what I mean. We all have our reasons for becoming nurses and I don't think we should judge people for those reasons. A nurse just in it for money can be just as good a nurse as any if she knows how to do his/her job. If nursing paid $10 an hour I wouldn't do it either!

Tell me a little bit about the program? What caused them to drop out? Was it the homework you think? Overbearing instructors?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
I think alot of people are going into nursing these days because of the economy and the stories drilled in peoples heads about how nurses make alot of money for only a 2 yr degree. I can tell this by listening to students in my pre-req classes. Some whom I talk to don't have the slightest clue about nursing but they can spout off how much money they think they'll make when they first start out. I'm sure some of you on here will agree with me. I was talking to this one student and he told me, "Yeah, I'm going into nursing. I was a mechanical engineer and was laid off. I can't find work in that right now. Nursing is only two years. I made good money on my last job."

People go into nursing for a myriad of reasons, but it really shouldn't affect you. Trust me, if they are only in it for the money, they will probably not be successful or happy in a nursing program and career. On the other hand, living expenses aren't free, so I think the financial aspect is a factor in any educational choice.

If you get through nursing school, you'll undoubtedly work with many people who have opinions on things that you disagree with, but it's part of life.

Try not to pay attention to what other people say, and focus on yourself and why you are trying to pursue a nursing career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

wow!! where are you from? you sound like you could be from my area!! i am in ns right now...but that's because this is something i want to do! it's not second choice or a last resort. however, in my little town we have had many factories lay off or shut the doors and at our information session for ns we had a ton of people who were there because of one of those two reasons. i'm not saying none of them are passionate about nursing, but very few if any would be in ns if it weren't for the economy. the colleges in my area that offer nursing and police foundations are filled with students who lost their jobs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well it may be true but they will find out sooner than later that nurses earn every penny of that pay check.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I want to clarify! My post sounds really judgmental and that's not what i intended!! For some students doing Nursing as a second career...losing their job might have been the push they finally needed to go to NS. I don't want everyone to think I lump all second career nursing students into the same lot!! Sorry if I came across as....rude.... :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
wow!! where are you from? you sound like you could be from my area!! i am in ns right now...but that's because this is something i want to do! it's not second choice or a last resort. however, in my little town we have had many factories lay off or shut the doors and at our information session for ns we had a ton of people who were there because of one of those two reasons. i'm not saying none of them are passionate about nursing, but very few if any would be in ns if it weren't for the economy. the colleges in my area that offer nursing and police foundations are filled with students who lost their jobs.

how long did it take you to get in the program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Nursing is the only profession that scrutinizes the motivations of its members. Are you doing it for the money? Are you a nurse because you like people? Are you a nurse because you're a selfless angel of mercy?

Take a close, hard look at the other educated professions in society. Nobody is really questioning the motives of the physician, college professor, engineer, librarian, social worker, physical therapist, businessman, linguist, or pharmacist. Other members of their professions aren't bothering them about selecting their respective career fields for the love of the job itself or other altruistic reasons. Other members of their respective professions aren't asking, "Is this a higher calling for you?"

This might sound blunt, but another nurse's personal reasons for entering the profession are absolutely none of my business. We, as nurses and future nurses, need to take a lesson from the other professions and stop beating each other down. I do not work for free, and I fully expect to be paid for the services that I render.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So????

Up Vote Up Vote ×

See...where I am...we do have a bit of a nursing shortage!! I am in a small town about 2 hours away from Toronto. Last January there was an ad in the paper about an information session for a Toronto college (Humber, to be exact) that was going to be joining forces with my county to offer the nursing program part-time. This was something I always wanted to do...but my science marks in Highschool were to low. Anyway...highschool marks didn't matter now. Everyone interested in the program had to write an exam of sorts filled with math and science questions as well as write an essay. The only thing they really wanted everyone to pass was the essay part. Everyone who would get accepted would have to take a biology/chemistry refresher class before school started. I must have aced my essay (no surprise since I studied journalism the first time in college ;) ) because I was one of the lucky ones that got accepted!! I found out in March, had the science refresher course in August and started in September. I am so grateful for the opprotunity I was given becuase otherwise I probably would never have followed through! School for me is 3 years instead of 2 because it is only part-time. But...I don't have the pressure of a full course load either!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment