No wonder we are getting nursing students who are only in it for $

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2010

It is pretty good. For an entry level job (be it a 2 year degree or a BSN for entry) there are very few other jobs where a new grad can make so much. I live in a higher cost of living area, and while I do make in the $60,000 range, alot of my friends who are new grads in their professions are only making in the $30-40,000 range.

I don't think 30-40k is bad for entry into a profession.. As one gains experience the salary raises.. as it should be with any profession. My sister is an ADN and makes more than the median pay rate with 25 years experience and an 8-5 Monday-Friday office job. Not bad for 2 years of education.. (they didn't have all these prereqs when she went to school!)

I guess what I'm saying is it's a career choice with a respectable pay. The fact that I love people and helping them make it all a perfect package for me.

JDougRN, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2010

It's really none of my business why someone decides to go into nursing. Really. I don't interrogate my retirement advisor why he does what he does, and if he does it for "the love of it."
I guess I don't see "retirement advisor" the same as nurses (And for goodness sake, PLEASE don't flame me- this was NOT an anti-retirement advisor remark!) I don't know too many retirement advisors who have had to sit with a family as a loved one dies...Just a different skill set.
FWIW, I don't want some bitter "Martyr Mary" taking care of me if I'm sick. Altruism doesn't pay the rent.

Where did "Martyr Mary" come from? I didn't see anyone suggesting nurses who care about their patients as martyrs- I have the utmost respect for anyone who can care, but still be professional. I think most nurses I know are amazing.:redbeathe

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Nov 9, 2010

JDoug, I know what you meant in your OP....I shouldn't have even commented (joked, really) about the salary point, that was what seemed to derail the original topic.

I don't think that someone needs to be self-sacrificing to go in to nursing, but I also don't like the idea of someone going in to nursing ONLY for the money (you have to have somewhat of an overall nurturing attitude to do the job effectively, IMO). At the same time, I don't believe it has to be a "calling," though, KWIM? There should be a balance.

What irks me the MOST about the link you posted is how they portray the profession in general, outright saying that nurses are in such high demand, etc. Maybe in some areas there is a bit of a "shortage," but not where I live! Overall I think there is a glut of new grads right now that can't find jobs, so reading articles or ads that blatantly say the opposite is what makes me angry.

Batman25 · Nov 9, 2010

Geesh...nowhere did I say in my original post that nurses are under/overpaid for what we do-I certainly wouldn't do this for free...my original point here, was that a lot of people are going into nursing for no reason other than the expected paycheck.

People work because they need the money. Nurses by and large are no different. If people enter the field and can't pass the entrance exam they won't get any further. If they can't pass clinicals and the courses they will fail and be out of the field before they even enter it. Anyone who starts NS and feels they can't hack it, don't like it, are in over their heads, etc. wil quit. There is a weeding process long before we start our actual careers. Those that aren't cut out for it or can't cut it will fall to the wayside. If my fellow nurses can pass the nursing boards and provide safe and competent care that's all I care about. If they bget paid decently for what they do all the better. The money while good isn't really enough for what we do and the responsibility we have but that's a whole other argument.

JDougRN, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2010

People work because they need the money. Nurses by and large are no different. If people enter the field and can't pass the entrance exam they won't get any further. If they can't pass clinicals and the courses they will fail and be out of the field before they even enter it. Anyone who starts NS and feels they can't hack it, don't like it, are in over their heads, etc. wil quit. There is a weeding process long before we start our actual careers. Those that aren't cut out for it or can't cut it will fall to the wayside. If my fellow nurses can pass the nursing boards and provide safe and competent care that's all I care about. If they bget paid decently for what they do all the better. The money while good isn't really enough for what we do and the responsibility we have but that's a whole other argument.

That's a part of the problem though- too many people who are "book smart" are able to get through school- land on the floors for their first job, and end up being horrible, dangerous nurses. I've worked with quite a few. Passing the boards does NOT a good nurse make! Just means you have the necessary book learning and test taking skills to get through that part. I've known a lot of people who are lousy test takers who turn out to be fantastic nurses.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Nov 9, 2010

I'm just agreeing w// klone. Who cares?

Woodenpug, BSN · Nov 9, 2010

When you take into consideration that an one can become an RN with as little as 2 years of school (more often 3).. the median pay of 60k+ is pretty darn good, if you ask me.
I think, as with any profession, one should want to do it or they will be absolutely miserable. I don't think wanting a career that pays well, in and of itself, is a BAD thing.
I don't know any nurses who will work for nothing...

I guess, I should ask you, how much would you make with a degree in architecture? Or consider that the skills needed to achieve acceptance to an RN program, would easily have earned you a degree in business. Passing boards is reasonably equivalent to passing CPA. How much does a CPA make? Really, those of us who last, do it cuz it's fun to be a part of someone getting better. Oh, yeah, nursing is not a career that pays well, not for the cost.

,

kakamegamama · Nov 9, 2010

JDougRN---I hear ya and I agree. When I taught, I had students who were in it for the money. Some were clinically good, could pass the tests, but they were almost "robotic" in their patient care. The students who were there for reasons other than the money, were the ones who seemed to really "get it". I really can't understand why one would go into nursing just for the money. The body gets old fast, the hours are not "family/living" friendly, and the stress levels can be out the roof. Maybe that's why burnout happens? Folks who are in nursing because of income burn out faster? Don't know, just wondering....

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2010

I don't think 30-40k is bad for entry into a profession.. As one gains experience the salary raises.. as it should be with any profession. My sister is an ADN and makes more than the median pay rate with 25 years experience and an 8-5 Monday-Friday office job. Not bad for 2 years of education.. (they didn't have all these prereqs when she went to school!)
I guess what I'm saying is it's a career choice with a respectable pay. The fact that I love people and helping them make it all a perfect package for me.

I love my job, but in my area of the country (DC metro) where rent averages $1200/month, it would be very hard to pay bills/support a family on only $30-40,000. I'm not saying I'm "in it for the money" but there's no way I could consider future dreams like buying a house, getting a better car, etc if I was making less. Are these dreams extravagant? Of course not. These are things every American should be able to afford.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Nov 9, 2010

No, I don't think NCLEXis comparable with passing the CPA exam, and it doesn't even

come close to architecture. Arhictecute is definitely more on par with medicine. My cpa has a mba, but i dont know if thats the norm. Either way, those are professions and I think nursing is still more paraprofessional. More accurately compared to something like dental hygienist or somting.

tokidokifantasy · Nov 9, 2010

All I know is if you choose a career for the money, then you will never be happy. Everyday at work would be so dreadful that you just want to go home. I know a doctor who became a doctor just for the money, and he regrets it, he does not like being a doctor and he spent his time off just doing what he loves but don't make any money at all.

I pretty much made terms with myself,knowing I will never be wealthy, but I will have enough to put food on table, and most importantly, it's a job that I will love doing.

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 9, 2010

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Uhm, you inserted content into my quote that I did not say.
It's really none of my business why someone decides to go into nursing. Really. I don't interrogate my retirement advisor why he does what he does, and if he does it for "the love of it."
I guess I don't see "retirement advisor" the same as nurses (And for goodness sake, PLEASE don't flame me- this was NOT an anti-retirement advisor remark!) I don't know too many retirement advisors who have had to sit with a family as a loved one dies...Just a different skill set.
FWIW, I don't want some bitter "Martyr Mary" taking care of me if I'm sick. Altruism doesn't pay the rent.