Nursing curriculum needs more respect!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Reading all these post makes me realize that I was not the only one who thought that nursing school was very hard. However, now being a nurse for 4 1/2 years, it sad to realize that the only people that seem to have a glue how tough it is are our fellow nurses. The public including other health care professions don't seem to realize just what we go through. As a matter of fact, I think most think it is easy and anyone could do it. I think many people still think that all one really has to do is care and be willing to do alot of dirty work ( clean poop, clean wounds ect.) to be a nurse. Maybe if other professions realized how tough nursing school is they would also realize that our pay is really below par and in some cases insulting. For example, in some southern states new BSN nurses come out making 15-16.00 dollars a hour. I mean that is a joke, I can't tell how many times I have heard my fellow new nurses make comments like " I made more money a hour waiting tables while I was in college than I do now as a RN" that is sad. Nursing is very hard job and will still get very little respect as a profession. We need to let the public know how hard it is to become a nurse and why everyone is not able to become a nurse. Nursing is very paradoxical, it is very hard to become one, but yet we are treated as if anyone with a high school degree can become one. Does anyone else feel like this or is it just me?

I just want to throw in that I was making as much in retail as an LPN, so I decided to stay in school another 2 years to complete my RN. I was going through the LPN program, but decided it wasn't worth the financial risk just to get some pt care experience.

I have been making between $12-$15 an hour(saturdays between 18-20) just selling things people basically came into the store for. My boss loves my production and says he's keeping me on the payroll so my vacation, sick time, and base pay will be intact in case I ever want to work any hours at any time.

There is a shortage of retail salespeople that know how to sell, so that income will always be there when I need it.

Why become an LPN and work pt on the weekend through RN school?

I couldn't answer that so I opted the long route.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

Mark...

Land o'skeeters=South Louisiana (made even worse after the hurricane).

0 Votes

Nursing school is a JOB in itself sometimes, what better way to prepare for the real world.

I have a niece who completed her BS in Education in 3 yrs. she is getting her Masters in 12 months.. this was all a piece of CAKE for her, she didn't have near the courses that a nursing degree requires.

I don't agree with the "just be lucky you have a job attitude", there are ALOT of jobs out there, nothing wrong with wanting paid what WE are worth.

0 Votes

Of course waiters don't make 15.00 a hour base pay, I was including tips. I personally have averaged 20.00-25.00 a hour on weekends when I waited tables while in nursing school. I even know waiters in high end rest. who make 50-60K a year waiting tables. However, I went to college to get into a profession or what I thought was a profession. That is why I am dissappointed with nursing in general.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

Someone posted about "being paid what we are worth." So I just have to ask the question...who actually gets paid what they are worth?

What are some of the most worthy professions? I think most people would say nurses, police officers, firefighters, teachers. These are also professions that are traditionally underpaid. And some (IMO) less-than-worthy (or even worthless) professions? How about professional basketball player, professional wrestler, owner of a telephone psychic service, stripper, drug dealer? Yet all these "professions" are well-paid (even if there is some danger involved).

When my husband is sitting at work in his office, having a slow day, surfing the internet and making his salary, I think, "It's not fair that he gets paid more than me for doing THAT!" But when he's in the middle of nowhere, working 12-18 hour days in the heat or cold, up to his waist in mud or water, dealing with some of the idiots he has to work with, I think he doesn't get paid nearly enough.

I live in an area where there are a lot of oilfield and offshore workers. I know they make good money, and some of these guys just seem TSTL. But they get paid more than I do, and I have a college degree. What gives?

So can anyone tell me a profession, honestly, that gets paid what they are worth? I think most people are either underpaid or overpaid and there's not much in between. And how much would nurses have to be paid before they are paid what they are worth. Can anyone in the world even afford to pay that salary?

0 Votes

Konni, I am with you. My husband DID lose his job, and then had to take $20,000 a year pay cut. I was only working part time then. At that time, and now ,I thank God I have an education and a job that I enjoy. Sure, we work hard, and we deserve more $$ or benefits or whatever it is, but I am still thankful for what I have. If you are so upset with your career, get a new one, wait tables, go back to school for something else. MK, what do you mean about northerners not understanding how a house is $90,000 where you live, the median home price here is way over that.

0 Votes

So just because a few years ago RN's were being laid off - is this reason to believe that we are paid enough for what we do?? I'm sorry but it is this complacency that keeps nurses right where they (we) are! No disrespect, just an opinion.

0 Votes

Marnna,

I would like to write a much longer response concerning a few items in this discussion, but my time is limited for the next couple evenings. These 12-hour shifts leave me no time or energy. They were not my choice, and they will not last forever. Hopefully, everything I write here tonight will be communicated well.

In regard to my comment about a house costing $90,000, one can buy a brand new home for that price here in the Dallas area. One of my co-workers recently had such a house built. About a year ago a different co-worker had a home built in nearby Fort Worth for about $103,000. Yes, I know most homes cost more elsewhere. In fact, I myself live in a prestigious section of Dallas where homes are likely to cost $175,000 and up. But it can be done.

To relate the low prices to what I wrote earlier, I have observed that northern residents find such low prices shocking. Sometimes they don't even believe me. They think I am kidding or exaggerating. However, the fact is one can buy a brand new house for that little money if desired.

I felt it was a significantly related item to a nursing salary, because after one is settled into a career she/he has begins to think about owning a residence. Owning a home that costs $90,000 - $110,000 is certainly possible on a salary of $45,000. I suppose there are people who will tell me even the $175,000 home is affordable on that same salary, but I want to keep the cost and earnings realistic.

Maybe later in the week I will have time to write more. I had hoped this thread was going away. It does not seem like that will happen immediately. If it continues to be interesting with civil discussion, then I will add to it.

By the way, no offense to those living in the northern states. I am originally from the Chicago suburbs. My comment was directed at those who never go anywhere. They fail to examine regional differences. Hence, by their skewed standards a higher quantity than average of employees will be considered underpaid.

0 Votes

Konni I thought thats where you were from,used to live in louisiana and fish in south louisiana often. it sure is the lond o skeeter:)

I do find this topic amazing! why do nurses feel they should be grateful for what they get? it beats me. I enjoy my job but still feel for everthing envolved we are way underpaid. as long as we have the attitude that "be glad you have a job" we will continue to be treated this way. believe me i have been in management positions and they are banking on us keeping that attitude:)

0 Votes

just wondering...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program? did you all think you were going to start working...and WHAM everything would change. i dunno...i knew these things before i started my 4 year program, and was realistic to the fact that many other professions/jobs get paid a whole bunch more, sit around a whole lot more, and get more respect than i would. still, i chose to do it. face it people...you all chose the wrong career to get an awesome salary.

0 Votes
Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by ICUBecky

just wondering...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program?

No. But like I said, we're fed, clothed, and have an income. We're comfy. Therefore we can ponder things like this. :D

0 Votes
Originally posted by ICUBecky

just wondering...were you all ignorant to the salary and job descriptions of nursing before you went through a nursing program? did you all think you were going to start working...and WHAM everything would change. i dunno...i knew these things before i started my 4 year program, and was realistic to the fact that many other professions/jobs get paid a whole bunch more, sit around a whole lot more, and get more respect than i would. still, i chose to do it. face it people...you all chose the wrong career to get an awesome salary.

yes i knew it, i choose this because i wanted to do it,I choose to make at least 50% less than previous career that i had without a college education.also choose to work in an area that has less holidays and worse hours.why because i love what i do.

BUT that does not change the fact that we are ubderpaid and should stand up and demand what we desrve not just la there and take it. does this make sense to you?

well as one of my least favorite presidents would have put it "its not the money STUPID":) it doing what you enjoy

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment