Student just read your salaries....sad..

[ChgoStudntRN30]

Im 30 yrs old, I work full time and attend nursing school part time. I just finished reading the thread where everyone was discussing their salaries. How sad...I certainly agree that the majority of you are very underpaid. I am a travel agent and make $16.74/hr. I have been with this company for a year and a half. I called one of the local hospitals here in Chicago and they said the starting salary for a new grad is $15.50/hr. The cost of living here is very high. The price of gasoline alone is $2.16/gal. which is the highest in the country. I have always wanted to be a nurse and that is why I enrolled...but after reading some of your salaries, I find myself asking "how can this be?" and wondering if I am doing the right thing.

First let me say that I never wanted to be a nurse for the money...if that was the case I would want to be a lawyer. After listening to all the stress and short staffing you guys are under all the time and then to hear about your salaries, I can totally understand why there is such a nursing shortage.

When I think about my job as a travel agent, I know I'm unhappy. It's very borring. I sit behind a computer all day and type in "travel orders" for 8 hours straight. I watch the clock all day and wait for 3:30pm to come around so I can start living again instead of just existing behind a computer.

But the more I hear about the nursing profession, the more I think that maybe my job isn't all that bad.

I work Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm. I never have to put in overtime (unless I want to). I get 2 free tickets evey year to anywhere in the United States, and at least twice a week

we have an airline or hotel come in and sponser a very large, elaborate catered buffet which includes pasta, chicken, salad, pizza, deli sandwiches, and desserts, and to top it all off, massages. At the end of lunch we get a 10 min massage (in the quiet room) that focuses on our shoulders, neck, head, and face.

Oh, and at least once a month we are offered LWOP (which is Leave With Out Pay) although we arent required to take it, I always take advantage of it because I like to spend the extra time with my kids or pursuing my hobbies.

So here I am still wanting to be a nurse, to feel like I'm doing something that really matters. I just hope the the finacial burden on may familey (the cost of nursing school) and the time that is taken away from my family because of school, is all worth it in the end.

[CEN35]

Well all I can say is, you have to do it because you like it. If money and being stress free is what you are looking for, then this is not the job for you. On the other hand I can clearly understand, having a job that totally bores you!

Good Luck with your decision!

Rick :)

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

I agree with Rick. Nursing won't get you a big house or fancy cars. For me, the rewards are not of a material nature, they are intrinsic.

Heather

[jamistlc]

Greetings,

You are hearing true words of wisdom from rick and heather. Nursing is an occupation for the person who gains more from the intrinsic value of helping others and job satisfaction, you will be among the very few if you get more than that from the occupation of Nursing!

It is stressful, emotionally draining, and the most rewarding job I can think of besides Midwifery! But for those called to it is best career move for happiness, I ever made! I went to Nursing school when I was 28 and after being everything from a Bartender, short order cook, to a GMC truck mechanic!

Peace,

Jami

[ May 11, 2001: Message edited by: jamistlc ]

[jamistlc]

I would also like to add there are jobs within the domain that I would and do for free and others that you could not pay me enough to do! There is jobs within the realm that are physically stressful and/or intellectually taxing, there are also others that are much less of one or both! There are specialties that act as consultants that are higher paying and 9-5 in nature the options are wide open in Nursing. Not all nurses are at the bedside in the trenchs! Remember that as you continue towards you nitch, the secret is finding that place you want to be!

Peace,

Have a Blessed Day,

Jami