Why are you REALLY going into nursing? Honest answers please.

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Ok, I'm a bit frustrated with all of these posts telling us that we shouldn't go into nursing because we need a job and steady income. Sure, I do like to help people, but I need a steady job even more. So, I decided to post a poll to see if we can get some honest answers.

:p

Burnout is more likely to occur, and even faster. Good luck with that.

I'll tell you what burns me out faster than anything else. Giving up a lot of salary and benefits so the managers and owners can make big bucks while I end up with nothing. They're not looking out for my best interest.

My definition of burnout is having to work well into retirement age because I accepted lower wages and benefits in the name of being a "good employee."

If I had paid more attention to the money and benefits earlier ... I'd be much better off today.

So yeah ... I'm in it for the money. So are the managers and owners of these hospitals. As far as retirement, savings etc. I have a lot of catching up to do so ... that's my priority.

I don't want to be destitute in old age with no pension and no savings. If that makes me a bad nurse to some people, so be it.

I'm not a martyr ... especially for corporations that don't give a damn anyway.

:typing

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Man ... this thread won't die. Two and a half years now ...

I'm definitely in it for the money. If that offends some people, I really don't care.

And please spare me the lectures about how it shouldn't be about the money.

:typing

I find it refreshing to see the honesty in this thread. Thanks for that!!

Although I am in nursing to help others and make " a difference", the money is high up on the list for me too!

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I've only read the first page, but I'm really interested in what everyone here has to say. I've got a sorta long story so bear with me.

When I first went to college about 11 years ago (gosh I'm getting old) I was pre-med and wanted to be an Ob-Gyn. But life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. In that time I became a wife and a mom, then a single mom. So I took the quick road and graduated with my BA in psychology and decided not to go any further at that time and risk missing more time with my daughter.

I got married again and was planning to move to the middle east. Again life got in the way and hubby and I settled here in my hometown instead. I continued to feel dissatisified with my current career and somehow knew I needed to get back into the health care field. I decided to focus on nursing as opposed to becoming a doctor because I really valued the talks I've had with the NP and some of the midwives I've been fortunate to work with in my current job.

Not to mention of course the money will be a definite plus and it's a job that is demand in the gulf region where my hubby and I plan to eventually settle.

So that's me in a nutshell.....

Naima

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I'm going into nursing for the job security, income, and the need to do something worthwhile. I think that if you do not pay attention to the money part, the company will pay attention of it for you, and I do not mean that in a good way.

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This is a really interesting thread. And long!

I am going into nursing for many reasons.

1) Yes, because of the money. Every single job I have ever worked, (which has really only been 2 since I am 18, and I could only work starting at the age of 16) I have done it to get paid, except the one. (I did that job because my neighbor's husband died and she couldn't afford to keep her house and one of her jobs was to clean houses. She worked 3 full time jobs, and this was one of them. Me and my sister would clean houses for her because she was going through such a hard time financially and emotionally, and she didn't deserve it. She's such a wonderful person and would do anything for us so we did this for her whenever she needed it.) Anyone who isn't working to get paid either has a different source of income, or is lying, or maybe has an exception like I just posted. Think about it, unless you have money already and do not need to make money to live, you need to work! I need money to live! Now I'm not saying I'm going into nursing because of the AMOUNT nurses get paid, just because I am obviously going to need a job in my life that pays and I want it to be something I am interested in.

2) I love science and I always have. I love learning about the body and how it works.

3) I love being busy and I seriously love chaotic environments.

4) I love helping people and making a difference in other peoples lives.

5) My "plan" is to graduate and then join the Peace Corps or some kind of volunteering opportunity that I can use the nursing skills I learned in college and/or nursing, it depends if I graduate and then do it or work for a couple years then do it.

5) I feel so drawn to this profession. Seriously, it may sound stupid to some people but I can't explain it. I just know that this is what I am meant to do for so many reasons. I LOVE learning everything about this profession, the good, bad, and ugly!

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I went into nursing because I wanted to have a steady job with good income. I tried a PT school and couldn't handle the course load, so I had to quit. I have a BS degree and couldn't do much with it. It is too hard to find a decent job. There are so many opportunities in nusing. For example, if I will decide that I don't want to work in a hospital, I can always find something else, like a pharm. rep. Also I can always move to another state and I know I will have a job anywhere I go. The benefits are great. Plus there is that rush of adrenaline. My husband seems to think that nursing is not my cup of tea. I will know next week: I'm starting my first clinical on Tuesday.

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Specializes in med surg, school nursing.

I want a job that I can do well into my 60's

Money

family friendly schedule

the ability to get paid for 40 hours a week while working 36

full-time bennies for part-time work

medical, dental, 401K, tuition remission

I can work anywhere in the country

lots of jobs to choose from

lots of nursing specialties to consider

I love working with women and newborn babies

breastfeeding is a passion of mine

I will be a great nurse!

A nursing career is exciting to me

Having an actual skill rather than just a degree sounds great

Nurses are taken seriously and are considered smart.

People give nurses respect

My daughters will see their mom working hard and contributing financially

My daughters will see their mom changing people's lives

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OK, so I've read the first and last page of this loooong thread. Maybe some of you will laugh (please be my guest--I love laughter), but here are the main reasons I chose nursing:

1) My husband is a 45 year old factory worker. He didn't graduate from high school. I needed a job I could count on in case something happens to his job.

2) I want to move to Kentucky. When we do, my husband can retire/quit and become my house husband!! (What a lovely dream!! :p )

3) I wanted to be able to afford a Dodge Durango! lol--still hasn't happened--probably could afford the car payment, but not the gas....

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The endless opportunities.

Knowing that I have a job where I can explore so many different facets of the medical world. Don't like med-surg? Be an L&D nurse, how about oncology, or rehab? Dialysis, pedi, NICU. There is so much to choose from! There is advanced practice, administration, teaching. Goodness, there isn't enough time for me to experience all that nursing has to offer!!

I can't wait!! (I graduate in December so my wait isn't that long)

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I see nothing wrong with this at all. More power to ya, Truly Blessed.;)

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God's blessings your way on your clinicals....I too have a degree and cant seem to find work...any work...so i'm looking to start school soon. (I've had my degree for about 20yrs.) First getting some classes out of the way so that Fulltime wont seem so bad. I also take care of my bedridden father who is sick with cancer. I do this while my mother, who is a nurse, still works but will retire soon. Hopefully in the spring or summer.

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God's blessings your way on your clinicals....I too have a degree and cant seem to find work...any work...so i'm looking to start school soon. (I've had my degree for about 20yrs.) First getting some classes out of the way so that Fulltime wont seem so bad. I also take care of my bedridden father who is sick with cancer. I do this while my mother, who is a nurse, still works but will retire soon. Hopefully in the spring or summer.

This comment was for NICOLEG....i'm learning to use the tread, sorry.

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