Higher Calling

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 13, 2015

I don't believe nursing schools have been teaching that nursing is a higher calling for a while now. I know my program didn't. Did yours?

I also don't consider compensation for nurses to be sub-par, compared to most professions. Nursing has a much higher financial return for your educational investment than many a job out there. Ask a liberal arts major.

elkpark · Apr 13, 2015

Perhaps the reason why is because nursing did originate as a religious calling, although I agree with Brandon that I haven't heard any schools actually teaching that for a long time. Everyone's experience is different, of course, but, over my career, I have not found myself working in "sub-par" conditions or felt that my compensation was "sub-par."

anewsns · Apr 14, 2015

I never heard that , it sounds like you don't like it much though

TransportJockey, EMT-P · Apr 14, 2015

I keep hearing the ems volunteers spout the same line of BS that its a calling. Or the very low paid career emt basics. I honestly do think it's an excuse people find for themselves to justify why they still work in that field if it can't provide for them

Farawyn · Apr 14, 2015

No one called ME.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 14, 2015

No one called ME.

My employer called me to offer me the job. Does that count?

guest449786 · Apr 14, 2015

We may not be as forward thinking here in the Northeast as the Midwest and just clinging to outdated ways of thinking. Yes, it was implied that nurses are called to the profession and therefore that in of itself was part of your compensation. You are comparing apples to oranges and from your perspective, having 10 months of education, the compensation may seem fair. I'm guessing you haven't been exposed to other fields and I definitely think your outlook would be the minority in the Philadelphia area. Good for you.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 14, 2015

We may not be as forward thinking here in the Northeast as the Midwest and just clinging to outdated ways of thinking. Yes, it was implied that nurses are called to the profession and therefore that in of itself was part of your compensation. You are comparing apples to oranges and from your perspective, having 10 months of education, the compensation may seem fair. I'm guessing you haven't been exposed to other fields and I definitely think your outlook would be the minority in the Philadelphia area. Good for you.

Putting aside your incredibly rude comments to Brandon for a moment, as he does quite well in speaking for himself....I'll address the rest.

I'm in the Northeast, and nowhere in my nursing education was "a higher calling" part of the expected compensation and reason for being there. My instructors were obviously more progressive than yours in that they focused on Nursing as a profession and the professional conduct and expectations that would go with it. They stressed continuing education, NOT 'higher calling' as important for success within this profession.

It's unfortunate yours didn't, but I think you're going out on a limb suggesting that it's a "Northeast" misconception.

As for the sub-par financial compensation, I'd have to ask you to do your own "apples to apples" comparison, and look to WHAT profession out there allows one to have an Associate's degree and still find decent, career employment? Or, perhaps more accurately, what Associate's degree program could you recommend as one in which the starting pay is more 'par' than what you're seeing in Nursing?

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2015

Perhaps the reason why is because nursing did originate as a religious calling, although I agree with Brandon that I haven't heard any schools actually teaching that for a long time. Everyone's experience is different, of course, but, over my career, I have not found myself working in "sub-par" conditions or felt that my compensation was "sub-par."

Agreed, and I was about to post the same about nursing's origins in religious orders. In addition, many facilities are faith-based, and their vision and mission statements still contain overt religiosity (as to be expected).

ETA: As an atheist, I don't believe there is a higher calling to ANYTHING. I do believe, however, that you have to exhibit the characteristics of compassion and empathy to do the job well--if for no other reason than to be able to withstand the anger, denial, and outright contempt that some patients direct to their nurses. Some nurses may be able to withstand the onslaught with the judicious use of indifference, but I find it easier to use compassion and empathy (and occasional venting sessions).

allnurses Guide · Apr 14, 2015

The only call I ever got was when I was a teenager, in 1988, and my best friend called me up and said, "Hey, Hygiene! I'm thinking about becoming a CNA. Ya wanna take the class with me?"

I was like, "What's that ?" and then said, "Oh, okaaaaaaaay... I guess... if you're gonna do it..."

:facepalm:

Jules A, MSN · Apr 14, 2015

I can't say I have been hit too hard with the calling aspect of nursing but I have witnessed, as in other fields such as education, the mindset that "if I don't do it who will?" which I interpret as not only codependency with secondary self-esteem gain but also minimizing the fact they are overworked and underpaid.

As a nurse and now NP I do not feel as if I have been compromised or under paid. I have however changed jobs when I felt the workload was shifting to unreasonable and also when I had the opportunity to make more money elsewhere. Some of it is what the individual is willing to tolerate and while I get there are reasons such as location, family obligations etc. that people cite as the motivation to being treated poorly by their employer I have attempted to resist putting myself in a position that would require me to compromise especially with regard to income. I do believe some of it has to do with the fact that nursing has more women than men. Overall I have truly loved my entire nursing career however not for one minute would I be willing to do it for less than I feel I am worth.