I definitely not recommend nursing.

[tremmi]

I basically gave up 2 years of my sons lives when they were 8 and 10 to complete my RN. I never saw them awake till the weekend. I had school from 0630 till 12:45 and worked as a secretary on a psych unit from 1400 till 2230. I thought I was doing it to provide them with a secure future. All it gave them was a mother who was stressed out, had back surgery twice, and missed their school concerts and PTA meetings because she was always at work. Luckily they are now grown and have turned out well. But I missed too much, and I can't get it back. I don't feel we are compensated for our sacrifices, nor are we supported or respected by "mahogany hall" administrators. And I would like to know where in this country an RN makes $25.00 to $30.00 an hour. I've been an ICU nurse for 10 years and the best I pull is $18.00. No it's not just about the money, it's about not having the time to give the nursing care you want to give. If I have a patient going for CABG, and they are nervous and scared, I don't have time to sit and explain and encourage, but I'm supposed to take the time to write on the education sheet the teaching I've done. That's hypocritical, but it's the facts. No I wouldn't recommend this back wrenching, exhausting , thankless, tiring, heart wrenching, disrespected job to anyone.

[wildtime88]

Hey all, things could change drastically here shortly if the ANA gets it's way. And I do not mean for the better.

If you have not read my post "What do you think a CEO or AHA think about pending legislation?", then I would highly recommend you take the time to go through it.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12422

Just as things were starting work our way for once, now this. Same old s**t, different decade.

[Danielle4]

I do not know much about salaries, but one of my friends is making $22/hr and is a L.P.N she works at a hospital here in Arizona and she works in critical care.

I wonder if the salaries are higher the farther west?

[singelais]

Why shouldn't it be about the money. You worked hard and

sacraficed a lot,

so why shouldn't you get paid what you deserve.... Instead we add at the end of all our Paragraphs, "It's not about the money". I feel it should be about the money.... I am no less of a caring person making 18.00 vs. 30.00 an hour....I am not working for free and just because my job has caring and caretaking responsibilites, I don't feel we should make less...

I sympathize and agree with you I would recommend a different line of work.....

[LadyNASDAQ]

One day I was 20 years old, licensed as a Nurse and the next, I am 42 years old looking at my 43rd birthday on the 22nd of this month.

What I am saying is that I have given up more than the original poster. Yes, I have all bills paid, 2 cars and a home paid off, a back that is in very good condition with the help of good body mechanics and waiting for help to lift patients mainly in ICU but what have I given up?

A life. Children, a good marriage. Sure I will have monetary reward but shift after shift and saving money and working has robbed me of a future where I can look forward to Grandchildren and when I am alone after the rest of the older generation die, I will be alone.

Do I recomend Nursing as a career? Yes and no. I had no idea what it would do to me as a person but then again, the pay in Travel Nursing is good with all of this experience but it is the ultimate sacrifice. I have not had a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off since I was 17 years old. Feels strange to even think that I would ever have that off again.

I am looking forward to the age of 62 where I will retire and then regain my life again.

[nurseyoda]

Tremmi the answer is Twin Cities, MN First year of RN pay 2001= I made over $50000 full time. I'm not agency

Its what you make it.

Good Luck

[nurseyoda]

LadyNASDAQ. I love your callsign. Maybe this year will be a good one..........................ahh...the late 90's....

Good Luck

[PedsRN3]

All of you who are sick of what you're doing and having to work with tons of pts....come to where I work! I work at a children's hospital and the starting pay is $16/hr. It doesn't seem like a lot but when you figure my pt load each day--its great. The most pts I will have in any given day is 5 WITH a care assistant....most days, like today, I have 3. Now don't get me wrong....we work our tushes off trying to please every single family member of every pt we have. We wear many hats like social work, dietary, pharmacist, etc. We also have many kiddos who don't have any family staying with them in their hospital stay so we end up "entertaining" them while doing our jobs.

So would I recommend nursing to other--absolutely! And I do just that. I go to several high schools and talk to their jrs and srs about going into the nursing profession. If you don't encourage others to become a nurse--just what are we going to do? Nursing is much like the teaching profession (both my parents are teachers)...there is a huge shortage and its only going to get worse. Nurses are getting older and retiring and others are getting out because things are too stressful. I don't blame you--its not worth ruining you life for a job. But if people keep leaving and no one is coming in to take their place--is it going to improve?? And what are you going to do when your family member needs nursing care? Do it yourself at home?

So even though you don't like nursing now....and maybe won't ever again.....there is a reason you chose this profession. Help out those others who chose the profession by recommending nursing to others.

[bonde0613]

Originally posted by nurseyoda

Tremmi the answer is Twin Cities, MN First year of RN pay 2001= I made over $50000 full time. I'm not agency

Its what you make it.

Good Luck

As a person who is pursuing nursing after endless meaningless jobs.....I am excited about nursing! Reading this thread made me a little nervous...but...then I read this quote. I have many friends who are nurses and have been for years. They all love their work! I live with a nurse and my future mother-in-law is a nurse. They love it too! I'm thankful that my friends have found good jobs in Minnesota. Not to say my friends don't struggle.....administration woes, long hours, nursing shortages, but, 100% of them have been so excited for me to get into nursing. It's too bad that working conditions can't be universal....

[Laureninaz]

have any of you ever waited tables??? try making 15,000 a year and being a full time student. i look forward to nursing and a steady paycheck and health benefits. you choose your destiny so if you are unhappy...make the changes that you need to make yourself happier. i can't wait to finally do something that when i come home at night, i know that i may have helped to brighten someone elses day. quit complaining and be content that you HAVE a job and the smarts to do it.... nursing is challenging and difficult. it takes a special kind of person to do it so be thrilled that you are strong and skilled.

[shay]

Part of me agrees with the if-you-don't-like-it-get-out mentality, and part of me agrees with the make-it-better-for-yourself mentality.

My work habits have followed a little of both. When I didn't like a place, I tried to change things, when they couldn't or wouldn't be changed, I left. Not into playing martyr. I asked for more money and I got it. I won't work at a place that won't pay through the nose if the working conditions aren't good. I won't demand a place with good working conditions pay through the nose, but I won't work for peanuts, either.

HOWEVER...nursing is extremely difficult, and I honest to God can't see myself doing this 10 years from now, let alone 20. I most certainly WILL NOT do it full or even part time when I have children....strictly PRN. I refuse to work a profession full time that will take me away from my children growing up, Christmas, birthdays, kiss goodnight, bathtime, etc.. Not for all the money in the world.

[clintn91180]

The pay may be better here in TX. New grads usually start out at about 20 an hour and go up from there. A friend of mine has only a year in experience and just got a job making $22 an hour with benefits and a $5,000 dollar sign on bonus

[micro, RN]

all i can say is you must find some joy and satisfaction in what you do..........cause nursing you are not in it for the $$$$$$$$$