I hate to say this, but I think it's true.....

Nurses General Nursing

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I think alot of people are going into nursing these days because of the economy and the stories drilled in peoples heads about how nurses make alot of money for only a 2 yr degree. I can tell this by listening to students in my pre-req classes. Some whom I talk to don't have the slightest clue about nursing but they can spout off how much money they think they'll make when they first start out. I'm sure some of you on here will agree with me. I was talking to this one student and he told me, "Yeah, I'm going into nursing. I was a mechanical engineer and was laid off. I can't find work in that right now. Nursing is only two years. I made good money on my last job."

People go into nursing for a myriad of reasons, but it really shouldn't affect you. Trust me, if they are only in it for the money, they will probably not be successful or happy in a nursing program and career. On the other hand, living expenses aren't free, so I think the financial aspect is a factor in any educational choice.

If you get through nursing school, you'll undoubtedly work with many people who have opinions on things that you disagree with, but it's part of life.

Try not to pay attention to what other people say, and focus on yourself and why you are trying to pursue a nursing career.

"Try not to pay attention to what others say...."

I actually don't pay much attention. Yet I thought this was interesting to bring up.

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First of all, there has been an excellent thread about this very issue posted not very long ago. While there were definitely some strong emotions stirred in the discussion, I think the issue about motivations for going into nursing was very adequately discussed on that thread. https://allnurses.com/nursing-blogs/got-no-job-451725.html

I'm giving you a lot of credit for not being a troll and trying to look at your posts as someone who is just asking for information. However, before you start asking about programs and assuming that people dropped out because it was someone else's fault, please look at some of the responses to the other thread you started. Yeah, maybe I am being just another overbearing instructor. But please understand that when you ask for input on this forum, you will get it----maybe not always the answers you wanted but you will get feedback.

Nevermind the troll thing. I do ask alot of questions in life. I have always been like that. But where did you get that I said something about someone dropping out because of someone else's fault? I'm confused. Where did I say that? You were mentioning some posts I made in the past. I really don't dredge up past posts because I don't find much use in doing so, and I might not remember something I posted a year ago. Just like in life, I like to live in the present. I don't like to dredge up old talk. What's in the past is in the past. I have that issue in my family where family members like to bring up old stuff that someone said 10 years ago, and it keeps the family divided.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
"Try not to pay attention to what others say...."

I actually don't pay much attention. Yet I thought this was interesting to bring up.

Yes, that's quite apparent....

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Yes, that's quite apparent....

You have misunderstood me.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Don't kid yourself. People have been going into the nursing for economic reasons since ...well, since people have been getting sick. Who do you think cared for the invalid children and sat with the dying old men? It was women who hired themselves out to make their ends meet. You don't think those wet-nurses did it for free, do you?

In my day, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, there were basically three professions easily accessible to women--secretary, teacher, or nurse. Well, I couldn't get short-hand (yes,it was THAT long ago) and I didn't want to teach so that left nursing. I looked at it and decided that I'd always be able to support myself --that was my whole motivation. I could have cared less about "helping people"--show me the money! Lucky for me,and my patients, I actually fell in love with nursing about a year into school. :nurse: I"m working on 32+ years.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
Nevermind the troll thing. I do ask alot of questions in life. I have always been like that. But where did you get that I said something about someone dropping out because of someone else's fault? I'm confused. Where did I say that? You were mentioning some posts I made in the past. I really don't dredge up past posts because I don't find much use in doing so, and I might not remember something I posted a year ago. Just like in life, I like to live in the present. I don't like to dredge up old talk. What's in the past is in the past.

I've seen some of your other posts that have stated, among other things, that you think the biggest problems with nursing are that female nurses have "superior attitudes' and that you think nursing instructors are going to pick on you because they "always pick on the weakest and the different". On the other thread you started, you ask for honest feedback and when you get it, you accuse others of being on a "high horse" or that they're all "goody-two-shoe" nurses because they don't make mistakes. We all make mistakes but we don't blow them off because they aren't "fatal errors".

Whatever. I see that others have tried to talk to you in the past and when they haven't given them the answers you want, you blast them. It's obviously my turn now. Blast away. There will be others who will follow your threads and say the same things I'm saying, have you dissect their posts and twist their words so that it all is about you again and how the rest of us are just nasty, superior females with bad attitudes. Have a nice life. Now, where's that ignore feature?

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The job that I will be leaving soon pays a lot more than starting off as a nurse, so that wasn't a factor for me. I always wanted to be in the medical field, but then an oportunity came up to get the job I have now, and at the time I was young and burnt out on going to school so I took it. Having my son almost 4 years ago made me realize that I needed a career change to have a more flexible schedule and why not pursue the career that I wanted to in the beginning.

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Okay this is getting so tiring- listen and listen well.

First off, nursing is good money, WHEN you get a job and keep it. No two ways about that. It's hilarious to me but it just dawned on me that people who make comments like this are probably disgruntled with the number of people coming into nursing.

And if the deman/supply theory is anything to go by, their fear is maybe that the pay scale will tip over....in the wrong direction and no longer make nursing, the lucrative(deny it) career that it is. Hehehe...there is enough to go around for everyone. Relax:) And if not, something else will work out just fine.

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Coming from a pre-nursing student, I only see salary as an advantage to something I've always truly wanted to do & be - A profession I've always looked up to, admired & respected greatly for their work & role in this society.

I honestly don't relate to the people who had zero or lil interest in nursing until they heard about such things as you speak of; the ability to take the NCLEX-RN with only an associate's & earn that RN salary.

I'm not judging these people.

I have mixed feelings on this.

From all the things I've read from here thus far, it doesn't take someone interested in medicine their entire life to be a wonderful & dedicated nurse.

I just don't relate to the thought of straight up of "Wow, they make great money, don't have to attend school for too long and I could perform those duties too, even though it's the medical field I don't care too much for".

I do feel that if you don't have some genuine interest & love for what you're doing out of enjoyment & wanting to do it, how can it truly be the right thing for you, regardless what you think of the dollar signs?

Just my :twocents: from a pre-nursing student to contribute to statistics.

Brava- let's hear this after nursing school::D

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry, Ortho.

So what. As long as the person can do their job who cares. For those who keep crying that their job is a "calling" and think that they are God's Angels of Mercy I say get a grip and get therapy. Nursing is a profession. You agree to and practice certain standards of care or you need to find another job. Nothing more or less except in some people's disturbed minds and egos.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Nursing school (or at least mine) made sure you absolutely loved nursing. If your heart wasn't in it 100%, I don't think you'd last.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

OP, obviously you can ask/post pretty much what you want(within reason, of course). But, this topic you brought up isn't all that unusual or original here..it's been brought up multiple times. Plus, might not have been your intention, but anything that appears to judge nurses(when you're not a nurse yet) is going to stir things up.

I am proud to be a nurse but like my paycheck as well..I think someone thinking about the income aspects of a job is to be commended. Real life requires practical thinking.

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