If Nurses were paid $8.50 per hr, would you or would you not

Batman25 · Jan 23, 2010

I'd quit. And why would any educated professional with the level of responsibility we have ever work for that amount. That's barely over minimum wage.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 23, 2010

1. I hate rhetorical questions.

2. There's not much I'd do for $8.50 an hour, so saying I wouldn't practice nursing for that amount doesn't mean very much.

Perpetual Student · Jan 23, 2010

I'd quit in a heartbeat. I might do it PT as a volunteer for needy pts or something, but there's no way I'd work FT for that little bit of $$$. That is below minimum wage in my state!

Unless I was at risk of starving I don't think I'd step foot outside my house for

Simba&NalasMom, LPN · Jan 23, 2010

Wow loaded question! But my gut answer is a huge HEAVENS TO MERGATROID NO NO NO!!!!!

Thinking about it a bit more, I guess it would really depend on the type of nursing job, though. I have been a dispensing nurse in a methadone clinic and that job was cake. There are also some types of admin jobs that are relatively low on stress.

But the majority of jobs out there? Good grief; for that kind of money I'd sooner learn how to make lattes; at least you get tips on top of the minimum wage.

No, I don't believe this means I went into nursing for "all the wrong reasons." I care very much for my patients; I just don't masochistically feel that I deserve less than they do.

Mission · Jan 23, 2010

I wouldn't be an ice cream taster for $8.50 an hour, and I love ice cream.

CuriousMe · Jan 23, 2010

I have seen a couple of posts about the motives of students/career changers/people going into nursing . I thought of the question and I want to know.
If RN pay became regulated and new grads had to start at $8.50 and the cap was $17...
1. would you still go into nursing ?
2. would you quit nursing?
why and why not.

I couldn't go in to nursing if I was paid that little.....it wouldn't be a case of what I "want" it would be a logistics issue. There's no way I could provide for myself (even at a basic level) and pay off my student loans at that pay rate.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 23, 2010

Not. :mad:

I don't care who questions my motives for becoming a nurse.

I didn't take out student loans and suffer through nursing school to make less money than a Target or Costco cashier.

Maybe people think nurses are on par with fastfood workers, cashiers, or house cleaners or something. I don't know what it is that would even put the notion in someone's head that what I do is worth $1.25 more than the minimum wage.

I'm insulted. :down:

bill4745, RN · Jan 23, 2010

I love my job but I would not do it for $8.50.

MauriceRC · Jan 23, 2010

Heck no, I would not go into nursing if the pay was $8.50/hr. I have spent the past three years working with people living below the poverty level and I have seen that money cannot buy happiness, but it sure helps. The pay certainly is not my main reason for pursuing nursing but I don’t think I could put myself, my family, or my wallet through the stress of nursing school if my primary compensation were the warm fuzzies I got at the end of the day. I like going out to eat and buying new shoes. And I don’t think that’ll make me a bad nurse.

kanzi monkey · Jan 23, 2010

If nursing school were free, I'd consider it. It would be temporary, for the experience. The institution I worked for would have to be positively visionary though--completely selfless in its commitment to health and wellness. I'd do it for Partners in Health. Maybe forever.

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2010

No way in hell. I wouldn't have even gone into nursing if it was for $15 an hour. No WAY! And I like my job, but we're asked to be responsible for people's lives and to stick ourselves into some disgusting and dangerous situations.