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

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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.

Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I can not imagine another field I would have enjoyed as much as nursing. Perhaps it is why I have stayed in as many years as I have.

I started at $4.10 an hour. My house payments were perhaps only $200.00 a month back then. With that said, if they rolled back my salary equally to cost of living and taxes etc. Yes, I would stay.

Given the real world, and what things do cost today. I could not afford to take the salary cut. I earn what many Rn's earn. For that I am thankful.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

After what happened recently to my friend, an RN who was killed while doing home care, 8 bucks is NOT enough for me to do this job. 8 bucks is an INSULT.

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

So, what's the point, exactly? Is it that a caring, motivated nurse who wants to make a decent living is no better than one that doesn't care and only shows up for the paycheck? I think we need to stop debating the extremes so much.

I don't personally know a single nurse who is totally selfless. I can think of a couple who maybe put their own self-interest a bit too high on their priority list, but even they are more likely to take advantage of their co-workers, rather than their patients.

My base pay is about 23.00 an hour. I'd work for that, but I'm better off with my diffs. I work weekends for an extra $4/hr, and on weeknights I get 10% over base for night shift. I was getting just over $10/hr (including diffs) in my unlicensed job, so no, I wouldn't be a nurse for 8.50.

My main qualifications for nursing are a soft heart and a strong back. I didn't say anything about a soft head.

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There's no way I could even if I were willing. I have children and a military husband (ie. can't rely on him for sharing in childcare d/t his schedule) and I pay my sitter $10-12 an hour. It would cost me a hefty chunk of change to work for $8.50.

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This isn't about 'being in it for the cash'. A lot of people think that of doctors too.

I don't expect to ever get wealthy from being a nurse. What I DO expect is that I will eventually be able to pay off the multitude of student loans I took out to become a nurse.

I don't think 8.50 is below me, but it certainly isn't worth the daily struggle we are put into as nurses.

If I wanted to work for 8.50 an hour, I would not have chosen a career that is often gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and back breaking.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

No. Although nursing is my chosen career I have to be able to pay my bills. Besides anyone who has spent time in school and learned all that we do as nurses deserves to be fairly compensated for our hard work and knowledge.

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no couldn't do it, to much responsibility for too little pay

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

With the pay difference, one can only assume the job details would change too.

1. If work conditions improve, like..........M/S nurses have up to 3 patients type improvement............then I'd consider staying.

2. If work conditions stay the same, no, I would not stay. Too much abuse from both sides (pt's and administration) to be bothered for that amt.

Mind you, I am assuming I'd make more than 8.50 since I've been a nurse for a little bit.

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Specializes in ER.

nope.

way too much responsibility/liability for $8.50

and honestly, I wouldn't work nights, drive 75 miles each ways and have it control my life for that amount.

and I love my job-- but it is a job. My family comes first, this job I love allows me to help support them. But I wouldn't distrupt everyones schedule for that amount.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
. . .=nursemike;4094368] My main qualifications for nursing are a soft heart and a strong back. I didn't say anything about a soft head.

Well, Mike- as one who is also 53, the strong back part is getting pretty iffy these days. . .:) I'll always keep the soft heart, though. :up:

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
I can not imagine another field I would have enjoyed as much as nursing. Perhaps it is why I have stayed in as many years as I have.

I started at $4.10 an hour. My house payments were perhaps only $200.00 a month back then. With that said, if they rolled back my salary equally to cost of living and taxes etc. Yes, I would stay.

Given the real world, and what things do cost today. I could not afford to take the salary cut. I earn what many Rn's earn. For that I am thankful.

:D Your post made me remember my first nursing job. I made $2.90/hr as a full-time RN in L&D. My rent was about $170/month and I even saved up $1000 toward a brand new$4000 Subaru (1977.) I was just so glad to be making more than $1.35/hr that I made as a CNA!

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Specializes in NICU.

Oh hell to the no! I'd quit nursing school right now if that were the case. Nursing feels like a calling to me, but 'callings' don't pay the bills. There needs to be reasonable compensation for all that we have hanging on our license.

Interesting question though.

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