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

[RNnbakes]

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.

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

Nope, no way, absolutely not!!!! I can think of many other areas at the same pay rate without all the BS that we endure as nurses. In fact we arent paid enough now for the skill level, education and abuse we endure from pts, employers, and sad to say other co-workers.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Never, never, never.

[simplyashley21]

Hmmm...I like that question. Depends on the situation. Whether the cost of living remains the same or significantly decreases. Is the level of responsibility the same? Perhaps I would. If it is the US regulating this salary with the current cost of living in mind then definitely no. I have actually considered whether or not I would do this and that is because I would like to one day move to a country that is not as developed as the U.S.

[caliotter3]

My first job as a licensed nurse was for $10 an hour. Less than ten years later, I worked as a CNA for $10 an hour. It will be a little chillier in the underworld before I ever get all of the wasted money back that I paid on nursing school. Had I known then what I know now, I would not have gone into nursing. So, no, I would not work for $8.50 an hour, not as a nurse.

[summersent]

I'm wondering when the people who flame others for asking questions about salary will come in and post on this thread. You know, the ones who state God came to them at birth and sent them a "calling" and saying it has nothing to do with money(so how dare anyone ask about salary) but just the genuine overwhelming great feeling of compassion.

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

We put WAY too much of ourselves on the line for that low of pay. No. way. I'd still miss nursing but, it just wouldn't be remotely worth it- how can nurses even carry insurance if we got paid that low?

[cheska_rn, ASN, RN]

Nope, I would quit nursing school (which just started this week) today!

I have a family to support, and on $8.50, I absolutely could not! I'm not going into nursing because of the money -- I have a good job that pays a very good salary, but at the same time, if nursing couldn't 'pay the bills' then it wouldn't be a profession I would choose to get into, regardless of how much I like it.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

1. no

2. yes

[OldnurseRN]

Well I DID come in to nursing at close to that but how many years ago and what was the cost of living? That was "good money" then and 10 years later WAS making over $17.00. In todays economy, however, one needs to make a living that they can actually live on. So, no, I would not do it today.

[SaraO'Hara]

No. I'd go back to school and start teaching history.

[caliotter3]

I'm wondering when the people who flame others for asking questions about salary will come in and post on this thread. You know, the ones who state God came to them at birth and sent them a "calling" and saying it has nothing to do with money(so how dare anyone ask about salary) but just the genuine overwhelming great feeling of compassion.

[CathyLew]

Im sure all of us at one time said we went into nursing to help people, and for the good feeling we get... it wasn't about the money. But it didn't take long to wake up and see the real world!

So.... heck no! I would spend more that on the wine it takes to forget the stress of the day!