Im curious and want to see absolute honesty

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

Nurses don't make that much money for the type of work they do and the responsibility they have. I wanted to be a lawyer but the nursing program was cheaper and easier to get into. It practically fell into my lap so I thought why not, if I don't like it I can always change.

I chuckle when people say nurses make lots of money...are you kidding! Your poll didn't include my circumstance so I didn't vote. Maybe in your poll the third choice could have been {Other}. As a nurse you know not everything is as black and white as that. Good poll...thank you.

Aurora77 · Jul 30, 2012

Not a student anymore, but I'll answer. For me it's definitely both. I came to nursing as a second career, it was never my dream, but life events pushed me in this direction. I love being a nurse. I also love the paycheck. I started, as a new grad with zero medical experience outside the clinical setting, making $6 an hour more than my last job, where I had been for 10 years. That doesn't count my night shift diff. Compared to many on AN, I make peanuts, but my DH and I live cheaply, in a relatively low cost area so we're quite comfortable.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 30, 2012

i don't think you have enough options there. dream vs. in it for the money are just two ends of the spectrum, and there's a lot in between. by the way . . . i'm not sure that being purely in it for the dream is as good an idea as going into it for lots of other reasons . . . you're going to find that the reality is quite unlike the dream.

caliotter3 · Jul 30, 2012

Agree that you need to represent more of the spectrum. "In it for the money", in my mind, implies that the nurse will make a "good" living versus just "making a living". Then, there are those who thought that they "would never be without a job". While not specifying a level of income, that option implies that there will always be "some" level of income. There is a difference. A person should also have the option of answering "all that apply". I fall into the category of both, "dream" and "would never be without a job". Boy, did I get a rude awakening.

student forever · Jul 30, 2012

Frankly, I would be a cna forever if the money was better and the establishments did not work us to death!!! Being ON THE RUN for 8 hours straight and the two person transfers hour after hour (AL) are playing havoc on my body. My knees are suffering badly...

I do not want to do injections EVER, but really only began to think of going to the next level (being an lpn) to save my body #1 and earn more #2 so I can stay in the healthcare field and not switch careers out of necessity to save my joints and limbs.

peppapig123 · Jul 30, 2012

People on here say nurses don't make a lot, but where I come from (the ghetto, hood, whatever you wanna call it) 35k or more is a lot to people where I live. So a lot of girls I know do go into nursing for the money. Also, everyone wants to be a cna because they think the pay is good o_O Me personally, I want to make a decent living formy daughter. I love helping others, I want to make a difference in people's lives. So its both for me. I hope I get into a program

caliotter3 · Jul 30, 2012

Frankly, I would be a cna forever if the money was better and the establishments did not work us to death!!! Being ON THE RUN for 8 hours straight and the two person transfers hour after hour (AL) are playing havoc on my body. My knees are suffering badly...
I do not want to do injections EVER, but really only began to think of going to the next level (being an lpn) to save my body #1 and earn more #2 so I can stay in the healthcare field and not switch careers out of necessity to save my joints and limbs.

This is some of the thought that made me progress beyond CNA. Rarely do CNA's work past retirement age due to their bodies being tired.

jessdixie81 · Jul 30, 2012

I have been a CNA since 2003, and am currently on the wait list for my clinical portion of my RN, my pre nursing classes are finished. I feel being a CNA first before becoming a nurse it's very important, I am a CNA because i know i can make a difference in the lives of those I care for, i am an asset to their care, i enrich their lives, and make them feel safe and comfortable. I will feel the same as a RN. I do want the financial stability, and i picked the field footer the job stability, but the main reason it's because I am made for this, I am able to properly care for others, with compassion and social and emotional intelligence.

allnurses Guide · Jul 30, 2012

Both. I love being a nurse and if the world falls apart and Armageddon happens I will continue nursing for free. But for now I am sure glad I don't have to do it for free. It isn't a wealthy living but if something happened to my husband I could easily support myself and my kids.

kcmylorn · Jul 30, 2012

30 years ago I went into nursing because I wanted to. We didn't express life the way they do now a days, shreeking and blubbering "It's my dream job! "( a phrase I find absolutely nauseating) This phrase likens nursing to the cute guy you want to take you to a prom. By the time one enters nursing, your prom days are over, get over yourselves and grow up. It's not Sesame Street.

With the current trends, climate in Nursing, the attitudes, the "Prejudices!" and the way it it is practiced, I want to get out badly and do something else but find I do not have the means to do so. I love the pure science and scientific advances of it but have zero tolerance for the rest of the nonsence it has become.. No- I don't want to share my experience with the less experienced, I find them to non receptive, know it alls and very disrespectful- like they were raised by animals in barns. JMHO

You asked for honesty

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

Your poll should be more like:

*Wanted to be a nurse my whole life

*Wanted to be a nurse after other career choices/later in life

*Went into nursing initially mostly because I love nursing

*Went into nursing initially mostly because I needed the income

*Staying in nursing mostly because I love it

*Staying in nursing mostly for the income

*Staying in nursing both for income and enjoyment of career

I'm definitely not a black/white situation, I'd have to be able to select three of the above!

Im curious and want to see absolute honesty

I'm in nursing because