I'm tired of hearing this phrase.....

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Hey everybody, I just want to vent. Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn't but here it is anyways. I've been a pre-nursing student since Fall 2012. And maybe you can relate, that we have told family, friends, co-workers, people from our past etc... that we are pursuing nursing, 99 percent of the time I hear "Oh yeah! You're going make some good money. or keep on moving up the ladder that's how you get the big bucks" Not "That's a good career choice, or Wow, you will be helping to save people lives, how wonderful. Now, I take all of it as them wishing me well but I am not pursuing nursing for the money. There are many other careers where I can make more money and some of the jobs don't even need a college education. I try to just tell people now that I'm a student and hope they don't ask me what I am taking, but it usually don't work. I am honored and blessed to be on this journey and I guess I wish they knew and could feel the true passion I have of this career. That's all. Bye!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I hear that now and it always startles me. I went into nursing because of my interests before the salaries increased. The phrase "just a nurse" was common. Now when I tell people I am a nurse they say "you must make a lot of money."

I think it is the economy. Everyone focusing on money. If people are interested I talk about the work..

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I'm applying to nursing school now and my father in law said, "So, you don't want to become a doctor?"*Why in the **** would I want to become a doctor when I can become a nurse? I cant stand it when people say things like to me, as if becoming a nurse isn't good enough. It's better than "good enough", it is my dream.

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Aw, you're going to be hearing that for the rest of your career, get used to it :)

There are those who don't know that we're at the opposite end of a nursing shortage, that there's a shortage of nursing JOBS....they will still tell you how "easy" it is to get a job, and if you are having difficulty, what's "wrong" with you?

There are those who don't understand what a nursing program entails, or the testing/licensing requirements, and so will say ignorant things that will likely irritate.....eventually, you'll learn to smile and say "thanks" and keep moving.

When I was a new nurse, I had a patient's bedside visitor look at my nametag, see RN, and ask me if I was planning to continue my education to become an LPN. Ummm.....I smiled, told her I was "good" where I was, and that I'd be back to check on Patient X later. :cyclops:

Sometimes, a smile and keeping moving is the best way to deal with it all!

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Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

I'm glad I don't get that. A lot of my friends and family are nurses, so they get it. Though I do sometimes get "You'll make a lot MORE money" by people who know what I make now.

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This is the same point I'm trying to make when I tell people I want to pursue nursing. I expect a "wow thats great you're helping" response but all I get is "you will be rich!". I initially wanted to be a doctor, but I needed to go to another path to help my family and maybe pursue medicine in the future. Everyone has their reasons for going into nursing. I am a male pre-nursing student, which coincidentally fits the stereotype for my ethnicity. I get frustrated when I think about it.

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I agree with you. Every time I tell someone that I'm going to school to become a nurse they mention how well they get paid. But to be honest while it wasn't the reason that I wanted to go into nursing, it is reassuring to know that I will be able to be independent and care for my son on my salary alone (once I finally get out of school). But like you I'm not excited about the money, actually taking care of people is what excites me. And I really want to work at a children's hospital so helping make a sick kid's day and taking care of them is what really pushes me to be successful.

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I'm applying to nursing school now and my father in law said, "So, you don't want to become a doctor?"*Why in the **** would I want to become a doctor when I can become a nurse? I cant stand it when people say things like to me, as if becoming a nurse isn't good enough. It's better than "good enough", it is my dream.

I get this...a lot. I've just stopped discussing my goals with the naysayers. It's much better th a t way.

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