Is money everything in this profession?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Being a newly grad nurse, I can't deny the fact that we are in need in money to help paying bills that have been piled up since we were in school. We doesn't love money, right? I am sure we all do, and we work hard for it.

But after listening to these nurses, I am wondering where is our professional/ethical practice?

I have recently picked some odd shifts and start working in a rural hospital through agency and happened to chat with few nurses who used to work in NWT and Yellowknife in isolated Northern Canada in the lunch room.

All they said is "working up north is good money and in fact, it is like our gold mine"... they went on and on about going through the loop hole such as ask the patient to come and see you after hours and you can get paid for call back, which is legal service just different time slot.. and get paid more.. etc

The more I listened, the more I feel wrong - first thing crossed my mind was "is that why we can't get too much work cause majority of the hospital / nursing facility is out of budget"???? Where is our ethic? I thought we all took an oath.

Well, maybe I am still a "new blood" to the profession and over-reacted with things like that, which is technically happening everywhere (someone has to watch out for themselves kind of mentality)?

"A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.” - Joseph Hall

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Where is our ethic? I thought we all took an oath.

I consider the fact that I enjoy my job and constantly learn new things as well as the satisfaction of being able to help patients a definite bonus, but at the end of the day I'm in this for the money. I work so that I can afford to live ;)

I never took an oath so I'm not sure which one you're referring to, but I always try to do my job to the best of my ability/competently and always try to treat patients the way I hope to be treated, with respect and kindness.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i never took an oath and yes money is everything in this profession. Everything is business, bottom line and cut throat when it comes to the dealing and treatment towards nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some nurses do see far north jobs as a goldmine opportunity.

But it happens everywhere. Recently AHS posted their sunshine list of staff making over $125k per year. Look at it to have your eyes opened. With UNA OT rates of a round $100 per hour there are numerous RNs on it. Several doctors I work with mad over $2,000,000 and they carry very little overhead.

senior RNs on my unit squabble over the OT with it rarely making it down to the newer hires. LPNS stand almost no chance of OT because somehow those same RNs claim there was no LPN available when the calls went out and they have totals the shift to keep the unit staffed.

its all about the money, here as it is around the world

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

Money isn't everything, but cost of living continues to rise. I expect to be paid well for my skill set, and I did not take an oath.

Money pays the bills.

Working up north can be a "goldmine", although I disagree. You're isolated and working conditions can be brutal. The pay is not great considering the rates some nurses make with OT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Registered Nurse.

There are thousands of nurses with high professional and ethical standards in nursing practice who happen to also get paid for their service. Do we expect physicians, management or others in healthcare to accept less pay for services rendered? We should not expect nurses to work for low wages either.

In fact, nurses are underpaid. They often work under stressful conditions with the responsibility of caring for patient's lives. Most nurses don't get pensions, and the non for profit health care providers may not offer retirement matching income or benefits. Numererous nurses get injured on the job because some nursing positions are physically demanding. Even if they don't get injured on the job, the wear and tear on the body related to some nursing work can end or limit a nurse's longevity in this career. Throw in the cost of nursing license, certifications to keep up do date in their nursing career, mandatory CEU's and the cost of nursing education. Overall, most nurses make average middle class wages, but are not getting paid that well. Sure, there are a few with some excellent wages, but I don't think the majority of nurses are getting the wages they deserve for the care provided to the public.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you trying to say that nurses are working the system? If that's true it very isolated. Pretty across the board every nurse position today is a tough one.

Me if I were to begrudge anyone those rates, it would be the populace who unnecessarily live in a brutal remote area.

I'll keep my nice job with a respectable income in a beautiful part of California. I have no beef with those nurses willing to live in those conditions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Would it be better if the pay was peanuts, and therefore nurses would have no big reason to go work there? Honest question.

I am one who works because I want to (not because I have to), and I do hope to do surgical missions when my kids are older. Nursing is a passion for me.

But there is nothing virtuous about working for less. On my paid employment time, I take jobs that make some fiscal sense (since I am taking time from my family.) I take jobs with acceptable working conditions. I take jobs where I am respected as a professional.

Contrary to the notion that money is everything, there are some nursing jobs that pay very well but are not worth the amount of work. I'm a strong person typically, but one former job used to give me anxiety-nausea the night before. It paid very well, but not worth it.

But back to your concern, look at it this way: nurses are getting an incentive to go where they otherwise would not. Again speaking from my own perspective, I like my big house in the burbs. I like the burbs, period -- and I like the bigger city I work in. To go work somewhere else, at the bare minimum needs to make it worth it. These people need nurses; the $$$ is attractive to said nurses. Everybody benefits.

I didn't take an oath either, by the way. But did your oath include a clause about not benefitting financially? Like Morissette said, are physicians vilified for making a good living? Are physical therapists vilified for making a good living? Why should nurses be -- esp considering we profit less than many other health professionals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

To be blunt, I wouldn't report to work if I didn't receive pay for the services I render. Money is important since it rules everything around us. I don't work for free.

'Compassion' will not pay for the roof over my head. 'Concern' will not pay for the food in my refrigerator. 'Caring' will not pay for life's basic necessities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

No money, no worky. Yes, I need to keep a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on my table. I work to live- my life isn't just nursing and obviously I need money to pay for not only the basics but those niceties beyond the basics. If a place is willing to offer more money because it lacks other attractive properties, then more power to those nurses willing to move to the middle of nowhere or deal with situations not found everywhere.. Would I do it? Probably not. Do I pick up extra call in order to pick up some extra hours at time and a half to help save up more money for things like vacations and a day at the spa? Of course! I really don't get the people who think that nurses don't deserve the opportunities to make more money like other professions. We aren't the angels in white. We're members of society just like everyone else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I consider myself to be very, very good at what I do. After all, I've been putting smiles on people's faces professionally for thirty years. HOWEVER!!!!! There is no way I would endure this (stuff) for free. I'm good, but I never claimed to be able to walk on water.:smokin:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

The OP is referring to northern nursing posts in Canada, where temperatures can range from minus 30 to minus 50 all winter.

Try 8 months of frigid conditions with no support staff and very little to do. Nurses leave these posts because they can't take the isolation. If the pay wasn't attractive, those facilities wouldn't be staffed.

However, the 120-160 thousand that nurses can make in these areas is not enough to retain anyone for long.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment