Is money everything in this profession?

Fiona59 · Jul 13, 2016

This the the Nightingale pledge. We didn't say it at my graduation, and if they did I would not have participated.
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

purity???

are we meant to be no nuns?

target98765 · Jul 13, 2016

purity???
are we meant to be no nuns?

Apparently! !!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 13, 2016

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.

I almost spit out my coffee when I read this, lol. If this weren't a nursing forum!!!! :roflmao:

lemur00, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

One of the nurses I knew that worked up north said "you have to be bats***t crazy to be a northern nurse". Another that worked on Baffin Island for years admitted to having a complete suicide plan when she worked up there.

There are lots of stabbings, suicides and critical incidents up north, with no support. And I mean you're literally alone doing a lot of physician work. It's the definition of isolation. No one would work up there without being paid well, and even then for some there is not enough pay in the world to convince them to go back up there.

And then a lot of that handsome pay goes to buying a half moldy head of lettuce for like 15 dollars.

That said, the callback abuse does happen. Our union cracked down on it in the northern part of our province in the last contract. But really, can't totally blame them for getting what they can. Northern nursing is hard.

NotYourMamasRN · Jul 13, 2016

Well considering the amount of student loans I have, I have got to have pay standards. Becoming a nurse and getting advanced education to be able to hold the positions I want to hold, it doesn't come cheap. So, though pay doesn't give people compassion, empathy, or kindness if they are not otherwise that type of person, it surely motivates them to come to work. :)

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

You thought wrong...

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.â€ - Joseph Hall

PACUpleeze · Jul 13, 2016

Nobody like to be underpaid - that's the universal rule and trust me, I LOVE money to death.
Sometime it was just surprised to hear from others of how they trying to find a loop hole, and "milk" the system just so they can make more (nurses I met in the lunch room).

I don't really understand how taking all the opportunities offered to an RN to make more money is "milking it". Only RN's get indignant about those that want to make more money. No doctor, lawyer or CEO goes to his colleagues and goes "Man, you guys, I really wish there was a way that we could make less for the time and commitment I take out of my life to do this job". It doesn't happen. I will take EVERY single thing offered to me at every place I work until my body can't do it anymore. Every.Single.Thing. Sometimes, Even though I am already planning to work it, I won't actually pick up an agency shift until I get the "critical needs" text 2 hours before the shift that offers $200 more to take it. Work smarter, not harder, people.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

WHY do nurses have to be different than, say, accountants or lawyers who are in their fields to make money? I am not a nun and took no oath of poverty and were I not making decent money, I would not be doing what I do. I have bills, a family to support and like my vacations and nice things I can afford.
I suppose that makes me "unethical" in your estimation? Whatever.

She didn't say that. She's just questioning life, as people sometimes do. No need to take it as an insult or feel guilty.

OP, if Nursing is your religious calling, you'd perhaps have taken a vow of poverty. Don't forget, though, that nuns, for example, who take such a vow, are supported by their Order. They don't have to worry about providing food, clothing, shelter, retirement, etc. for themselves. Their Order takes care of them.

Feel free to earn decent pay. You worked hard to become a nurse, society needs your skills and knowledge and expects to pay you for them. You can give to charity or other causes you believe in if you can afford to do so, after you take care of your expenses. I know the Bible says to tithe, probably off the top. Do that if that is your belief.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

purity???
are we meant to be no nuns?

Surely we can live purely without being nuns.

WhyNurse · Jul 14, 2016

Yes - it is just a question about life in a broader area.

We all need money to sustain, and nursing is no different than other profession.

We work, we pay our dues, and we live... it is a cycle of life.

Just gonna make sure we are not "stealing", not "milking"...etc.

People often tend to feel that they deserve a raise or they are underpaid - and the exhaustion or unfair treatment at workplace causes people to have the sense of entitlement; and that often leads us to make the decision or do something where other will think we are milking the system.

Now that I think about it - this is more of making your choice and be responsible with the consequences.... :nurse:

She didn't say that. She's just questioning life, as people sometimes do. No need to take it as an insult or feel guilty.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 14, 2016

Surely we can live purely without being nuns.

Except "purity" is an abstract term. Whose definition would we be accepting? I already know from other threads that my idea and your idea would be vastly different. And why would it matter anyway? As long as it's not illegal or unethical, what does my life outside of work have to do with me being a nurse?

RNrhythm, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2016

I took an oath and I took it seriously.

It sounds like you are describing nurses running up costs to increase their billing. That sounds unethical.

I do agree that we should be fairly compensated and I think I am. Healthcare is a big, high-profit business in the USA and I am glad my union is around to balance out my corporate employer. (Some people may have a different view of unions but I work for a for-profit corporation who looks for any opportunity to exploit staff.)