Is the pay really that bad??

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I've read a couple of people on this site saying stuff like "Don't go into nursing for the money" and "Don't expect to get rich with nursing", etc. I'm curious as to why some are saying this. I've been working in the banking field for about 6 years or so and I'm still only making about $25k a year and there's not much better in sight for the future for me. Nursing would have me starting out making at least in the low $40's in my area. There is really not much else in my area where I could make this amount of money unless I get into sales, which I am no good at and it's not stable. I know $40k a year isn't making it rich, but it is making it comfortable and I would be able to take care of my family without struggeling so much. Is there a reason that there is such an attitude about the money? Is it worth it? I really feel that I have a calling to be a nurse (as cheesy as that sounds!), it's all I think about and I don't know why but I'm so drawn to it and the pay makes it even that much better for me. But I'm just curious as to why some seem so down on it.

Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

djc1981: You too, are not a nurse, you may be a student nurse, but that is NOT the same as working in the full role of a nurse. Where do you get off telling us to stop complaining or leave the profession if were not happy?

Not being happy with one aspect of our jobs, does not mean we do not find our jobs rewarding in other ways.

I have a suggestion, if you're so closed minded about others opinions, perhaps you should reconsider becoming a nurse, it might be too difficult for you to see the "whole" picture or "whole" patient just because they complain their call light wasn't answered in a timely manner. Not being happy with a small portion of their care, doesn't mean they won't be overall pleased with the care they've received.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I currently make $30K MORE than I did in my previous master's level profession, working 36 hrs a week plus a slight amount of OT at the end of shifts, with no extra shifts. About $1500 a month is used for paying off student loans (I'm trying to get it done!) and saving for retirement. I also budget $500 a month for travel as that is my passion. Other than that, my expenses are low as I have a reliable older car that I keep in great condition and don't spend my time shopping and accumulating possessions. Clothes are basically scrubs and outdoor gear. I live incredibly well compared to my previous salary. But I still consider my pay low for the responsibility of a nurse.

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I currently make $30K MORE than I did in my previous master's level profession, working 36 hrs a week plus a slight amount of OT at the end of shifts, with no extra shifts. About $1500 a month is used for paying off student loans (I'm trying to get it done!) and saving for retirement. I also budget $500 a month for travel as that is my passion. Other than that, my expenses are low as I have a reliable older car that I keep in great condition and don't spend my time shopping and accumulating possessions. Clothes are basically scrubs and outdoor gear. I live incredibly well compared to my previous salary. But I still consider my pay low for the responsibility of a nurse.

You basically described exactly what I'm refering to for the nursing salary.

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Specializes in OR, ICU, Med-Surg.

When you take into account the shortage of nurses and understand that pay is based on supply and demand, as I am sure you do working in banking you will see that nurses are drastically underpaid. If we weren't underpaid you wouldn't see a mass exodus of new nurses from the profession due to burnout every year. Ask any med-surg nurse if they make enough money!

Did you go to school for your 'banking' job? Did you go through a residency/internship for your specialty in banking? Do you have people's physical (not financial :p ) lives in your hands on a daily basis in banking?

Work in the field in a medically under-served region for 6 months and if you tell me you make enough money you'll shut me up forever. However, I know that when you get your first bad staffing night and have a pt code (have cardio-respiratory failure/heart attack/stroke) on you during that shift, you will change your mind.

It is all about what we have to put up with. We have many issues in our field ATM:

Not enough schools

Not enough teachers/instructors

Not enough men interested in nursing

Not enough nurse:pt ratio legislation

Too many people with licenses that burnout and never return

Too many old nurses of the baby-boomer generation that are retiring in mass exodus fashion and requiring long term care from fewer younger nurses.

You factor all that in, among many other things in our current health care system, and you have a MAJOR crisis.

No, we don't make enough. You may find the occasional specialty nurse that is fit perfectly into their job, but ask some med-surg or LTC nurses (which make up a vastly disproportionate number of nurses to specialties) and my guess is they don't.

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Specializes in OR, ICU, Med-Surg.

Lets end the discussion on fiscal responsibilty as that was not the topic posted. Lets try to get back to the authors intent.

Which, correct me if I am wrong, is wanting to know why he has heard nurses complain about not getting paid enough.

If I had to pick one reason to punctuate all the others it would be STRESS.

Many, if not most, of the nursing jobs out there (especially long term care and med-surg) are incredibly stressful and often border on unsafe for patients which in turn is dangerous for the integrity of your license as a health care provider.

Parents not teaching you how to manage your money is meant for another website and forum all-together.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
Lets end the discussion on fiscal responsibilty as that was not the topic posted. Lets try to get back to the authors intent.

Which, correct me if I am wrong, is wanting to know why he has heard nurses complain about not getting paid enough.

If I had to pick one reason to punctuate all the others it would be STRESS.

Many, if not most, of the nursing jobs out there (especially long term care and med-surg) are incredibly stressful and often border on unsafe for patients which in turn is dangerous for the integrity of your license as a health care provider.

Parents not teaching you how to manage your money is meant for another website and forum all-together.

Exactly.

I think I got a bit fired up last night because I was being lectured and preached to about something personal that I didn't even expect to get brought into the conversation. I brought up my personal opinion about what "good money" means to me- to illustrate that it means different things to different people and according to their own situation. Somehow that got flipped to me not being appreciative and how I obviously don't know what its like to live on much less, nor do I have appreciation for other professions that are underpaid. It seemed out of left field to me, and I think I took it so personally because I have struggled so much and have done this against all odds. Then you add the lecture about our soldiers when my SO was a Marine and has spent plenty of time in hell holes being shot at. Just felt like this::crash_com:banghead:

So I apologize if I reacted too strongly....

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Did you go to school for your 'banking' job? Did you go through a residency/internship for your specialty in banking? Do you have people's physical (not financial :p ) lives in your hands on a daily basis in banking?

Work in the field in a medically under-served region for 6 months and if you tell me you make enough money you'll shut me up forever. However, I know that when you get your first bad staffing night and have a pt code (have cardio-respiratory failure/heart attack/stroke) on you during that shift, you will change your mind.

No I didn't go to school for my "banking" job, right now I'm trying to complete my schooling to be a nurse. Why are you asking these questions about my "banking" job as if I'm proud of my position or something? I hate my job, it pays nothing, it's totally unfullfilling and I can't wait to get finished with school so that I can be a nurse. (Although I'm sure you don't understand why I would want to quit my cush non-paying job to put up with the horrors of nursing that so many point out, but it's what I want to do anyways) Seriously, sometimes it seems like some people on here are trying to talk people out of nursing. It's confusing to me being that we're facing such a huge crisis as you've pointed out.

I would also like to point out that I NEVER SAID I THOUGHT NURSES WEREN'T UNDERPAID so please stop trying to prove that to me. The only reason why I originally asked the question was because I was concerned after reading some peoples posts about horrible pay that it made me wonder if the pay I've been hearing about was maybe just rumors. Is it really that hard for you guys to understand why I would be confused that somebody would say that $25-$30 an hour is not a lot of money when I'm trying to get by on substantially less. It's hard for me to see that as "little" money. But before people freak out again let me remind you again, that I'm not saying that you don't deserve more. I'm not saying that! I'm just saying that it seems like a lot of money to me and I can't wait to make it.

I think I got a bit fired up last night because I was being lectured and preached to about something personal that I didn't even expect to get brought into the conversation. I brought up my personal opinion about what "good money" means to me- to illustrate that it means different things to different people and according to their own situation. Somehow that got flipped to me not being appreciative and how I obviously don't know what its like to live on much less, nor do I have appreciation for other professions that are underpaid. It seemed out of left field to me, and I think I took it so personally because I have struggled so much and have done this against all odds. Then you add the lecture about our soldiers when my SO was a Marine and has spent plenty of time in hell holes being shot at. Just felt like this

I wasn't trying to personally attack you and I got a little fired up too because of the hard times that I am going through just trying to pay the bills and find a way to pay my way through nursing school. It baffles me when people complain about making 40k a year. Not that I don't think you deserve more, just that I would love to be making that kind of money so that I don't have to worry about not being able to pay the bills anymore, etc. Is that too hard to understand??? Some of you just seem to be on the defense about your profession as if everybody is saying you don't work hard for your money or that you don't deserve more. That is not what I was trying to do. I will be in your shoes one day, so why would I put you down that way?

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By the way, I'm a she. Just thought I'd point that out since somebody called me a he. Not that it matters or anything. :-)

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Specializes in ER/OR.

Wow. Some people clearly have major anger management issues. Do I think nurses should be paid more for what they do? Absolutely. Is it terrible money? No. Nurses are paid more than the vast majority of other careers, with numerous opportunities for upward mobility -- IF you are not lazy and strive to reach them through hard work and further education. It's all about personal respsonsibility and choices. Thats all I'm saying. Every person at the end of the day feels they are not paid enough and are exhausted -- retail, banking, education, business. It's a universal human trait to feel we are worth more than we get. Nursing doesn't have some magical monopoly on this. :twocents:

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Specializes in Telemetry.
No I didn't go to school for my "banking" job, right now I'm trying to complete my schooling to be a nurse. Why are you asking these questions about my "banking" job as if I'm proud of my position or something? I hate my job, it pays nothing, it's totally unfullfilling and I can't wait to get finished with school so that I can be a nurse. (Although I'm sure you don't understand why I would want to quit my cush non-paying job to put up with the horrors of nursing that so many point out, but it's what I want to do anyways) Seriously, sometimes it seems like some people on here are trying to talk people out of nursing. It's confusing to me being that we're facing such a huge crisis as you've pointed out.

I would also like to point out that I NEVER SAID I THOUGHT NURSES WEREN'T UNDERPAID so please stop trying to prove that to me. The only reason why I originally asked the question was because I was concerned after reading some peoples posts about horrible pay that it made me wonder if the pay I've been hearing about was maybe just rumors. Is it really that hard for you guys to understand why I would be confused that somebody would say that $25-$30 an hour is not a lot of money when I'm trying to get by on substantially less. It's hard for me to see that as "little" money. But before people freak out again let me remind you again, that I'm not saying that you don't deserve more. I'm not saying that! I'm just saying that it seems like a lot of money to me and I can't wait to make it.

I wasn't trying to personally attack you and I got a little fired up too because of the hard times that I am going through just trying to pay the bills and find a way to pay my way through nursing school. It baffles me when people complain about making 40k a year. Not that I don't think you deserve more, just that I would love to be making that kind of money so that I don't have to worry about not being able to pay the bills anymore, etc. Is that too hard to understand??? Some of you just seem to be on the defense about your profession as if everybody is saying you don't work hard for your money or that you don't deserve more. That is not what I was trying to do. I will be in your shoes one day, so why would I put you down that way?

I think generally where this thread went wrong was when people were beginning to get judged because in their life 40k is not a lot of money. I don't really feel anyone is arguing the point that nurses don't deserve more. You just came off (to me anyway) as though we should all be so happy to make what we make and satisfied with it, which is where, from the way I see it, the problems started. Here's the thing: 40k might be plenty of money for you depending on where you live, and I think you have a 2 yr old if I'm remembering correctly. Please trust me when I say a 2 year old child is less expensive than an older child. They get more expensive as they get older. Also, consider the fact that I don't just have 1 child, I have 3, all school age. So where you could comfortably live in a 2 bedroom apartment, I am required, by law, to have a 3 bedroom or bigger. I don't know about where you live, but where I live 3 bedroom apartments are basically nonexistant. I have to have a house. That adds more money. I also need a car that will fit all of us. I also have 3x the clothes, 3x the food, 3x the daycare, 3x the school expenses etc than you. So while 40k may be great for you, 40k does not make my ends meet, even if you take away a vacation, new car, and all extras like movies or dinners out.

I'm trying to explain to you that its all relative. Just because you'd love to be making 40k in your situation doesn't mean that 40k is enough in mine. You mentioned trying to make ends meet on $10 or $12 an hour and I've done it. Am I glad I make more than that now? Yes, of course. My original post was in response to a poster saying that was great money. For me its not. Its not bad, but its not great, and it doesn't cover my basic living expenses. I understand how it feels to make little money and be working your butt off and trying to make a better life. I understand the stress, and frustration, and I understand that from where you sit right now 40k is looking great. But to attack someone who was trying to make a point that great money is relative is just unacceptable to me. Especially because you don't know anything about me or my situation, my history, my struggles. I mean, you preached to me about the soldiers in Iraq... for all you know I served in the military, and you're going to sit there and tell me how I don't think about those serving our country? I was offended enough by that statement because my SO spent so much time being shot at for less pay than what you suggested. So the last thing I need is someone telling me about sacrifices and struggles- my life has been nothing but that up until now. Its just not fair to judge someone so harshly and quickly when you know nothing of their situation.

Now, its my choice to have 3 kids. But when I had them I thought I'd have a husband to help support them. Instead I have an exhusband who lives in another state and doesn't pay any child support.

I don't know really if any of this makes a difference or if you are at a place where you can openly hear a different opinion than yours with out getting defensive. I just want to take a minute to respond to your post (as opposed to react, which is what I did last night) and try to clarify to you where I was coming from.

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

Beachbum, I agree with you on most everything you've said.

The discussion got heated, because as nurses, we know how hard and stressful our job is. We all live in different areas of the country/world and 40k in one place may be the same (RT cost of living) as 70k is in another place.

All I know is, I work very hard for my money, I've worked in critical care for 12 of my 16 years as a nurse. The money I make is NOT adequate compensation for all the stress, bureaucratic BS, poor staffing, high acuity, poor benefits, etc... I would like a living wage. A wage that somewhat keeps pace with the economy, not a wage that has a cap on it. My heat has doubled, we all know gas for the cars is out of this world, groceries are going up, and I've worked too hard for too many years to have to struggle while pushing 50.

I think the overwhelming majority agree, nurses should make more. I make just enough to make it into the "lower middle class" category. That sucks!

Any ideas on how we nurses can change our future wages without going into more debt to further our education? I am the primary bread winner in my family, so going to school isn't an option, even if I had the $$. Working is enough to kick my butt, I can't imagine having the energy to go back to school. It would be time to retire even before I got my student loans paid off LOL!!

So seriously, what can we do as a group to raise our wages to be more in keeping with all we do?

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Beachbum, I do understand what you are saying. My mom was a single mom with three kids as well and I know how tough it is. I have 2 kids, however I am married and have the help from my husband. He's a firefighter so his wages aren't a lot, but it does help. I understand how everybodies situation is different. If I were single with three kids 40k would be just enough to get by without any extras because that's about how much my hsuband and I bring in combined right now. So I get that. I'm sorry if I attacked you, I didn't mean for this to get so heated.

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