Knowing what you know now, would you change it?

No but I am one of those nurses that does it because I love it (which to me is akin to a health benefit, it is part of the pay package, so hold your poo, no need to fling it at the "calling" nurse). Now does that mean I won't enjoy a higher salary when I finish my master's? Of course not, but if there were no other options for me to dive deeper into the guts of nursing I would be content where I am. Do I feel nurses deserve higher pay and mental health benefits, heck ya!

probably not. knowing what i know now means that i also know what a good lifestyle dh and i have managed to have because we've worked nights and weekends and are able to play when everyone else is at work. i know that i've lived in lots of different fun places because i could get a job anywhere i wanted. (those days are gone right now, but i'm sure they'll be back.) i met my husband in the hospital and most of my friends are nurses. we make enough money to be comfortable, even if we don't have a lavish lifestyle.

I do believe nurses are underpaid.

But I would not change what I do.

Please see what would you do if you werent a nurse thread. That is what I would have done.

In case you cant find it, enlist and be a combat medic/ critical care transport.

I would not be a nurse. Underpaid and under appreciated.

I wouldn't change it, but I knew what I was getting into by being a CNA first, then an LPN, and now an RN. I love it.

No, of course I feel underpaid for what I do (who doesn't?). But I live a very comfortable lifestyle compared to most people my age, despite the fact that my starting wage is significantly lower than most of what I've seen on these forums. I can't complain.

If there is anything I would do differently, I would choose a state school vs. my very expensive private college. If you are looking for more money, my friend makes a ton as an ED PA, and she went to a four-year program for PA school (so she didn't have to pay for a Master's). It just depends on what you want to do.

I don't think I'm underpaid. I have an ADN, 12 years of experience and earn $42/hr. I don't know many other fields where one can earn that pay with a 2-yr degree. And I love what I do.

I do it becasue I love it-

I've been working as a nurse for almost 11 months now and I don't feel underpaid anymore. At my first job I made $22/hr... definately felt underpaid there. Am now doing LTC and making $32 plus $2 shift differential... so I'm pretty happy with what I'm making.

Even when I was making only $22 I loved what I did even on the bad days.

Nursing is my 2nd career. I was a teacher. My only regret is that I didn't stick with nursing as a major the first time I was in college right out of highschool, it was my origional major but I wasn't willing to give up my social time to study.

It is what it is though. I'm where I belong now, nursing felt right and corny as it may be I do feel it's my calling.

I don't think I'm underpaid. I have an ADN, 12 years of experience and earn $42/hr. I don't know many other fields where one can earn that pay with a 2-yr degree. And I love what I do.

Wow, $42 bucks an hour, I wish I made that much! I am an LPN and make almost $17. I am in school for my ADN now, so hopefully in a few years that will change. I really really love my job! I work in assisted living. Some days are pure hell and I have had some families who I just wanna kick in the butt, but I would not trade it. I love to interact with ppl. I was a medical assistant prior to being a nurse, so it's not like I was coming to this blind.

Knowning what I now know, would I change it? My Nursing profession is my passion in life besides being a mother. My goal in life was to be a labor and delivery RN, but ED hired me instead :) if I could be part of a mother delivering her baby...wow, it would make everything

So complete :)