Knowing what you know now, would you change it?

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Okay, so I've been reading some threads with nurses complaining about the pay, and how they are underpaid. When I looked up nursing salaries online, it seemed pretty good to me, but I never considered the pay after taxes. Seeing how much you actually take home was kind of discouraging, BUT I want to be a nurse so that won't stop me. And I understand experience, overtime, night shifts diff. etc, all play a part in it. So my question is, even if you do feel like you are underpaid (if you do) would you change it all? Do you wish you would've pursued something else instead? and why or why not specifically? Like I said, I desire to be a nurse (NICU), so it won't make me change my mind, im just curious. :)

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

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!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

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.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I do believe nurses are underpaid.

But I would not change what I do.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

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.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

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

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

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.

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Specializes in I/DD.

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.

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Specializes in NICU.

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.

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I do it becasue I love it-

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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.

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Specializes in LTC, HH, and Case Mangement.
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.

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