for the love of money...

[BABYJADE06]

I had a discussion with a nurse that works on my floor about what makes people get into nursing in the first place. She made a comment that she is tired of people getting into nursing for the money and she disagreed with my response to her comment. I said that even though I do not believe people should choose any profession solely on the basis of money, that money does (and should) play a HUGE factor in choosing any career. I'm all for loving what you do but at the end of the day there are bills that need to be paid. I believe as long as you treat your patients with the dignity and respect they deserve that your reasons for choosing nursing as a career shouldn't matter. I have absolutely no problem with a nurse who goes into the profession for money as long as they are good at what they do. I honestly do not believe nurses are paid that great anyway considering all of the responsibility that falls on their shoulders. Sometimes I read posts on here and people say nurses are paid more for less education than many other profession. I also look at it as most other professions do not have the responsibility that nurses do so it is really hard to compare. What are your thoughts on this?

[JustEnuff2BDangerous, BSN, RN]

Eventually, going into ANY profession (especially one as physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding as nursing) solely or mostly for money will only cause you to burnout. There have been many studies done on what motivates a person and what keeps a person in a job, position, or profession, and money actually ranks quite low on the totem pole. Bills need to be paid, of course, so money is somewhat of a motivator, but while you see no problem in people who are in nursing for the money as long as they do a good job, if you are in nursing long enough you will be able to quickly pick out the people who are just there for a paycheck and nothing else. Nursing requires heart, and you can't buy that.

[BABYJADE06]

My whole point is that I don't think other people should tell anybody why they should or shouldn't pursue a career in nursing. If they are motivated by money, so be it. Just because money motivates them doesn't mean that they are not compassionate, caring people. I just do not see the point of telling people how to pick and choose their careers and what to do with their lives. I know a nurse who has been at the bedside for well over 20 years and she said flat out that she only does it for the money, and she is an excellent nurse with great people skills.

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

My whole point is that I don't think other people should tell anybody why they should or shouldn't pursue a career in nursing. If they are motivated by money, so be it. Just because money motivates them doesn't mean that they are not compassionate, caring people. I just do not see the point of telling people how to pick and choose their careers and what to do with their lives. I know a nurse who has been at the bedside for well over 20 years and she said flat out that she only does it for the money, and she is an excellent nurse with great people skills.

I think you're right... There are people out there who "fall into" a career, or even get into one "for the wrong reason" (who am I to say what the right reason is?), and end up being VERY good in that career...

Those who go into the career for only "the money" or something like that are, like I said, usually weeded out in school when they realize just how much work we really do...LOL Otherwise, if their good, there is something else that helps keep them there, too... IMO.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've typed this response several times over the years.

Nursing is the only profession that scrutinizes the motivations of its members. Are you doing it for the money? Are you a nurse because you like people? Are you a nurse because you're a selfless angel of mercy?

Take a close, hard look at the other educated professions in society. Nobody is really questioning the motives of the physician, attorney, college professor, engineer, speech pathologist, librarian, social worker, physical therapist, businessman, linguist, or pharmacist. Other members of their professions aren't bothering them about selecting their respective career fields for the love of the job itself or other altruistic reasons. Other members of their respective professions aren't asking, "Is this a higher calling for you?"

This might sound blunt, but another nurse's personal reasons for entering the profession are absolutely none of my business. We, as nurses and future nurses, need to take a lesson from the other professions and stop beating each other down. I do not work for free, and I fully expect to be paid for the services that I render.

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

Very eloquent and VERY well said!!!

I've typed this response several times over the years.

Nursing is the only profession that scrutinizes the motivations of its members. Are you doing it for the money? Are you a nurse because you like people? Are you a nurse because you're a selfless angel of mercy?

Take a close, hard look at the other educated professions in society. Nobody is really questioning the motives of the physician, attorney, college professor, engineer, speech pathologist, librarian, social worker, physical therapist, businessman, linguist, or pharmacist. Other members of their professions aren't bothering them about selecting their respective career fields for the love of the job itself or other altruistic reasons. Other members of their respective professions aren't asking, "Is this a higher calling for you?"

This might sound blunt, but another nurse's personal reasons for entering the profession are absolutely none of my business. We, as nurses and future nurses, need to take a lesson from the other professions and stop beating each other down. I do not work for free, and I fully expect to be paid for the services that I render.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

I'm a new Grad RN with my first job and i make 3 TIMES!!!!! what i made working at the college store... would i like more money? Heck yes!! am i complaining nope.:D:D

[linsmirn]

I've typed this response several times over the years.

Nursing is the only profession that scrutinizes the motivations of its members. Are you doing it for the money? Are you a nurse because you like people? Are you a nurse because you're a selfless angel of mercy?

Take a close, hard look at the other educated professions in society. Nobody is really questioning the motives of the physician, attorney, college professor, engineer, speech pathologist, librarian, social worker, physical therapist, businessman, linguist, or pharmacist. Other members of their professions aren't bothering them about selecting their respective career fields for the love of the job itself or other altruistic reasons. Other members of their respective professions aren't asking, "Is this a higher calling for you?"

This might sound blunt, but another nurse's personal reasons for entering the profession are absolutely none of my business. We, as nurses and future nurses, need to take a lesson from the other professions and stop beating each other down. I do not work for free, and I fully expect to be paid for the services that I render.

We are talking about this because we are nurses. Im not sure about every profession but yes police officers, pharmacist, physicians get asked by others and their peers why they are in their field. Just tell them because I wanted to. Before I became a nurse I went to school for pharmacy and was constantly asked why I wanted to do it, was it the money and other reasons. So its not just nursng, we are human and not perfect. With this economy Im still suprise people are picking business as a major, love of a career dont pay the bills and provide for your family. I would love to be my own boss, everyone would but we live in the real world. Just be a good nurse.

[Ambitiouz]

Nursing is a special job that not just anybody will or could do. I enjoy helping people but I do not work for free either. It is still work.

[Isabelle49]

The money in nursing is good, the respect is bad, happiness is much better.

[bagladyrn, RN]

This has always seemed kind of a silly debate to me. No matter my affinity for the profession I really can't think of anything I would do full time for decades (except parenthood) without a paycheck.

If I wanted to work for nothing (or a pittance) I would have had to become a nun or join the Peace Corps.

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

However in the UK police officers, firefigthers and teachers earn more than nurses.

[ktliz]

Someone who doesn't care one way or the other for nursing but goes into it solely for the paycheck is going to burn out. On the other hand, someone who is passionate about nursing but doesn't get the paycheck to go along with it would also burn out.

I loved my job working in child care. But, when it's difficult to make ends meet and with no real hope of moving up the ladder, you start to get bitter.