But I read one more post where people say they aren't into nursing for the money, I am going to scream.
Seriously? Is anyone THAT naive?
NOBODY does work for free, out of the love of their hearts, unless they're independently wealthy and need something to do, giving back to their fellow man and all that.
All these people who are horrified at those who do nursing or doctoring or lawyering or any other profession for the money -- really??? And you personally would do it for free because you love your fellow man so much?
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for helping one's fellow human along their road of suffering and trying to help them as we are able, I've done it for years. But I would not do all the down and dirty work of nursing for someone I didn't personally love or respect for free. And when they say they're not in it for the money, that's what it implies to me, that they'd do it for nothing if they had to.
Anyone with an ounce of sense in their head picks a career that they have interest in AND pays enough to live on!!!!! You don't see lines forming to dig ditches for free. BUT.... a lot of people are taking up technology type jobs - interesting, not dirty and they pay decently.
Maybe I just didn't get enough caffeine this morning, but I read several posts in a couple different threads about how the money didn't mean a thing to them and it makes my brains curdle!! Horse freakin' feathers!!!!!!!!
(And no I'm not in financial difficulties and yes I make decent money).
Specializes in Acute long term, clinical, office, etc.
I disagree...I am NOT there just for the money. I have to admit, where I work I stay because of the money is good, its a small facility and we are all like family. It takes a special person or nurse to work where I do because there is so much more to deal with than an regular hospital.My last two shift prove it.Very chaotic, stressful, and we all wanted to just walk out.Some were crying it was so bad and some kept taking 5 minute breaks to come back to reality.If the administration had offered me more money to do this extra work or get paid the same and not do it...well I would have done it for the regular pay not extra, because it is our job as nurses to provide for our patients even when administration really cares about numbers and money. If they had said we are going to pay you extra, fine do so.But the job will get done no matter what and with the same care as if money was not the issue.We had been so low on census we lost a lot of staff and guess what, between our three units we got slammed with 12 admissions in less than 6 hours!
Maybe I missed the boat on what you all were saying but it is not all about the money. I am a LPN and because our facility has phased us out, I am in school for my RN to save my job.What sucks, the first year my pay will drop almost half as I start out as a "new grad" although I have been in nursing since 1983, and since 1989 as a LPN. I am at the top of the pay scale as a LPN in this state. So yeah, I guess I would have to agree its about the money and job security.
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
When I am almost done with a long hard day, feel that I have been dropped from a building, and must turn my room over myself for the umteenth time because the housekeeping staff in the OR are "missing" I remember that I am the highest paid janitor in the house. That usually puts a bit more kick in my giddy-up.
I sure wouldn't be on my hands and knees cleaning up the blood off the base of the OR bed if there wasn't a monetary compensation. I'm just sayin'.
Awesome thread! I was working as a paramedic and the main motivation for me to become a nurse was to earn more money. As I went through school nursing began to grow on me but it certainly wasn't my "calling" and just because money motivates you to pursue a career doesn't mean you won't do an excellent job. People, especially those who are concerned about earning potential, realize that they will have competition and will need to perform well to be well compensated. Furthermore, just like money alone isn't enough to keep someone in the field, "answering to a calling" does not a good nurse make. It's like people who think being an EMT or paramedic is about the "adrenaline rush". I just hope to G-d that type doesn't show up to my medical emergency. Forgive me, I'm cynical beyond my years :grn:
You may not be cynical but perhaps naieve. I believe it is well known that people who are successful financialy become that way by doing something which they have a true passion for. If you do not like your work chances are you will not make much money and actually there are many nurses who do not make fortunes.
Trying paying the gas bill with "professionalism". Try paying your mortgage with "compassion". Try paying for groceries with "empathy". I was taught that if someone had a "calling from above" he or she was mentally ill.
I am happy to see that the mentality is changing in nursing. I remember asking a similar question a couple of years ago and I was bombarded by replies from people who said it they did nursing only because they were altruistic beings and had had the calling to become a nurse.
Yeah, there's some weird stereotype out there about nursing being a "calling." Like I want to take care of total ****oles because of my wonderful caring and compassion. It's a JOB like any other.
Not only that, but I don't even like MOST of the people I take care of. Because that's reality and I don't have to like them to provide care. But damn, sometimes it gets difficult. Why the hell doesn't anyone talk about it?
"Same thing with Teachers. Parents want teachers to be in it for the love of the children or the love of teaching. June, July, and August, Dec., and April too are a lot of the reasons why teachers teach. They can be darn good at their job and love the kids but still have chosen the profession for the time off.
Why shouldn't nurses get paid big bucks........THEY DESERVE EVERY PENNY AND MORE!
I'm a teacher and admire nurses to the point where I honestly put them on a pedestal".
Funny, I'm considering teaching HS biology and chemistry as my next career. YES, for the time off. Sort of the 10 year plan.
Holisticallyminded, it is interesting that you mention those patients we dislike, and must care for. I can think of one who is very physically and emotionally abusive with staff. We try our best, and still continue to provide top notch care. This person bites, spits, hits...etc. While you have to act with empathy, I know that a couple of us are thinking "I can't wait to not have to deal with this anymore."
I'm sure many of you have felt the same way over the years. But, it seems almost taboo to express it. Yet, we are all only human...
Right. That's exactly what I mean. Empathy- fine. But the reality is that there are just too many people in the world for each of us to care 100% about each and every one of them. Honestly, we care best and most for those with whom we connect. That applies in and out of work. And it's this personal connection that allows us to identify with groups, communities, nations. Every time we turn away from an atrocious news story because it doesn't concern us (and YES, we do), it's because we can't possible empathize or sympathize with everything all the time. So it honestly drives me crazy when we're expected to throw away this very HUMANNESS at work. Work. Of all places. I personally feel that this is something that is NEVER discussed in the nursing community or in any clinical community and needs to be. Because this is part of the hurdle that we face as nurses every day. I can say that I truly care for some and just work to get the job done with others. And I am not alone in that practice. I sometimes think that if this issue were discussed more openly, not only would we be better nurses, but others may appreciate our jobs more. Instead, we just get a ****** nurse reputation after awhile.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
yeah, there's some weird stereotype out there about nursing being a "calling." like i want to take care of total ****oles because of my wonderful caring and compassion. it's a job like any other.
not only that, but i don't even like most of the people i take care of. because that's reality and i don't have to like them to provide care. but damn, sometimes it gets difficult. why the hell doesn't anyone talk about it?
you must have missed one of our many vent threads. the problem is, though, that as soon as seasoned nurses start to vent about disliking some of their patients or some of the visitors, hoards of non-nurses or brand new nurses or goody two-shoes of some other variety descend upon the thread and start busting on the nurses who are venting. "you're too mean to be a nurse, you should just quit" or "i hope my granny never encounters a nurse like you", "let me tell you a story from the patient's perspective" followed by complaints about how one nurse in particular was mean to them or whatever . . . or comments of that ilk are common. the weird stereotype about nursing being a calling isn't just out there. it's in here, too.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
holisticallyminded, it is interesting that you mention those patients we dislike, and must care for. i can think of one who is very physically and emotionally abusive with staff. we try our best, and still continue to provide top notch care. this person bites, spits, hits...etc. while you have to act with empathy, i know that a couple of us are thinking "i can't wait to not have to deal with this anymore."
i'm sure many of you have felt the same way over the years. but, it seems almost taboo to express it. yet, we are all only human...
it would be lovely to have somewhere safe to express those feelings where the people you express them to will understand and not judge you. at one time, i believed this forum was it. the hoards of student nurses, wanna be nurses and other non-nurses who descend upon any thread where seasoned nurses dare to vent and telling them they're too cynical or not "nice" enough to be nurses have ruined that for us. at yet, we have someone like you saying that "it seems almost taboo to express it."
it would be wonderful to have one forum where we could vent without the pollyannas and goody two shoes descending and judging us. maybe we could have one with a "report button" you could hit anytime anyone becomes too syrupy or judgemental -- and have that person banned from the thread (or the forum) for a year or so.
i have no issues with students or wannabe students reading our vent threads, but the fact that they're allowed to participate in them is one of the reasons you see relatively few of these "taboo" feelings expressed here.
to the moderators -- could we have one forum with alternative terms of service? maybe you'd have to be a premium or platinum member to participate and you'd have to agree to terms of service that included not bashing the nurses who are venting. you could be reported and potentially banned from that forum for injecting syrupy good cheer or notions of a higher calling into those particular threads. is it possible? do many of us want it?
And when they say they're not in it for the money, that's what it implies to me, that they'd do it for nothing if they had to.
Gecko64
10 Posts
I disagree...I am NOT there just for the money. I have to admit, where I work I stay because of the money is good, its a small facility and we are all like family. It takes a special person or nurse to work where I do because there is so much more to deal with than an regular hospital.My last two shift prove it.Very chaotic, stressful, and we all wanted to just walk out.Some were crying it was so bad and some kept taking 5 minute breaks to come back to reality.If the administration had offered me more money to do this extra work or get paid the same and not do it...well I would have done it for the regular pay not extra, because it is our job as nurses to provide for our patients even when administration really cares about numbers and money. If they had said we are going to pay you extra, fine do so.But the job will get done no matter what and with the same care as if money was not the issue.We had been so low on census we lost a lot of staff and guess what, between our three units we got slammed with 12 admissions in less than 6 hours!
Maybe I missed the boat on what you all were saying but it is not all about the money. I am a LPN and because our facility has phased us out, I am in school for my RN to save my job.What sucks, the first year my pay will drop almost half as I start out as a "new grad" although I have been in nursing since 1983, and since 1989 as a LPN. I am at the top of the pay scale as a LPN in this state. So yeah, I guess I would have to agree its about the money and job security.
Just a thought.
