Maybe I'm just old and cynical, but....

[KaroSnowQueen]

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).

[steelydanfan]

Hahahahahaha!! I'm right there with ya. The money probably isn't the biggest factor in getting/keeping a job, but it ranks right up there with everything else. In no way, shape, or form, do I think anyone would ever do something as demanding as nursing simply because they are that compassionate and caring. Nurses make fairly good money, when compared to other careers. No, my job doesn't pay very well, but my schedule is amazing and can't be beat, so the lesser pay is the tradeoff.

As an oldster, MY 2 choices at the time were teaching or nursing. Teaching was iffy at the time, so I chose nursing; not only because it was a good fit, but ALSO because I knew I would always have a good, steady paycheck.

And no, I wouldn't do this job for less money; they don't pay me enough as it is to expose myself to lethal germs, endure unsafe and body-breaking work conditions, and have to endure rudeness and vitriol from patients, family AND doctors. All while making decisions that could potentially be life-saving or threatening.

The warm fuzzzies I get after a particularly good shift are in NO way enough compensate for the slog I go through on a normal day.

[steelcityrn, RN]

steelydan was a great band! Im not really that old, but I just love it when they play their tunes. As for this post, only thing to add is that Nurses missed the boat to creat a Union to compensate us as we should be. Just a hint of a new union today would cause an out cry. School teachers in my area with more than 10 - 12 years of service make around 80K and have their summers off and all Holidays, weekends, no night shifts. I wanted to be a nurse, but maybe if I had to do all over again...hummm, might have to rethink it.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

You think so? I don't.

I can't think of too many other professions where someone with an associate's degree can make starting wages of $50K+.

My husband and I, who have both been RNs for 5 years, are planning to retire in 10-15 years (and we didn't start contributing to retirement until we became RNs).

Alas, we don't have expensive tastes, though. We live within our means and are smart with our money. But I certainly don't think nursing pays horribly at all.

I could never support my family on $36/hour, never mind even think about a decent retirement. Where are you retiring, some 3rd world country? The fact of the matter is, I don't need to do either. I work so I can have my own spending money, get out of the house and get some intellectual stimulation. My hat is off to all of you that are trying to make a living this way. We are in agreement that 50K to start is a lot for someone w/o a college degree, but I'm not going there today. ;-)

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

i'm thinking because the people in third world countries are pleasant and grateful as opposed to the folks here in the us who are whiney, demanding, ungrateful and often abusive.

you would be correct. i don't want money or glory or even thanks, but i won't tolerate being abused and taken for granted either. hence my choice to do most of my work with medical missions.

[Merlyn]

Don't want thanks

Don't want glory

Don't want to make a difference

After 40 years in this business

Just want money.

[steelydanfan]

Don't want thanks

Don't want glory

Don't want to make a difference

After 40 years in this business

Just want money.

I am with you, sister! I have not nor ever will get glory, or make a difference because EVERYTHING I say or recommend gets laughed off, "put under for discussion" (and then somehow disappears into the miasma never to be seen again) or is "just too expensive".

Health care institutions in this country are a money making mess that only see me as a necessary expense to be thrown under the bus and exploited as much as possible.

Yeah, I'm pro -union and so should you be.

[Merlyn]

I am with you, sister! I have not nor ever will get glory, or make a difference because EVERYTHING I say or recommend gets laughed off, "put under for discussion" (and then somehow disappears into the miasma never to be seen again) or is "just too expensive".

Health care institutions in this country are a money making mess that only see me as a necessary expense to be thrown under the bus and exploited as much as possible.

Yeah, I'm pro -union and so should you be.

Thanks but it's brother. I'm only sister on St. Patrick's day and only if the guy's rich and cute.

[melisforever]

How can I get a job as an insurance claims reviewer? Do you enjoy it? Pros & Cons? @KaroSnowQueen

[rn.CB]

Flogging a dead horse...

I wonder is it this way with other professions or just nursing?

Is it because it is a female dominated profession where one has to put another down to make themselves feel good?

Who cares what another's motives are so long as excellent care is provided in a compassionate way?

In a way,we all are actors/actresses- some are just better at it,than others:)

About to stir some feathers, but this thread has so many avenues of attack: the word-smiths who are trying to dissect expressions into a literal meaning: ie "not in it for the money" is defined as work you would do for free. Huh? Unless the person said they would do it for free then it is highly unlikely that is what they meant. (People who say that are full of sh*£)

To me not in it for the money means that you chose the career bc you want to earn a living doing something you find meaningful, or gratifying, etc.

Then we have the avenue of attack on the people who are lucky enough to have the quality of being naturally compassionate - sorry guys but compassionate people are not actors - those who think this are the ones who have to pretend - or fake it as you will.

Being a highly sensitive person has many draw backs, but the one thing i would never trade is the ability to feel and be genuine - the draw back is the over emotional side.

I am not saying that every single pt care encounter is like that - but the ability to be emotionally present and connect with (some of) these people is why i do this...

I am not trying to be an elitist, its just how my brain works. If you are this type, then you probably cannot watch old yeller from an intellectual perspective thinking about the Patho of rabies - you will be there bawling your eyes out at the thought of the the kid shooting his dog, and overcome by sadness for the innocent dog...sorry for the ramble...now for the flood gates counter arguements headed my way...

[TSgtRodrigues, BSN, RN]

Would I nurse for free? Ummm....hell to the NO! However, with that being said I did not choose to become a nurse because of the money! I genuinely wanted to be a nurse, I never looked at the salary before hand....but am I a nurse just to give back? No, absolutely not. Money just really was not a factor when I decided to become a nurse.

[ponymom]

Like all my other jobs, I'm was it for the money (and may go back PRN in some form, also for the money). I liked caring for people, was very good at it, (and still am and always will be), but I better be well-paid for it, because for what else one has to be put up (that gets in the way of actual patient care) there has to be pretty good compensation, or it's peace-out for me.

Money is first and foremost, because it makes my life at home, which I love and cherish greatly, possible. So, yes, in the big end, it is Alll about the benjamins, and there isn't anything wrong with that.