Minimum wage for nurses!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just curious, this question came up at work. How many of you would still be a nurse, or choose nursing, if it only paid minimum wage? :uhoh21:

~Crystal

Nope! I LOVE nursing, but I have a family to support! However, if I was self employed and doing VERY well for myself, I might volunteer (kinda like a Candy Striper) just to keep on what I enjoy doing...... Just my two-cents worth.

Ty

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Why do you think there are so many men in nursing as opposed to before?

In nursing school, I remember seeing an article that the ave RN salary in 1978 was 8,000.

That's why men weren't in nursing - men are traditionally expected to earn wages that support a family. Now that nursing pays a living salary, there are men in nursing. Surprise!

I used to have this HR director that would always shake her head just so, tsk tsk, and say 'I just don't understand nurses that are in it for the money.'

I'm in it for the money.

But that doesn't mean I'm not darn good at my job, technically masterful and emotionally plugged in.

If money was the only reason why I was in nursing, I would find something that pays more sitting at a desk with less stress.

But I'm in it for the money. I'm worth it, and more.

If nursing only paid minimum wage, then johnny drop-out from h.s. would be pulling your cardiac cath sheaths. . .

~faith,

Timothy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I want to change my answer. Now that I think about it, no. I get nine an hour now as a certified medical assistant and I do not feel like that is enough. Even though I want to have a job that I like so much that I would be willing to do for free, I think when you are not paid for what you are worth you start to feel taken for granted and that can feel horrible, I know I feel like that at work some times. Plus, it would not be worth it to me to work minn wage, thats why I went back to college! :D

I actually started out in the nursing field as a nursing assistant making minimum wage--which was around $2.85/hour in 1985. (Give or take .15, I just remember that I was making the bare minimum.) At that time, I was working for a private nursing home--which became notorious for 'docking' pay for what they concidered 'errant' clock ins or outs. If we clocked in a minute late--or clocked out a minute early, we were docked 15 minutes. It was the expectation that all employees clock in and out ON THE DOT--there were no grace periods. Believe it or not, the largest paycheck I recieved from that facility came a year after I'd found employment elsewhere... It was a check compensating me for the time they'd deducted from my paycheck over the years--interest included.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just curious, this question came up at work. How many of you would still be a nurse, or choose nursing, if it only paid minimum wage? :uhoh21:

~Crystal

I have four children... three of them are taking ballet lessons and the other wants to take clarinet lessons. My oldest is a very promising student and studies ballet no less than five days a week... she will be going to ballet auditions for summer intensives and university dance programs soon. The other two will be taking three classes a week each, and with Nutcracker auditions coming up... we will be living at the studio! (Not something a parent can do on a minimum wage job, lol...)

With all of the prerequisites and nursing courses that I had to take for my BSN, the cost of , and the desire to give my babies the best opportunities to grow and develop... I definitely have to say that I am in it for the money.

Count me out if nursing ever becomes minimum wage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ER.
Nope! I LOVE nursing, but I have a family to support! However, if I was self employed and doing VERY well for myself, I might volunteer (kinda like a Candy Striper) just to keep on what I enjoy doing...... Just my two-cents worth.

Ty

Yup, me too. My full-time job would have to bring in the $$$ but I would definitely do some kind of volunteer work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

While I'm certianly not going into nursing for the money, I would never have chosen nursing if it only paid minimum wage. The cost of living out here is outrageous!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would not do what we do for minimum wage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.

As much as I like my work, no way would I do it for minimum wage. First of all, I'd be insulted that the powers that be seem to think that my work is only worth 5.15 an hour. Plus, I have a hubby and 3 kids, I can't afford to make only minimum wage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
Hmmm very interesting.......

Fastfood worker do it for 5.75 dollars per hour

Someone who is actually saving your life?.....

Priceless

Absolutely :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Sure I would do it as a hobby and no schooling whatsoever. What, I'm going to go into this with thousands of debt on my tail to get minimum wage? As much as I love people and caring for others.....I would love to have a roof over my head and eat a decent plate of food. :chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Not a chance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not on your life! Hee hee...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment