money

When I worked as a waitress, I made (on average) a minimum per hour that was more than what I'm starting at as a GVN. Good money? Yes. Minimal requirements to do the work? VERY! Stressful work? VERY. Enjoyable? Not at all, in my opinion.

It is considerably easier (just based on what I've seen in school and now in orientation) to make good money as a waitress. It is not at all rewarding or enjoyable, though.

Yes, there are unskilled ways to earn this kind of pay that ARE easier.

In my very limited experiences, however, they stink.

Someone who has not enjoyed their nursing experiences might disagree about that last statement.

Honestly, though... even a year of nursing school, combined with some of the challenges nurses face daily (in general... like staffing issues) is NOT easy. If your heart isn't in it, there are options that are easier. It's just that simple.

(My opinion, your mileage may vary.)

I used to bartend, and made 300-500 dollars a night, 4 nights a week. I was also good at it. I feel like there's soooo much to learn in nursing, it never ends! Bartending...way easier, less stress, more money.

So, you are telling me that you made a minimum of $57,600 a yr bartending. I used your $300.00 dollar a night figure and not your $500.00 a night figure. I live in the capital of night clubs and let me tell you, your estimation does not seem very accurate.

I don't think "easier" is the right word. I understand (I think) what you're saying. Nursing is a relatively "quicker" way to start making an above average salary....but it's no where near "easy". :)

I agree with the OP completely. One of the main reasons I decided to take up nursing.

I agree with the OP completely. One of the main reasons I decided to take up nursing.

OY... so interest in people and/or medicine, getting satisfaction from being of use to someone else, interest in science and health- that was less important than get out of school and bring home a check???

Sad....very sad

I don't think that a career like that is sustainable. You need to be VERY good-looking to be pulling in good money (read: six figures), and even then, your looks fade. Someone younger can come in and replace you. Oh, and if you make a couple of mistakes? I'm guessing there will be line of people to replace you before they can even hand you the pink slip. At least in high-end places, you need to be impeccable. I think a job like that is very hard, demanding, and stressful. But you're making good money. That's my point: depending on location, bartending/serving can be VERY demanding, but you're making good money.

OY... so interest in people and/or medicine, getting satisfaction from being of use to someone else, interest in science and health- that was less important than get out of school and bring home a check???

Sad....very sad

we've had several arguments about this very subject, over the years.

and there are many nurses who proclaim to be excellent nurses, despite their goal to make money.

believe it.:)

leslie

This is just a weird thread- LOL....:) Comparing nursing/healthcare to anything else is apples to oranges, grapes, kumquats, or kiwi...

OY... so interest in people and/or medicine, getting satisfaction from being of use to someone else, interest in science and health- that was less important than get out of school and bring home a check???

Sad....very sad

Bringing home a (preferably big) check is important to me, and should be important to everyone. How much money you make defines your quality of life. Maybe money doesn't buy happiness, but I'd rather be rich and miserable than poor and miserable. Sure, you can get by doing something you love and make less money, but don't think that you're happy about it. There's always something that can put you down. Everyone wants the best for their family, but without money, you can't get the best of ANYTHING. Making money doing something you hate, then coming home (to a nice house, because remember, you have a good job) and seeing your family happy should make up for it.

In some cities working in some clubs or high end restaurants some people can make $300-500 a weekend night. I have seen that. THe thing is i knew my great looks and youth ( semi sarcasm on the looks lol) wouldn't last forever. Those were easier jobs where some people made more than your average rn or lpn but not everyone has the certain personality or look to work in a flashy night club as a bartender. and those were for weekends not weekdays.

This is just a weird thread- LOL....:) Comparing nursing/healthcare to anything else is apples to oranges, grapes, kumquats, or kiwi...

That's not the comparison I'm making. I'm saying that there just aren't easy ways to make money. Nursing is hard, as is being a lawyer. If you want to make twice the money you're making now, be prepared to do something four times as hard, stressful, and demanding...no matter what the profession.