Ok, try not to get too angry. I've been on this looking at posts on this site for a couple of months now and I hear "there are easier ways to make money than nursing/NP/CRNA." My question is: are there really?
Nurses start off at a higher salary than most other professions. Sure, that salary doesn't increase much unless you take on specialties, get certifications, go on and get an MSN, etc., but it's still good money. When I think of people that make a lot of money, I think of lawyers, doctors, and business executives. Lawyers go through an EXTREMELY competitive law school, then, if they're good enough, get scooped up by a big firm and may one day make partner and start making insane money...or they stay stuck in their same position for the rest of their career.Doctors don't really start making money until their mid-30s (assuming good money management/debt repayment). Business executives also need to be working a LOT. For example, the higher-ups in accounting firms need to be working most of the time; it's not uncommon for them to work 16 hour days.
Some of you might think that owning a business would bring in good money, and it would, if you're willing to put in A LOT of work. With your own business, you have to be "on-call" every hour of every day. Also, most small businesses fail, and if you're lucky to not fail, then you'll eventually have a Wal-Mart or McDonalds undercut you in price until you're forced out of business (which is ruthless, but great strategy).
Now, with nursing, you have good job security and relatively good money. Yes, lots of nurses are underpaid, but pretty much everyone who has a job feels the same way. Becoming an advanced practice nurse only highers your income and marketability. Sure, it's challenging becoming one, but the pros outweigh the cons here.
My point: I don't think there are really any EASIER ways to make money than going into healthcare; making money is difficult and time-consuming no matter how you want to go about it. Like the saying goes, if it were easy, everyone would do it.
Now, with nursing, you have good job security and relatively good money. Yes, lots of nurses are underpaid, but pretty much everyone who has a job feels the same way. Becoming an advanced practice nurse only highers your income and marketability. Sure, it's challenging becoming one, but the pros outweigh the cons here.
My point: I don't think there are really any EASIER ways to make money than going into healthcare; making money is difficult and time-consuming no matter how you want to go about it. Like the saying goes, if it were easy, everyone would do it.
I am a little confused about this post. Anktshah are you a nurse or in the healthcare field? Nursing is challenging, provides many opportunities, and the pay is decent. You don't think that there is an EASIER way to make money than going into healthcare? I often work twelve hour shifts with no lunch and a 15 minute break (if I am lucky), while holding other peoples' lives in my hands. And... from talking to other nurses and reading, this trend is not unique to nursing in the US and other countries. What is so easy about that? As far as job security, it depends on where you live and practice. Of course, in that case, their are other opportunities such as travel nursing. I won't lie and say I don't care about my salary, sometimes I get so frustrated with the state of healthcare that I have to remember the paycheck so that I don't leave the profession. On the flip side, there are times when I have to think about the ultimate reason that I got into nursing---the desire to help others---to keep me going. I recently had a conversation with a doc about this. He felt that "most of us get into the healthcare profession out of some form of altruism." I agree. For those nurses, docs, and other in healthcare who are in it just for the money (and we all know them), I don't see how they can provide true quality care to their patients. Sure that I will get blasted for this but it is just my personal opinion. And yes, furthering your education does increase your pay and make you more marketable. That is why I am finishing my BSN and then pursuing a Masters. I have seen that this may be the only way to advance in my career. I have witnessed some nurses getting desired positions on my unit r/t a unique phenomenon called the "brown nose," despite their qualifications or apptitude, while my nose remains the same color.
You understood my post just fine. Money is hard-earned. Health-care is a good field to get into if you want to make it. Is it a physically demanding job? Yes. From the nurses I've talked to, though, the work itself isn't rocket science. It's stressful in that it keeps you on your feet and constantly on the move.
A good trade off, though? Hell yes. 12 hour shifts a few times a week seems better than the whole 9-5 thing. Overtime? I'd take the opportunity to get better at nursing and make more money. Where I live, nurses start at $26 dollars an hour. Advancement? BSN, MSN, NP, CRNA, and DNP. I'm sure there's more (A JD is an option, though maybe not as lucrative as the others). Job security? Yes, it depends on where you live, like with EVERY profession. If you want a job, you may have to move around to find one. The opportunities for nurses are more widespread than other job fields, so if you want a job, you'll likely get one.
I don't see why someone who works a job for money can't be good at it. Money is motivation for a lot of people. It seems to even be motivation for you, though maybe not the primary source. It is my primary source of motivation, with the satisfaction of helping people taking a backseat. That doesn't make me a bad person, and it certainly won't make me bad at my job. If money is someone's primary motivation, won't they work hard too? Won't they want to make sure they don't get fired? Or be good enough at their job to get promoted? Not ALL bad nurses are the ones seeing dollar signs. It's possible, and probable, that a bad nurse cares about caring for a patient, but is simply incompetent.
About being a "brown nose." Like a suck-up? That's not a unique phenomenon. It happens all the time. It can help you get ahead. If it works, it works.
You understood my post just fine. Money is hard-earned. Health-care is a good field to get into if you want to make it. Is it a physically demanding job? Yes. From the nurses I've talked to, though, the work itself isn't rocket science. It's stressful in that it keeps you on your feet and constantly on the move.
A good trade off, though? Hell yes. 12 hour shifts a few times a week seems better than the whole 9-5 thing. Overtime? I'd take the opportunity to get better at nursing and make more money. Where I live, nurses start at $26 dollars an hour. Advancement? BSN, MSN, NP, CRNA, and DNP. I'm sure there's more (A JD is an option, though maybe not as lucrative as the others). Job security? Yes, it depends on where you live, like with EVERY profession. If you want a job, you may have to move around to find one. The opportunities for nurses are more widespread than other job fields, so if you want a job, you'll likely get one.
I don't see why someone who works a job for money can't be good at it. Money is motivation for a lot of people. It seems to even be motivation for you, though maybe not the primary source. It is my primary source of motivation, with the satisfaction of helping people taking a backseat. That doesn't make me a bad person, and it certainly won't make me bad at my job. If money is someone's primary motivation, won't they work hard too? Won't they want to make sure they don't get fired? Or be good enough at their job to get promoted? Not ALL bad nurses are the ones seeing dollar signs. It's possible, and probable, that a bad nurse cares about caring for a patient, but is simply incompetent.
About being a "brown nose." Like a suck-up? That's not a unique phenomenon. It happens all the time. It can help you get ahead. If it works, it works.
In answer to my original question, you self admitted KA, what do you do for a living?
First, I will say I h/n read the last 40 or so posts in this thread.
OP, in a response, said smth like, 'It's human nature to want what you can't have.'
Hmmm. Perhaps OP has a different human nature than I--or than some others. Or perhaps OP has more, ah, maturing yet to do. Or, perhaps, he may be spared that.
I don't see why someone who works a job for money can't be good at it. Money is motivation for a lot of people. It seems to even be motivation for you, though maybe not the primary source. It is my primary source of motivation, with the satisfaction of helping people taking a backseat. That doesn't make me a bad person, and it certainly won't make me bad at my job. If money is someone's primary motivation, won't they work hard too? Won't they want to make sure they don't get fired? Or be good enough at their job to get promoted? Not ALL bad nurses are the ones seeing dollar signs. It's possible, and probable, that a bad nurse cares about caring for a patient, but is simply incompetent.
About being a "brown nose." Like a suck-up? That's not a unique phenomenon. It happens all the time. It can help you get ahead. If it works, it works.
:chair: I agree that people who work for money can be good at what they do. No question about that- and that the motivation to make more is powerful. :) I think my issue was that it sounded like the patient was a secondary consideration- maybe that's all it is- how it comes across to me- not saying you intended it that way, or would treat someone badly. (I won't include personal examples to avoid being a total waste or space here ). I was speaking in generalizations- and it was only an opinion.
I think it's great that you know you have the capacity to do things with the blessings you have, and aren't wasting that. Best wishes :)
You understood my post just fine. Money is hard-earned. Health-care is a good field to get into if you want to make it. Is it a physically demanding job? Yes. From the nurses I've talked to, though, the work itself isn't rocket science. It's stressful in that it keeps you on your feet and constantly on the move.
A good trade off, though? Hell yes. 12 hour shifts a few times a week seems better than the whole 9-5 thing. Overtime? I'd take the opportunity to get better at nursing and make more money. Where I live, nurses start at $26 dollars an hour. Advancement? BSN, MSN, NP, CRNA, and DNP. I'm sure there's more (A JD is an option, though maybe not as lucrative as the others). Job security? Yes, it depends on where you live, like with EVERY profession. If you want a job, you may have to move around to find one. The opportunities for nurses are more widespread than other job fields, so if you want a job, you'll likely get one.
I don't see why someone who works a job for money can't be good at it. Money is motivation for a lot of people. It seems to even be motivation for you, though maybe not the primary source. It is my primary source of motivation, with the satisfaction of helping people taking a backseat. That doesn't make me a bad person, and it certainly won't make me bad at my job. If money is someone's primary motivation, won't they work hard too? Won't they want to make sure they don't get fired? Or be good enough at their job to get promoted? Not ALL bad nurses are the ones seeing dollar signs. It's possible, and probable, that a bad nurse cares about caring for a patient, but is simply incompetent.
About being a "brown nose." Like a suck-up? That's not a unique phenomenon. It happens all the time. It can help you get ahead. If it works, it works.
And I just have to comment about the suck-up, brown nose comment, whatever you call it. Yes, it does happen all the time. And yes, it can help you get ahead. But mostly for a limited amount of time. Case in point, recently heard about an emloyee in the healthcare profession at a facility where I used to work, a true suck up, who had a cushy job and basically did nothing but sit in her office all day. Two months ago, a new regime took over with their own agenda and enough brown noses to keep them satisfied. The sit in your office and do nothings from the prior regime were quickly eliminated to be replaced by others of the same ilk. This employee cried and had to be physically restrained as she shouted, "You can't do this to me, I am 62 years old." That is where sucking up can get you. I
"You understood my post just fine. Money is hard-earned. Health-care is a good field to get into if you want to make it. Is it a physically demanding job? Yes. From the nurses I've talked to, though, the work itself isn't rocket science. It's stressful in that it keeps you on your feet and constantly on the move."
You are definitely not a nurse to post this comment. Nursing is much more than being on your feet and constantly on the move. You show your ignorance by using a cliche such as rocket science. And if the nurses you have talked to only claim the physical demands of the profession, I would not want them caring for me. I think that you may be posting to goad people, and I will give you an A+ for that. Was fun, peace out, and I hope you never are in a helping profession. God Bless.
First, I will say I h/n read the last 40 or so posts in this thread.
OP, in a response, said smth like, 'It's human nature to want what you can't have.'
Hmmm. Perhaps OP has a different human nature than I--or than some others. Or perhaps OP has more, ah, maturing yet to do. Or, perhaps, he may be spared that.
Hmmm. I don't think I'm wrong. Please, tell me why you disagree with my view on human nature.
And "he may be spared that"? What does that mean? I may be spared maturing?
"You understood my post just fine. Money is hard-earned. Health-care is a good field to get into if you want to make it. Is it a physically demanding job? Yes. From the nurses I've talked to, though, the work itself isn't rocket science. It's stressful in that it keeps you on your feet and constantly on the move."
You are definitely not a nurse to post this comment. Nursing is much more than being on your feet and constantly on the move. You show your ignorance by using a cliche such as rocket science. And if the nurses you have talked to only claim the physical demands of the profession, I would not want them caring for me. I think that you may be posting to goad people, and I will give you an A+ for that. Was fun, peace out, and I hope you never are in a helping profession. God Bless.
I'm guessing "KA" stands for "kiss-ass"? Nowhere in my posts do I say that I'm a "KA." I'm a student full-time.
I don't understand your comment on brown-nosing. You're saying that someone who brown-nosed ended up with a cushy job, only to be replaced by someone else who brown-nosed? It's too bad the first employee was let go, but it seems brown-nosing served her well (and it's helping her replacement out too). If not for the regime change, the first employee would have kept her job...because of brown-nosing.
Using a cliche and being ignorant aren't directly related. I'd talked to good nurses, one of them was the nurse in charge of the shift (getting promoted means she's at least half-way decent). Even so, maybe nursing just comes easier to some people than others. There's no way you can say how good these nurses are at their jobs from reading a few sentences on a forum.
I'm not posting to goad people. I'm having discussions. Just because you read what I wrote and got angry doesn't mean I'm here getting to get a rise from people. Maybe you're just a bit too sensitive. Alright, maybe this last paragraph was mean to goad you, but you called me ignorant (and didn't even give a good reason for it), so I don't feel bad.
I (just speaking for myself, and how I first read your post) apologize for not clarifying what you meant before reacting :) I really didn't mean for things to get so heated, and also enjoy a good discussion. I agree that people should be paid well for a job well done, and in no way should sacrifice any personal time/energy at any profession that is not adequately compensated (and in some ways, considering people's lives are at stake, is there really any amount that is enough?).
I wish you the best in your studies, and it sounds like you know what you want and plan to work hard to get there. I also hope you find personal satisfaction in knowing that you help people at their most vulnerable times.
Some of the posts, including the OP, demonstrate a really strange idea of what compromises "a lot" of money. There is no way I could afford a comfortable standard of living for my (admittedly large) family on what I might make as a NP, much less a floor nurse. Not by 1/3. So no, I don't think nurses make "a lot" of money by any stretch of the imagination. I was an attorney for a year, and made more in that year than I have since. Then I married the boss, lol, and had to leave the firm and just never went back to law. I don't have any regrets, but nor do I have an illusions!
By the way, IME, nursing school was a piece of cake. Far, far easier than law school. Nursing work, is hard. I worked 70 hours a week in my one year at the bar, because that is what was expected of new associates, at the minimum. That was 70 hours in the law library (we didn't have electronic Westlaw back then, lol) and writing briefs. In the air conditioning, sending out for meals, and never lifting anything heavier than Black's Law dictionary. Although the days are always much shorter, it's been rare I had a single nursing day that easy!
). I was speaking in generalizations- and it was only an opinion. 
xtxrn, ASN, RN
4,267 Posts
I just add those to, in some way, get across that I'm not writing it in a tone of hostility- that's all :) LOL