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.
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!
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For some people $20-30 an hour is A LOT of money. Trust me.
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!
It really depends on what part of the country you live/work in. On my wages we live very comfortable for my family of 3. I'm able to pay a mortgage on a nice home, 2 car payments, all the bills and able to afford *toys* too. With my wage my husband really doesn't need to work and is retiring 15 yrs earlier than planned.
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........
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.
Oh thank you! I totally agree. I've found this forum is filled with roughly 50% self righteous nurses that know everything about everything and has a person pegged in just a few sentences. Seriously get a life guys. You can call it a 'discussion' (not the OP here but some replies) all you want but it just comes across as judgemental, #itchy, snarky and rude.
I never believe something unless it comes from a reputable source, a personal trusted aquaintance or I've seen it with my own eyes.
My daughter with a 2 year degree in accounting made more money than I did last year in her 2nd year on the job.
My son with 4 years experience made almost as much money last year as a warehouse shift supervisor as my husband with a degree in network engineering and 15 years experience.
I took a pay cut when I quit my 30 hour a week bartending job and took my first 40 hour per week nursing job for what (at the time) was considered very good wages.
And nursing has proved to not be recession proof.
There is a lot more to quality of life than money. Money buys things, not quality.
Oh thank you! I totally agree. I've found this forum is filled with roughly 50% self righteous nurses that know everything about everything and has a person pegged in just a few sentences. Seriously get a life guys. You can call it a 'discussion' (not the OP here but some replies) all you want but it just comes across as judgemental, #itchy, snarky and rude.
I never believe something unless it comes from a reputable source, a personal trusted aquaintance or I've seen it with my own eyes.
Just a note here- and in no way am I implying anything 'snarky' or judgmental (so much is lost in online 'conversations' w/o body language and tone/intent... other people also use the same criteria- and their views based on their experiences are also valid, even if not the same)... I think all anybody wants is to be heard, and hopefully understood...and often there isn't the clarification requested to find out the original meanings of replies- just what the reader pulls from it- which is not always what the writer intended. You told me to lighten up in a previous post, and felt that I'd judged the OP on a few sentences - true, I could have clarified what the intent was... and others could have made an attempt to clarify what I meant instead of assuming anything.
Why is it , whether here or anywhere, that if people don't agree, they take it as a personal attack instead of just understanding that the other person has different experiences, OR opinions that aren't a judgement on anyone? Everyone wants to be heard, but nobody seems to want to listen. Then it turns into something that nobody intended. Again- JUST an opinion.
Were there few enough smilies??? :smoking:
No judgement in declaring people "self-righteous", thinking they know everything? More double standards that suffocate all forms of communication- whether some online thread, or network news. It's all sad. And, in online communication, it's unfortunately common.
Patient first? Ouch you are in for a rude awakening. At the end of the day the administrators, DONs whoever all they care is about those $$$$$ Please dont be naive.
Naive? How could I be any other way? I'm not yet an RN. I do know what is SUPPOSED to be important in the field of Nursing. Just like money is the most important thing in business, accounting, etc. I know that hospitals are businesses, some more so than others. But, nurses are hired to do the job of nursing, not accounting.
Look, any job will have its ups and downs. And, as they say, The Grass is Always Greener... I'm keeping my options open, and if ALL nurses are beaten down and hate their jobs, then I'll toss this field aside. I'll be fine either way.
Naive? How could I be any other way? I'm not yet an RN. I do know what is SUPPOSED to be important in the field of Nursing. Just like money is the most important thing in business, accounting, etc. I know that hospitals are businesses, some more so than others. But, nurses are hired to do the job of nursing, not accounting.
Look, any job will have its ups and downs. And, as they say, The Grass is Always Greener... I'm keeping my options open, and if ALL nurses are beaten down and hate their jobs, then I'll toss this field aside. I'll be fine either way.
Not all... :) Yes, it's a LOT of work. But depending on what you're looking for- and the job market, there are a lot of options (also need to be willing to relocate if needed, depending on where jobs are. I get flyers every month about nursing jobs- it seems the worst problem these days is getting new nurses the experience they need for the job they really want...
It is a business- and the brass at any healthcare facility screams "budget" and bottom line all day long. Some are worse than others. If you live in an area with a lower relative cost of living, you can do ok. Some here seem to do 'well' (at least however they define it). Best of luck :)
Not all... :) Yes, it's a LOT of work. But depending on what you're looking for- and the job market, there are a lot of options (also need to be willing to relocate if needed, depending on where jobs are. I get flyers every month about nursing jobs- it seems the worst problem these days is getting new nurses the experience they need for the job they really want...
It is a business- and the brass at any healthcare facility screams "budget" and bottom line all day long. Some are worse than others. If you live in an area with a lower relative cost of living, you can do ok. Some here seem to do 'well' (at least however they define it). Best of luck :)
Thank you for your kind words xtxrn! I'm happy to see that not ALL nurses are miserable. Maybe just a lot of allnurses? It does seem to be a bit of a pity-party on this forum.
In keeping with the theme of this thread, money is a valid reason to be work as an RN, but many nurses have and do work on a volunteer basis for those in need. I see VERY few volunteer computer programmers or accountants...
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???
No, I didn't JUST type it... please clarify what you're asking :) And, remember what I write is my opinion based on my experience- I realize others may not feel the same way......AND- because it was assumed earlier (much earlier) I was in someway opposed to paychecks in general- that is not my point !!
Just a note here- and in no way am I implying anything 'snarky' or judgmental (so much is lost in online 'conversations' w/o body language and tone/intent... other people also use the same criteria- and their views based on their experiences are also valid, even if not the same)... I think all anybody wants is to be heard, and hopefully understood...and often there isn't the clarification requested to find out the original meanings of replies- just what the reader pulls from it- which is not always what the writer intended. You told me to lighten up in a previous post, and felt that I'd judged the OP on a few sentences - true, I could have clarified what the intent was... and others could have made an attempt to clarify what I meant instead of assuming anything.
Why is it , whether here or anywhere, that if people don't agree, they take it as a personal attack instead of just understanding that the other person has different experiences, OR opinions that aren't a judgement on anyone? Everyone wants to be heard, but nobody seems to want to listen. Then it turns into something that nobody intended. Again- JUST an opinion.
Were there few enough smilies??? :smoking:
No judgement in declaring people "self-righteous", thinking they know everything? More double standards that suffocate all forms of communication- whether some online thread, or network news. It's all sad. And, in online communication, it's unfortunately common.
I'm not saying that everyone has to agree so please don't assume that from my post. There is a respectful way to disagree and give opinions but what I see here about half of the time is judgemental remarks. Please don't be offended this is just my opinion.
Looking back through old posts and weren't you c/o something along these lines not too long ago :):):):):)
Then it turns into something that nobody intended. Again- JUST an opinion. 
hecallsmeDuchess
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