Negativity toward nursing as a career choice

RunBabyRN · Mar 9, 2014

The posts that generally inspire us to tell people to take off the rose-colored glasses are the ones who think there's still a nursing shortage, that they're going to make $100,000 their first year of nursing, that taking out $100,000 in loans is a good idea, that they can go right into their specialty of choice, have a 2.2 GPA, etc. It's the ones who have unrealistic expectations.

The people who recognize these things, that wonder if nursing might be for them, are open to shadowing a nurse, etc are often encouraged to check out nursing as a possible career option. I see far more encouragement of people who are considering pursuing nursing than discouragement.

NurseSN45696 · Mar 9, 2014

I don't think that it's for everyone, although people might think that nursing is. or maybe what was once great for a person is no longer fulfilling. You could read opinions on all sorts of things all day, but in the end, you're going to do what you want to do. You said it yourself, "every job has pros and cons". I was just talking to my husband the other day. We were discussing the politics of nursing and he pointed out that most jobs have politics these days.

nekozuki, LPN · Mar 9, 2014

It isn't negativity toward nursing you are observing, but rather negativity toward the flawed perception of nursing. So long as website banners and Facebook ads scream "NURSING SHORTAGE, CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT SKETCHY FOR-PROFIT COLLEGE TO MAKE KAZILLIONS AND CUDDLE BABIES ALL DAY," there will be people here ready to dismantle ridiculous claims.

I will forever be grateful for how much users on this site have prepared me for both nursing school and the real world, and I'm a better person for it now. Since you haven't yet begun your journey, perhaps it would serve you well to change your perspective. If seasoned nurses and new grads alike are uniformly cautioning people against romanticizing this career, maybe they're on to something?

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2014

If I could "Like" RunBabyRun and nekozuki's comments a few more times, I would.

I am a seasoned nurse, and have seen both shortages and gluts of nurses. I encourage and discourage wannabes on a nearly daily basis here.....the ones who get my encouragement have realistic expectations and want actual help and advice. Ones without a chip on their shoulders, poor attitudes and "you owe me something" demeanors from the get-go.

Those who fit into the aforementioned categories will certainly get my total discouragement, derision, and whatever else I can throw at them to clue them in to how very offensive they are being.

Then there are those who receive gentle discouragement: those who honestly believe in the marketing hype of for-profit nursing schools, or are simply misinformed (as most of the general public is). These are people who have asked questions politely, have not been antagonistic, but unfortunately are on the wrong track for whatever reason. THESE are the people who are often told "this isn't the career you think it is".

Some may call those kind of answers "unsupportive", which I think is very mistaken. We are trying to support a realistic view of nursing, competitiveness of schools and job openings.

I do think most see that and understand; people who write "you are just stepping on their DREAMS" and such are missing the point.

Dreams are good. But sometimes, they are also the silliest, most unrealistic expectations ever....and I would be SO angry if someone knew full well I was insanely misdirected and let me continue on like that without giving me a clue.

Come to think of it, THOSE are the people who finish school and whine "why didn't anyone tell me nursing would be this hard/ this competitive/there are no jobs?"

Sometimes, the truth just hurts.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2014

I know of many people who wake up in the morning and think, I will become a nurse today because I will get paid tons of money and just pass some meds and that will be it. Then they go and sign up at a for profit school because all they want is your money and do not care that your grades are terrible and have generally no idea what goes into nursing. Then somewhere down the line these people complain about how hard school is and I'm flunking the tests and it's the instructors fault I am failing. They are having problems with the basics and there is no way they will make it through school and now they are stuck with a huge loan that has to be paid back and no career. Actually a close friend of mine is going through this right now. She hasn't dropped out yet but I forsee it happening in the next few months.

Nursing is not a bad career choice if you know and understand what it entails. That it is hard work. There are no shortcuts, and you will be on your feet all day and doing heavy lifting and dealing with people. People don't understand what it is actually like to deal with the public. It's hard and taxing. It can also be very rewarding. But it is like every other career choice whether you are a teacher, lawyer, doctor, nurse. There are pros and cons. I have been in a variety of fields and there are the same people everywhere complaining about management, the job itself, and the low pay. Nobody thinks they get paid enough for what they do. And I can honestly think of a couple of careers where that is true.

I would go into any field the the correct expectations and assumptions of the job and not what a fairy tale story tells you.

jcol1460 · Mar 9, 2014

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys consider to be 'low pay'? I'm in the process of getting into the nursing field now. I have a masters degree in social work and work as a therapist. I've worked in many different aspects of my field and have been doing therapy for more than 7 years. I have yet to break 40k a year ( with the exception of 3 months at a facility which severely violated ethical client and staff treatment). Finding jobs in my field that pay at that level or higher with opportunity to grow is next to impossible. When researching this field I saw that compensation was significantly higher (avg salary for a nurse is DOUBLE the avg salary for my current field in my locale) and I'm still able to effect change and help others. The average starting salary for social workers with masters degrees in my area is in the low 30's and with the decline in funding for mental health services, raises come very seldom if ever. While I understand that I won't be making 6 figures, I would have a more stable financial place in my life.

I don't mean this question to sound as if I'm only in it for the money, just wondering if my perspective is off. I'm still planning on pursuing this option as it can only open more doors, not limit my career choices.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2014

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys consider to be 'low pay'? I'm in the process of getting into the nursing field now. I have a masters degree in social work and work as a therapist. I've worked in many different aspects of my field and have been doing therapy for more than 7 years. I have yet to break 40k a year ( with the exception of 3 months at a facility which severely violated ethical client and staff treatment). Finding jobs in my field that pay at that level or higher with opportunity to grow is next to impossible. When researching this field I saw that compensation was significantly higher (avg salary for a nurse is DOUBLE the avg salary for my current field in my locale) and I'm still able to effect change and help others. The average starting salary for social workers with masters degrees in my area is in the low 30's and with the decline in funding for mental health services, raises come very seldom if ever. While I understand that I won't be making 6 figures, I would have a more stable financial place in my life.
I don't mean this question to sound as if I'm only in it for the money, just wondering if my perspective is off. I'm still planning on pursuing this option as it can only open more doors, not limit my career choices.

It's a huge variance, depending on geographic region. Some metropolitan places will start a new BSN/ RN off at around $40 an hour; cost of living greatly affects the price. Some places would start the same person at $21 an hour.

Some places offer nearly unlimited overtime, allowing someone to nearly double their income. Some have ZERO overtime, you get only the specified hours, not a minute more.

You'd have to research the region in which you expect to live and work.

jcol1460 · Mar 9, 2014

From my research about my area (southeast florida), entry level nursing salaries range from $25-35 an hour. Compared to $14-20 an hour for social workers (experienced higher end, entry level lower end). One trend in this area is to pay us $25-27 an hour on a fee for service basis. Meaning, no client contact, no pay. Doesn't take into account driving time, paperwork time, no shows, etc. when I worked under this pay structure, take home ranged from $200-500 week without considering gas and maintenance costs for my vehicle. And forget health insurance, that was $200 month! That was a breaking point for me, how is it I have a masters degree and can't afford to pay my bills???? Made no sense.

nekozuki, LPN · Mar 9, 2014

From my research about my area (southeast florida), entry level nursing salaries range from $25-35 an hour. Compared to $14-20 an hour for social workers (experienced higher end, entry level lower end). One trend in this area is to pay us $25-27 an hour on a fee for service basis. Meaning, no client contact, no pay. Doesn't take into account driving time, paperwork time, no shows, etc. when I worked under this pay structure, take home ranged from $200-500 week without considering gas and maintenance costs for my vehicle. And forget health insurance, that was $200 month! That was a breaking point for me, how is it I have a masters degree and can't afford to pay my bills???? Made no sense.

I don't know what your sources are, but expect a much lower figure as a new grad RN. 18-22/hr is what my west palm and Miami nurse buddies have made as they've started their careers. And in SE Fl, they had to be bilingual, work nights/weekends and sign contracts to do it.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 9, 2014

To the OP: I was discouraged many years ago as a middle school student at a career fair; the economy sucked, healthcare reimbursement was changing (sound familiar?).

What I did was be very objective to the information that was being presented to me; if I had listened to the nurse and became a writer (she advised me to do something that I loved-I love to write) I would've missed out on a career that fit for me.

I enjoy being a nurse; I never felt disrespected, stomped on, etc. I have been in this business for 14 years and I have an objectivity in approaching interacting with the human condition in its most vulnerable state; and it can be ugly, and challenging, and that's putting it very mildly. In all my years of being in healthcare; I have always felt empowered; even more so as a licensed nurse.

As long as you are cognizant of the challenges of nursing and can be self aware in those times of challenge, you will carve you niche out and enjoy this business; it will be up to YOU.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2014

I have been a nurse since '07. I would say the idea of a nursing "shortage" can and in some areas does exist. When someone tells a student there is NO nursing "shortage" they are basing this on what? Their place of employment? Many parts of the country still need nurses. The newest nurse in the area I work was unable to tell me of any student she was in school with who did not get a job. Does this mean there is or is not a "shortage"? Nope. I am saying there MAY not be in your particular area. Blanket statements like there IS or IS not a nursing shortage is stupid. Go to North Dakota where people by the boatloads came to make money in the oil fields. They are way short all types of services including nursing. What I would tell someone is investigate the area they are planning to live in and also see if moving is an option. Some areas are saturated...others are not.