New Nurses!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

I thought I would start a discussion with some of the veteran nurses, and even new nurse graduates.

I have noticed with the recession, and nursing being marketed as the "in demand career field", there have been an influx of individuals entering college attempting to go into nursing. I would never discourage anyone from nursing. But realistically, nursing is a lot more than financial gains. When individuals ask the question of "why did you become a nurse" or "is the money great in nursing"? I really don't know the response to these questions, and it's frustrating to acknowledge the "basis" behind entering the field. Although, I do know why I became a nurse. I feel more individuals are attempting to get validation of income possibilities, rather than having a passion for nursing.

The media definitely should paint a more accurate picture for the field. Also, the media should also encourage individuals to follow their passion, rather than aiming solely for financial gain. This is what has been the downfall of the nursing profession. Individuals enter the field without the passion for the career.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Unfortunately, passion doesn't always pay the bills. People need to do what they have to in order to survive.

Also, the fact that someone enters nursing for financial reasons doesn't necessarily mean they will be a worse nurse than someone who came in because it was a "calling." Nor does having a passion for nursing mean you will automatically be a success at it.

There's lots of threads already about the topic of nursing: passion vs. finances

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.
Unfortunately, passion doesn't pay the bills. Well, not legally anyway.

Passion does not pay the bills if you don't search for methods to place your passion to use. Some may say, nursing doesn't pay the bills. It's all in how much you invest in your craft! Whether that be teaching, nursing, painting, accounting, singing, etc.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Passion does not pay the bills if you don't search for methods to place your passion to use. Some may say, nursing doesn't pay the bills. It's all in how much you invest in your craft! Whether that be teaching, nursing, painting, accounting, singing, etc.

And I know many passionate artists, actors and writers who are struggling to pay their rent despite the fact that they live and breathe their craft 24/7. It's not as simple--or as idealistic--as you may think.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
And I know many passionate artists, actors and writers who are struggling to pay their rent despite the fact that they live and breathe their craft 24/7. It's not as simple--or as idealistic--as you may think.
Yep. Been there, done that. I love the fact that my new profession enables me to get what my husband and I need without worrying so much about money. My art is now my avocation and I'm still happy. Win-win.
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Specializes in ER.

So your saying that because someone isn't passionate about nursing or they are doing it because of what you perceive as financial gain then that makes them less of a nurse?

I ended up in nursing for financial reasons, 20 years ago my best friend and I were fishing on guntersville lake in north Alabama and he turns to me and ask what I thought about going to college a couple years and get out make 12-13 bucks an hour. I thought is sounded a lot better than the sock factory I was working at for 5.25/hr. I went to nursing school and he didn't. I'm in PA school now and he is on management tract for the company he works for and makes 6 figures with no college degree. In my 20yrs I've had 1 write up from a co-worker and 2 patient complaints. One of which because the wife felt I did not show the proper level of concern when her husband was having runs of Vtach and I calmly walked over and cardioverted him on a symptomatic run. Oh well, I saved her husband but was excited enough about it.

The point I'm trying to make is that I'm a good nurse and I got here as a means to financial stability, my reasons for doing so do not dictate the level of care I give.

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Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.

I'm a new grad starting my first job as a registered nurse, and I enjoy what I do. I enjoy the daily interactions with patients and their families, as well as exposure to the bigger picture that is the healthcare system as a whole. And yes, I am not shy to admit that money played a role in my decision to pursue nursing. I don't think that factoring the pay into my reason to go into nursing makes me any less of a nurse.

In fact, that's the one thing I never did understand--why is it almost shameful to admit that money was part of the reason why you went into nursing? Granted, it shouldn't be the entire reason of why someone should pursue nursing as a career, but at the same time, I don't see why it can't be part of the equation.

I like to keep things that I'm passionate about as hobbies, and not make it into work.

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Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.

This is only going to get me beat up. So be it. I have always had good jobs, in manufacturing. Unfortunately they all disappeared. Companies closes, lay offs, companies moved out of the country.

I became a nurse at at time when nursing provided a secure future. I had no particular "passion" to do anything except make a decent living.

Nursing has provided me with that. I have provided nursing with a nurse who has learned and applied what she has learned. Who went to work every day on time. Who advocated for her patients because it was her job. Who assisted her coworkers, mentored new nurses.

That being said, I have lived by the work ethic my working parents taught me. I am proud of the job that I have done.

But.............My life is my life, my job is my job. My life is not my job, and my job is not my life.

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Specializes in LTC.

I got into nursing for two reasons...A. because I wanted the skills to be able to take care of my parents in their elderly years, B. Cause it pays damn lot better then most things I could be doing that would drive me nuts anyway... So yeah, I'd have to say money did play a part in why I chose it, I mean..my *passion* is to live freely and selfsufficient from the land, but that doesnt' pay the bills for years down the road.

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I don't have some sappy story about why I became a nurse. I did it because my grandmother always said you should be a nurse (but she told all females this). So I went to school and I became a nurse. I now can't imagine doing anything else and I am one good nurse. So I feel that the passion can come later.

However, to develop nursing more professionally. I think we need more nurses who are career oriented and passionate about their career rather than nurses who are family oriented come to work take care of their patients (are very compassionate) but then go home and do nothing to advance nursing.

I feel that people who just want to work to get paid and go home should not necessarily choose nursing because of all the continued education and all the changes in healthcare. I definitely notice nurses I work with that are just there to do their job are the ones who complain about all the changes being made because they don't want to be bothered. That's not good for morale and definitely doesn't improve patient safety and quality of care.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I also do not have a sappy story about why I chose nursing. And it drives me nuts when people are like "oh, you're so compassionate, you'll make a great nurse." My compassion isn't what catches a potentially dangerous med error that the doctor made.

BUT it seems like most of the potential nursing school applicants that I encounter parrot back the party line that nursing is recession proof, that there a lot of jobs out there, that they want a career with job stability, etc. That's when I feel compelled to correct them.

I also run into quite a few people who seem to view getting a BSN as merely a necessary evil to becoming a NP/CRNA. "Oh, I'm going to get my BSN, then get my CRNA, and then I'll basically be like a doctor and make lots of money without having to go to medical school!" Makes me cringe on several levels but my inner pragmatist silently notes that the job market for new-NPs is even tougher than it is for new RN grads, at least in my area.

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