New Nurses!

[RNGriffin]

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.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I find it very interesting that people do not question the compassion and/or motives of doctors when they enter into their profession, but they are oh-so-quick to pass judgement on nurses' reasons for entering nursing.

Look me straight in the eye and tell me that the income potential didn't play any part in someone deciding to go into medical school. Yet we don't tar and feather those doctors like we tend to do to our fellow nurses.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

I think the compassion bashing that happens between nurses is more of a mental coping mechanism. We parlay some of the...less enjoyable...aspects of our job into the thought process that I do this or put up with that because I'm a compassionate person. Hence the thought process that someone who is lacking in compassion or passion for nursing simply won't be able to put up with the everyday crap that nurses both literally and figuratively have to put up with.

[workingharder]

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

i feel more individuals are attempting to get validation of income possibilities, rather than having a passion for nursing. ...

when i got into nursing a great deal of the decision was dictated by money.

passion is an emotion that tends to drive us in certain directions. it can be useful to spur us on towards a given goal. but, like any emotion, it can (and probably will) wane as time and familiarity pass. how many marriages end as the passion wears thin? how many old cars sit in pieces in someone's garage when the passion to restore has worn off?

one of the reasons that nursing pays better than some jobs is that the reality is that the day to day aspects of nursing can be so tough; physically, emotionally, and mentally. the demands and stressors of this job are fully capable of beating out even the strongest passion in many people.we rent out our time and skills for monetary gain so that we may pursue other aspects to our lives. if passion was the dominant characteristic needed for the job than it would pay $11.00 hour and the field would probably see an even larger turn over, due to lost passion, than we see now.

"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."

i fully agree about the media reflecting a more realistic picture of the field. however, advising that the media should focus on passion for the job is a mistake. most of the ads i see for nursing speak primarily about having a "passion" to help others and secondly speak of the "great" income. passion can be manipulated and there is far too much manipulation in this job already. also, nursing is seen as one of the last professions that wall street hasn't yet figured out how to ship to china. that is, maybe, the prime reason it is attractive to many people.

having a calling for your life's work is a great and rare thing but, passion doesn't make the world go 'round. money does.

[Dumplins, MSN, RN, APN]

for the work we do...we dont nearly get paid as much as we should..

passion does play a role in one way or another. GENERALLY speaking, who would be a better nurse? One who loves what they're doing, or one that just comes in dreading the daily tasks ahead of them? passion is what separates good nurses from great nurses.

of course every instance is different, so please dont argue that a seasoned nurse who has been doing it for 25 years who hates their job...is better than a new grad filled with passion. because that may very well be true.

so i'm not saying nurses without the passion of being a nurse are inferior. but you can easily see, whether it's at the hospital or on this message board, which nurses really love what they're doing and which ones dont. so which one would you want taking care of YOU? (assuming they're both equally clinically competent)

and i'm sure when you went to your interviews and were asked "why did you become a nurse?", i'm sure you all answered "for the money!"

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

also, nursing is seen as one of the last professions that wall street hasn't yet figured out how to ship to china. that is, maybe, the prime reason it is attractive to many people.

except that many seem to be attracted to nursing because they buy into the whole thing that nursing is recession proof, that the country needs nurses, that a nursing degree pretty much guarantees you a job.

job availability and stability aren't good reasons to get into nursing right now because neither of these exist at the moment.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

so i'm not saying nurses without the passion of being a nurse are inferior. but you can easily see, whether it's at the hospital or on this message board, which nurses really love what they're doing and which ones dont. so which one would you want taking care of YOU? (assuming they're both equally clinically competent)

Pretty sure that could be said of any profession. Why does nursing have the corner on PASSION? I had a pretty crappy waitress today while I was out eating and, dammit, maybe if she had some PASSION for her job, it would have made my dining experience so much better.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

and i'm sure when you went to your interviews and were asked "why did you become a nurse?", i'm sure you all answered "for the money!"

Actually, I was honest: I told them I wanted a career where I would never be bored. That's all. No sappy story about callings and wanting to help people, and no mention of seeking financial bounties and job security.

I just mentioned that I never wanted to be bored. They loved that answer, and I got the job...as a new grad, no less :) I spent two pretty good years there before life moved me on.

[Dumplins, MSN, RN, APN]

Pretty sure that could be said of any profession. Why does nursing have the corner on PASSION? I had a pretty crappy waitress today while I was out eating and, dammit, maybe if she had some PASSION for her job, it would have made my dining experience so much better.

i agree. it SHOULD be for any and ALL professions.

so who would you rather have? a passionate waitress, or one that isnt?

the point being, passion in an occupation helps

[Dumplins, MSN, RN, APN]

Actually, I was honest: I told them I wanted a career where I would never be bored. That's all. No sappy story about callings and wanting to help people, and no mention of seeking financial bounties and job security.

I just mentioned that I never wanted to be bored. They loved that answer, and I got the job...as a new grad, no less :) I spent two pretty good years there before life moved me on.

i actually like that answer a lot. haha. i might just use it one day.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

The media is fueled by advertising.

Nursing schools are advertisers. (They pay money to media organizations)

Now, are media outlets going to tell you the truth? Or are they going to say what the people paying the bills want them to say.

This is one of the problems we face since all content became "free."

[gorjos]

Well I am a nurse because my passion wouldn't allow me to provide for my family, be around my kids, nor put a dent in my school loans. Nursing works because it is a job that enables me to take care of my top priority--my kids. If you think I was psyched to follow in the footsteps of florence nightingale, well, you are mistaken. Nursing isn't a bad profession I have found. I would actually like it if I didn't have to deal with the nurses who think they are gods gift to nursing or be in the position of catching everything that comes down hill. But that's part of it, and I deal with it because my kids need me to. The bottom line is that I care, and while all things nursing don't add up to being with my kids or coaching, my patients get my best.

[Pamelar]

I find it very interesting that people do not question the compassion and/or motives of doctors when they enter into their profession, but they are oh-so-quick to pass judgement on nurses' reasons for entering nursing. Look me straight in the eye and tell me that the income potential didn't play any part in someone deciding to go into medical school. Yet we don't tar and feather those doctors like we tend to do to our fellow nurses.

I agree with you. There are many doctors who enter this profession because of money and the title.