Nurses are the unsung heroes of the medical profession.

sherdk · May 18, 2012

I wanted to be a nurse from the time I can remember-- had a fantastic role model-- she died at age 43 from Ca of the breast. I have never regretted my decision to be a nurse and after 47 years in nursing as a staff nurse, educator and manager--it still isnt about the money to me. I made $15 a month when I first started nursing in a hospital!!!! Things have changed some for the better--like the money and some for the worse like the educational system and the care or lack of to our patients/ clients

Karla_isela · May 18, 2012

I'm currently a nursing student. When I first became an STNA I can honestly say it was because I wanted a job that paid better. After I learned more about what it really takes to be an aide I fell in love with the job and I was great with taking care of residents. Yes, I wanted a decent salary -- being an aide is not an easy job and I refused to be paid less than $10/hour-- but that wasn't my only reason for working as an aide anymore. Then, I decided that I wanted to do more and being an aide alone just wasn't going to cut it. So, I decided to become a Nurse. You listed reasons and my reasons are a combination of all of those.

I wanted to be a nurse from the time I can remember-- had a fantastic role model-- she died at age 43 from Ca of the breast. I have never regretted my decision to be a nurse and after 47 years in nursing as a staff nurse, educator and manager--it still isnt about the money to me. I made $15 a month when I first started nursing in a hospital!!!! Things have changed some for the better--like the money and some for the worse like the educational system and the care or lack of to our patients/ clients

I only wish the educational system was better. As a student it's hard to actually learn and grasp concepts in an accelerated program. The tests are very simple--I don't feel challenged most of the time-- and I'm hoping that what I learn here will be enough to become a good nurse. I'm getting good grades but I feel the expectations from students has been lowered in order to bring more students into the program and to help them advance through it. The profit these institutions make definately play a part in all of this.

cndn_grl08 · May 18, 2012

When I first decided I wanted to be a nurse, I was too young to know what money even was or how much nurses made. I wanted to be a nurse, I didn't want to make a lot of money. When I told people in high school I was going into nursing, they all asked why not be a doctor instead, they make more. Thats not the point though, it's not about the money and I don't want to be a doctor. If it was about the money, there are a lot of easier jobs than nursing out there that make good money. Nursing is HARD, and it's not something you do "for the money"! I'd also had people ask me what I'm in school for (I'm a fourth year student) and when I say nursing their response is "oh, how much do they make?" or "oh, you'll be making good money then". Really people????

applewhitern, BSN, RN · May 18, 2012

I personally don't see any reason why money should not matter; I don't work for free and I have bills to pay, just like everyone else. I like to eat and have a roof over my head. I fully expect a decent salary for what I do.

sherdk · May 18, 2012

If money is the reason that a person wants to be a nurse-- it shows in the care that is given to the patients/ residents/ clients!!!! Sure money can be a consideration however if that is all that counts --IT SHOWS!!!!! I have worked with many staff and some of my students who said that they became a nurse because the money is good and believe me I dont want them looking after me-- the caring is missing!!

bookworm78910 · May 18, 2012

I'd be lying if I didn't say money was a consideration in my decision to become a nurse. By no means, was it the top priority. I became a nurse because I've been positively impacted by good nurses in my life, and I wanted to give the gift of nurturing, care and concern to others. Making a comfortable living while doing these things is nothing to apologize for. Nurses are a valuable part of the healthcare team, and should be treated as such.

For me, the real worth of being a nurse and nursing student has not been necessarily tangible. It's reward is in knowing that you've soothed the scared, eased the pain of the hurting, and positively impacted families in your small sphere of influence. In addition, the process of school and practicing has improved my critical thinking skills, helped me to handle stressful situations in a calmer and more task-oriented manner and made MY life better. My nursing career and skills are a gift of God to me. I am very grateful.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 19, 2012

that pretty much sums it up :cool:

hecallsmeDuchess · May 19, 2012

Why can't a nurse be caring and still want decent wages? It's not like we are volunteering at our work places, we are there to do work and get paid...

MedChica · May 19, 2012

It's often said that people take up nursing because of the money. Is this true?
Why did you take up nursing? Family? Money? Love helping people?
Click Like if you enjoyed it.
Please share this with friends and post your comments below!

The money?

Said by who? LOL

A reliable job, maybe. Steady income, yeah. Potential for growth? Of course.

Money? I don't see it.

Maybe, those who say such things came from poor beginnings?

Nursing means a very comfortable living. That's it. I own my car and save much. So, I can go far on $60,000+ year (median. I know plenty who earn more where I live. Some have the years of exp to command such salaries. Others work multiple jobs to pull it in)

Anyway, if it were all about money for me? I'd still be in xray/CT. I earned MORE than I will as a nurse (at least for a good 5-10 years)...with none of the hard work. I know that I say this over and over again, but, coming from radiology land to nursing...and seeing how lowly CNAs are paid?

It's ridiculous. Mindblowing. I run around like a chicken w/my neck cut off for my 20 - count them, 20 - patients (half of which are total assist). Bathing, wiping, consoling, brushing hair/teeth, dressing, comforting, feeding, lifting, carrying, etc...for 16 hrs.

And I do it all for $9.50/hr.

I'm not complaining as I chose to do this for more exp. I'm happy to do what I do b/c there's honor in it, to me. Sometimes, I look at them as they are and my heart grows very full. I'm not one of those 'touchy-feely' persons. It's just that we're in charge of taking care of the nation's helpless/defenseless: Our elders. If we didn't do it, who would? Where would these people end up?

So, not complaining - just saying.

You know how much I earned doing xray/ct and the sort of work it entails...compared with CNA work?

Utterly ridiculous.

Well, I work psych/geri. I'll graduate from nurisng school in a blink of an eye. I've been doing aide work for a little over a year.

In my short time on the nursing side of the medical field, I've been pooped on, poohed on, peed on. I've dealt with snot, mucus, blood, strange lady partsl secretions and strange GI secretions. I think the word, "Ugh...", just about says it all.

I've been cursed at, 'swung on', kicked at....

I've practically broken my neck trying to catch a pt from falling. I've practically saved a nurse from having a pt in a wheelchair (don't even ask) topple on her more than a few times. Once, she fell anyway.

Thankfully? I've reflexes like a wiley little squirrel (LOL) and, apparently, my time as a CNA -- where I practically 'bench-press' the elderly and power-lift 300 lb-ers -- has given me 'chimp-strength'. I'll tell you something else: I don't think it's gonna get any better once I get those letters behind my name. LOL

Because right now? I'm dealing with GERIATRICS! A rowdy bunch. I'm not even dealing with 'everyone else'. LOL

But, I try to see the bright side. I'll have a huge pt load. 30-40 patients, I think? Although, this could be a good thing. I'll easily become a pro at time-management and prioritization. The pt ratio doesn't feel safe, but...this seems to be the way of things. Everywhere.

I'll also get exp with geri and psych. That's 2 birds; 1 stone (and I think psych exp is important for all. There are undiagnosed individuals running all over the place. Plus, it really helps your communication skills).

Anyway, my point is: Nursing...for the money? Pfft. I could've chosen another career and ended up less stressed while earning way more for my trouble.

So, I'm in nursing, because I want my life's work to mean something. I like to help. I'm just plain drawn to the 'Helping Professions'. I'm always down to serve a 'cause'.

Nursing is a very respectable profession. They do noble work.

I think there's a huge differentiation between those who are solely in nursing for the money and those simply looking to be well-compensated for doing what they love.

Nothng wrong with the latter.

I'm practical. Nurses have to eat and pay their student loans. It seems that nurse wages are among the fastest-growing, I've read. This is a good thing. For the amt of work tossed on your shoulders, they (and soon 'I') DESERVE a competitive salary. We deserve recognition.

Yes, a plaque and some praise and yet another survey detailing how nurses are seen as the bestest people in any career ever, so says the public, is nice.

However, I prefer my recognition in the form of American 'green-backs'. Thanks in advance!

LOL

Actually, there's nothing wrong the former. Doing a job solely for the money, I mean. This isn't 'investment banking', though. Such an attitude really doesn't make sense in our line of work.

In fact, individuals w/attitudes like 'that' usually make for some rather sh...ty healthcare professionals. I know what I've seen.

Now, I'm not talking about 'burnout'. Happens to the best of us. Also, I've enough sense to know that I won't 'whistle' while I work, every single day of my nurse career. LOL

I don't say that you have to be some bleeding heart.

I'm talking about motivation. That thing that makes you want to get up and go to work everyday. Can't be all about money.

To be in healthcare - any aspect of it, but especially, direct patient care - it's gotta be about more. To be in healthcare, you gotta give a d*mn.

If you don't? You don't need to be working in anyone's med facility, imo.

Go be an accountant or a stock broker or something...and stay the hell away from the patients, please. LOL

IMO, if you're in nursing entirely for the money (and there are PLENTY flying into nursing these days for that exact reason, ALONE. Trust me. It's a shame. Our schools do their best to weed these types out.)? It'll never be enough.

You won't last or, maybe you will.

Just won't be happy.

MadpeysRN · May 19, 2012

I am guessing most that got in it for money won't last long...

PMFB-RN, RN · May 19, 2012

I find the very idea of going into nursing for the money to be laughable. Anybody who chooses nursing for money is either grossly missinformed as to what nurses get paid, or isn't smart enought to be a nurse in the first place. In my area new grads start at about $20 and hour. If the pay were better I wouldn't care if people entered for the money, but with what we get paid it's abserd. There are lots of fields with higher pay and less responsibiliety and plain old hard physical labor than nursing. Try investment banking.