nurses are vastly underpaid and vastly unappreciated!

miko014 · May 25, 2007

Nice to hear that for a change, isn't it?

I had a pt the other day who asked for pain meds. The tech came and told me right away, but I was in the middle of doing someone else's chemo. I had to check it with another RN, suit up, take down the old and dispose of it, do the bedsidde chcheck, give the premeds, and hang the new bag, then have another RN verify the rate with me and all that. It took about 20 minutes. When I was done in there, I immediately got the pain meds and took them to the pt. I said something along the lines of, "I'm sorry that took so long, I was tied up in another room". She said, "Oh, that's okay". Her husband looked at her, then at me, then back at her and said (in a very icy voice), "You've been waiting twenty minutes for this". The pt turned to him and very calmly said, "She is not at my beck and call, and she has other pts. She can't just drop what she's doing for someone else to come and do whatever I want right when I want it". I was floored. I haven't had a pt do/say anything like that for a long time. I was just ilke "thank you for understanding". It was really nice! I wish more people realized that!

bigsyis · May 25, 2007

Nice to hear that for a change, isn't it?
The pt turned to him and very calmly said, "She is not at my beck and call, and she has other pts. She can't just drop what she's doing for someone else to come and do whatever I want right when I want it". I was floored. I haven't had a pt do/say anything like that for a long time. I was just ilke "thank you for understanding". It was really nice! I wish more people realized that!

God bless that dear lady! Her needs were no less important than your other pt's, and she knew that, but she is one of the few who is aware, that while you are in their own room, you can't be everyone, helping everybody else, at the same time! I think that comment should be posted under the "compliment" thread!

Dolce, RN · May 25, 2007

For some reason, that kind of talk irritates me just a little bit. Yes, I would like to make more money (wouldn't we all?). But, I am satisfied with the money that I am making. My sister, who has a master's degree in education, is making about 75% of what I make--I only have a bachelor's degree. Its hard work and we are very under appreciated at times, but I feel I am well compensated for what I do.

Susan9608 · May 25, 2007

Its hard work and we are very under appreciated at times, but I feel I am well compensated for what I do.

Boy, I don't, especially when I think about how I'm holding people's very lives in my hands, while other people - like actors and professional athletes - make millions of dollars providing entertainment. What does that say about our culture? Entertainers are more valuable than life savers. it seems pretty sad and pathetic to me.

I wonder if Rosie would donate some of her exorborant salary to the vastly underpaid and underappreciated nurses to help equalize the equation.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · May 25, 2007

Unfortunately, anything Rosie sayes, no matter how kind, irritates me.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 29, 2007

Unfortunately, anything Rosie sayes, no matter how kind, irritates me.

Why because she tells the truth as she sees it

luvschoolnursing, LPN · May 29, 2007

She sees her truth through a much different lens than I do. Not to mention that she chooses to attack anyone that does not share her POV

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 29, 2007

Just as you are attacking her POV

Jo Dirt · May 29, 2007

Maybe Rosie is okay after all (but talk is cheap.)

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about what nurses get paid. I was talking to a CNA at the assisted living about medications and how it's a good thing to be smart enough to become a pharmacist because I hear they make a good $100+ a year.

The CNA nodded and said yea, they make as much as RNs.

I was floored. I told her I'd like to know what planet this is on and I'll have my bags packed. She looked at me like I was crazy.

Then again, maybe I have a misconception about what pharmacists make...

EmerNurse, BSN, RN · May 29, 2007

Unfortunately, anything Rosie sayes, no matter how kind, irritates me.

My feelings exactly. Sad isn't it, when someone is SO very irritating that even when they agree with us, they're still annoying.

chuck1234 · May 30, 2007

Not sure if my spelling is correct but this is exactly what Rosie O'Donell said on The View this morning. And the model who was on the show said that her mom should be making what she makes as a model, while she should be making what her mom makes as a nurse...Hooray for nurses, and CNAs!

Unappreciated!!! This I agree with you...

Underpaid!!! I am not so sure, It is still better than my old job. Anyhow, I think a job in the nursing field is very stressful...comparing with other professions. Many college graduates don't even make what nurses are making and they don't even have job security.