We had this huge discussion at work today, and i thought i'd get your opinions.
The statement was this: "We have to many people becoming nurses for the money. Its not like it used to be, where a nurse chose to be a nurse because they liked helping people. Its all about the money,."
We were talking about the increased patient complaints, and an older nurse stated the above and thats the reason for increased patient complaints.
Seriously! Im hoping to start my prereqs in the fall. And if I make it out of nursing school in about 4 years, I will probably make about half what my current salary is in this large corporate environment. And I can play on the internet for hours and no one notices! So it would not be for the money!
Since I was a kid, I always wanted to be a Nurse. It seemed like a fun, exciting job. As I got older, I also thought more along the lines of job stability. I live in California and everyday there is more news on the Nursing Shortage. I knew that becoming a Nurse would be an in demand career. But, the money? I don't think so. $45,000.00 to start is REALLY not enough money for me to "just do it for the money." Like mentioned before, there are many other less stressful jobs that will pay more than that.
As I am only a nursing student, I would like to say that the sacrifice each and every one of us makes to attend nursing school is pretty big to only be doing it "for the money." I am in an ADN program and having to quit my full time job to get my education. If I were doing it for the money, this would definitely NOT be worth it to me. I love taking care of people, but more than that, I value a career that will be around for many years!
I agree! I am a student myself and I know that I came into this because this is what I have wanted to do since I was a kid. There are too many in my class who only talk about how much money they are going to make and that bothers me a lot. And I tell you, these are the ones that I dont want to take care of me or anyone in my family!
What I hate the most here in the Philippines is that doctors who do earn money that can already provide them a decent life are now taking up nursing so that they could go there in the USA and become nurses. I think many doctors here became doctors so they can have so much money. They then become nurses there in the USA to earn more... so greedy! :angryfire
I agree! I am a student myself and I know that I came into this because this is what I have wanted to do since I was a kid. There are too many in my class who only talk about how much money they are going to make and that bothers me a lot. And I tell you, these are the ones that I dont want to take care of me or anyone in my family!
Why not? Again, wanting to be well paid does not make someone a bad nurse.
An earlier poster discussed being angry about other people's motivation for nursing, as s/he was "called" to it, with a "deep unrelenting passion" for the job.
I'm happy for s/he is going to be able to fulfill your destiny, though I would caution the poster that it is easy to be idealistic when you haven't had much experience in the field.
However, people have different backgrounds, needs, motivations and responsibilities, and this kind of judgement isn't particularly helpful.
Nursing is, indeed, difficult and complex. For optimal care, a wide range of skills, both technical and interpersonal, are needed. Ideally the staff on a ward manage to cover this range between them, but there's no way that any individual will have them all. Diversity is important in all things, including the character and strengths of nursing staff.
As other members have posted, how good a nurse is does not correlate with how much they care, or how important money is to them. I have much more pressing concerns than why my colleagues have chosen to nurse.
Hi Talaxandra. Just to clear it up a bit...my comments were not meant to be a generalization of ALL people who chose nursing for other reasons then a "calling". It was actually just because the topic hit a nerve I have with this "friend". It was purely I personal issue. I would never stick my nose up to another nurse for her reasons...you're completely RIGHT, it doesnt matter! As long as the job is getting done and it getting done right then God bless you.
I was a nutritionist for many years and decided to become a nurse. I love people and like taking care of them and although money wasn't the primary reason to become a nurse I would not pick it if it did not pay well either. I have to pay bills and support myself, doesn't everyone basically? being motivated by the money is not all bad. Taking care of the patients well of course is important. I don't see how someone could stay in nursing if money was the only motivation. I am not changing careers to make less money that is for sure. I would not have picked another profession that is a patinet care type job that did not pay well...what would the point be? I think you can be motivated by the money and still be a good nurse. I think you can truly care about people and be a bad nurse also if your skills are not good.
I am 19 days away for gradution from LPN School and we have some people in class that all they talk about is the money, They scare me! Dont get wrong a paycheck would be wonderful and help pay bills. But My heart leeps when I get to Discharge a Pt to home and knowing that I help in their healing process. When a Pt says thank you for helping that is why I am becomeing a nurse. A Pt the other said to me that she thought I will make a great nurse it brought tears to my eyes and all the sacrifice and time away from my kids was worth it all. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PtS! right?thanks for letting me share with all of you fine folks.
I totally agree. I work in a hospital where we have lots of nursing students come through. All they talk about is how much they are going to be making. To be completely honest, there are only a handful of them that I would want taking care of me or any of my family. I graduated eleven years ago, and our instructors were VERY strict. If they didn't feel we would be safe practioners, it didn't matter how smart the person was, they could bar us from taking boards. I don't remember once thinking about how much I would be making (even though the first job I had after graduating, I didn't even make twice as much as I had as a CNA). It was about "where can I go and make a difference in someone's life "(for the better of the person, not my bank account).
You are right! These people who are in nursing only for money should be barred and flunked!!! I am a researcher on my main job and am making $76,576 a year and do my job in 3 working days. Yet I became an LPN and working on my RN because I want to do health promotion. I work on call and am paid $200 for 8 hours when I can make $500+ working all this time on my main job. I still do nursing! Because I think it is very noble to be able to help another human being!!! I am very proud of myself and can tell everybody: money is not everything!!! TGLAGOL
I am 19 days away for gradution from LPN School and we have some people in class that all they talk about is the money, They scare me! Dont get wrong a paycheck would be wonderful and help pay bills. But My heart leeps when I get to Discharge a Pt to home and knowing that I help in their healing process. When a Pt says thank you for helping that is why I am becomeing a nurse. A Pt the other said to me that she thought I will make a great nurse it brought tears to my eyes and all the sacrifice and time away from my kids was worth it all. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PtS! right?thanks for letting me share with all of you fine folks.
Even in nursing school, and especially in any nursing-related job, there are moments when your heart breaks, and moments when it doesn't seem like your chest is big enough to hold it, and that's great. To stand in awe of life is a wonderful gift. To feel needed, and even appreciated, is a great thing. But please, please, please understand: it isn't ALL about the patients! To cite one fairly obvious example, sometimes there just isn't much you can really do for the patient, and the best you can accomplish is supporting the family and friends of the patient. But more on point, your needs and those of your co-workers are also vital in this equation. Who knows whether a kind word on the phone to another unit might indirectly save the life of a patient you never met?
My hospital's motto is "Patient First," but when I first oriented, our CEO admonished us to take care of ourselves before anything else, because if we don't, we can't care effectively for anyone else. Seven years later, I still think that's good advice, and I fully intend to follow it as a nurse.
And that includes finding a position where I can be happy and fulfilled, and earn a decent (not to say lavish) living.
Specializes in ER (new), Respitory/Med Surg floor.
Really? I mean I hear about making money and stuff but I found all my classmates liked something about the profession whether it being technical stuff and new equipment or caring about people to want and help. And as long as they job is done and done right what's the problem. If people were soley in it for money or start out and don't like SOMETHING about the job wouldn't they quit?! Money may be a huge factor but something must click to stay. I would think if no one cared or liked nursing at all they would leave very soon because it is so tough I can't imagine them staying. Nursing pays but we're not rich! And some places that offer $25,000 bounuses! There's a reason usually. I had one nurse a guy who called himself nursewhore because he was trying to usurp all hosptial bonuses and stay for the bonus. Well it bit him in the butt. He tried to go to one area $25,000 bonus for staying 1-2 years. I'm like gotta be a reason. THERE was! NO techs and secretary at night 8-10 pts including admissions, disgusting, diplorable working conditions. He tried it for 3 months and said that's enough and came back. Ok nursewhore sounds like he's a jerk and only for money and he is but he CARES about his pts. What i'm getting at I really think people that stay have to like something about job. It's not all money. This guy won't deny he wants the money but he is a jokester and still very smart and does his job. If anything he stays over all the time because he won't shutup and jokes with his patients! I'm glad he's back.
this may sound weird but i didn't know how much $ i would make until right before i graduated when i interviewed a few places. i remember being so exited that i was going to be making 22$/hr, which seemed like a fortune. i really thought nurses made more like 10 or 15 $/hr.
alabama
40 Posts
Seriously! Im hoping to start my prereqs in the fall. And if I make it out of nursing school in about 4 years, I will probably make about half what my current salary is in this large corporate environment. And I can play on the internet for hours and no one notices! So it would not be for the money!