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.
I hate it when a nurse complains about a person asking her a question out of "buisness hours"....because she is not working...if you have an issue with it because of safety and liability concern, that is different..however I NEVER heard of a nurse getting in trouble or causing problems by offering incorrect information...because what do we do with our patients..constant pt. education...hence we are always walking a fine line between our role and the providers role.
I totally disagree. If I am on my own time (not at work), I am not a nurse then. I am myself. Nursing is my career - NOT MY LIFE and I feel pity for anyone who cannot make a distinction between the two in their own lives.
IF you are a nurse...CARING is your number one priority...not just for your duty hours. IF your in it for the money...I sure the hell will chase you out along with several other nurses!!!
Please see the quote below - I believe this person says it very well.
For the life of me, I will never understand why people think they have the right to judge someone based on the decisions they have made to better their lot in life. Frankly, it's not anyone's business
I knew my statement would get resentment...but hey you spend half of your life doing and tell me it is not part of you...hmm interesting...I can make the distinction just fine, however my heart doesn't stop when the clock does...I take place in alot of high risk sports after work, deep scuba diving is one of them...for that alone i know I can make the distinction.
As for mind their own buisness...sorry I am a nurse and patients lives are in your hands...I will never mind my own buisness when it comes to that...esp. a nurse who is in it for the money and not caring for the patients...they deserve the best care...their life is in our hands and they need to trust us...each nurse is responsible, not to say it is none of my buisness...if you feel that way...next time your nursing board reports disciplinary actions, don't read none of your buisness, next time gossip starts in the break room about what a nurse did, don't listen none of your buisness.
Sorry my opinions affected you so, perhaps it is none of your buisness
Why are you telling me that your opinion is none of my business when YOU are the one that posted it in a PUBLIC discussion for anyone and everyone to read???
The point that was being made was not that it was none of your buisness but rather the other side of the analogy...a patients life and medical care and treatment is the responsibility of EVERY nurse...if a nurse choose that career for the money...not for taking care of people and helping the sick...I can possibly see a dangerous position. I was making a point that anything stated publicly or to a person is knowledge of that situation, it becomes the hearers buisness. Because he/she offered it. Basically, dont claim somethings as none of someone's buisness but yet claim others to be of a person's buisness, no double standards please!
As for my opinion...yes I don't mind who reads it or responds...however stating on this forum that a person went into nursing for money and not to help people...well that then became public interest...as did my statement.
What I am talking about when I say a person's motivation for entering nursing addresses people who insist on making broad sweeping statements such as if a person didn't go into nursing for CARING, they shouldn't be nurses - THOSE people should mind their own business (it is applying their own ideal to everyone - regardless of whether they have posted their motivation on the forum or not). If that applies to you...oh well. If not...hey, great. But you are the one that posted your opinion and then told me it was none of my business. I am not applying a double standard. You are comparing apples to oranges.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
THe reason im a nurse is because medics dont make the money nurses make.....
WHy i became a medic, is the same reason im a nurse (besides the increase in pay) is seeing the difference i make in peoples lives every day i work. Nursing is a rewarding and challenging career that has become so specialized as the years go by.
For those of you that say nurses dont make much money....Your crazy....Sure, were not millioniares, but we do well....I agree, we are underpaid, but still, we are paid well.
Talk to a paramedic, they'll tell you about being underpaid......
that is why I became a nurse. And I dont' think that makes me a bad nurse at all. MY reasons are just as legitimate as the next one. As long as a I care compassionately, competently and with integrity, it's all you or anyone need know. :) I did NOT come into nursing just for the pay, but I did expect reasonable compensation as a nurse. And I still do.
RN4N, again the other part of the analogy...not apples and oranges but rather apples to oranges...Lets try this, if someone publicly states something...such as why they choose something, that is no one's buisness however if one states his or her opinion that is everyone's buisness? Again that appears to be a double standard to me. Hence the reason I made the comment at the end, to explain the double standard.
SMIL...IMO your intention was not money but to continue to do something you love but yet do it for what you are worth...as for life at home...yes that is part of it but if you work that is part of your life too...we are not speaking what does or doesn't come first..just roles we each play day to day. Not what is most important just the aspects of it. LOL if my home was my life...I spend on average 10-12hrs here...8 of which consist of sleeping and getting ready to do the next thing...lol I would say home plays very little but then again I don't have kids, God commend all your parents!!!
I totally agree...nurses deserve to be comp. for their work and that is what you made your choice for...you didn't leave healthcare for saying being a lawyer you found something that comp. you appropriately for what you enjoy, I commend you!
RN4N, again the other part of the analogy...not apples and oranges but rather apples to oranges...Lets try this, if someone publicly states something...such as why they choose something, that is no one's buisness however if one states his or her opinion that is everyone's buisness? Again that appears to be a double standard to me. Hence the reason I made the comment at the end, to explain the double standard.
From this response, I don't think you even read my last post. Whether you did or you did not, I am tired of discussing this with you. I will never see things your way and you will never see things mine, so please lets stop it here. K?
I am about to be qualified in three months time and i love being a student but i cant wait to be a nurse. although i love the thought of caring for someone who is in need i cant help think about the better life that i will give to my only child my siblings and parents. Does that make me a money grabbing nurse I DONT THINK SO!. I have always love the feeling of selfworth that i get when i help someone to take that step that they would other wise not do my concience is clear because before the money i am all heart.
Specializes in PICU, Nurse Educator, Clinical Research.
I agree we are paid better than some professions. but when you say that we are paid well, I have to disagree to a certain extent. Just take a look at what nurses make in the southern part of the country. I know about low pay okay
I WAS A NURSING ASSISTANT.
OK, in this part of NC:
new grad RNs start at $18/hr
paramedics make around $13/hr
CNAs make $9-$10/hr
All of those are absolutely rediculous. We have middle-management tech people here (I used to be one of them) making upwards of $50/hr to come up with strategies for presenting stuff at trade shows. Yet the guy who comes to get me if I have a heart attack only makes $13 an hour.
RN4NICU, LPN, LVN
1,711 Posts
I totally disagree. If I am on my own time (not at work), I am not a nurse then. I am myself. Nursing is my career - NOT MY LIFE and I feel pity for anyone who cannot make a distinction between the two in their own lives.
Please see the quote below - I believe this person says it very well.
(emphasis added is mine)