Nursing as a Business or as a Calling?

Should nursing be viewed as a business and should we treat nuring as such, or should nursing be considered a calling and those that treat it as a business viewed as less "nurse" like?

[thisnurse]

nursing:being called to a business

[Jenny P]

I don't know how to vote on this one, Dave, I feel I was "called" to be a nurse, but work in the health care field which is definitely big business. And I do like to be compensated equitably for the work I do. I think the way nursing is now, it cannot be considered a business unless one is an independant contracter such as Chas. S. Smith is. Only when nursing costs are separated out from the hospital bed charges will we be considered a business.

[Michelle_nurse]

I think it takes someone special to be a nurse, not everyone can be in this profession........it is a calling. It is a hard job, therefore, should be paid well. Yet I still think it is a calling and is alot more than a pay cheque..........but we still have to pay the bills!!!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I too love nursing, but to say it is calling is to say that it shouldn't be compensated. Being a priest or nun is a calling - where you dedicate your life to a selfless task and don't expect a reward for it.

Although I don't expect thank you - the bills gotta be paid, so it is a business and I need a RAISE!!