Partly Financially Motivated = Shouldn't Be a Nurse? Advice Please.

[tareija]

Hi everyone,

I'm a potential nursing student (have applied to several schools for fall 2010 start, and waiting to hear if I've been accepted.) I've got a question on my mind that I love to hear some insights in to.

I want to go in to nursing for 2 main reasons:

1. I love helping people and feeling I've made a difference in someone's life, and I'm very interested in human biology and health care.

2. I do want to have a career where I can make a good (not rich, I understand, but good) wage, have reasonably secure employment, and flexibility to work in different areas of the country if I wish.

I get a little concerned when I read posts that say people shouldn't go in to nursing if they want to make money. When I say, "I like to help people", I'm very sincere in that. I've been an active volunteer in my community since I was eleven years old, and (I'm in my late 20s) have worked with non-profit organizations for over 5 years. The desire to help others really does drive me, and is one main reason I want to be a nurse. However, having worked in the non-profit field, where you do great work that helps people, but the wages are direly low, I also want some financial stability in my life. I don't mind working hard at all, and I understand nursing is hard work, but I want to be paid decently to work hard. Financial reasons are one of the main factors driving me to go back to university and change careers.

Now, I don't think I'm in it only for the money, far from it! But do you think that people like me, for whom the financial side is a factor in choosing this career, are not cut out for nursing? I'm being entirely sincere in my question. I've heard a variety of opinions from nurses I know, and "don't do it for the money" seems to be a common thread in their opinions. Does this mean don't do it ONLY for the money? Or does this mean don't become a nurse unless you'd want to work as a nurse for free?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Tareija

[Jules A, MSN]

My reasons were the same only your #2 was my #1. It wasn't "my calling" and while I love being a nurse and feel that I'm fairly good at it there is no way I would do it for less than I make. That said I do think that unless you really have a knack for it and passion for what you do you shouldn't do it but then again I feel that way about any career. Life is too short and too tough to not enjoy what you spend so much time doing. Best of luck to you.

[nursel56]

They mean "don't do it only for the money. You sound like the type of person who will do very well in nursing school. Just as a counterpoint to what you may have already read from the compassion purists, you might want to read through one or two of the voluminous amount of threads here discussing the monetary aspects of the job.

You'll be fine. Best wishes in whatever you decide to do!:)

[tareija]

Thank you both for your feedback! Much appreciated.