I've seen a number of posts regarding this topic, yet I don't fully follow the reasons as to why pay is such an issue in this field.
I've been reading up on information here for nursing, as well as a few other forums for alternative careers (Paramedic mainly). It seems that nurses are by far the most upset about their pay -- yet it seems that in most areas, the pay is better than average and superior to that of riskier jobs, such as the police force, fire dept. and EMS positions. Don't get me wrong, I know any healthcare profession has its health risks -- it just seems that the street is generally a bit more dangerous than a hospital environment. (correct me if im wrong).
I know that the distribution of wealth is pathetic at best; with professional sports players making millions while you wonderful people dedicate your lives to something that truly matters. You should be the one's making millions in my opinion; but, that aside, is the pay really not enough?
What specifically makes you feel that your pay is not enough? How is it different from, say, a paramedic? If it is really bad, then why do you stay?
Also, I know most people here are nurses, but do any of you know why Paramedics (the ones that have a 4 year Bachelors degree) make typically around $19 an hour in most places? It seems almost unreasonably low.
My thoughts are that the reason nurses get paid more is because our training and expertise is so broad, whereas paramedics cover an area that is more focused - trauma.
Last year a paramedic came into the clinic mouthing off that a paramedic is the same as being an RN.
Okay, so then why aren't you given an RN license upon completion of your program?
I am not a nurse (yet:wink2:) and still, I feel that most nurses are underpaid for what they do.
It really has nothing to do with which jobs are the most dangerous...that is not how our capitalistic society compensates workers...it is simply supply and demand. I mean, minimum wage workers at meat packing facilities have pretty dangerous jobs, IMO. They can lose their arms and legs or even their lives in those machines and the work is monotonous and disgusting and they get paid next to nothing...but they aren't really a skilled worker or in high demand either.
Now, before I get flamed....I am not comparing paramedics or EMTs to meat packers or claiming their job is un-skilled...I'm just talking about supply and demand here.
Fact is...it takes 3+ years of college to become an RN (don't forget the 1 year of pre-reqs) not everyone can do that, so the supply of nurses is limited. Nursing is not an easy field, and nursing programs are hard to get into and even harder to stay in and graduate from, so therefore you have competition amongst the applicants and the end result is that the best of the best graduate from nursing programs. The best of the best are smart cookies and they know what they are worth and expect to get compensated well. Otherwise, there would be no incentive for the "best of the best" to pursue the nursing field if it didn't pay well.
By the way $30 an hour or ~ $60,000 a year is NOT a lot of money. It's pretty average. It seems to me that paramedics are the one's being underpaid, not that nurses are overpaid.
To the OP, it sounds as though you are a paramedic student. Might I suggest that instead of coming on a nursing board and basically asking "Why do nurses complain about their wage? They get paid enough" you could spend some of that energy trying to effect change in your own chosen profession and getting the paramedic wages up where they ought to be. I would really like to see all the service workers and helping professions earn what they rightfully deserve.
I think that any job that requires a license in order to earn a living deserves premium pay. (I think that one of the things that may act to depress paramedic pay is the association with volunteer firefighter/EMT model of EMS used by many rural communities.)
My thoughts are that the reason nurses get paid more is because our training and expertise is so broad, whereas paramedics cover an area that is more focused - trauma.
Last year a paramedic came into the clinic mouthing off that a paramedic is the same as being an RN.
Okay, so then why aren't you given an RN license upon completion of your program?
*crickets chirping*
I thought so.
I go back to the options that paramedics have. There job is just as demanding a nurse's -- just in a different way. They may get to sit more than we do, but when the doo-doo hits the fan, they better be on their A game or someone's going to DIE! I'm in med/tele, and I have yet to deal with this concern, but I still get paid way more.
Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN
872 Posts
My thoughts are that the reason nurses get paid more is because our training and expertise is so broad, whereas paramedics cover an area that is more focused - trauma.
Last year a paramedic came into the clinic mouthing off that a paramedic is the same as being an RN.
Okay, so then why aren't you given an RN license upon completion of your program?
*crickets chirping*
I thought so.