OK, I have a big beef here. I'm currently in my first year of nursing, and I feel like I have to say something regarding nurses complaining about their pay.
Reading these boards, I just came across someone who said they make $34 an hour in Ontario, and they were telling someone that if they're looking to make money, go into accouting or something. THis just floored me!
$34 and hour!!!! How can you tell me that is not making money? Many many nurses who work in Ontario get WAY less than that.
I just really don't understand.
People are always saying, "if you're in this profession to make money, get out because you won't be rich." This is ridiculous. I live in SK Canada, where nurses make $24 starting (I think) or if not, it's very close to that figure. That is considered a WELL paying job. How can you not live comfortably on pay like that? I know many many many many people who make considerably less than that, and they do just fine.
Some nurses say that there is no money in nursing. Has anyone heard of a Nurse Practitioner? I know they don't make millions, but they do make more than RN's, some even make 6 figures. I am going to be one. Once I'm an RN, I'm working in the ER for one year, then returning to school for a 30 week course. YOu don't have to be a genious to do this either.
I know that you have to love nursing to be in it. You CANNOT be in it JUST FOR THE MONEY, but it makes me mad when people say THERE IS NO MONEY. Some areas pay nurses more than others.
I know it's a lot of work, it's stressful, and it's a hard job, and I know that many people (including me) feel that we should be payed more for what we do, but come on people. Doesn't it make you mad when people who make $34 an hour complain they don't have enough money? Do you spend foolishly? The cost of living in Ont is higher than SK, but $34 an hour is STILL much more than many many people in that prov make.
Your first year of nursing, you say? It's too early for you to wonder about someone else's pay.... give it time, and you will be wondering about yours.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Don't want to start a flame fest here, but it should also be pointed that nurses don't get pay raises that come anywhere close to reflecting how much better we become at our jobs with each additional year of experience. I could see why you'd be satisfied with your wages while most of the learning curve is ahead of you, but see how you feel after 20 years when you're only make several thousand dollars more than newly minted nurses. Do Target clerks get that much better after being on the job for 10 years, as opposed to only running the register for 1 year? It isn't a slam to cashiers, I've worked at a supermarket, a mini-mart, and a hotel front desk, so I don't think it is easy or pleasant, but there are a limited number of skills to master.
Hummm, I wonder when the last time a Target employee held some ones life in their hands?
I need a NTG drip on isle 5...........
I know of a garbage man who makes over 50k per year. I'm sure he would like to be paid more. I wonder if he might say...who do those people think they are? wonder how they would feel to have someone's garbage in their hands?:balloons:
Don't rag on me for mentioning other professions. I see some of you on here (the same ones ragging on me for talking about other professions) who jump right in on mentioning other professions when you can use it to compare how little you make compared to low-skill nobody jobs. I hate to admit it, but nurses in hospitals are nobody's too. Never mind that you save lives. The way the hospital sees it there are half a dozen of one and six of another who can save lives just as good. It's not right but that is the way they see it. Rock the boat with a doctor one time and you'll see what I mean. They'll have you out on your bum faster than you can say, "but I save peoples' lives."
I referred the retail forum on here so you could see people who REALLY have something to complain about. I feel grateful to make what I do make. Sure it would be nice to have more but that's like cursing a sinkful of dirty dishes without ever taking into account there are hungry people in the world who would cherish a dirty dish.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I know of a garbage man who makes over 50k per year. I'm sure he would like to be paid more. I wonder if he might say...who do those people think they are? wonder how they would feel to have someone's garbage in their hands?:balloons:
Don't rag on me for mentioning other professions. I see some of you on here (the same ones ragging on me for talking about other professions) who jump right in on mentioning other professions when you can use it to compare how little you make compared to low-skill nobody jobs. I hate to admit it, but nurses in hospitals are nobody's too. Never mind that you save lives. The way the hospital sees it there are half a dozen of one and six of another who can save lives just as good. It's not right but that is the way they see it. Rock the boat with a doctor one time and you'll see what I mean. They'll have you out on your bum faster than you can say, "but I save peoples' lives."
I referred the retail forum on here so you could see people who REALLY have something to complain about. I feel grateful to make what I do make. Sure it would be nice to have more but that's like cursing a sinkful of dirty dishes without ever taking into account there are hungry people in the world who would cherish a dirty dish.
In the first place, I was participating in a discussion, not "ragging". What an utterly vulgar term to use in polite company. In the second place, there isn't a contest going on here. No one is claiming they have it the very worst. If you really want us see "people who really have something to complain about" why not post websites that address all the misfortune and tragedies in other countries of the world? Then maybe the Target people would realize that they should be "thanking their lucky stars" too. Sheesh.
Although i have to admit i couldnt get through all the posts on this thread. But, my thought on the matter of wages is,, everyone usually lives within the income their household will maintain. If you make 60,000 a year, unless you are raving nuts with credit cards you will live on 60,000. If you started out making 1200 a month,, that is what it will take to maintain your lifestyle. Living within ones means is the only way to survive so striving to make more is always good, but not always a reality.
I dont make enough for what i do, but i live within my means and make due with what i have for me and my family.
That is until i win the lotto, or someone gives me a raise, then i raise my standard of living to meet that budget.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Although i have to admit i couldnt get through all the posts on this thread. But, my thought on the matter of wages is,, everyone usually lives within the income their household will maintain. If you make 60,000 a year, unless you are raving nuts with credit cards you will live on 60,000. If you started out making 1200 a month,, that is what it will take to maintain your lifestyle. Living within ones means is the only way to survive so striving to make more is always good, but not always a reality.
I dont make enough for what i do, but i live within my means and make due with what i have for me and my family.
That is until i win the lotto, or someone gives me a raise, then i raise my standard of living to meet that budget.
You're right. Back in my poverty stricken days, what I earn now would have sounded like a king's ransom. It's not, of course. It affords me a nice middle class lifestyle, which is the very least someone with 21 years of experience under her belt deserves. Living within one's means is one thing; thinking it is more than one deserves is quite another. Nurses who don't recognize the value of what we do are part of the problem!
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
My dear mother in law has worked for the same large hotel chain for 22 years (Hyatt) Her salary is less than $13.00 an hour. Also she can not enter the hotel via the front door when reprting to work, she must use the rear entrance. When she retires, her pension will be all of $200.00 per month or so. We all understand that we will not get rich, but the pay should be commensurate to the level of responsibility placed on nurses. I personally dont see this happening any time soon because in the world of the bottom line, nurses are viewed as a huge drain on finacial resources. Will there ever come a time when nurses would be able to bill for services rendered?
OK, I have a big beef here. I'm currently in my first year of nursing, and I feel like I have to say something regarding nurses complaining about their pay.
Reading these boards, I just came across someone who said they make $34 an hour in Ontario, and they were telling someone that if they're looking to make money, go into accouting or something. THis just floored me!
$34 and hour!!!! How can you tell me that is not making money? Many many nurses who work in Ontario get WAY less than that.
I just really don't understand.
People are always saying, "if you're in this profession to make money, get out because you won't be rich." This is ridiculous. I live in SK Canada, where nurses make $24 starting (I think) or if not, it's very close to that figure. That is considered a WELL paying job. How can you not live comfortably on pay like that? I know many many many many people who make considerably less than that, and they do just fine.
Some nurses say that there is no money in nursing. Has anyone heard of a Nurse Practitioner? I know they don't make millions, but they do make more than RN's, some even make 6 figures. I am going to be one. Once I'm an RN, I'm working in the ER for one year, then returning to school for a 30 week course. YOu don't have to be a genious to do this either.
I know that you have to love nursing to be in it. You CANNOT be in it JUST FOR THE MONEY, but it makes me mad when people say THERE IS NO MONEY. Some areas pay nurses more than others.
I know it's a lot of work, it's stressful, and it's a hard job, and I know that many people (including me) feel that we should be payed more for what we do, but come on people. Doesn't it make you mad when people who make $34 an hour complain they don't have enough money? Do you spend foolishly? The cost of living in Ont is higher than SK, but $34 an hour is STILL much more than many many people in that prov make.
I can see by your public profile that you are one year older then my son. A year ago he was saying the same thing to me "But mom I don't know why I have to pay for (such and such) you make hundreds of dollars a week"......Well he's paying his own bills now and talk about an attitude adjustment. You will not get rich making $34 dollars an hour. When you consider mortgage car payments kids college tuition dogs/vet bills (my dog just went into renal failure). True a lot of professions don't pay that much but I can't tell you how tempting it is for me to go down to our local Walmart and apply for a greeting job. A lot of professions do however pay more.....at the hospital I work at X-ray techs make more then nurses and a brand new Ultrasound tech makes more then I do.
In the first place, I was participating in a discussion, not "ragging". What an utterly vulgar term to use in polite company. In the second place, there isn't a contest going on here. No one is claiming they have it the very worst. If you really want us see "people who really have something to complain about" why not post websites that address all the misfortune and tragedies in other countries of the world? Then maybe the Target people would realize that they should be "thanking their lucky stars" too. Sheesh.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Why are you so angry?
Angry? When I am angry, I indicate so with a :angryfire . This is a discussion forum. I am discussing. Without tone of voice to assist you, I'm not sure how you feel you can accurately assess my emotional state, but I assure you, anger is not the correct answer. I do think that nurses who don't recognize the value of our work undermine us all, and I find it very unfortunate that you feel we are not all worth more than we get. That's frustration (and bewilderment) more than anger, though.
A lot of professions do however pay more.....at the hospital I work at X-ray techs make more then nurses and a brand new Ultrasound tech makes more then I do.
I have just about made up my mind to stop going for my BSN and try to get into a Radiologic Tech school within the next year. I have one friend who does it and he makes almost the same amount as RN's I know (between $20 and $25 an hour) From discussing it with him and some Rn's I know they all say to go the Radiologic route since I have the time, they all say it is less stress, less liability/responsibility, don't have to deal with families very often, only see patients for a short time, no medication error worries and just about the same money. Plus in my area there are plenty of openings in both fields so that isn't an issue.
I think one of the prblems with nursing is that the pay isn't to bad until you reach a level of pay your employer gives....There is no longievity or retention pay. The years of service taking care of others gives nothing except from our patients. Other professions continue to reward their employees. After 10 years nursing is really a stalemate of salary.
OK, I have a big beef here. I'm currently in my first year of nursing, and I feel like I have to say something regarding nurses complaining about their pay.
Reading these boards, I just came across someone who said they make $34 an hour in Ontario, and they were telling someone that if they're looking to make money, go into accouting or something. THis just floored me!
$34 and hour!!!! How can you tell me that is not making money? Many many nurses who work in Ontario get WAY less than that.
I just really don't understand.
People are always saying, "if you're in this profession to make money, get out because you won't be rich." This is ridiculous. I live in SK Canada, where nurses make $24 starting (I think) or if not, it's very close to that figure. That is considered a WELL paying job. How can you not live comfortably on pay like that? I know many many many many people who make considerably less than that, and they do just fine.
Some nurses say that there is no money in nursing. Has anyone heard of a Nurse Practitioner? I know they don't make millions, but they do make more than RN's, some even make 6 figures. I am going to be one. Once I'm an RN, I'm working in the ER for one year, then returning to school for a 30 week course. YOu don't have to be a genious to do this either.
I know that you have to love nursing to be in it. You CANNOT be in it JUST FOR THE MONEY, but it makes me mad when people say THERE IS NO MONEY. Some areas pay nurses more than others.
I know it's a lot of work, it's stressful, and it's a hard job, and I know that many people (including me) feel that we should be payed more for what we do, but come on people. Doesn't it make you mad when people who make $34 an hour complain they don't have enough money? Do you spend foolishly? The cost of living in Ont is higher than SK, but $34 an hour is STILL much more than many many people in that prov make.
redwinggirlie
559 Posts
Your first year of nursing, you say? It's too early for you to wonder about someone else's pay.... give it time, and you will be wondering about yours.