Please be honest!

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Do you do this job for the money or you really, really like to clean vomit, blood, diarrhea and smell the "morning breath" of a sick patient? Please be honest!

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Money? What money?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'm in psych nursing: the majority of my patients are self-care and medically stable, so there is very little cleaning up blood, vomit or diarrhea involved :) It does happens on occasion...just often enough to keep things exciting.

However, during admissions I get exposed to plenty of alcohol breath.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

nursing does not pay that well, except when compared to other associates degree educations/licenses. no one is getting rich in nursing, unless you win powerball.

i enjoy caring for people, and all that it entails. people often need basic care given like a shower or undergarment change, care that you and i take for granted, but they depend on.

blood, guts, vomit, poop, pee, etc, just do not phase me.

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Do you really think that most nurses make lots of money?

I would understand it if you asked surgeons if they do their job for the money. Yes, nurses do everything that you have mentioned above, but nursing is not all about that. Nursing is about being there for patients spiritually, emotionally and physically. I know that blood, vomit, diarrhea is not entertaining but it is all about comforting the patient, and not about the nurse. Yes, you will find nurses that are happy to make at least $20 an hour. Those people probably compare nursing salary to other jobs that they have had in the past. That's totaly fine, not everybody starts off with their dream job.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

I'm in it for the prestige. :D

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

With the same couple years of education I could could make the same money if not more doing something that is less physically demanding, gross and smelly, without the same type of occupational hazards. I truly enjoying caring for other people (there are some tasks that are less pleasant than others), though not everyone seems to appreciate my work, when you get a patient that is really greatful it is all worth it.

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I do it because I find it a "hobby" to gives baths to drunk homeless people brought in by the cops because they were passed out in the park. That, and the very, very little money I get paid for doing it.

The hours are great, though. :)

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I'm in it for the prestige. :D

too honest :p ahaha

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I do it for the cute clothes and the built-in excuse to avoid family gatherings on holidays/weekends! :lol2:

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Do you do this job for the money or you really, really like to clean vomit, blood, diarrhea and smell the “morning breath” of a sick patient? Please be honest!

No - I don't like to clean up vomit. What I like is that after I've held the head of a vomiting pt, and have helped them rinse their mouth, cleaned their gown, etc they smile at me and say "Thank You"

No - I don't like to clean up diarrhea. What I like is when I say to the pt "I'll get something ordered to help you feel better" and then they do, I feel great.

No - I don't like morning breath. What I like is after I've helped a pt brush their teeth and rinse their mouth and they say "Thank you".

I'm in this job becaue I want to help people. And if that means holding their head as they vomit, dealing with their morning breath and diarrhea - so be it.

And you know what? I've been on the other side. And there is nothing better than after you've just felt like you've brought up your toe nails. ( my body seriously hate general anesthetics) to have someone offer you a sip of cool water ot rinse your mouth and a damp cloth to wipe you mouth.

So - my focus is how I make the pt feel after the nasty things. And that is why I am a nurse.

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I do it for the salary.

I think I'm paid adequately, but the lack of respect, or downright disrespect we get from admininstration kills any job satisfaction I get. And it's just get worse with mandatory 12 hour shifts, focus on "customer service", and requirement of unnecessary yet timeconsuming chores like hourly rounding logs. As soon as my daughter graduates from college I am retiring. I might work at a bookstore, who knows.

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