latebloomernurse

that was my thought exactly when i read this guys opinion--he didn’t have to tear down nursing, or anyone else for that matter, to make his point. most of the nurses who posted here responded to his analogy of comparing nurses to teachers and agree there is no comparison.

thank you, colleagues, for the insight and thoughtful discussion regarding my post. i agree it's like comparing apples to oranges. i wonder if "none" would think a teacher more qualified, 'comparatively', to save his life based on education! additionally, if he's a teacher or has any connection to education, he embodies everything that is wrong with our current system of paying teachers according to tenure. i feel validated that others feel the same way. i think he slept through english grammar and writing classes. i certainly wouldn't want him teaching my children...

to phoenixrn: i'm with you 100% but now imagine those same 28 patients with "varying diagnoses ranging from incontinence..." to dementia, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depressive disorders, suffering in pain, and/or dying... "they are all involuntarily committed, at least for your shift. all would probably rather be somewhere else. you are unable to do paperwork on the job...you must cram it in" when your shift ends, or lunch break, or "when you get home, on your weekend, etc. you are chronically short on supplies". as a nurse, we often do this work without breaks. many of us have no paid vacation, no pension, and even more frequently, i've noticed, no health insurance. i think we all agree that teachers should be paid better, that's not the point. to compare the two just in terms of education is to be ignorant of the hard work nurses do as well -- not to mention the human lives that are saved or helped by nursing. too bad "none" didn't educate himself before making those comments.

Thanks everyone. As I said, I agree that teachers are worth $50 an hour. I read it as if a nurse makes $35 then a teacher ought to make $50. Personally, I think both professions are worth $50 an hour. :)

Wow, I know teachers work hard and put in long hours but this guy thinks teachers deserve a much higher salary than a ASN nurse. What do you think 2-year degree/all nurses? Please let me know your thoughts. I was outraged, not that teachers dont deserve the $50 per hour, but that he thinks it should be so much more than a nurse. Here's his post as it appears in the newspaper: None said... As long as we in the USA supports the mentality of sgt's comment and not Teufel's comments inferences, we will have second rate schools. A true blue, quality teacher should be very well paid. They are in a profession (male or female as a teacher) as in 'a woman's work is never done syndrome'/they work at home, summers, all the time preparing for their students, enquiring, mentally and physically/actually; teaching is only the significant/weekday part of their work. Persons with an AS degree in nursing as a travel nurse can make as much as $35.00 an hour. 'Comparatively', Teachers, perhaps, should make at least 50 dollars an hour, and would still be under paid, given what CEO's, for example, make, if one were to compare them to the salaries and bonuses of Wall Street executives and so many other so called business professions and THEY have never learned basic 'lessons'! You know exactly what I mean sgt. So stop bellyaching and go pay your taxes with glee. Don Beattie in Winthrop, Me. September 4, 2010 at 9:01 AM

Paula, I'm your age. I hear you so well. I tried hospice. I liked it but thought I wanted to go back to LTC. Big mistake--over the top busy. I just quit. I'm burnt to a crisp. I dont know what I'll do... Its hard to be just starting a new career ladder with management experience. I know I've been a much better boss than the ones I've had to endure so far! I wish you the very best in your search to find your place.

I waited all my life to go back to school to be a nurse. Finally graduated at 50. I couldnt have been happier. Then I met the DON's from h---! I've been in the field just 4 years and so burned out I dont know what to do. I just quit my job after being told I "have a hard time keeping up" on a busy unit. I had ONE day that I had 2 critical patients, a discharge, a team meeting, an admission, and routine wounds, lab reports, doc orders, bloodsugars/insulins, IV's, and I "had the nerve" to ask for help! I'd sooner throw my license in the trash than harm one patient. I dont know what I'll do. I feel trapped and beyond depressed. Everyone is so overworked and there doesnt seem to be any relief. We have all the power in the world to make a difference if we would stick together, but we just let others dictate our future. I wish you much success but dont forget to read llg's post#6 and really think about it....