Questions For a Few Nurses

pieWACKet · Dec 9, 2003

1) Is the nursing salary pretty good?

No. It is insufficient to meet market demand as expressed in a longstanding nursing shortage evident since the post WW II era identifiable by occasional periods of silent alleviation, and painful, occasional periods of crisis awareness [as in now, in yet another crisis nursing shortage].We live in a free market economy. Market forces drive the economy. The salaries for nurses are not responsive to market demand, creating a diminished and inadequate labour resource pool.

2) What are some of the perks to being a nurse?

The knowledge that you do good work. The understanding that because of you, some lives are changed for the better, and others eased in periods of devastating illness, even inconquerable illness, through your skill, care, comfort and advocacy.

3) What are some attributes you need to have to be a good nurse?

Intelligence, excellent clinical skills, diplomacy, assertiveness, advocacy**, willingness to negotiate systems which are cumberesome to you ,yet far more cumbersome for those you care for, and compassion in all of the above in regards to the patient. [**advocacy involves the willingness to assure your nursing voice is heard. It includes unremitting advocacy for those in your care, self advocacy to assure your willingness to remain doing what you are trained and so able to provide despite circumstances seeking to undermine it, and involvement in professional matters, whether professional organizations, lobbying groups, or unions...all of which seek to both promote and ensure that nursing voice is heard and responded to when concerns for patient care or the viability of the nurse her/himself are expressed ]

4) Is it hard not to get personal or really close to a patient?

Nursing offers an intimacy which at times can be difficult to handle, both for its positive and negative attributes. Getting close is not a problem for the good nurse, it allows her better to express the attributes listed in #3 above. Getting personal implies unspoken allegiance and allows the window for an obfuscation of the qualities outlined in #3. This question seems to negate the importance of intelligence and advocacy in those qualities in #3, and implies a preemptive compassion that would top the list, so undermining all of the other, very important qualities.

5) What is something you wish would change about nursing?

That its voice were more responsively and substantially attended....At the bedside when advocating on behalf of the patient, in the collaterol arena of management overseeing us, and in the market, where adjustments to reflect adequate pay for the substantial, challenging, skillful and necessary work we perform are not met.

And tell your instructor these comments come from a nurse with two decades of experience.

ashnate02 · Dec 9, 2003

Thanks A Bunch!!

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2003

when you compare beginning nursing salaries to other jobs, nursing is pretty good. The breakdown comes after years of service. Most jobs, nursing included, have ceilings on pay depending on what the market will bear. Nurses reach their ceiling in 5-10 years, depending on the area of nursing. It is important to continue to learn, to be flexible and to be looking for opportunities. Doing the same thing year after year, like a factory worker, will not get you any significant increase in pay. Nursing can be very stimulating and fulfilling. However, nurses doing direct patient care are exposed to patient/family verbal (and even physical) abuse, litigation, disease and fatigue---all leading to burnout. We want to take care of our patients but external forces sometimes preclude that. Nursing is hard. It is not for everyone. The rewards of doing meaningful work are great, but should not be substituted for meaningful salaries.

Chillindamost · Dec 10, 2003

ashnate02 12/09/03

In response to your questions:

Nursing offers a decent beginning salary. Especially after a 2 year associate degree. But the problem is in the long run where salary does not compensate for experience and years worked as in other professions.

I find many perks in nursing. Flexible scheduling and a multitude of areas to work hospital, homecare, community health. I've tried many positions and seek out new experiences to keep abreast of the job market and to be marketable myself. Meeting many great people who have become lifelong friends.

Attributes of a nurse are many. To name a few patience, the ability to multitask, willingness to learn and adapt to a constantly changing profession, compassion, knowledge .....

Over the years I think I have become detached somehow in order to maintain my mental health. But patients and families suffering and problems can still bring tears and their recoveries and successes and every once in awhile their gratitude make you happy.

What I would change would be to have nursing recognized as a profession to have the benefits professionals are able to attain after years of work and experience. And safer patient/rn ratios.

Good luck on your paper,