"Big Money"

AprilRNhere · Apr 7, 2008

There are other threads here on that topic..so prepare to be hit. There are different types of nurses...and you don't have to consider it a calling or love it to be good at it. Many people go into nursing for job security and the pay. To some people..that IS big money.

labrador4122, RN · Apr 7, 2008

true,

it's sad when people go into nursing because they think it's "big money"

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

true,
it's sad when people go into nursing because they think it's "big money"

Nursing wasn't a calling for me, I posted that in another thread. I kind of fell into it and part of the reason was the job security and the money. Does it make me a lesser nurse, NO....does it make me care less, NO....does it make me less professional, NO...does it make being on my feet 12 hours a day and following orders all day easier, YES....

My last year of nursing school, all I could think about was the money I was going to be making. I was so burned out, so tired of always having a test or a paper due (BSN you know). During study breaks, I would figure out how much money my paycheck would be and the things I could buy my family and how our lives would be better. Our society is one that places a large emphasis on money, you need it to survive.

I mean to say this kindly, because I don't think the original poster's intentions are to appear judgemental. To the original poster, you phrase your threads so that you come across as judgemental, you seem to think if it isn't the way you think or do something, or not the degree you have that there is something wrong with it. It is in our differences that we learn and grow from each other. You are brand new to the game, be careful that you don't alienate too many people (unintentionally) because when you do run into a problem (and you will, such is life) you may not get as muich support as you would like.

JRD2002 · Apr 7, 2008

We make a decent living doing a meaningful job. I wouldn't say that I make big money but I am able to live comfortably on what I make. Sooner or later almost everyone comes to realize that there are more important things than money. Sadly, some realize this a little too late.

smk1, LPN · Apr 7, 2008

I just graduated and passed my NCLEX and yes I am looking forward to finding a job and having a paycheck and healthcare benefits for my family. I chose nursing because it encompasses many things that I find interesting, biology, contact with the public, teaching, technology and because there is a higher degree of job security than many jobs and a livable wage. If I move anywhere across the country, there will stil be a need for my services. That is important. As long as they do their job well, it shouldn't matter why someone became a nurse.

P.S.- Big money is a relative thing. to someone who hasn't worked in awhile or only made minimum wage. Jumping to 22-23 dollars/hour IS big money.

RunninDad · Apr 7, 2008

P.S.- Big money is a relative thing. to someone who hasn't worked in awhile or only made minimum wage. Jumping to 22-23 dollars/hour IS big money.

Bingo Jonny on the Spot. This is so true. You go from working 7-9$ an hour to 20-30$ hourly + benefits + OT.. that's HUGE money. Especially when you have children who now have health insurance, where before did not, because none of your jobs offered it, at least not for the whole family.

Big Money is relative. 100%

Glina · Apr 7, 2008

I never, in any other profession, heard people talking so much about how they did not go to school because of the money, than in nursing. What's up with that?

GratefulHeart · Apr 7, 2008

I never, in any other profession, heard people talking so much about how they did not go to school because of the money, than in nursing. What's up with that?

Funny (thanks for the laugh today)!!!

nursemike, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

Bingo Jonny on the Spot. This is so true. You go from working 7-9$ an hour to 20-30$ hourly + benefits + OT.. that's HUGE money. Especially when you have children who now have health insurance, where before did not, because none of your jobs offered it, at least not for the whole family.
Big Money is relative. 100%

Particularly when you're using that 7-9 dollar an hour part-time job to pay your way through school!

I carpooled with a couple of very dedicated students with very deep religious beliefs (I take my own beliefs pretty seriously, but they aren't well-defined). When we weren't brushing up for the next exam on our commute, we often discussed what we would buy, once we got jobs as RNs. It wasn't remotely that any of us thought buying things would make us happy, or that nurses got rich, but when you're scraping and scrimping, the idea of buying a decent car and a few new toys is something to look forward to.

I was about halfway through nursing school when I reached the conclusion that God wanted me to be a nurse. Nowadays, I sometimes wonder whether He meant that to be my reward, or my punishment. But I do love my stupid job. And, really, I wonder whether driving big rigs would be as romantic and glamourous as it sometimes appears...

ilstu99 · Apr 7, 2008

I personally wen to nursing, because I love and respect the career, and to get a job to pay for my expenses (I have a baby)........ and so I would better myself in the world, and not stay a CNA forever!

I get paid $22.53/hr and if I work weekeneds they add $0.50Cents/hr

I tell people to go into nursing because of the love of helping people, not because of money.

I think that in the first semester that is why only 50% make it (well in my school at least), because only half of us had the heart & soul to put up with sadness our instructors made us go thru, and because we knew in our hearts that, THAT is what we wanted to do for a living.

People have no common sense, and think that nursing is so "glamorous"..... when we have to change big people diapers, bathe big people, have butts in our faces, vomit on our arms & not to mention being up on our feet for 12 hours of a day/night, following "orders" ............ and all of this headache for $22 per hour???

I LOVE WHAT I DO........ and I love it not for my $22 per hour, but I love it because I know that I am helping a human being in their time of need, I am part of a team that helps people get better... now that is what I love.

I went into nursing because I loved my old job, but I wanted to help put my kids through college some day.....and retire....and have affordable health insurance....and not have to worry about my grant falling through every 6 months.....and a lot of other reasons....

I think only half of the class makes it because a lot of people are lazy/not as smart as they thought they were, have personal issues that get in the way, or just decide the gross-out/stress factor is too high. I'm sure "heart & soul" helps.

I have yet to meet someone who thinks that nursing is "glamorous," but when I do I'll ask them what they're smoking. :smokin: Most people I know understand the basics of what nurses do every day....and that "glamour" doesn't really play a part.

Okay....it's not that I don't appreciate the hearts & flowers aspect of the ideals you presented. It's just that not everyone feels that way, and it doesn't make them any less dedicated or qualified. Nursing needs both kinds. It's not my life. It's my job.

I love what I do. I love watching a new mom get to hold her baby for the first time after looking at him through the aquarium window for 3 weeks. I love watching a big, tough dad cry because his daughter wrapped her hand around his finger for the first time. It's heart-melting. I love that most of the time I get to walk them to their car to start their new family together. Totally awe-inspiring.

I also love that they pay me a lot of money to do it. Woohoo! Chinese take-out for everybody! :anpom:

Bonny619 · Apr 8, 2008

The pay helps...I went from working at Target through school to making a good chunk of change per hour here in San Diego. It makes the tough times easier. I don't think anything is wrong with that. Job security is huge as well.