I just read a thread on here in which a member who claims to be a student says that after she finishes school, she will be making "big money" to pay for loans.
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.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
Yes, I must admit, I am a nurse for the money:cry: And the job security and flexibility:bluecry1: I have been a nurse for a year, make a decent wage ($36/hr), and am able to provide for my family comfortably. Although I certainly did not have "The calling" for nursing, I do my best to provide good care to all patients in my charge.
I dont understand why some people believe that choosing to be a nurse equates to taking a vow of poverty. Nurses must pay the outrageous price of gas, nurses must pay child care expenses and college tuition for their children, nurses have bills like doctors, lawyers, and everyone else who works to pay the price of living. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not know of any government voucher that allow nurses to be excluded from paying the high cost of living. No nurse food stamp program, or partial tuition payment, or even a tax break. So why aren't nurses suppose to want to earn a decent living????
Also, I have never witnessed any nurse decline, or donate their paychecks. Not even the one's who have "The Calling" which leads me to believe that money is somewhat important in ones career choice.
Hmmm...I don't think it has to be a choice: caring over income. Would I be a better nurse if I made minimum wage and needed the state to provide me food stamps to feed my children? I make $20 an hour as an LPN. My last job in 2001 I made $7.50 an hour and at that time I was glad to have that. It was good money to me. I loved my job and I made all of $220 a week. Now I can put that in perspective and when I think about the fact that I a lot of people still work there and still make that weekly income I, in comparison, am making big money. I can make $300 a day (I work doubles if I can). That is big money. I still love my job.
Some places are paying nurses $20 an hour? I make $18 an hour as a CNA, I'm surprised pay varies that much by location. Oh ya, and I'm doing nursing for the money and the fact that I will get fulfillment from what I have to do everyday. Nothing wrong with that.
I did not become a nurse for the money.......that's the first thing everyone says or thinks when I tell them I am a nurse. Before nursing I made what I thought was okay money, around 17 an hour. When i started nursing school I had to go p/t....and I remember food shopping one day and getting to the register and telling the cashier to put stuff back. I felt horrible. However now as an RN my salary has nearly doubled and if i want plenty OT w/bonuses available............it feels so good while food shopping to buy what I want. I thank God everyday for that and remind my daughter (16) whenever she says mom can I get this and I say sure....to thank God that we are now in this position.
So even tho I did not get into nursing for the $$$ I am sure glad we make good money and we sure "work hard for the money". remember that song! :wink2:
And to the Original Post......some say big money some say decent money I like the latter.. but it's all relative or OT.
it's sad when people go into nursing because they think it's "big money"
Nursing is not big money I quess it depends.. to me If they offered me a job making about 50- 60 an hour that would be good money but if you really break things down 60 bucks a hour is about 112,000 a year in todays world that is not really "big money"
Many Police officers earn that easy it is sad that as RN's there are very few jobs that even come close to paying that.
I can honestly say that I decided to become a Nurse because I will make more money and the flexibility. I make about $16.00 an hour but have no opportunities for advancement or to work OT if I need extra cash. I am a single mom and my daughter will be going to college in 2 years. I need to be prepared financially when that time comes.
I did work as a Home Health Aide in my early 20's so I have some experience in the medical field. I love to help people and I really want to help make a real difference in society not just make a pot of coffee for the Good Ole Boy Club in Corp America.
The flexiblity is the most appealing, I am tired of working Mon- Fri, 8am -5pm or sometimes 6:30 with no overtime pay. My life seems like its passing me by. I moved to Florida from New York to enjoy the sunshine and the beaches and I am going to do just that. I am approx 4 years away from becoming a nurse but I already have my schedule mapped out; 3 - 12 hours shifts; Fri, Sat & Sun (NIGHTS) and 1 extra shift during the week. More Money, More Money and More Money!
I agree with some of the other posters, considering you work 3 days a week, and it only requires a 2 year degree, it's not bad money. A lot more than some jobs---think about it, there are people who work 5 days a week and still won't make in a week what some nurses make. Some of the girls in my nursing class are only 19, 20 and 21--for single women at that age---no other responsibilites, $20-$25/hour that will be good money for them. But as their lives change, (more responsibility), then of course the money won't seem so good. Overall I wouldn't call it "Big Money" in nursing. However I do feel like you can make a decent living, while doing something you love and respect.
gerry79
594 Posts
Yes, I must admit, I am a nurse for the money:cry: And the job security and flexibility:bluecry1: I have been a nurse for a year, make a decent wage ($36/hr), and am able to provide for my family comfortably. Although I certainly did not have "The calling" for nursing, I do my best to provide good care to all patients in my charge.
I dont understand why some people believe that choosing to be a nurse equates to taking a vow of poverty. Nurses must pay the outrageous price of gas, nurses must pay child care expenses and college tuition for their children, nurses have bills like doctors, lawyers, and everyone else who works to pay the price of living. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not know of any government voucher that allow nurses to be excluded from paying the high cost of living. No nurse food stamp program, or partial tuition payment, or even a tax break. So why aren't nurses suppose to want to earn a decent living????
Also, I have never witnessed any nurse decline, or donate their paychecks. Not even the one's who have "The Calling" which leads me to believe that money is somewhat important in ones career choice.