Rich nurses?

[tiij]

you guys are mostly from the USA?

I just glanced over a thread and it seems you guys are ridculously overpaid?

In Australia.. nursing is by far not a well paid job. Its maybe just average. My step dad who was a traffic controller - held a sign that said "slow" and "stop" on the flipside got paid $10 an hour more than me.. i kid you not.

[manofcare]

Maybe it's just a guy thing but I am really not ashamed of being paid to work. All through the first semester of school the instructors did not want to hear anything but to help people as an answer to why we were there. Job security, job satisfaction, diversity in field of practice, flexible schedules, career advancement, income, benefits, none of these things were legitimate reasons for going into nursing. It makes me wonder if that is why were not paid more. The profession promotes that the only reason we would be there is to care, so pay is not important. Nursing is the only branch of medicine that promotes that thinking, that I am aware of. Sorry, if they stop paying me,I'm gone.

I enjoy electricity, food, and warm water. Last time I checked the gas company required money for gas, they don't care how we feel about our clients.

[Grace Oz]

Oh my oh my! Hmmmmm, where to begin?

Nursing wages in Australia vary from state to state. Wages are also commensurate with your qualifications. If you are a midwife working in maternity, you are paid accordingly. If you are an ICU nurse, you are paid accordingly. If you are level 1, level 2, etc etc, you are paid accordingly. If you work days, nights, weekends, you are paid the penalty rates accordingly. Am I painting an eloquent picture here for you?

Each state in Australia varies in cost of housing, state taxes, food, car insurance, car purchase prices, registration for said cars. House, contents insurances vary from one state to another. Depending if you choose to use the universal health system or have private health insurance, the cost of this will also vary.

Nursing wages also vary depending whether or not you are employed full-time, or part-time. Whether you work casual/agency, or not. Also depends on whether or not you are working in the public or private sector. Many many variables.

As for the poster who slammed our nursing unions; The Australian nursing unions are among the best in the world. They've fought long and hard over many years for the better wages and conditions the current nursing workforce enjoys. I know, because I was involved in the struggle over many years!

People enter the nursing profession for many and varied reasons.

However, if you're in it to become monetarily "rich", I would suggest you rethink your motives.

If, in the execution of your duties as a nurse, you happen to become monetarily "rich", then consider yourself blessed and be grateful.

There are people on this planet who would have loved to be able to serve humankind as a nurse. But for whatever reason, were/are denied this opportunity.

Being a nurse is a privilege.

Yes, nurses work hard, the hours can be long, the stress enormous. The load too heavy. Sometimes the rewards far and few between.

While we need money to live and pay bills etc. It's not always about the money.

Life, lived simply, is very affordable.

[anonymurse]

Maybe it's just a guy thing but I am really not ashamed of being paid to work.

I heard that! I don't know about elsewhere, but if you're a man in America, you're the family breadwinner, and you are judged accordingly. No bacon, no respect. So you put food on the table and you are proud to do it.

And about this whole "overpaid" thing--I'm sure not overpaid compared to my mechanic, plumber, electrician, dentist and I could go on and on. The market says an hour of my time is worth less, sometimes much less, than an hour of their time.

Anyway, Flo's family had money. Nursing was her hobby. Me, I'm the family workhorse.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Maybe it's just a guy thing but I am really not ashamed of being paid to work. All through the first semester of school the instructors did not want to hear anything but to help people as an answer to why we were there. Job security, job satisfaction, diversity in field of practice, flexible schedules, career advancement, income, benefits, none of these things were legitimate reasons for going into nursing. It makes me wonder if that is why were not paid more. The profession promotes that the only reason we would be there is to care, so pay is not important. Nursing is the only branch of medicine that promotes that thinking, that I am aware of. Sorry, if they stop paying me,I'm gone.

I enjoy electricity, food, and warm water. Last time I checked the gas company required money for gas, they don't care how we feel about our clients.

It's not a guy thing, we've had several very long threads in the past that started with "people should go into nursing because it's a calling to help our fellow humans when they are sick and not for the money" or "nurses that are in it just for the money are not good nurses" and literally hundreds of females and males alike flamed back with responses similar to yours above. :)

[scooterRN52]

When I went to nursing school I knew I would always have work. Because as long as you have people, they will always get sick, unfotunate for them and fortunate for us nurses. Iwork hard for my close to 6 figure salary, I live alone but need it all. I pay apretty hefty mortgage.

[queenjean]

Just what is their due ehh.

Every night I go to work, I get lots of doo...

[pepperann35]

Overpaid..???? I think not...I think ALL nurses are underpaid for the work that we do.

Really! Overpaid! OMG!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I don't think I'm overpaid, considering that I get $$ taken out of my check for insurance, retirement, short-and long-term disability (sure can't count on Uncle Sam, nor would I want to). My bills are paid, and I'm able to put a little away for a rainy day. No, I don't think I'm overpaid.

Like someone else said, there are some days when if you offered me a billion $$/hr, I'd refuse it because I hate that place. Others, I can't believe I get paid to be there. But no, I don't think I'm overpaid. I do think, perhaps, that you Aussie nurses are underpaid. I have a Finnish friend who believes that Finnish nurses are underpaid also.

[2407]

That's good to hear. RNs in America are hardly rich by any means.

RNs in America are hardly poor!!!. Unless you are materialistic.:trout:

[NicoleERRN, RN]

Well here is my two cents... I am a fairly new nurse, and back when i started many of my mentors told me " a true nurse does not choose this as a career for the money" I Cannot Agree More!!

Some things are more important to people than money.....

[jayz]

if you are in the philippines, most of us will agree that nurses here are really way too underpaid. that is the main reason why some of the nurses migrate (i am even planning too...) to look for better opportunities outside philippines. looking for greener pasture as one might say...

[leslie :-D]

Well here is my two cents... I am a fairly new nurse, and back when i started many of my mentors told me " a true nurse does not choose this as a career for the money" I Cannot Agree More!!

Some things are more important to people than money.....

with all due respect, that's a bunch of crap.

although there are nurses who feel "called" to this profession, there are just as many who carefully deliberated in choosing nursing.

acquiring a decent wage for as little as 2-3 yrs of schooling, is a viable and appealing alternative.

knowing that nursing is much more than being an angel of mercy, many are proficient in this endeavor.

please be careful in your assessment of why one becomes a nurse.

the ones you feel are called, can also sorely lack the critical thinking skills necessary in succeeding.

conversely, the ones who utilize their intelligence, are also more than capable of showing compassion to those in need.

we are not martyrs.

a decent salary is very helpful....and highly deserved.

leslie