Tired of people commenting on my salary

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how do you react to people who always say "nurses make so much money". Or I always get this "you can afford that comeon thats like a day's salary" Seriously i don't know how to respond to these comments or remarks. People don't seem to realize that I too have bills to pay and can barely save alittle per month. I am a recent new grad and very young. I mean I am single so automatically i get 30% taken out. I take home 3,000 net a month. I pay a thousand towards rent (to live at home to help out my parents), one thousand in student loans (have 70K total). That only leaves me with a thousand. That has to include bills, insurance, and savings towards a downpayment towards a car because our family car is breaking down. Really I can honestly say I don't save at all per month unless you count the savings towards the car, which isn't even very much you can do the math i'm sure. People don't understand that i've had to work my way to where i am now and even now i earn every freakin cent i get, very little of which is actually spent on myself for leisure. How do you guys deal with this, I always feel like an ******* for saying things like "oh I'll have to say up for that" because i feel like people look at me and are like "what does she know about a tight budget". Advice on how to graciously offset these comments or situations?

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

Good for you for helping your parents - that's a noble gesture and appreciated, I'm sure. As for the people's comments...a simple "Things aren't as easy as they appear" may be all that's necessary. It's truly none of their business, and if it's in you to tell them then no one can fault you for doing so.

I know I can understand where you're coming from. There just doesn't seem to be enough sometimes at the end of the month to make the ends meet - especially when you're helping out others, too. Don't worry about what others think, your situation is yours alone and they don't have to know any details.

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There just doesn't seem to be enough sometimes at the end of the month to make the ends meet - especially when you're helping out others, too. Don't worry about what others think, your situation is yours alone and they don't have to know any details.

Yes, I feel like just because I don't make minimum wage, people think I can't have financial constraints. Sometimes I feel like saying "we don't make that much" but that just comes off sound quasi-modest and fake. I can't just say "we really don't make the much" because in comparison nurses make a decent amount. and to be honest alot of us make decent amount but that doesn't mean we don't struggle like everyone else. Sometimes I tell people that i have alot of things to pay for and the most infuriating response i get is "yeah but i'm sure if you REALLY wanted to/it".

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I always respond with "Ye-haw!! I am a freakin' rock star, baby!!!" That tends to get understood as sarcasm. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

In the UK the only comments we get is oh you poor thing, nurses are so underpaid.

Don't have the heart to tell them I just got a huge payrise under the pay review body and now am only just a little shy of the super tax bracket. :D

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Specializes in CNA - starting LPN school January 2009!!.

Really, the only thing you can do is just chalk these comments up to sour grapes and jealousness on the part of those delivering them, and do your best to let them roll off your back.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Yeee haaaaw. And how was your day today? You know to people like that all they really deserve is a change in subject.

They're trying to get you upset. You don't owe anyone a discussion but yourself and your parents-period. My daughter is in grad school, not nursing, but in a similar position. No one need know it's our car and she eats with us to save money......it's her business no one elses.

Enjoy your life and let those sour puss people wonder how you can be so mellow.

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

I simply say well if your life depended on me wouldn't you want to make sure I made enough to be highly motivated to do my job right?!

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

I have responded by saying "the more you make the more you spend--doesnt it always seem that way?" and then turn it back to them. For real that is true anyways...Another comeback is "my kids always need more toys" or "having 4 kids-- it barely touches the grocery bill"

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Ask, "would you want someone at minimum wage be the one responsible for your life, or an educated professional?"

Or the old Ann Landers comeback, "Why would you think you have the right to ask about that?"

Or just look at them like that was the stupidist thing in the world that you have ever heard, and just stare, no words needed.

Or, if nurses are paid so well, why are there more nurses working outside of nursing than as nurses?

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I just ignore them and change the subject.

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

You are worth every cent you make and then some!! Think of the years of committment to studying, classes, labs, clinicals all hours you put into your education. AND the continuing education classes you will do to keep licensure.

I would be proud to work with you :bow:

And as others said, it's no one else's business. Hugs to you and yours.

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