I'm currently debating with myself on whether not to bridge to the RN or to pursue other interests. I've heard from so many nurses out there who seem to have a real problem with those of us nurses who will admit that a major factor in our choosing nursing was the salary options, flexibility, and (perceived in this economy) stability. They tell those considering nursing for the same reasons, that they'll never make good nurses, or that they'll just get burned out and leave the field, that the only reason to become a nurse is because you bleed to help other people. But they're plenty who have always dreamed of nursing and will burn out either way. As there are those who just don't understand what nursing work actually is and burn out, those who are afraid of "yucky" work, those who only want to do administrative work, etc.
My personal story is that I left business school to pursue nursing so that I could have the financial security since I wasn't interested in climbing the corporate ladder. And I've always had an interest in healthcare (almost pursued sports medicine) so it was a mostly smooth transition for me and I think I'm a darn good nurse. *pats self on back, hehehe, j/k*. But although I didn't "always want to be a nurse", I always wanted to help people in one way or another and have found aspects of nursing that I love (and of course, some I could do without :barf01:). If and when I leave the field, it will be to follow my dream of owning a business. And honestly, without my nursing salary & flexibility, it would probably be much harder to do so and maintain myself without taking out many loans, moving back home, etc. Nursing has and definitely would continue to make me a very independent young woman.
Anyway, my point is, what is so wrong with seeking the financial perks of nursing if you can do the job, because although we do deal with people on the most personal of levels, it IS work. Whether you see it as a job or as a career, we are not volunteering to do this work. We expect to receive monetary compensation (and sometimes get unexpected rewards :hug: from pts and families) at the end of the week, or two weeks, etc. How many of you would have entered into or continued in the field if it paid only $5-6 above the minimum wage?
So let's stop putting barriers and constraints on the field and those who may enter it for the financial benefits it can offer. Sure the money is definitely not everything, and at times doesn't seem to be enough. But does the prospect of decent earnings and autonomy determine who will become a caring, compassionate, active (and much needed) member of the nursing field and who will not? How much longer will we keep telling those whose initial or final decision to enter nursing stemmed from economic need that they are not needed here and destined to failure? Instead, maybe we should focus our energies on advocating for true depictions of nursing in the media, organizing a collective voice nationwide and truthfully advocating nurse education (the good & the bad) so that at least, future nurses (and those who choose another path) can make informed, healthy decisions.
From an outsider's perspective, I guess I'm going to have to argue the point raised by several posters that nursing is a different type of job because it's a "profession" and/or a position in which you're a good nurse only if you really deeply care about the care you give your patients and consider what you do "more than a job." There are plenty of jobs in which your work has an enormous impact on others' lives, you are run off your legs constantly, and you have high liability for consequences.
A good example is journalism: the pay is horrendous (in many cases only a few dollars above minimum wage for several years of experience and yet you still need at least a bachelor's in almost every position aside from tiny weekly papers); you have the potential to ruin someone's life or livelihood if you screw up; you work extreme hours, often get no rest or time for breaks or lunch, and can be hailed out of bed or home at any hour for almost any reason; and you can be fired, threatened, sued, and even killed for errors or stories that reveal the negative impact of subjects' actions. It's a vital profession, because without an informed public, representative government and democracy go down the tubes. You can become deeply involved in the lives of others or keep it at arm's length - but no matter what, if you have a lousy work ethic, you're going to do a lousy job at it.
So while I definitely understand the premium many nurses put on doing a really tough job that directly impacts the quality of people's lives, I don't necessarily think it's fair to shred those who simply consider it a job but still work hard every day. They're just two different perspectives. I'm sure I'll be ripped as a know-nothing outsider, but the point is that I AM an outsider - and sometimes an outside perspective can be useful in this sort of instance.
or that they'll just get burned out and leave the field, that the only reason to become a nurse is because you bleed to help other people. 
But they're plenty who have always dreamed of nursing and will burn out either way. As there are those who just don't understand what nursing work actually is and burn out, those who are afraid of "yucky" work, those who only want to do administrative work, etc. 
*pats self on back, hehehe, j/k*. But although I didn't "always want to be a nurse", I always wanted to help people in one way or another and have found aspects of nursing that I love (and of course, some I could do without :barf01:). If and when I leave the field, it will be to follow my dream of owning a business. And honestly, without my nursing salary & flexibility, it would probably be much harder to do so and maintain myself without taking out many loans, moving back home, etc. Nursing has and definitely would continue to make me a very independent young woman.
Instead, maybe we should focus our energies on advocating for true depictions of nursing in the media, organizing a collective voice nationwide and truthfully advocating nurse education (the good & the bad) so that at least, future nurses (and those who choose another path) can make informed, healthy decisions.
. Thanks for reading!
MedicineCNS
21 Posts
Ok so clearly I am in the minority...
Nursing=just a job
McDonalds=if the person is into it, it is more than a just a job an they can grow professionally etc.
Hmmm the mcdonalds part sounds pretty similar to what I said about nursing in the frst place a was disagreed with. Which way is it people. :)