Who is in Nursing for the money?

SunnyAndrsn · Jul 26, 2008

Versus some other JOB/CAREER for the money?

Do you really think anyone is going to raise their hand and say yes?

um, :no:

I just had to ask that question? I am not trying to start anything...I see a lot of threads about how much RN's make.... That makes me wonder who is in Nursing ONLY for the money?

MisterSimba, BSN · Jul 26, 2008

I'm studying to become a nurse because I am a very caring and compassionate person and I love interacting with a variety of people on a daily basis. I'm volunteering at two different hospitals right now and I love it!

So to answer the question, NO, I am not going into nursing for the money, though I do think that a job that pays well is essential. I want to have kids someday, and need to be able to support them financially on my own if something were to happen....

If there are people in nursing just because of the salary, I think that would be very sad, and I'd venture to guess that those people are miserable if their heart isn't in nursing!

bill4745, RN · Jul 26, 2008

No one could do this job well just for the money.

Scrubby · Jul 26, 2008

[if there are people in nursing just because of the salary, I think that would be very sad, and I'd venture to guess that those people are miserable if their heart isn't in nursing!]

Providing he/she does the job properly, provides safe care to their patients I have no problem with it and don't see why anyone else should. Why is this sad? People have to earn a living somehow. This attitude of nursing being a 'calling' blah blah blah is old fashioned and a good ploy I've seen management use to keep nurses in their 'place'. And I must admit I'm a little tired of the assumption that people who do it for money must be greedy, incompetent and behave badly towards patients.

I'm not ashamed to admit that one of the main reasons I got into nursing was the income was more than my previous job as a receptionist and the job security.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2008

In it for the money?

Of course! I'm not going to do it for free. I like to eat and pay my bills.

Mara123RN · Jul 26, 2008

While I wouldn't do the job for free. It is certainly not a career to get into just for the money. The money is not worth the stress you go through!!!!

You have to love what you do or you will be very unhappy.

soulofme · Jul 26, 2008

i am...it allows me to travel to the most exotic places..stay in the most expensive accommodations that one could imagine and jet set with all the beautiful people...hollywood would pale to my big $$$$...

:onbch:

mother_matters · Jul 26, 2008

I've actually been very surprised by how low nursing pay is. I recently left the finance career field to pursue a new career in nursing. Upon graduation, it appears that my pay as a new RN will be about half of what I what I was previously making. This is really surprising given the educational requirements and work pressures in nursing. This doesn't change my plans since I want to do work that is more fulfilling (as long as it still pays the bills!). There should be no shame in seeking fair compensation for the skills and expertise we provide. I'm hopeful that with experience and, eventually, an advanced nursing degree, I'll eventually command a salary that is fairly close to the one I walked away from.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Jul 26, 2008

I went into nursing because it was " a calling" for me, corny but true. My life circumstances brought me into a hospital, where (as a bystander) I knew at that moment where I should be, what I should be doing.

With that being said, after much researching, I was very interested in the various job opportunities/specialties available. I never went into it for the money; stability and job/financial security was an additional factor. I don't think many people would say they went into it "for the money". There's not a lot of that out there.

I can pay my bills most of the time, but there are far more less stressful careers that pay a lot more..... One reason for the neverending nursing shortage, but that is another thread ......:deadhorse

RN1121 · Jul 26, 2008

Yes, I am definitely in it for the money. I'd NEVER work for free (unless I decide to volunteer when I retire). If I could change careers, and was able to afford the education, and would make similar money, I'd exit nursing in a heartbeat! My heart's not in it.

I appreciate all the honest replies to this thread. I was surprised to see that. :yeah:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2008

Very few of us are in it ONLY for the money. Because if someone wanted a high paying job they'd become something other than the middle class income that nursing provides and avoid the stress.

However, most all of us are it in for the money AND other reasons such as we like helping people, we like the hours, we like medicine and science, etc. Personally I enjoy nurisng because I like helping people and I like science. For me it's not a "calling" that I have to follow, it's what I enjoy.

I also enjoy that while I don't live a life of luxury it's nice not living from paycheck to paycheck either, and not worrying where my next meal is coming from. I splurge on a vacation every year.

However, it's a very middle class life existance and I'm hurting along with everyone else with high gas prices, the high cost of homeowners/hurricaine insurance and taxes in Florida, poor returns on investments in my retirement plans, prices on everything rising etc. I'm not going to retire early or retire rich.

But with some wise financial planning and decisions, nurses don't do too bad. Especially when they are part of a couple with someone else making an income.

Some of us though can be held captive by the money. Myself for instance if I ever get to a point that I'm disgusted with nursing and want to leave I stop and think "what else can I do that's going to pay me something similar?" The answer is not much, especially not without going back to school and starting over, which at my age ain't gonna happen.