Who is in Nursing for the money?

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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?

Specializes in Emergency.

Nursing isn't a paper chase.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

I took a substantial paycut with nursing & sold my own business prior to going to school. It is not so much about the money, rather more about the job security. I will never get rich as a nurse; but, I know I won't be jobless for long.

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I'm not in it JUST for the money, but my paycheck is a factor. In college my English teacher would BEG me to drop out of nursing and get an English degree at a 4 year school. I would tell him, what would I get paid with an English degree? What could I do, Teach? I wouldn't make a very good teacher but I know I make a good nurse. I like nursing, parts of it are my passion and parts aren't. But I wouldn't do it for free, for God's sake! ;)

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Specializes in ccu cardiovascular.

Nurses do make a decent living and job security is definitely a big factor. There are a lot of jobs out there that are easier, less stressful than nursing. The ones that get into it for the bucks don't stay very long because they realize you work for every penny you get.

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I just went PRN, I work when I need the money.

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You bet!!! I have decided Nursing was a great career to help people and I can take care of my family, have great health insurance and continue my education with a little assistance from my employer. Yes. I don't know of many other professions that offer that many positive benfits. I planned to be a Doctor but that takes YEARS, I have a friend who's a doctor and he HATES it. He says all the money in the world would make him redo it again. guess whats he's doing this fall. Taking courses to be a nurse... So yes the money is great, job security and I can help people in many ways, endless career options. I challenge anyone to name other careers that offer these benefits along great job satisfaction at the end of the day you can gop home saying I support my family and I help maybe save a life or two.

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I think you summed it up BEAUTIFULLY. I grew up in a wealthy miserable house hold parents who hated their careers have health problem thanks to the stress and still got screwed at retirement thanks to downsizing and other things. I live a comfortable life now and I think being a nurse would offer me so many career opportunities. You can do so much with a RN degree not just general nursing you can challenge yourself and move up and make six figures if you would like. You cannot do that in many other careers with certain degrees. I think people are just starting realize that nursing is a wonderful, wonderful! profession, with endless opportunities!!!!

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.

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While the money in nursing is good, I will never forget my first day of nursing school. The instructor started out by welcoming us and then proceded to say "if you are here just because of the money you will make, there is the door". Of course no one chose to leave, and while I do believe there may be some out there in it for only the money, I am not one of them. I left nursing for awhile and took a substantial pay cut to realize this is definitely my "calling".

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

of course i'm not in it for the money. i enjoy my "work" so much, i'd do it for free, nevermind that the repo man has just hauled my car away, the utilities have all been disconnected and the bank has changed the locks on my house. at least i don't need to worry about eating, because i have all those extra patient trays to choose from.

what other job affords you the opportunity to clean up poop all day long? and i get to deal with such interesting people who call me lovely and inventive names such as "hey you! you fat white bit** over there" or "you with the tits -- my mom needs a diet soda!" and we have such interesting conversations about their plans to sue the hospital and me personally because their loved one didn't get steak on his dinner tray or because the respiratory therapist dared suggest that he work on his incentive spirometer rather than demand to be taken outside for a smoke.

where else can i drive through a ghetto to get to work and worry about stopping at a light because of all the happy, colorful people recreating on the street corner?

really, my work isn't all that difficult because the doctor tells me just what to do and how to do it. i don't need to think for myself at all . . . just do what i'm told silently and cheerfully. i only have to turn my 2 patients every two hours -- but they are slightly large so it takes four nurses to turn them. that means between the four of us we have only 8 patients to turn every two hours . . . but i digress.

i love my work sooooooo much i'd pay to come to work and do it. you don't have to pay me, really! my husband can support me.

oh wait. my husband is a nurse, too . . .

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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.

you've summed it up very nicely, and probably much more appropriately than my rather sarcastic post. i should have read your reply first!

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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 said I was merely asking a question...

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I don't know of anyone who would work for free....I just wanted to know because I do know of a couple personal ppl. who could care less about their patients...All they look forward to are paydays...Not saying that any of you feel that way...But I just wanted to know...

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