Who is in Nursing for the money?

[rnmomtobe2010]

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?

[rnmomtobe2010]

Oh and with all of this being said...I am calling my dear friend over for tea and cookies so that she can read each reply...maybe it will help her....Oh, and another thing....I am not entering Nursing for the money...I have a caring and compassionate heart and I can't see myself doing anything other than NURSING!!!!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

oh and with all of this being said...i am calling my dear friend over for tea and cookies so that she can read each reply...maybe it will help her....oh, and another thing....i am not entering nursing for the money...i have a caring and compassionate heart and i can't see myself doing anything other than nursing!!!!

i think most of us have "caring and compassionate hearts" or no amount of money would induce us to do this job!

[SweetLemon]

okay i will raise my hand! i am in it soley for the money.... just graduated in may and i believe i will have my new red ferrari paid for in less then 6 months......vroom vroom!:hehe:

(note: poster can be exceptionally sarcastic)

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

There are some days that you couldn't pay me enough to do this job!!

[SunnyAndrsn]

One of my instructors is an NP, and told us a story about a student who really believed this! He asked why on earth would she teach when, as an NP, she could be rich? He asked several of our instructors--many are NP's what kind of car they drove and was surprised to learn that there was not a fast, expensive sports car in the bunch.

These teachers freely admit that they worked hard to fail him because of his "money only" attitude. I was disappointed to hear THAT from my instructors because I don't think it's ethical.

At the same time, I still think the original OP, who was "merely" asking a question was rather un-wise. Of course there are nurses out there who are miserable, hate nursing (isn't there an I hate nursing forum somewhere?) but stay because they have a decent check.

In case the OP hasn't noticed, the price of everything is going up--food, GAS, everything. A nursing career provides a measure of financial security, but I wouldn't be in nursing if I didn't enjoy it. Still, I'll be happy when my DH is finished with his phd so he can contribute to our household income again.

[talaxandra]

There's an ethos in nursing that it's a calling, and that people who do it just (or primarily) for the money are less than - less good, less competent, less proficient, even heartless or cruel. I can't think of any other job where agreeing that money is the key motivator would garner this response, or where an instructor would direct students to leave if this is the case.

I've worked with a couple of nurses who acknowledged being there primarily for the money - one was brilliant: great with patients, a fantastic resource, thoroughly professional, preferred by patients and, detached in a way I'd love to be, he never took work home with him. The other is competent, very experienced, takes great care of her patients but isn't too fussed about helping anyone else out. Just like the general population of nurses I've worked with, the motivation didn't dictate the nursing care.

Like the other posters, I nurse because I enjoy it and I'm good at it, but I wouldn't be working if I didn't get paid (though I might still nurse - part time - if I won the lottery). I have no problem with people who nurse because they believe they were called to it, those (like me) who became nurses through fluke and happenstance, or those who looked at the benefits and rationally decided on a cost/benefit analysis.

[moosicle]

How funny. Nurses who work for the money, how much do you make? Maybe I work for the wrong hospital because it sounds like they are becoming millionaires.

I do not think it makes anyone a bad nurse to be in it just for money, but it sounds kind of silly considering nurse income is generally middle class. My partner makes 2x+ more than I do and he sleeps at night and plays on the weekends; he gets to travel around the world for free in luxury hotels; I doubt he will ever worry about getting sued from his clients. So, I argue that we do not get paid nearly enough! Radiology techs make almost what we do with much less responsibility.

I am not being altruistic at all - pay me more!!

[CCarpeDiem]

I've been interested in a lot of different field but it always revolved around helping people: psychologist, teacher, interior decorator (lol), doctor, etc.

I'm in nursing because I'm fascinated by the human body, want to help people, and it doesn't hurt that the pay is good (considering where you live and what kind of lifestyle you want).

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

I went into nursing because my father said he'd buy me a brand new car. So I suppose I went into nursing for the money. The money is definately not what keeps me in nursing.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

in it strictly for the money?....ummm no, there isn't enough money this side of mexico to pay for what we put up with most days. but thanks for the giggle!

[rnmomtobe2010]

This thread was intended specifically for a friend....She made the comment that she would do it for the money....I asked her what about the care of the patients...Her response...I dare not repeat...Thanks all who replied and I still don't think it helped her...Oh well...

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Well, I sure don't do it for free.