Who's gonna admit it that they went into Nursing b/c of the salary?

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Alot of people claim they had a passion for Nursing before they even knew what Nurses did.I love the field but I also love the money and job security!!I'd like to hear your imput..

Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I became an LVN because I was laid off due to hospital closing that I worked for for 5 yrs. I was at the top of the pay scale there and if I had applied for another job in the admitting dept I would have been hired making $4-$5 dollars less and hour. I wanted security knowing that if I got laid off I could get another job making the same amount of money I was used to. When the opportunity arose for me to get re-trained I went with my longing that I have had since I was little and decided to go to LVN school.And I love what I do but I'm definitely getting RN besause I want to make more money than what I make as an LVN. I don't think being in the nursing field due to money is wrong, we all work because we need money. But I don't like seeing the nurses that are out there just for the money and the paycheck and they don't have compasion for pt's or just going through the motion of teaching pt's care and so forth.

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I'll just say if I didn't get paid I damn sure wouldn't come in to work.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I went to nursing school to get a higher paying job. Period. Then I discovered I really really really like it and am SO GLAD to be in this profession. I have trouble believing people who claim altruism as their motivation. If that is true, why not donate your salary to a charity? I work for the money and I ALSO try to do the best possible job and take care of my "customers". Heck, I would do that no matter where I worked, so it might as well be in a job I enjoy!

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Specializes in US Army.

Why shouldn't we do it for the money? Nursing is a profession just like being a dentist, pharmacist or doctor. They don't catch any flack for the desire to earn a living based on taking care of fellow human beings. The industry has made so much money of us nurses over the years by playing the guilt card "You can only be a good nurse if you sacrifice yourself". It's time to end that mantra and start getting paid for what we are worth. No self respecting professional would put up with the conditions we endure as nurses.

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My current position, I make about the same as most RNs. I work Monday through Friday 7:30 to 3:30pm. I get 1.5 lunch break, with 13 major holidays off, 3 weeks vacation, 3 personal days,about 12 sick days and great benefits. I even have a vehicle too. People think I am crazy for going into nursing. My job is very low stress. Now, you know I am not going for nursing for the money.

I like learning about diseases and taking care of patients. I think nursing is more rewarding than what I am doing.

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Specializes in Acute Hemodialysis, Cardiac, ICU, OR.

The pay isn't BAD, but there are plenty of other jobs out there that pay the same or better (both in and out of healthcare) with less responsibility and stress.

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Am I happy with what I make? Yes.

Would I like to make more? Yes.

Would I do it for less? No.

You don't need to state salary as a reason for your career choice during the interview, but job security is a reasonable answer. I am so thankful that I love my job and will always be able to work. I don't want to retire as a bedside nurse, but there's growth potential which can lead to better pay. I may not be able to buy a house in Southern California, but I help put a roof over my family's head, food in their mouths, provide transportation, and a little fun.

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I admit I'm a bit confused as to the thread title. It reads to me as if there is an expectation that we should be ashamed to say we entered nursing for money and job security.

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Hmmm, it took me 20 years to get topped out at what my daughters boy friend makes in his first year after graduation with a 4 year degree in computer engenieering. My daughter started at 32 thou. a year as a new teacher. (not bad, every holiday off with pay, works a total of 180 days a year, takes some work home with her but , compaired to studying for ACLS, CCRN etc... it 's not much different. Don't forget every holiday off, summers of a weeks vacation during the year all paid time off) How a bout the A and P mechanic who brings home 34 $ hr. ) If I were looking for money, it wouldn't have been nursing. Butr, I find nursing a challenge even after 30 years, I like (most of my Pt's).

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I've been doing it too long for me to admit that -- it didn't pay that good when I graduated. But I will admit to choosing nursing because of the job security and because it seemed to be the natural progression of my non professional care giver role (eldest daughter in a totally dysfunctional family, then worked as a residential aide, etc...).

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when pursuing my career change, salary was my first consideration.

after selecting 3 decent-paying professions, i picked the one that would come most naturally to me.

and here i am.:)

leslie

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My current position, I make about the same as most RNs. I work Monday through Friday 7:30 to 3:30pm. I get 1.5 lunch break, with 13 major holidays off, 3 weeks vacation, 3 personal days,about 12 sick days and great benefits. I even have a vehicle too. People think I am crazy for going into nursing. My job is very low stress. Now, you know I am not going for nursing for the money.

I like learning about diseases and taking care of patients. I think nursing is more rewarding than what I am doing.

What is your current position?

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