An increase in pay is always a plus. However today the much larger picture are the labor and expectation practices of the corporations employing the staff. Legal verses ethical and who is responsible for requiring impossible task, job duties of which are impossible to complete correctly and many times safely. No one wants to address legally or ethically.
You asked if higher pay would lead to higher job satisfaction. I don't think I have to be a nurse to know that no, this is not true. Nurses make enough to live comfortably and to support families. More money would equate to more fun off the clock, but not to more satisfaction while working.
The biggest reason grad school looks appealing to me is not because of the increased pay that would come along with it. It looks appealing to me because I see how stressed nurses are, I hear my friends complaining about being understaffed, I hear nurses stating that they don't have time for lunch or bathroom breaks, I see nurses and aids getting treated like **** from patients and family members. Nursing takes a lot out of a person and money doesn't replenish what was taken.
Well, I am a nurse in my 7th year of practice... having worked in several facilities which are all distinctly different from each other... and which have paid me very different wage levels.
I can say that for me, and people like me, more money certainly equates to higher job satisfaction. When it starts to wear at me, I just remind myself how much I'm being paid for this 15 minutes of BS and suddenly it's all back into perspective.
I don't need to make a difference in their lives and I don't need their kudos. I won't deny that I find those things meaningful but the money is sufficient to cover all manner of ills.
I would certainly take a bit less money for a job that I liked more but for enough cash, I'll tolerate a lot that I wouldn't otherwise.
Just me and my greedy little heart, though. Perhaps I'm unique... though I think not.
STRESS is the reason..too much to do, not enough time, too many meetings, too many administrators strolling around looking for something to complain about ;-) "Why is that bed not made, yet"? That's why I chose to work weekends and 'off shifts'..you avoid "all of the above time wasters." You are still busy, short staffed etc etc but the time wasters are not under your feet complaining about nonsense! You can give better patient care.The families are visiting, the patients are occupied and off the lights....as long as you stop by, quickly introduce yourself and tell the family if they need anything to let you know..tell them you're right out straight this minute, but to find you when they 'leave' if they have questions or concerns....families can be huge time wasters (and abusive) if they feel their family member is being ignored...nip it in the bud. Try it, it really works! You'll be happier, less stressed if you just plan to do the "paper", after shift change! it takes one quarter of the time without interruptions. Yes, I know..and when administration complains about overtime, and they will....just tell them...it's okay, not to pay you, but you can't clock out if you're still on the floor! I love nursing and all my jobs, some more than others...and that was directly related to whether administration micromanaged or used common sense and trusted the staff...to get it done! Administration take note: stop sweating the small stuff..the messy kitchen, utility room, full laundry hampers (or pitch in and do it yourself..it's faster than complaining) etc..it's all about patient care when we're short staffed. Focus your attention there and you'll be pleased with what you see!!
Specializes in Provided temporary travel RN care to pat.
Actually being a nurse is a dedication, a passion and commitment. Yes there are people who are born nurses and some have studied nursing but it is not in their hearts, so they get burn out easily. We must remember the reason why we are doing what are we doing. We have a purpose which others cannot do, and it is on our hands to be the best healthcare that can be.
Here is the link that talks about the RN wages
[h=3]Answers to Your Questions About RN Income Across the US[/h]
Yeah, what TheCommuter said! So many of my fellow nurses are leaving bedside because it is increasingly becoming about customer service and patient satisfaction scores, not about saving lives. Administration is so focused on making sure the customer is happy that they forget to make sure their employees are happy. A coworker had a full cup of soda thrown at her because she didn't bring a cup of ice (soda was already cold..patient didn't ask for ice). If that happened at Wal-mart, they would've been escorted out the door and possibly face charges.
I am looking to get a nursing job, so, at this time, I can not really sympathize with those who managed to get one, let alone those who have the "x" amount of experience to MOVE to better nursing positions.
I'm pretty sure the reasons why people in general dislike their jobs are not the exact same reasons why some nurses hate their job. You cannot compare a nurses job to a teacher or wedding photographer. (Reasons why nurses are one of the most trusted professions and not truckers).
**Yes this is most definitely a homework assignment and you have now become part of it. Thanks Ruby.
Wedding photographers hate their jobs??
Homework??
Why do some bank managers hate their jobs? Why do some teachers hate their jobs? Truckers? Wedding photographers??
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Wedding photographers hate their jobs??
Actually, it's quite possible. Many photographers who are just starting out need to take any job they can get, whether it's family portraits, weddings, what have you. Could be that weddings are not the type of photography they're into, but they gotta pay the bills somehow.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm pretty sure the reasons why people in general dislike their jobs are not the exact same reasons why some nurses hate their job. You cannot compare a nurses job to a teacher or wedding photographer. (Reasons why nurses are one of the most trusted professions and not truckers).
**Yes this is most definitely a homework assignment and you have now become part of it. Thanks Ruby.
Wedding photographers hate their jobs??
I sure hated my job when I was a wedding photographer!
I have worked full time as a bedside nurse since 1974 except for a recent medical leave. I still learn new things. I have great coworker's, they have my back and I have theirs. My manager is also great. Is she perfect? No. But I'm not either. Middle management is hard. She gets her marching orders the same as I do. While I was on my recent leave, she kept my job open for almost a year. She didn't have to do that!
Is my job perfect? No, but I don't know of any job that is. Try to get a part time job with reasonable pay in any other field. Hard to be a part time teacher. Hard to be a part time engineer. A part time attorney works 40 hours a week!
I went to college right out of high school and have not regretted my choice. I went to graduate school when I was in my 40s and chose to remain at the bedside. I would have been equally happy with many other career choices. My BFF is also a nurse so I suppose I would never have met her if we hadn't both chosen nursing.
I don't necessarily like all the changes that have happened in health care. Sometimes I feel like the inmates run the asylum[emoji6]! In short, I think your job is like so much in life--it is what you make it.
I know this post is a little disjointed so I have it makes sense.
And sure, I would still like to make more money. Who wouldn't?
I Don't hate my job. I've been an RN for over 18 years now. Most of my experience has been in the hospital/acute-care setting. 12 of it as an ICU nurse. Level II Trauma Center. Earned my CCRN certification. I left my previous job due to poor management. My boss was upset that I wasn't giving her a month's notice. The new job wanted me to start right away. I offered to stay on PRN but that wasn't acceptable to her. Oh well, her loss. Funny, she's since fired several of the nurses that weren't pulling their weight.
I decided, rather than finish out my notice, to just quit effective immediately. Boss already told me that I'd lose all my unused vacation time & not ever be eligible for rehire. Fine by me! So rather than allow them to nit-pick and find a reason to fire me, I decided I would just leave and told her I think this is the best option for all involved.
I DID end up getting my unused vacation and personal time
What bothers me in nursing, is that there are so many people who are out to 'get' you per se. Always finding faults and running to tell the boss as fast as their little feet will carry them. Hey, how bout you concentrate on doing YOUR job rather than what I'm doing Because TRUST me, they aren't perfect either!
judyparham
8 Posts
An increase in pay is always a plus. However today the much larger picture are the labor and expectation practices of the corporations employing the staff. Legal verses ethical and who is responsible for requiring impossible task, job duties of which are impossible to complete correctly and many times safely. No one wants to address legally or ethically.