Why do people go into nursing? Is it just the money?

[zoo*moon]

I graduated from nursing school 13 years ago and now I'm wondering, sheesh, can anyone can get into nursing? Can anyone get a license to work? Is the NCLEX failing anyone?

Pretty good pay attracts many and schools seem to be passing anyone through to fill the job openings. It is not an academic group so far in my experience which I think is so weird because I think medical issues are very complicated and difficult-- pathophysiology and understanding multiple organ system function/failure-- heavy stuff.

I am sadly disappointed by the caliber of some of the nurses. I've been working over 10 years in the hospital setting and I still feel I don't understand so much and someone with 1 year experience acts like they know it all. So what is in their head? I think taking care of sick people is a huge responsibility. So much to be on top off. Just being aware of what changes to be concerned about-- you know, when someone is going bad. Much responsibility. This is a serious business, nursing and most go to work to socialize. It makes me so angry.

Second issue, but not less important is that the majority don't want to take care of patients- they whine and complain -- so much negativity. Yes, if it wasn't for the money, they'd be out of there. They don't appreciate having a job and not being unemployed-- come on, have they looked at the unemployment rate? Too many have gone into nursing for the pay. The "caring" factor is down at the bottom of their list or just gone. I feel sorry for the patients. I have very hard shifts- up to 10 med/surg patients sometimes and it is so stressful. But really you gotta try to treat the patients like you'd want your family to be treated. Bring back the :heartbeat to nursing!

Let me hear from you. Thanks for reading!

[boushie87]

That being said I now am married and own a house. And my loans won't be in deferrment forever. I could not work t my current job at $14.5 an hour forever. But, that's the reason I went to school as well.. to get prepared for a career. And what is the main reason we work? To be compensated monetarily. Otherwise it would be called voluntering lol

[Seas]

I don't care why anybody goes into nursing and what anybody thinks about it as long as they are capable of doing this work. If they can't be a good one and still work there, that's the hiring manager's problem.

Too much to worry about already, why worry about why people go into nursing? who cares.

[TheMediaLies]

Back in the 1990s I'd say because we were caring and crazy at the same time for getting into nursing. We didn't have the nursing/patient ratios back then and WE WENT ON STRIKE ALL THE TIME TRYING TO IMPROVE THE PROFESSION. Today, I'd say because it's a high paying job. I went to a local Starbucks a few weeks ago and I noticed all these college kids studying their microbiology , physiology, Anatomy, and NCLEX books. Back in 1995-1999, these same college kids would have been reading Unix, C++, JAVA, HTML, Microsoft, and A+ books while holding a redbull.

[aloevera]

IMHO there are as many different reasons as there are people.........some are in the mindset that there is such a shortage of nurses so the job opportunities are plentiful ( several friends children/grandchildren think this and are in programs)

Some also are aware that there are so many different fields in nursing that you have many options to choose from (pt. care, Administration, UR, Inf. control, emp. health, clinics, hospitals, dr. offices, etc. etc. the list goes on)

Some do like the idea of helping others, and are caring, compassionate people......

Some start nursing as a second/third career for higher salaries...........

Some (as I) had wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl.......I just loved MASH and Maj. Houlihan !!!!!

Some follow in their mothers/aunts/ etc. footsteps........

agree with SEAS...............who cares? why does anyone choose any career???