Why are you REALLY going into nursing? Honest answers please.

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Ok, I'm a bit frustrated with all of these posts telling us that we shouldn't go into nursing because we need a job and steady income. Sure, I do like to help people, but I need a steady job even more. So, I decided to post a poll to see if we can get some honest answers.

:p

i can't remember it word for word, but there is a great song that comes to mind by a group called everclear. it's called i will buy you a new life and says something like ... i hate it when people say that money is the root of all that kills, they have never been poor, they have never had the joy of a welfare christmas. how true imho

a person wanting a steady paycheck does not disqualify them from being caring, loving human beings. you can't judge someone on those grounds. i am in it for the money first and foremost. why? because i have a child who depends on me and only me for all of his needs. that is the type of situation i am in(like so many others on this board)at this point in my life...no, i would not be a nurse if i didn't get paid for it. if i won the lottery, i sure would. it is in me to be a comforter and to care for people. it's all i have ever wanted to do. but money is everything to people who live in the poverty hole. and i don't think anyone should feel bullied into thinking they are wrong for wanting to support their families first and foremost. i would like to see the people here who claim to be in nursing just because they care continue on in nursing without the pay. if you want to make such a difference, a paycheck shouldn't be required, right? sorry, but i am just sick and tired of people trying to make it seem like it is so wrong to want a stable job that pays ok. and it's funny how the majority of people who are so good at telling people they are going into the wrong profession because of the "money", are the ones who have husbands to support them emotionally and financially. not all of us have that luxury. hmmm, isn't part of being a good nurse the ability to step outside of yourself and understand other people's situations beside your own? i guess not. sorry, this is a sensitive issue for me and some others on this board.
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trulyblessed i can empathize with your situation and i agree with you totally. i think people need to understand something, historically "working" and making a living was the responsibilty of the man, so when women's lib in the 60's and 70's allowed us the same freedom, we have had to fight for equality ever since. men don't have to apologize for picking a career based on money. only women are made to feel like they are being selfish and neglectful of their families when they do the same thing. considering nursing is a female dominated career it is not surprising that some people still feel this way. the history of nursing revolves around that of a "caring" profession instead of one with high status attached to it so people immediately look at you with a critical eye when you say "i want a good paycheck for me and my child". ideally nursing probably should be a job that can be done without being compensated, but unfortunately life hands you a different deck of cards.

thank you...i didn't think anyone here would understand what i was trying to express. you did.

i can't remember it word for word, but there is a great song that comes to mind by a group called everclear. it's called i will buy you a new life and says something like ... i hate it when people say that money is the root of all that kills, they have never been poor, they have never had the joy of a welfare christmas. how true imho

yes, i know exactly what song you are talking about. those lyrics ring very true.

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Money can't buy happiness, but having some sure does make it easier :)

"Then one day Lt. Dan called and said we didn't have to worry about money no more and I said, well... thats one less thing."

by Forest Gump ;)

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money can't buy happiness, but having some sure does make it easier :)

amen to that!

topcat

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i can't remember it word for word, but there is a great song that comes to mind by a group called everclear. it's called i will buy you a new life and says something like ... i hate it when people say that money is the root of all that kills, they have never been poor, they have never had the joy of a welfare christmas. how true imho

i loved that song. actually, i wore that entire cd out. i haven't heard them in a long while, i think i'll have to go dig it up so i can listen to it. my husband will not be pleased, lol.

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You bet Mr. JimmyMallo!

Money can't buy happiness, but having some sure does make it easier :)

"Then one day Lt. Dan called and said we didn't have to worry about money no more and I said, well... thats one less thing."

by Forest Gump ;)

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A person wanting a steady paycheck does not disqualify them from being caring, loving human beings. You can't judge someone on those grounds. I am in it for the money first and foremost. Why? Because I have a child who depends on me and only me for all of his needs. That is the type of situation I am in(like so many others on this board)At this point in my life...no, I would not be a nurse if I didn't get paid for it. If I won the lottery, I sure would. It is in me to be a comforter and to care for people. It's all I have ever wanted to do. BUT money IS everything to people who live in the poverty hole. And I don't think anyone should feel bullied into thinking they are wrong for wanting to support their families first and foremost. I would like to see the people here who claim to be in nursing just because they care continue on in nursing without the pay. If you want to make such a difference, a paycheck shouldn't be required, right? Sorry, but I am just sick and tired of people trying to make it seem like it is so wrong to want a stable job that pays ok. And it's funny how the majority of people who are so good at telling people they are going into the wrong profession because of the "money", are the ones who have husbands to support them emotionally and financially. Not all of us have that luxury. Hmmm, isn't part of being a good nurse the ability to step outside of yourself and understand other people's situations beside your own? I guess not. Sorry, this is a sensitive issue for me and some others on this board.

I completely, completely agree with you here! I have a time and money issue. I have to get my degree and get to work ASAP because of financial responsibilities that my husband may no longer be able to meet. I have three little children to take care of and while I have other reasons for going in to nursing, the money is a big one here! and the stability (people will always need nurses...we can not be computerized! LOL!). I get ya and I support you 100%.

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Thank you...I didn't think anyone here would understand what I was trying to express. You did.

I also hear you loud and clear, and totally agree.

:smokin:

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Maybe I wrote it wrong! What I am trying to say is nurses need to be caring and loving too. If they see their patients as just another number that is wrong to me. As for poor. You do not have to tell me a thing about it. Growing up I had hand me downs and free lunch program etc. No money for trips or gifts. I have yet at age 30 to go on even a mini vacation. I have been married for 11 years now. I have a son in school too. I have not worked because my husband made enough to make ends meet. Then his grandmother was in a wreck and I helped with her. After she was well again I decided to attend college. I didn't know what I really wanted to do only that it was in the health field. Then my own grandmother at 92 became very sick. Her last wish was to be home for her final days. So I stayed with her. She passed away on 04-04-04. She is the one in DEC. that told me to go into nursing. She told me "you have what it takes to be a great nurse". Some of the ones who took care of her in the hospital saw her as a body and not a human with feelings! That was the point I was trying to make. I am doing this also because it pays good. However, the #1 reason is to provide care for those in need of it. You are not the focus it is the patient! If you don't think so, let the patients begin to complain about you and see if you still have that good paying job then.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

Very well said, Truly Blessed.

I can't see how desiring to provide for my family means that I can't possibly care for my patients. How one is equal to the other is beyond me. RN student, I think that perhaps you didn't mean it to come across as it did, but it was kind of harsh. I have wanted to be a nurse for a long time. The reason I'm choosing now, instead of when my youngest is a bit older (he's 2) is because we are struggling financially. We have no medical insurance, and our savings will be totally emptied soon. I get so scared every time one of my children gets sick and I think I might have to take them to the doctor. I need to get my career off the ground asap! For my family.

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i understand totally. my thoughts are: you need to be caring also. all the books in the world can't make a 100% nurse. it takes a caring touch too! you can do it for the love of money and people too! that is me!

who does well

nurses need to be compassionate. they also need to understand complex scientific principles relating to biology and physiology, and work with increasingly complicated medical equipment. www.wetfeet.com

in the usa, we have the right to express ourselves and to be heard. i respect that right. with that i wish everyone great success in their nursing careers! :)

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Maybe I wrote it wrong! What I am trying to say is nurses need to be caring and loving too. If they see their patients as just another number that is wrong to me. As for poor. You do not have to tell me a thing about it. Growing up I had hand me downs and free lunch program etc. No money for trips or gifts. I have yet at age 30 to go on even a mini vacation. I have been married for 11 years now. I have a son in school too. I have not worked because my husband made enough to make ends meet. Then his grandmother was in a wreck and I helped with her. After she was well again I decided to attend college. I didn't know what I really wanted to do only that it was in the health field. Then my own grandmother at 92 became very sick. Her last wish was to be home for her final days. So I stayed with her. She passed away on 04-04-04. She is the one in DEC. that told me to go into nursing. She told me "you have what it takes to be a great nurse". Some of the ones who took care of her in the hospital saw her as a body and not a human with feelings! That was the point I was trying to make. I am doing this also because it pays good. However, the #1 reason is to provide care for those in need of it. You are not the focus it is the patient! If you don't think so, let the patients begin to complain about you and see if you still have that good paying job then.

I think anyone going into nursing knows it's not about them and it is all about the patient, Like I said before, just because a person's family is more important to them than anyone else is, doesn't mean they have complete and utter diregard for others, including patients lying in a hospital bed. Me, NEVER! When I am their, patients will be what's on my mind 100%. And they will get the best I have and then some. Why? In order to keep my job. I am sorry to hear about your grandmother. I had a similair experience taking care of someone, and them telling me to go into nursing. My reasons for wanting be a nurse when I was 21 were for the #1 reason you stated. It is funny how my circumstance changed, and now I am going into the profession for a different reason. BUT, I know once i get in there...I won't be struggling financially, and I will remember my original drive to become a nurse. I think that's where alot of people are at right now. I don't know. I think most of the people that go into nursing STRICTLY for the money are the ones we don't see in the profession anymore after a few years. JMO. My whole post prior was not directed completely at you, especially the part about "having husbands to support them financially and emotionally" But there have those kind of posts before you, and i was a little perturbed by it. I am rambling now, so I'll stop:)

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