will universal healthcare ( in the usa) cut RN pay?

Published

I been hearing this debate off and on for a long time about how if Obama gets universal healthcare to go ( if he gets elected of course)though in the US that nursing pay will be cut dramatically. I would think this has to do with the fact that we would all be working for the government and that there will no longer be competition. There are many people in my nursing class that said they will leave nursing if thats the case. I also talked to several doctors that said the same thing about medicine in general. Im just curious if anyone has some good info about this. Thanks

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I believe in the "Slippery Slope" theory.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I would just like to say "GOOD RIDDANCE!" If you became a nurse to be rich and not to help the ill then get out now, those nurses and physicians are the reason bed side manner is so bad now. Yes, our pay might decrease but healthcare for the sick and uninsured will be better. We are the only country that does not take responsibility for our neighbors. How many patients do we see in a day that have multiple problems that have gotten worse because they did not have healthcare. I say to nurse/physicians who are worried about the amount of money they are going to be making- PICK A NEW CAREER!!!!!! Those of us who are here to actually help heal the sick and weak-- DON'T NEED YOU!!! This is just my opinion but it hurts my heart when we live in a place that would rather watch people suffer then stand up for those who are less fortunate than us.:prdnrs:

Sure, I see people who are in it for the money. But I see so much abuse of the Medicaid system also. It is the abuse that scares me. Now if I follow your emotional line of reasoning, we should run off the people that are just in it for the money, (no matter how good that are at their jobs) and expand a already severely abused shortage of qualified people that work in a high stress field. Now tell me this-how many lives will that cost? :icon_roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Question-do ANY government positions as a nurse that already exixt pay near as well as being a floor nurse in your area?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

There are holes in the "safety nets" you are speaking of. I don't know you and you don't know me, so please don't imply that poor planning rests on my shoulders. Bad things happen to good people and no one is invincible. And contrary to your belief, medical bills can run $100,000+ for some patients and just because someone has private health insurance doesn't mean that they will pay what is owed.

Been there, and had my childs health insurance terminated as he was on ECMO. The bill after 6 days was 1.2 million. My husband and I have worked hard for years, and paid our fair share. There are things that will send your life into a tailspin, and there is nothing you can do about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Rich is a relative term. For someone growing up dirt poor $40,000 per year is a lot of money. You imply people going into nursing for money will not be good care providers and that simply is not true. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people going ito nursing because it pays well usually has good benefits and is pretty much a recession proof industry.

NO, I don't work for free but I am a nurse and lets admit it we are not the rich working class. Get real if you became or are becoming a nurse to be rich, you are mistaken. This is not a get rich profession. We are underpaid and overworked. That's just a fact but do I volunteer at a local free clinic, the answer is YES! I also volunteer with the Red Cross, because I actually want to help people. I do not expect everyone to volunteer but I choose to personally.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, CASE MANAGEMENT.

I agree with whoever said that our tax increase will off set the pay cut. people need to research socialized medicine, government and economy. I know it sounds selfish but I work very hard to provide a nice life for my family and I am sick and tired of people thinking it is ok to take away what I have worked for and give it to those who dont want to work, If you cant work that is another issue but just giving it away. I have seen so many patients that think just because they are pregnant that they cant work well guess what I work l&d while pregnant pushing that 300lb mom around with an epidural that did not work while she was pregnant. I worked until the day they sent me home from work with a b/p 160/110, and guess what I didn't complain I delt with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Question-do ANY government positions as a nurse that already exixt pay near as well as being a floor nurse in your area?

I make more working for the VA than at any private hospital that I have worked. The benefits are also better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I make more working for the VA than at any private hospital that I have worked. The benefits are also better.

The VA here in DC pays new grad RN's the same as we do... We are just a nursing home...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Michael Moore's most recent documentary proves that Nurses and Doctor's will not take a pay cut.... Doctors in the UK are paid rather good.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Medical, Rehab, Psych.

Hmmm............

So I haven't seen any useful information here; just a bunch of old-school minds defending their nationalistic ideas. I'm in my mid-thirties and my father says not to worry: "Those who do not wish for change will die out eventually........." This comforts me.

I noticed mention of Europe when speaking of socialized medicine in relation to higher taxes. What I didn't see mentioned is the fact that wages in Europe are so much higher than in the US. In fact the standard of living is tremendously better. There are fewer homeowners generally (in comparison to the US) but homeownership seems to be slowing down naturally in the US anyhow. This "great frontier" way of thinking is slowly changing and we may end up back to property being passed down through generations with fewer property owners and more renters overall. The divides between the haves and the have nots are growing and will continue to grow under corporate domination. Socialized medicine won't change this; if anything, it will give the growing number of have nots access to care.

It is also worth mentioning (in reference to other posts) that we are no longer such a rich country. The dollar has fallen greatly and may continue to do so. It is my belief that unless we get into the innovation game and stop wasting so much money, we won't have a leg to stand on in a few years. I also feel that the falling dollar is just a sign of times to come.

I also wanted to add that I have seen government nursing positions offered in my area. The pay seemed pretty darn decent. Anybody work for local govenment who might offer an example?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

I haven't read this whole thread but many nurses in the UK actually have a better hourly rate than the junior doctors.

I am in a senior nurse position and I earn the equivalent of 70,000 US dollars every year. I am more than happy with that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
We have the wealthiest poor in the world in this country. They never seem to lack access when I worked in the ER they would just call an ambulance to take them where ever they needed to go. Heck unlike a taxi you don't have to pay for the ambulance.

We have to pay for a ride to the hospital in an ambulance here in California. I pay monthly on my utilities bill so just in case I need it I don't get billed. People actually think they are free?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion