As long as I can remember I've always wanted to be a nurse I am currently taking my prerequisites.  But whats troubling me is that I hear lots of the students (the ones in the ADN program and the one taking prerequisites) say, "I want to be a nurse because they make a lot of money."  Even when people ask me what is my major and I say nursing the first thing they say is, "they sure make alot of money." Sure here in CA they do make good money but I feel like you should want to be a nurse because you are helping others to get well.  It's not all about the money nurses work very hard but it is very rewarding for those that like helping others.  I feel the greatest pleasure when some one asks me a medical question and I can answer them.  After I volunteer at my local hospital it is so fufilling knowing that I helped others and that's what nursing is about.  I know we all need money to survive but I think if you want to be a nurse it should not be because of the money because that's where we get rude, inconsiderate and lazy nurses.  Am I wrong in feeling this way?   

tdage says ...

You are not wrong in how you feel, and it is wonderful to see your commitment and dedication.

However, given the difficulty in getting into nursing programs, the difficulty of the programs themselves and the time sacrifice involved, the learning curve of orientation, and the stress of first-year nursing ... it's my opinion that the nature of the profession becomes rapidly apparent to anyone who is "in it for the money."

Put another way, anyone who goes into nursing only for the money - doesn't last long as a nurse, if they get there at all.

All to true....  I remember my ex who was my spouse at the time of school... He kept repeating when you are through we are going to be in alot of money...I am glad you choose this profession.  I kept thinking even in school...if I did not love what I was doing I would not be here.....  I do not think that most people really understand what a nurse goes through in a shift.  A nurse gives everything she can to her pts'.   Alot of the times a the end of a shift my body is still running on adrenaline, but my mind is saying "no more".  In the begining I loved to work 6 in a row so I could go places.  Now 4 1/2 yrs later I work 3-4 days and then I must have a few off to recoup.  Nursing is very stressfull not to mention the things we are exposed to.  Realistically no matter what you are getting paid you have to love it or you will soon figure out that the pay is  not all that it seemed in the begining.  At any minute an injury can occur and voila what are you left with????  A mistake and you no longer have a license and a life can be lost.  There are alot of other avenues in nursing which pay just as much if not more and do not require the hands on of med-surg.  Med-surg is not like the movies.  It is truely not for the faint of heart..... 

I have  wanted to be a Nurse for as long as I can remember also.  I started in the hospital at walter reed army medical center in D.C as an army medic.  There was no money in it at all, But everytime I was helping someone it truly made me feel good.  I love everything about being in a hospital setting, especially the knowledge I have learned from others.  I can not say that the money is not important but that's not the only reason to be a nurse.  I want to be able to take care of my family and take care of them well.  I just cant wait for the day to be in a profession that i am excited about and would love waking up in the moring going too. 

Uh, yeah.  I haven't been shown the money yet.

 People do NOT go into this field for the money trust me, my husband has about the same years of schooling as I, well he has a few years more, but anyways he makes 5 times more money than I do, he is an attorney pro tem judge, but we have peoples lives in our hands, of course some would say so do attorneys and Judges, but NOT like us, most of us do this because we LOVE to help others, with that being said, we still deserve to get paid for our education and skills, it wold be nice if our pay was higher, we should make closer to what doctors get. But guess I am dreamin.

Her salary is good but $92,000 in California is not alot considering the cost of living.  I know some people who are in it for the money and like someone else said they have a bad experience because their heart isn't in it.  I have always enjoyed helping people and knowing what I do can make a difference in a person's life.  The money will be extra for me when I graduate.  I know I need to earn a living but how many people can say hey I saved a person's life today? Or my teaching changed the way a person thinks about their health.  I have another degree and if I were to go into that field then I would make MUCH more than I would as an RN.  But will I make a difference in in peoples lives, no because I would not even interact with anyone. Good luck with school.

RNdude says ...

Uh, yeah.  I haven't been shown the money yet.

Me neither!!!  Where are these people working anyway?!!!  Or as was mentioned before, did they even make it?  I would never have considered nursing a "well-paid" profession, but it sure has it's riches!