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

7 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!
Yes, the NCLEX is failing people. I've been told that it's actually gotten harder over the last few years.

Seriously,There are people I just graduated with that SCARE me if they get their RN....I know of 3 people who STILL haven't passed a exit test....and won't get their license anytime before september....these are the same people who scare the bejezzus out of me, and if I saw that my family member had them as a nurse, I would request someone else....Caring is at the bottom of a lot of people's lists...not mine. I always say if being a CNA and working at McD's paid the same, I'd probably still work as a CNA.....

Well there is a shortage.. so it must not be attracting enough people.

I'm a community health nurse (which I love, BTW) so I'm out in the public and in the halls of government every day. For a lot of people, I'm the only nurse they know. So when they have a kid who doesn't know what to do they always send them to me to get "psyched" about nursing . Everyone hears about the pay and the job security. The young people come to me and I'll tell them what I do. And they think: "Great! 10 hour days, 3-day weekends off, no on call, I am so there!". I then have to tell them about the 12 years of hospital experience I had before I landed this gig. Experience I needed to do this job. I also point out that my state has exactly one job like mine and only a half dozen similar. Then they are a little less optimistic.The feeling I get is that everyone wants a low stress, high paid, lifetime security job. I had a young man tell me he wanted to get a job that was "easy going". That's not nursing. I think flexibility & portability apply. You can make a decent living. You do need motivation and heart.

Quote from ProLogicWell there is a shortage.. so it must not be attracting enough people.

oooohhh I so agree with everything you said...mind you, I'm not an RN yet, still in school, but some the work my classmates don't put into their courses scares me.....I do think it is the $$ and a job that is attracting people......that's why I'm happy my school requires CNA certification prior to beginning Nursing courses. It's a little bit of a pain for me cuz I am not a CNA, but instead have many years experience as a PCA home health aide, etc. So I feel my eyes are pretty open as to what patient care entails, but whatever. I'm doing it this summer and want to be an RN enough that it's no biggie.I just wish it wasn't $800.00

Quote from NancyNurse08Yes, the NCLEX is failing people. I've been told that it's actually gotten harder over the last few years.

Good point prologic!!! Nursing is about caring, but it seems as though if a fellow nurse (or future prospect) talks about entering nursing becuase of the money they get shuned. I mean how many other professions are entered because of pay and truth be told nurses don't make that much (without overtime). I just found out today, that my friend a probation officer will start out making $6 more than me. I was shocked. People may enter nursing because of the money...but it takes a fool to stay in the profession, once they realize what they're up against. Understaffed, underpaid, ungrateful management, belittling docs, and demanding patients.

Quote from NancyNurse08Yes, the NCLEX is failing people. I've been told that it's actually gotten harder over the last few years.

Quote from TheCommuterWrong. There's no true nursing shortage, because 500,000 actively licensed nurses in the US are doing things other than working in the profession. There's only a shortage of nurses who would willingly work at the bedside to get abused from all angles, disrespected by many people, and poorly paid by employers.

Quote from NsgChicaI just found out today, that my friend a probation officer will start out making $6 more than me. I was shocked.

I think that current nursing education focuses more on theory and pumping information to prepare the students for the EXAM (NCLEX), but do not really seem to focus on the clinical component. And, I noticed that compared to the past, clinicals are only a day or two on the unit with just a few patients. Not realistic! I can see for the initial exposure, but I believe that as they move on in the program, the amount of clinical time and patients should (realistically) increase. There is a 10 month vocational school program (LPN) that has two weeks of class and two weeks on the unit. Those girls graduated and work rings around many of the other new grads, because they were used to it by then...only having to adjust to a particular facility. Many nursing programs years ago in my area focused that way as well. I assume this happened because of the non-competitive wages of clinical instructors (amoung other things) that slowed this down. A student that was deluded to think that life is that easy with their two or three patients are suddenly slammed with as many as 12 on a med-surg floor (this is what is happening with the RNs in my hospital). And, along with dealing with the apathy of the senior nurses, they are being confronted with "What did you learn in school??". Our education is far different than theirs and it shows in many cases the minute you hit the floor. I felt that I knew nothing!! It took my own critical thinking skills to survive. Sure, I see many nurses seeking for plush conditions to work in because I think that some of them are deluded.