Got paid $37/hr to remind someone they matter✨
It was 2:03am.
He rang the bell in a panic confused, distressed, and covered in diarrhoea.
He kept saying, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
I said, “You don’t need to apologise. I’ve got you.”
So I cleaned him.
Changed the sheets.
Helped him feel comfortable again.
And most of all made sure he felt seen, not ashamed.
Afterward, I sat down to document and realised:
I just got paid $37 an hour to care for someone in one of their lowest moments and remind them they’re still worthy of dignity.
I know we talk about how nurses are underpaid and yes, we absolutely deserve more.
But here’s the truth:
What we do matters.
We get to make people feel safe when they’re most vulnerable.
We restore dignity with every bed bath, wound dressing, bowel routine, and gentle conversation.
It’s not glamorous.
But it’s real.
And I’d rather make $37 an hour doing this than double that doing something that doesn’t touch lives the way nursing does.
So yeah…
I clocked out tired.
But also proud.
Because being a nurse means I get paid to care and that’s still pretty incredible.
Nursing is more than a profession; it is a vital service centered around compassion, dignity, and human connection. Nurses often encounter patients when they are at their lowest, acting not only as medical caregivers but also as emotional support systems. Providing care such as bed baths, wound dressings, and managing bowel routines requires professionalism and empathy, reinforcing patients’ sense of worth. The hourly wage mentioned, $37, reflects the essential value of skilled nursing care, balancing fair compensation with the unmeasurable reward of restoring dignity. Despite ongoing conversations about nurses being underpaid, the intrinsic rewards of the profession stem from the unique relationships nurses build with those they care for. Nurses help patients regain comfort, safety, and a feeling of being truly seen — crucial aspects often overlooked in healthcare. Moreover, nursing demands resilience, patience, and strength to manage complex and sometimes distressing situations with grace. This service is not glamorous, but its real-world impact is profound, influencing patient recovery and wellbeing significantly. Investing in nursing education and fair remuneration reflects society's respect and recognition of the care nurses provide. For individuals considering a career in nursing or those wanting to appreciate its value more deeply, understanding this blend of technical skill and heartfelt human touch is crucial. As healthcare evolves, the role of nurses in promoting holistic healing encompassing physical and emotional health remains indispensable.
Teachers (that I am) get pd $12-$14 dollars AN HR so you could get through elementary, middle & high school so you could go to nursing school! That’s messed up! Not belittling you. I deal with little kids who are mortified that they had an accident or teenage girls who “bled through” or started when they didn’t expect to! I am NOT down playing nursing at all my sister is a nurse and I admire anyone in the medical field, I’m saying the system IS broken! My sister makes $58 an hr because she went and did an extra certificate for oncology which is hard emotionally she works long hrs and has to listen to family cry, yell & bring their emotions to her. Im also a retired vet tech which is the same as a nurse just for animals I literally did everything my sister does but on animals not people I got pd $14 an hr! Again I’m saying it’s not the people it’s the system😢 I see these 25yr olds making a million a yr being an influencer and think, yes they work hard BUT their not saving dignity or lives, not assisting a Dr in surgery making sure the patient stays breathing & not dealing with kids and what they bring to school emotionally. The system is broken 😞