[wednesday'schild]

At first, I really hate this nursing course...I dreamed of becoming a computer engineer or a computer scientist then...but there came a point in my life when my closest friend got sick, because of poverty, he was just admitted in a regional hospital...and some of the staff nurses there were really insensitive to the needs of their patient...as if their patients are burdens to them and they'd rather gossip than attending to their patient's needs...aseptic techniques were at times violated and there was poverty of nursing care given...I really felt so horrible because I knew nothing that can help my friend's condition...I knew in my heart that his condition was not that severe but because of those nurses not doing their job...my friend died...and I vowed right there and then that I will become a great nurse someday and I'm gonna serve my patient's wholeheartedly no matter who they are and their station in life...an act of service that was not given to my closest friend...

[nurse_clown]

My dad's a doctor. My mom was a university art professor. My sis is a midwife. They've all excelled at whatever they did.

Me, I grew up with my head in the clouds. I never really got marks as good as my sister. I never studied and even to show up for school was a big accomplishment. My sister always had goals and studied hard for her exams. Me? I'd sleep and wander where ever my feet took me. Then, one day my parents sat me down for a talk.

The bottom line, my parents never expected me to accomplish anything. They just wanted me to "try" and they wouldn't mind if their daughter cleaned houses for a living. That got me real mad and I knew I could do better than a cleaning lady. I don't know why they thought I could do that because my room was always a mess and my mom did my laundry. Nursing was something I mentioned when I was in grade two and my parents brought that up during our discussion. I don't know why it bothered my when they told me I wouldn't be able to do it. The suggested housekeeping for my career! They knew I wasn't good at that either!!

So, part way through nursing school, I wandered into the special needs office. I was sent off to a psychologist and a psychiatrist (mostly my parents doing because they thought I couldn't cope at school). So, I found out I wasn't dumb after all. I had ADD and dyslexia. I finished my nursing program and actually got five wrong answers on my board exam!

I never really knew what kind of nurse I wanted to be. I grew up rather directionless. I thought about various careers such as: clown, banking executive (I wanted to own my own bank), horse trainer (I thought I'd run Spruce Meadows), owner/operator of a McDonalds.... I even wanted to be the driver of the "get away" car for the Mob. I went through a "garbage art" stage. I "settled" for nursing because my options and time were running out and my parents didn't think I'd even finish the program. (I'm jumping back in history here now) I didn't take the program seriously at first and missed a lot of classes. I went to a very competative nursing school. My fellow students were so snotty and mean to each other. (Bad choice of school) You know, during the biology exams we had to travel to different stations and identify whatever was in front of us. Some of those snotty ones would put the microscope out of focus. We were only allowed ten seconds at each station. I wasn't like that so, I didn't have too many friends. Then the Dean of Nursing wanted a meeting with me and told me that I was at risk of failing the program because of my attendance. I couldn't believe it.

All I could think of was "what's my dad going to think?" I couldn't return home again as a failure. He put so much money into post secondary schooling for me and I mostly threw it all down the drain. So, I got a tutor, went back to the special needs office for advice, got myself a big huge calendar and alarm clock. I said goodbye to my partying buddies and went to every single class after that. It was such a struggle but I finished it. And I love both my jobs. I'm a part time RN on a busy palliative care/ oncology unit. I'm also a night shift supervisor at a long term care facility. The reason why both jobs are part time is because I can't decide which job I like better. I don't want to chose.

One day, I'd like to open my own long term care facility for aboriginal people. I want to train therapy dogs. I see a lot of dying patients. Dying is a part of life and I see no reason why someone should die in pain, fear and loneliness. My mother died of a stroke a little more than a year ago. She didn't die alone nor was she suffering. I loved that. So, whatever I can do to make the end of life for someone a good one.... that's my job.

I really love my job. I enjoy the people I work with. I work with RPN's and PSW's. I don't consider myself better than anyone. I consider myself part of a team even if I'm the supervisor or charge nurse. I do my best to help my team because I think that's the best for the patient. Lately, the politics of the hospital have been making me scratch my head in wonder. They are closing 12 of our beds. Job security is making the staff very nervous and sometimes it's very very challenging for me to not only focus on my work but encourage my team to do the same. It's hard for me to listen to negativity so I have to remind my work buddies of their assets and great qualities to get the work done. But man! Somehow we manage.

I think I've done enough rambling. I'm glad to have found this site. Very glad.

[Schoolnursetrish39]

Well really it was a childhood dream but as dreams go sometimes they are hard to make them come true but I did. I got married at 17 and was a military wife for about 16 years.. moving around here and there
I always wanted to go back to school but between new duty stations, three babies and no family help or moral support I wasn't able to until I was in my mid thirties.. I had been in an abusive marriage for over 20 years and one day I decided that I was't going to take it anymore and I was going back to college. My self esteem, well I didn't have any in those days but through my professors and later my nursing professors I found out I was smart and was capable and I decided nothing was going to get in my way and nothing did...
My mother became ill with terminal cancer during nursing school, and I took care of her at night and went to school during the day so that she could die at home with the dignity she wanted. My now ex husband decided after Mom passed he wanted a divorce and when he left I was about 4 months away from graduation and I was not quitting no matter what he did . I had no money and later lost my home but I hung in there and graduated with honors.
I finally was able to be a nurse yes its stressful but I fought so hard to become one I do believe I will never give it up... I love the idea of nursing because we help people and touch them in perhaps ways we don't know we do... and I am very sure I will die a nurse and they will have to make me surrender my license...
Thats my story and sorry so long... It was a struggle but man when you finally win its sweet, so very sweet...

[Danianne]

When I was little my best friend was my grandfather. he was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was 3, he had to go for treatments out of town and all that stuff. Anyways his cancer eventually became untreatable so when he was at home and I would alway bring him new water when it got those funny little bubbles in it. A few days before he was hospitalized for the last time I told him " Papa when I grow up I am going to fix cancer". a few days later he died and for the longest time I desperately wanted to be a doctor, then I got really really sick and discovered that MDs can prescribe meds and tests and all that other junk but when it comes down to it a nurse is what provided the midnight comfort chats when i thought for sure I was going to die. a nurse held my hand during the painful procedures. a nurse wiped my tears away when I was scared. a nurse wiped my forehead with a cool cloth during the worst fevers. and a nurse did that for my papa. that is why I want to be a nurse among many other reasons.

[linda scottish nurse]

I always wanted to either be firewoman, policewoman or nurse. But I did alot of babysitting and watched to much ER AND CASUALTY SO i thought about nursing even more-loved human biology. So I went for it!!!!!!!!!

[Bluewombat]

When I was 3 years old my twin brother pushed me off the bed and I cut my head open. I had to go to the local Emergency department to get some stitches. Well I can still remmeber the Doctor as if he was standing in front of me now He was gorgeous. Well I was his brave little girl and when all was done I got a syringe and lots of hugs from him ( which was reciprocated).....I didn't want to go home. So I decided I was going to be a nurse from then. I promptly vaccinated all my dolls when I got home...felt I had achieved something ( mind you it didn't protect them from my older brothers). When I went back to get my stitches out he wasn't there and I had this grumpy old man . I wasn't happy at all and let him know too!!!!
I think part of it is hereditary though...my grandfather was one of the first male nurses trained in Victoria Australia and we would be 109 if he was alive today.....and my aunty is a nurse too.......but I followed my dream and I haven't looked back since....Cheers Sallianne

[sckooshy1]

Originally Posted by Schoolnursetrish39

Well really it was a childhood dream but as dreams go sometimes they are hard to make them come true but I did. I got married at 17 and was a military wife for about 16 years.. moving around here and there
I always wanted to go back to school but between new duty stations, three babies and no family help or moral support I wasn't able to until I was in my mid thirties.. I had been in an abusive marriage for over 20 years and one day I decided that I was't going to take it anymore and I was going back to college. My self esteem, well I didn't have any in those days but through my professors and later my nursing professors I found out I was smart and was capable and I decided nothing was going to get in my way and nothing did...
My mother became ill with terminal cancer during nursing school, and I took care of her at night and went to school during the day so that she could die at home with the dignity she wanted. My now ex husband decided after Mom passed he wanted a divorce and when he left I was about 4 months away from graduation and I was not quitting no matter what he did . I had no money and later lost my home but I hung in there and graduated with honors.
I finally was able to be a nurse yes its stressful but I fought so hard to become one I do believe I will never give it up... I love the idea of nursing because we help people and touch them in perhaps ways we don't know we do... and I am very sure I will die a nurse and they will have to make me surrender my license...
Thats my story and sorry so long... It was a struggle but man when you finally win its sweet, so very sweet...

 Amazing story! Good for you! I feel kind of stuck right now myself. Accomodating my mostly selfish husband, and caring for my 2 year old all day. I have to take one class at a time at night, but I am determined. If my husband decides to leave me - fine. Sometimes I feel bad cuz I think I am already fed up with him. He says to me "once you're a nurse you're gonna leave me." I ponder the thought. He spends money we don't have, puts himself first, has a childish temper, and has no goals of his own. I always thought he was great too. He is full of negativity and I hate that. Has anyone stuck with someone like this anyway? Dispite the negative? I don't think I want to live this way forever. Anyway. I am very determined. I will wait to go to school full-time if I have to, but I am going to keep taking classes, and I won't let anything keep me from it. I love how inspiring all of your stories are! amber

[sckooshy1]

Well, I probably should not reply on this because I am still working on pre-req's, but I am going for nursing because my neighbor is an LVN, and will will an RN with a B.S. degree by the end of the year, and she has a daughter same age as mine (2yrs) and if she can do it, so can I. What intrigued me when she first told me about nursing, was the amount of money you could make! That excited me. And then she mentioned all the other opportunites included. I thought about it and realized that I am not very bothered by needles or blood, and I have a child so, if I can deal with her (cuz it was not easy for me at first) and all that comes with it, then I can do this. I have been very excited about becoming a nurse for over a year now, and I am very determined! I am glad I found this site! amber

[Schoolnursetrish39]

It was hard but I don't regret going to nursing school at all. I love being a nurse. My ex-husband used to say that and then he was the one who left me for another. Sometimes I feel bad about my marriage failing in some ways, but I am a happier more fulfilled person today.
Perhaps you could talk to your husband and maybe you guys could try counseling, not all marriages are meant to be lost. However, if he can't support you in this and you would him in the same way, its less painful in the end to look out for yourself and your child. Please take care and PM me anytime..

Originally Posted by sckooshy1

 Amazing story! Good for you! I feel kind of stuck right now myself. Accomodating my mostly selfish husband, and caring for my 2 year old all day. I have to take one class at a time at night, but I am determined. If my husband decides to leave me - fine. Sometimes I feel bad cuz I think I am already fed up with him. He says to me "once you're a nurse you're gonna leave me." I ponder the thought. He spends money we don't have, puts himself first, has a childish temper, and has no goals of his own. I always thought he was great too. He is full of negativity and I hate that. Has anyone stuck with someone like this anyway? Dispite the negative? I don't think I want to live this way forever. Anyway. I am very determined. I will wait to go to school full-time if I have to, but I am going to keep taking classes, and I won't let anything keep me from it. I love how inspiring all of your stories are! amber

[my2sons]

I grew up watching M*A*S*H after school. I loved Hot Lips Hoolihan, thought she was so cool. Seriously.