[Deidre Shiobhan]

I always wanted to be a nurse since young. I find them looking very pure and kind in their white uniform. ( nurses used to wear white uniforms and caps in the 70s ) Therefore I tell myself I want to be like them when I grow up.
I became a nurse eventually and even thought of looking after premature babies oneday when I was still a student nurse & this wish did come true but after may trial and errors.
I quit nursing before and did something else however I still decided to come back as I feel that nursing is still my passion and interest. I've never regretted being a nurse , I learnt to be very tough and nursing has provided me alot of knowledge. My family members and friends have always come to me for information abt any medical condition. I believe that sickness is part of us and going to the hospital is something that'll happen to us at some point of our life - AGREE?
Don't forget patients are admitted to the hospital for nursing care. A doctor will only order and provide the treatment but eventually it's the nurse that provide nursing care 24/7 days a week.
I guess I'll be a nurse till retirement - CHEERS to us! - MEESY ( how a nurse is being addressed in my home )

[gobblers]

Originally Posted by brian

Everyone has his or her own story about how or why they became a nurse. What's your story?

Please be as detailed or as short as you wish. It'll be interesting to hear everyone's stories.

In the 60's there were two things that a girl could do--be a teacher or be a nurse

[kellyo]

Originally Posted by my2sons

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

Me too! It came on every day (the re-runs) at about 4 pm. They always had two episodes... Still love it!

[2spr0ut02]

Ok I saw I'm not the only student responding to this so I'll add my story. I have always had a love for medicine and kids. When I was little I told everyone I would have 13 kids(one more than my great grandmother did). Because I was born premature at 2lbs 8oz, I thought working as a neonatologist would be great. To make a long story short, I realized being a MD woudn't suit me. I have worked in daycares and babysat since I was 15 and I love interacting with kids and infants. I get attached I cant help it. Everyone kept telling me I should go into education but I knew I didnt want to teach them or work in a daycare (cant live off that pay). What pushed me into nursing was an ad. I was looking at the news on my cell and this ad is always at the top that says 'be a model'. I finally clicked on it and it said 'be a role model. be a nurse'. It had been staring me in the face forever and i never looked at it. So since being the MD wouldnt give me a chance to be at the bedside more I want to be a neonatal RN instead. I wish I had decided it sooner because I would be graduating next year but I'm young and single and have time.

[kats43]

Originally Posted by zenman

I was in my back yard one evening with a nice fat possum on the grill. I heard a noise and looked up to see a spacecraft directly above me. In an instant, I was transported into a dimly lit area equipped with strange equipment. Then a 3 ft tall being with a single eye in the center of his neck...or what I though was a neck, kicked me in the shins. As I jerked my leg up out of the way, several of the little critters pushed me back on an exam table. The next few hours were a blur as I went in and out of consciousness. Before I knew what was happening I was graduating from nursing school. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

hahahahaha wish i had thought of that

[kats43]

Well I swore i would never work in a nursing home. Was raising 2 kids by myself and it was a pretty easy job to get at the time and i needed
one ...lol. I never realized how much i would love it. after leaving that job to work for the VA my supervisor bugged me till i applied for LPN school. Little did i know ( cuz i hate math) i would pass and be excepted. I loved every minute of school. And learned alot. Geriatric nursing is my love. The stories i could tell ...never a dull moment.

[epiphany]

I didn't want to be a nurse at all. Hated the idea nursing in fact. It was the only way I could delivery babies - medical school was too expensive and took too long. Hated the "nursing" aspect of school, theories, nsg diagnosis, bleh...

Now, different attitude. Sputum, vomit, poop, bring it on. necrotizing wound, let me at it. Strange diseases, I want to know everything about it. Talking to patient? Educating? Never get tired. Bad thing is, this is kinda distracting me from my goals. Gotta concentrate - can't take a detour. Damn you, nursing - why much you be so much fun?

[lilmrsnurse]

I joined nursing school because I like to help people especially those that are unhappy with their physical appearance. I have struggled with things that I don't like about my appearance so I feel I can relate to these people. Although I have never had or plan to have any changes done to my body, I would like to help people that do want to change their appearance. I hope to work for a plastic surgeon, but I also like babies so my second choice would be obstetrics. If anyone can share any experiences or information with me in this regard it will be greatly appreciated.

[epiphany]

Originally Posted by nurse_clown

... 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!!...

I love, love, love your story! I don't know if your parents were using reverse psychology, but I'm going to borrow that trick and try it on my kid if the going gets tough.

[TStewartfan]

Well, I am still a student but an "older"one at that. I just turned 40 a week ago and I decided that I was sick and tired of being in law enforcement. I worked as a crime scene technician for 10 years and a paralegal for another 7 all at my local Sheriff's office. I got irritated with the way things were going so I decided to change my WHOLE career. My mother, who has been an RN for over 40 years was ecstatic to say the least although she did say I should have started earlier!!! At one time in my life I wanted to be an attorney..... after working with the attorney's I worked for and how they treat people, I SAID NO WAY...... I got out of there as soon as I could... Right now I am in the third semester of a five semester course.. will graduate next December.

I did my OR rotation the other day and I LOVED IT..... the circulating nurse asked me what I wanted to do when I became a nurse and I told him OR work. I just found out today that they hire nurse techs in the OR, I am going to jump on that with both feet...