[TreetopAngel_RN]

Originally Posted by ZASHAGALKA

I'm good at what I do. I wouldn't say it's a calling, cause I was never really 'called'. But I was led to it.

If it hadn't been for a low-down, belly-crawling, *@%^!&^#...oops, sorry...jerk of a boss, I wouldn't have been laid off as his store manager, (about a week before I was due for a raise and vacation time) and I would have never applied for a job at the only place hiring in December...a nursing home. Once there and through the CNA training, if I hadn't had a brand new RN who thought I was good material for nursing school...I would still be cooking and cashiering and missing out on the best work I have ever done in my life.

Elizabeth

[Ethel]

at 17 nearly 18 all I wanted to do was work for the Prison Dept. but they would not have me until I was 18 and that would take 3months in my family you don't stay at home after completing school and not work so my Mom suggested that I try nursing while I wait to turn 18, then I was 3months into my training and decided I will finish that first. At the end of my training I was given a chance to go and work in the OR and I am still there thanks to people like my Matron at the time Miss M Gray. Who was one of the most kind and hard working people I have ever known. She also was the creator of a bag used in the OR to keep the bowl warm and moist during Aortic Anuerisms called the Maggi bag in SA not sure if anyone knows or has heard of it. I always wanted to be able to know my department as well as she did. Well the department of Corrections (prison depart.) never saw me but I know my Mom was right.............. This is where I belong

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.

[shycarol]

Originally Posted by DawnfromKC

I wish that there was an icon of a tear because I have a few in my eyes after reading your story! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU SWEETHEART!!!! You will make a wonderful nurse! Lasting peace to you ---- Dawn

Dawn follow your dreams you can do it. God Bless

[shycarol]

We all get wrapped up in our own problems and life but this week i come across one real meaning of wanting to be a nurse. Im not a poet and havent finished my poem but i would like to share with you a rough draft of one of my many experiences so far.

Skin cool, labored breath, so alone
No family here from the past

Waiting waiting for the last,



Someone talk to me, no one thinks i hear,

The nurse sits quietly holding hands to say

Lois i am near



The Lord is calling, no reason to be scared

Im here to see you off,

With dignity and care



My heart waves goodbye to you

Teary eyes of happiness

To know that you are there

[STudentNurse-ph]

I am a new Nursing Graduate from the Philippines. I was supposed to take the Nurse Licensure Examination in the Philippines last week but due to some requirement delays I was not able to join the said examination instead I would be taking the exam this December 2005. But anway, I would like to share some of my thoughts about this thread.

I am 25 years old, and in the Philippines at that age and as a fresh graduate seems to be old. Everyone would thing that you have been bad as a student that's why you were not able to graduate by the age 21 or you are a working student etc. I am a BS Computer Engineering graduate prior to earning a degree in nursing. After graduating high school, my dad didn't want me to take up nursing instead he wanted me to take up engineering. Such Parental intervention is common in our culture that most parents would tell you what course to take up in college. I followed his advice but I never tried looking for a job after graduating. While in the college of engineering, I always envy student nurses having their clinical rotations. I never found happiness and satisfaction in my course. That after graduation, though i have job offers, I never accepted them instead I went to a college of nursing seeking admission of which the dean has never doubted my capacity and interests. My dad had seen difference in me, I have been learning a lot in nursing rather than those things learned in Computer Engineering. I am so happy that last April 23, 2005, I finally marched during the graduation ceremony and got my Diploma for BS in Nursing degree and having my Nursing pin placed on my Nursing Uniform. It was indeed a good day for me and I am looking forward for the time that I'll be taking oath as a registered Nurses here in the Philippines and hopefully in the United States with God's Help!!!

[Don*]

Originally Posted by EdBSN09

I will be starting nursing school this Fall at Deaconess in St. Louis. I have most of my gen eds out of the way (bio, chem, microbio), so I will be concentrating on my nursing classes. I had recently been hired for a job in the emergency department here at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, in preparation for my move to St. Louis. Initially, I had been planning on becoming a radiation therapist. But in working with the good people here in the E.D., I decided that I liked the role of the nurse better. I had already thought about becoming an RN several times before, but my parents didn't want me to because it isn't a "guy's field." But in seeing all the male nurses around the hospital, I no longer think it is an issue.

I am a registrar in the E.D. currently, but there is nothing more rewarding than covering a patient with warm blankets, helping someone down the corridor, or even just taking a minute to listen to what the patient has to say. And the nurses here say that there is nothing more rewarding than receiving a thank you card from a family who appreciated the care that was given to a patient. I can only imagine what it's like, but it'll become a reality for me soon enough.

And that's my story. :-)

One of my dearest friends, a male currently living in south Florida, graduated from your school back in the 80's. He speaks very highly of the education he received at Deaconess, and is a very busy (and sought after) hospice nurse. Much luck and success in your studies!

[grannynurse FNP]

Would you believe it was because my parents would not allow me to remain, in California, when they moved back to NYS? I was offered a scholarship, for 62 credits, at a NYS DMH School of Nursing. The scholarship was towards 62 credits at a ocal university. I took it. I dropped out seven months before my graduation-that is another story. I got an LPN license on wavier, worked for 18 months, changed jobs, went to an associate program,graduated, went for a BSN. Then went on for a Masters in Hospital Administration. I have enjoyed working as a nurse and have had a varied career. I am currently going back to be an FNP, after being permanently disabled.

Grannynurse

[Drifternurse]

What awesome stories! I've so enjoyed them! Mine? I've wanted to be a doctor since age 9. When I was 12, we lived out in the "boonies"; I went swimming one day with my brothers at a distant lake and while walking up on the boat landing, I cut my foot on a piece of broken beer bottle---a kind older nurse was nearby at the time. She immediately took my brothers and me in her car to our house and then helped to transport me or accompanied us to the hospital. I needed many stitiches. She made a lasting impression on me...but I still wanted to be a brain or heart surgeon--just didn't make good enough grades nor had the financial resources to pursue medical school. I have enjoyed a variety of jobs during 20 years of nursing but as an LPN have not been able to do what I'd truly love to do which is surgical nursing. And alas at age 46, I just don't have the financial resources, energy, or motivation to pursue the RN.

[nurseamanda]

I don't have a really good story. I started college 4 years ago.. I had always intended on being a doctor, because I wanted to make my parents proud (I'm the first person in my entire extended family to ever attend and graduate from college!!) but I quickly realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do.. and they really could not have cared less than I didn't want to do it. They just wanted me to be happy! (duh..) I've always known I loved the health field, so I took my nursing pre-reqs, got accepted into my school's college of nursing.. and graduated in April! Took my NCLEX yesterday, and now it's all just crossing my fingers until I find out

[WriteStuff]

The long and the short of it is: the "dreamkillers" made me do it! We're talking the early 60's here, right out of high school of course. I grew up in a family where you NEVER dared "question" the wisdom and counsel of dear old dad.

I knew I harbored this passion for writing ,but I was also smart enough to figure out that "dear ole dad" would never support me in terms of it becoming a "career" of any description. It was only after I had worked as a "candy striper" in the local hospital, and began hearing from significant adults around me that "you would make such a wonderful nurse"....it became a possibility in my own mind. Such feedback was not lost on my parents' ears either. It even filtered through to my high school guidance counselor's ears and he beat me over the head with the idea for two solid years.

Frankly, to shut everybody up (the dreamkillers) - I became a nurse. Have I loved it - you bet. Has it only enriched my passion for writing - you bet. Would I do it the same way again - NO!

And Brian.......where are you in Minnesota? I'm near St. Cloud.

Bonnie, Freelance Writer, retired from the frontlines of nursing