[mcs1505]

Though technically not a nurse yet (though I got my acceptance letter today):

When I was 16 I wound up in the ER with abdominal pain (yeah yeah, I know, everyone's favorite vague symptom, but I would up having to have surgery) and somehow I got hooked on the hospital atmosphere. I became an EMT while in college the first time (getting my useless psychology degree) and fell completely head over heels for patient care. A couple of my close friends were nursing students and encouraged me to go after a second degree, and here I am.

[catsibsix]

It was the years of hippie, vietanam, and walk on the moon. Out of high school for less than year, I lived in Memphis,TN and Jackson, MS playing and having fun. well fun and funds ran out so home this little pig went. After a month or two my mother gave me three options: 1. She would pay for me to go to nursing school 2. I could find a job locally in town and work for factory 3. Or I could work in chicken houses (back then everything was manual not electronic,etc. So guess what my decision was? I have been a nurse for almost 35 years, and have been able to support myself, and a sick husband when needed. I'm glad I went into nursing not because it is rewarding, but because of the security if you do your job correctly,honestly, fairly with loyalty then there will always be a job open some where for you. THANKS MOM (Now in heaven)

[Womankind]

I had no idea that I wanted to be a nurse, much less a Public Health Nurse, since I thought all they did was immunize children. The idea of spending my days making small children cry wasn't exactly a turn on. No, I wanted to be a Social Worker - that way I'd spend my days helping families improve their lives, working mostly with single mothers and caring for folks emotional needs - helping them along the way to whole health.

Then, an excellent college counselor arranged for me to spend a day with a Public Health Nurse. We visited an abandoned hotel to take Tb meds to a homeless man, visited two families with special needs children and provided mostly just emotional support and resources, and we visited two high-risk teenage pregnant clients, one whose BP was 180/110! We promptly notified her Md and within 30 minutes had her in the hospital.

Voila! I learned that day that what I wanted to be 'when I grew up" was a NURSE. Thank goodness for that counselor who truly went 'an extra kilometer' for me. I feel badly that I can't remember his name. I've never had a single regret regarding my career choice and have practiced nursing all over the world. NURSE RULE! And that's MY story that I'm going to stick to. What's yours?

[babyzang]

i really never thought of being a nurse nor even dream of it when i was younger!!..but then,i am here now!..

very strange coz i really thought of giving up because of the intellectual and emotional torture being in the course at first but i was just surprised that i'm immuned with everything about nursing..

at first i thought that this would be just a plain and simple career for me,and i never thought this could be as beautiful as i never thought of..it's not merely just a carrer now..it's an art!!..where you make everything, care, supports and decides artistically..

i just tried it, then i loved it more and more each learnings everyday..

nursing is wnat i really love even though i never thought of it at the start..now that i have started loving it, i'll be more proud of it tahn before..

[lamazeteacher]

.. I forgot how to be a computer programmer as my knowledge on that field is swiftly drifting away.. (quote)
_________________________________________________
Oh please, please keep some of your programming skills to create Nurse-friendly software! Especially for Home Health's OASIS forms, 18 pages of which have to be completed every 2 months, for Medicare patients. By hand, I've had to put the patients' names and the date of completion/assessment at the tops of all those pages, repeat the same history and treatment information many times.......
Others have told me software exists, but is too costly! (Like my time isn't valuable?) Some government folks just don't have their priorities straight, budgetwise.......
With so many small accessories available, it would be great to have programs that supply Nursing Diagnoses, ICD-9 codes, medication classifications, etc. pop up when the assessment info is input. Errors could be brought to the attention of the user.....What do you think?
You could be a "Nurse computer specialist" and rake in the money! Hmmmmm maybe this should go into the thread about inventions, too.

[NursingStudentK]

Hey everyone. I start the ADN program this coming August..I'm very excited, but anxious at the same time!! I was hoping some nurses could offer me some helpful tips on making it through the program. Also what about the best shoes? stethoscope? sphygmomanometer? And are there any additional books I should purchase to help me be more successful? Thanks!!

[valkyria]

Why I became a nurse? I told that story before here answering another thread. I was in what should have been a fatal car accident and instead I just spent 6 months in a wheelchair, learned to walk and talk again and from someone who was supposed to go to a "rehabilitative institution" I have 2 bachelors and a masters degree and I have applied for the PhD program in nursing here locally. Talk about high functioning TBI.
I was a school teacher for a short time before being accepted to nursing school, I have been having to prove myself every since the day I woke up. I know that journey never ends. The real test is now I work because I have to work: Sallie Mae, car lease, rent, food, etc. But I would do this even if I did not have to work. If you can say that, and mean it, then you are in the right place.

[silica]

my reviewer once said..taking up nursing is for PUBLIC service..

i'm all for that..

[Texas25]

I have wanted to be a nurse since I have been in elementary school. What cemented my choice, is my Mom went to nursing school in her 30's and I saw exactly what she did. I loved it.
I had been in a few rocky relationships so going to nursing school when I was younger was out of the question. However, I met my wonderful husband of 14 years and he pushed me to begin school. After all this time, I finally got my license in August of last year. I plan on continuing to get my Masters degree as I really want to teach new nurses.
I love caring for people and showing the compassion that our patients deserve. Although it is not all roses at times, I really love my job! I am still in the honeymoon phase.
So, in short, I guess I have to thank my MOm for really getting me interested in nursing.

[missnurse1]

I have always wanted to beome a Nurse, ever since I can remember. At the age of 17 I had my daughter. At that point I dropped out of highschool and became a single mom. People around me had already decided my fate and told me over and over what I could have been. I heard from many people that as a teenage mother, I may as well put my dreams aside. I decided to prove them all wrong and went back to school. I refused to be a statistic! Now, 10 years later I not only graduated from high school but I worked hard and put myself through college and obtained my RN degree as well as an EMT certification. I managed to take care of my daughter and realize my dreams. Although it was difficult, it was well worth it and I would do it all over again in a heart beat. Now I am married with 2 more children and loving every minute of it. My job is very rewarding and knowing that I could have chosen a different, less desirable path in life makes it even more sweet for me.