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by nightingale

How many times did you hear, " Don't Do It"? Well I heard it a lot 9 years ago when I began my coursework to become a nurse. I was determined; I followed my dreams and did it! Here I am, almost 4 years after graduation and thinking, "Now why did I do that"! lol No regrets truly but it is very different then what I though it would be like.

I first dreamed of becoming a nurse after a long hospitalization (auto accident) when I was in my 20's. Twenty years later I did it! I followed my dream of becoming a nurse because I knew I would love caring for people (and I do). I love the challenge of medicine and people interactions of patients and (yes) families.

I love getting into these amazingly personal interactions with patients and becoming a spoke in their wheel of success.

Why did you become a nurse?

B.

[shipslitehse]

UMMMMM-I dunno....lol. Actually medicine has always piqued my interest and for as long as I can remember, no matter what else I thought of, I have always come back to "I want to be a NURSE". I also had plenty of people trying to dissuade me away but....Its what I felt drawn to...now I just have to find my niche ......

[catlady]

I don't know. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. I wasn't one of those little girls who always wanted to be a nurse, that's for sure. I decided to be a nurse about ten minutes before I started applying to nursing school.

I wish I'd chosen just about anything else. Too many days with my stomach in knots and tears on my pillow.....

[cheerfuldoer]

It was as close to becoming the doctor I had always wanted to be growing up. A friend in college suggested I become a nurse, and I thought about it for a night, then said, "Go for it, Renee", so I did.

I have no regrets as I love being a nurse. I miss practicing and think I will return in another year or so. I loved being a nurse much for the same reasons you mentioned, nightingale. I enjoy people, and helping them feel better. I enjoy being a part of their healing, and doing whatever I can to make their day - their life - a little brighter.

[micro]

without bringing out the kleenex'

good question.........from earliest on in my memory.....and i am meaning early

[size=3]i have always wanted to help people .............first dream to be a dr...............then gave that up and scrap it all and be a rock an roll star.......

but then as I grew up.......and still growing up, even though chronologically older.........

have always found myself in positions of helping people..................

Maybe because I was born with birth defects which found me in the very very very young patient role numerous times growing up.........................

yep, probably the biggest determinant.......................

but also some drive within me to HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I WOULD LOVE TO SIT BEHIND A DESK AND ADMIRE THOSE WHO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but for me.........not a good match.................


thanks for asking.............

cause I think sometimes we b & m so much that we forget why in the first place......................

lol

[nightingale]

I agree micro.. in order to know where you are going, you need to evaluate where you have been and why? lol Thank for responding...

B.

[aimeee]

When I was in High School I worked as a nursing assistant. I did NOT want to be a nurse then. But I did enjoy my relationships with the elderly. I got a degree in Business Administration and worked in marketing until my first child was born, and then I became full time mom for several years.

After my daughter was born I could not bring myself to go back to the business world. It seemed SO pointless. I had also become much more interested in science and medicine. After reading an article in the paper about opportunities in nursing I found myself considering it over and over. Nursing seemed to fit all my criteria. I could do something that made a difference. I could easily work part-time. I could choose hours that dove-tailed with hubby's schedule to minimize daycare time for the kids.

I went back to school and got my associate degree in Nursing. I have never regretted that decision for one minute. It was the right path for me.

[Mary Dover]

As I was growing up, all my immediate family members had medical problems, including my younger sister who was dx with Crohn's disease when she was 12 (she has had an ileostomy since then). I was the only healthy one in my family, only having been hospitalized for a tonsillectomy at age 15. I can remember always feeling as if I were on my own to some degree, which I am certain developed my sense of independence. I wasn't sick. I didn't require the attention others in my family did. I guess I kinda grew into the caretaker role.
But interestingly, at an all too young age, I saw how catastrophic illness in multiple family members could affect the dynamics within that family, as well as the psyche of each of those individuals.
At this point in my nursing career, I can look back with certainty and say that is what drew me into psych nursing.

[mattsmom81]

Great thread, Nightingale!

I like Renee started in premed, with full academic scholarships. Year 2 due to lack of funds and foresight and family problems I bailed to the less expensive and faster route of nursing. We make our choices and live with them...I couldn't watch my father work 4 jobs to try and get his oldest child child an education. (there were 3 others behind me ) Our family was poor, my Dad drank (lots of us here can relate to that) and my mom had a lot of medical problems so we were always one step from the poorhouse in retrospect.

In hindsight my personality would have possibly been better suited to doc than nurse, as a child I escaped to my books and my teachers. I did however adapt to nursing and found my 'niche' in the world of critical care, where I found nurses received somewhat greater autonomy and respect.

It can be a great job, I've found, if one can keep focus ---the people who are scared, sick, hurting---we have the ability to touch another's life and bring hope from despair, and be a positive force in an often harsh world.

The politics, arrogant docs and greedy administrators are a PIA, but most of us aren't in it for them, are we?

[nightingale]

wow

Thank you to all the posters for your inspiring stories. We do make a differnce and that is what keeps me so charged for another day.

(((((((((Group Hug)))))))))

B.