Why did YOU become a nurse???

RNforLongTime · Apr 25, 2001

I wanted to be a nurse since I was 5 years old. I like dealing with pateients and their families(even if they are pains in the butt at times). The human body is an amazing thing! I am constantly fascinated by what our bodies are capable of. Sometimes yes I do feel burned out but I know that there is nothing else that I would want to do with my life. I could never work in front of a computer all day long or in a factory. Sometimes I feel that I'm not a good nurse. Like tonight for example. I was caring for a patient who is dying and my co-workers seemed like they were more upset about it than I was. I've seen and been with lots of patients and their families that died and while I do feel compassion for them I guess I just don't show it on the outside. Does that make me a bad nurse? I don't think so but yet at the same time I feel like a bad nurse because I just don't get that upset about things. I do enjoy helping people and I guess that's the biggest reason that I chose to be a nurse. I'm not perfect even though sometimes I feel as though we are expected to be perfect at all times. If I had to do it all over agian though, I think that I'd choose nursing over any other career.

grnvillechick · Apr 26, 2001

Originally posted by kaknurse:
I wanted to be a nurse since I was 5 years old. I like dealing with pateients and their families(even if they are pains in the butt at times). The human body is an amazing thing! I am constantly fascinated by what our bodies are capable of. Sometimes yes I do feel burned out but I know that there is nothing else that I would want to do with my life. I could never work in front of a computer all day long or in a factory. Sometimes I feel that I'm not a good nurse. Like tonight for example. I was caring for a patient who is dying and my co-workers seemed like they were more upset about it than I was. I've seen and been with lots of patients and their families that died and while I do feel compassion for them I guess I just don't show it on the outside. Does that make me a bad nurse? I don't think so but yet at the same time I feel like a bad nurse because I just don't get that upset about things. I do enjoy helping people and I guess that's the biggest reason that I chose to be a nurse. I'm not perfect even though sometimes I feel as though we are expected to be perfect at all times. If I had to do it all over agian though, I think that I'd choose nursing over any other career.

I think we all feel that way at times about not being a good enough nurse.And I also think there are times when we are balanced and compassionate without showing tears. You were familiar with the dying patient and probably so focused on taking care of the here and now...and the family..you really didn;t have the time to dwell on the passing and conect with your emotions.Five bucks says that patient recieved quality care in the final hours..and after all isn't that what nursing is about??? so please don't question your compassion scale...it is there...or you wouldn't even be thinking of the pt now !!!

jamistlc · Apr 26, 2001

Greetings All Nurses,

I became a nurse after years of stuggling with the idea that a HS drop out could! I wanted to become a nurse after a lengthy Hospital in patient stay at age 12 (Months)! I never wanted to be a Doctor probably self esteem thing, after all later at age 15 I dropped out of school! That sounds bad, but it true! I always wanted to be a nurse my favorite Aunt is one, my mother dropped out of a Nursing program D/T the rules back then about marriage, she was secretly when she was enrolled. But when she got pregnant with me she dropped out and became a Respitory Therapist. After I went to school a younger cousin became a RN. It is in my blood to work with people and help if I can!

Now I have to face all the rationales I hear from clients about why I am a Nurse. I was unable or am working towards my MD or I am gay. None of them are true, and I tell them so! Then there is that comment or unsaid smart ass remark for someone who is not one of my clients, I am some type of sexual deviant that gets off working with the BM's, urine and bathing people and/or a control freak.

Those last remarks seldom heard but in the back of some idiots mind piss me off the most. I am what I am a male nurse, nothing more and absolutely nothing less! Simpley stated I get satisfaction from knowing I have a positive influence in someones life! We do a job few want, many need and even less can or would do for their loved ones even! As a whole we should be sharing our strength for those ready to burnout, an occupational hazard! Instead I have to explain my position continuely why I want to work in Women's Health as a specialty. Sorry you caught me on a bad day.

Peace,

Jami

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Visit my web site at http://www.geocities.com/4birthing

Have a Blessed and Peaceful Day,

Jami

[email protected]

mustangsheba · Apr 26, 2001

Jami,luv: I would love to work with you! Sorry you had a bad day. One of the things we can say about nursing is that when we have a bad day, they're the worst, but when we have a good one, we've really made a difference. To answer the question: I felt I had to get a license to do what I've been doing all my life - fixing owies, taking care of people and animals, keeping up on the newest in nutrition and healing. People have always come to me for answers. My answer usually is "I don't know", but I say it with such conviction it almost sounds like a solution. The truth is, it is the thing I do best; I'm comfortable in this skin. I don't want to be a doctor because I don't want to do their job, as they don't want to do mine. I don't want to sound saccharine, but to me taking care of another human being is an act of love. This does not mean that I love all my patients - by a long shot, just that it's how I try to to make the world a little better for someone else every day. It's actually a selfish act cuz I believe in Karma.

howie · Apr 26, 2001

I wanted to become a nurse since I was in fourth grade. My parents both have multiple health problems and taking care of them over the years inspired me to want to help others.

Being a new grad I find that becoming a nurse has been my greatest acomplishment yet not to mention most rewarding experience. Knowing that I have really made a difference in somebodys life makes me feel good at the end of the day!

tillie1 · Apr 26, 2001

Originally posted by grnvillechick:
Reading all the gazillions of topics on this site and seeing glimpses of Nursings' humanity..I was wondering why everyone became a nurse??? I remember being as young as ten years old and mmassaging my grandfathers'arthritic neck..and him saying how I was going to make a great nurse someday. I remember I became a EMT first...and then finding the strength( I averaged 4 hours of sleep a night in school after working a full time job)...and confidence it took to get thru the fires of nursing school. I find out something about myself everyday I am a nurse..if only what I need to improve on!!! I found nurses in general are a giving and compassionate group..dedicated to the healing of others. Last night, as we coded a 65 yo surg pt that went bad...I thought about this as I looked at the group of nurses assembled for the imminent code in SICU...and my heart was refreshed and renewed when I saw a nurse who I considered a " tough broad"..cry because she felt so bad. SO I am really curious..what was the motivation behind you becoming a nurse...do you still feel the spirit of being a nurse or are you " Burned Out"???

grnvillechick...I love being a bedside nurse after 31 years!! I too helped take care of my mom when she was sick and I was barely a teenager. It seems i wasnted to be a nurse forever just because! of course I have bad days shen I just wish I could win th elotto and be on my way but the bottome line is I LOVE NURSING. i take great joy in making a little ole lady or gentleman smile, or in helping someone find the right combination of meds to get some decent pain relief. I enjoy teaching pts,co-workers, new grads esp how our job works and how to get the best for everyone involved. I am fortunate to have a nurse mamager that isn't afraid to put on the scrubs and get in the trenches. She understands what we do and yet still is able to manage when she needs to..she's both a co-worker and boss and handles both rolse effectively. and I am very blessed to work with a great bunch of nurses and cnas who also (mostly) love what they do!