Why did you become a nurse?

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.

I was curious why all you guys out there became nurses.

For me, I was tired of construction work and I was on a roof in the middle of winter. Needless to say, I felt like I could do more with myself even though, construction work can be gratifying.

I originally signed up to be an EMT. I later found out that advancement and salary isn't as good compared to other healthcare professions. I volunteered in a hospital and ER and really liked what nurses did. But, didn't fully understand until I was in clinicals during the first level of nursing school. I still don't have a complete grasp.

After volunteering and many clinicals, I really started to enjoy nursing work. I have to admit that money was my main focus for becoming a nurse. Heck, nurses have the potential to make six figures.

However, after nursing work grew on me, my motivations have changed. I really don't care about the money. One can live frugally and still be happy with life. I've learned I can truly make a difference in many people's lives. Initially, it was the money but now, I want to be a nurse because of the infinite potential help and change someone for the better. I feel satisfied with my work almost 99.9% of the time. It's hard to do that.

So, why did you all become a nurse?

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Job security mostly. I dont know how things are for American nurses right now but in Canada it is still one of the better jobs to have in today's economy. Still have almost 3 years to go so hopefully nursing will really "grow" on me by the time I get closer to graduation.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
Job security mostly. I dont know how things are for American nurses right now but in Canada it is still one of the better jobs to have in today's economy. Still have almost 3 years to go so hopefully nursing will really "grow" on me by the time I get closer to graduation.

Well, until we go from treating to prevention, there will be plenty of work for you. There will always be sick people. Especially, now there is antibiotic resistance spreading around. Maybe your motivations will change once you start taking care of patients. It's amazing the influence you can have on patient's life. I understand the job security argument though. Good Luck!

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I've been working in the hospital for about 3 years now as an Access Rep. I was pretty satisfied with my job but a lot of RNs told me I need to consider nursing after they saw my interaction with patients. I took some time to look into nursing and found that it is possible. It wasn't until I meant travelers and played 21 questions. After learning so much about Travel Nursing I made up my mind to become a Nurse. I talked to my employer and found out they would assist financially school if I signed a contract to work two years for them. It kind of just fell in place for me. The wife and I are really looking foward to packing a truck and hitting the road and checking out the US and the world. The job security, integrity, and money are also factors.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
I've been working in the hospital for about 3 years now as an Access Rep. I was pretty satisfied with my job but a lot of RNs told me I need to consider nursing after they saw my interaction with patients. I took some time to look into nursing and found that it is possible. It wasn't until I meant travelers and played 21 questions. After learning so much about Travel Nursing I made up my mind to become a Nurse. I talked to my employer and found out they would assist financially school if I signed a contract to work two years for them. It kind of just fell in place for me. The wife and I are really looking foward to packing a truck and hitting the road and checking out the US and the world. The job security, integrity, and money are also factors.

The traveling is definitely appealing. My gf is a nurse as well and we both have plans to. Don't ya love we can go almost anywhere? :D

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Specializes in critical care.

I want to be the change I want to see in the world. I'm still a student, hoping to go on to APN. I'm from a larger city area with a lot of patient-centered care options. Where I live now, the only patient centered care options are doctors that I wouldn't trust with anything more than writing a prescription for birth control pills. I love warm and fuzzy health care providers who are sharp, thorough, and critical thinkers. I hope to be one of those as well.

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Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.

To meet women.

(lol)

I worked construction, too while studying criminal justice. Needless to say, CJ isn't a great field to go into right now if you want job security and vertical mobility. My sister/aunt/uncle are all nurses, and at the time I had NEVER taken a science class other than Intro to Bio... just so I could finish the AA, too. I also am the exact opposite of a type A personality, so I said to myself... why not do something that is going to challenge absolutely everything about me?

So I did. Finishing semester 2 in a few weeks at a good ADN program and loving every minute.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
To meet women.

(lol)

I worked construction, too while studying criminal justice. Needless to say, CJ isn't a great field to go into right now if you want job security and vertical mobility. My sister/aunt/uncle are all nurses, and at the time I had NEVER taken a science class other than Intro to Bio... just so I could finish the AA, too. I also am the exact opposite of a type A personality, so I said to myself... why not do something that is going to challenge absolutely everything about me?

So I did. Finishing semester 2 in a few weeks at a good ADN program and loving every minute.

HAHA. Ballsy for saying that! Nice! lol I agree with you about the challenge. Challenge every day. I love the science end of things so I enjoy learning about the pathophysiology and the relationship it has with patient conditions. Particularly, I like learning about the relationship of all medical conditions with the patient's current state. Mind boggling at times but very interesting! Good Luck! You're right behind me. I'm in the 3rd level right now.

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I was curious why all you guys out there became nurses.

Hey Floridatrail2006, I chose to enter nursing after doing alot of soul searching. When i left high school i went to university where i studied for a BA. Just after my first year however i was diagnosed with Bone Cancer in my right lower leg and ended up spending the best of the following year in and out of hospital for treatment including high grade chemotherapy and surgery.

then battled hard to get back to uni and compete my degree, although it was hard because i was still comming to terms with my new disabilities of partial hearing loss and mobility issues, due to extensive surgery on my leg to remove the tumor. I graduated, but then the global recession hit and i found it virtually impossible to find employment. I then had a long hard look at myself and ultimately decided to give 'something back' and started down the path which has led me to nursing school. :)

I had some amazing nurses when i was sick, and im not proud to say i treated them horribly during my chemo, but i have met most of them since and appologised for my behaviour, now i want to be just like them, especially a male nurse who seemed to understand what i needed to be comfortable, he was great. on reflection i can honestly say he was one of the main influences that made me chose nursing as a career to follow.

I dont think ill ever get over the strange feeling of being on the other side of the bed though, its a very strange feeling indeed, and i avoid the oncology ward, too many bad memories to face in that place.

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My initial plan was to go to med school, but after evaluating my situation, I figured nursing was a better fit. I hate explaining it that way because I do think more of nursing than being an alternative plan. I have been a CNA at a hospital for almost 3 years now and I've learned what I do and do not want to do in nursing. I ultimately I chose nursing because I love the way the body functions. I intend to continue on with a masters degree- whether or not I continue with the nursing model would be based on my experiences as a nurse. I love the way helping people makes me feel in nursing, but withal, I relish being able to critically thinking.

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I am starting my transition into nursing from the EMS world. I was a VERY sick child and I spent many a week in the hospital surrounded by wonderful nurses. I want to be that kind of nurse who can (like they did to me) calm a child's fears and make parents worry less. My grandmother/mother were/are nurses so I guess you could say it's in my blood too.

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I could never stand to see anything suffering. I wanted to "soothe the fevered brow".

I was also in a bad marriage and knew I would have to start making decent money... fairly quickly .

Come to find out... MANY nurses in my class were in for the same reason.

So... a natural born care giver... that is also VERY intelligent = nurse.

Sigh.. If I only knew then.. what I know now.

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