Why do you want to be a nurse?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I was just curious, why do you want to be a nurse?

I want to be a nurse because I love helping people too and I love learning about the human body and anything at all to do with medical. However, what is plaguing me is why if those are the only reason that we list as becoming a nurse, did you pick nursing over say Medical Assisting? I am not trying to be controversial here, really. I am currently writing an entrance essay for the nursing school that I have already been accepted to, so the essay holds no bearing on whether or not I get into the program, but like all essays that does not mean I do not want to do my best. So as I was trying to write this essay it got me thinking, all of the generalized reasons that we as nurses or nursing students list for wanting to become a nurse do not really tell the story about why we chose nursing over any other profession in the health-care industry. I mean helping people, learning about the human body those can all be accomplished by being a Medical Assistant. They can also be reached by being a surgical technician. Other than just to make more money, which is no reason to pick a career, have any of you thought about why you really chose to be a nurse I mean over other areas of health care that is.

Like I said don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be controversial, and if someone can tell me how learning about the human body and helping people as a nurse is any different than doing it as a medical assistant, that would be great, I am just curious. And don't worry I am not trying to get help writing my entrance essay, I will be emailing it in this afternoon so this is just me wanting to know what really is the difference.

I've been pursuing nursing for nearly 4 years now. Taking classes online to meet prerequisite requirements. Raising 3 kids all the while, and working part if not full time for the last two years. Was accepted into an lpn program twice during this time, declined twice as well. Finances mainly. Now that I have declined the lpn program a third time, I have really been asking myself this same question. To be honest, Im not sure why I have wanted to be a nurse. all of the reasons everyone has stated have been my reasons. I've done medical assisting, sales, staffing, you name it. I do think the healthcare field has its upside, but I am realizing there are other facets of healthcare that I may be interested in pursuing. Nursing right now is not the brightest job market to be entering in alot of places. Plenty of new grads, not enough positions for them. Now, granted, they say the shortage may hit in the next 5 years so I don't suggest anyone put off pursing this dream if that is where their heart is set. For me though, Im still unsure this is the right path for me, right now. Regardless, any program inmy area comes with a two year wait, minimum. So, as of now, nursing is on the back burner.

I want to be a PICU/NICU nurse. I love the specialty of helping very sick babies. I do understand that many do not make it, but I cannot even imagine how rewarding it must be to watch a very sick baby leave the unit healthy! Getting to be a part of that baby's and that family's lives will be a great experience.

I also want to be a nurse because of the job security, and the reliable pay. I was an education major when I first started college and right after my first semester they laid off 500 nurses in my community. It made me give some serious consideration to my future, and nursing is where I ended up! Ended up being the best decision!

frogger32091 said:
Like I said don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be controversial, and if someone can tell me how learning about the human body and helping people as a nurse is any different than doing it as a medical assistant, that would be great, I am just curious. And don't worry I am not trying to get help writing my entrance essay, I will be emailing it in this afternoon so this is just me wanting to know what really is the difference.

Hey! I really like your open thinking and I'd like to add a couple of things. I am currently working on some prep interview questions for my nursing school interview on Saturday and the biggest question I've been struggling with all day is WHY, oh why, do I really want to be a nurse? Honestly, when people say they want to help others, even though everyone says it, it doesn't mean that people are jumping on the bandwagon. Nursing is a helping profession and you can't be a good nurse if you hate helping people.

However, I understand not wanting to say that as your reasoning. You want to be unique and express an idea that puts a new twist on this commonly asked question. Here are my thoughts: 1) I do have a fascination with the human body. After taking human anatomy and physiology (especially the second part), I was AMAZED at how complex our systems are, down to the microscopic level. Things that seem so small, such as a sodium-potassium pump or nerve synapses, are such a vital part of our bodies. It's a complex jigsaw puzzle that miraculously fits perfectly in millions of people all over the world. And even when one little piece doesn't work, our body can often times accommodate for that issue, sometimes more physically or mentally obvious than other issues.

2) I believe that nurses are trained to be more holistic in their practice. We are not trained to simply observe physical changes or problems. We will see a patient every day, we will talk to them, we will get to know them, and it is our responsibility to look out for our patients physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Oftentimes, doctors are required to see so many patients that really getting to know a patient is not an option. However, a nurse converses with the patient and can oftentimes detect issues that a doctor may not detect while being with the patient for 20 minutes. Example: A nurse spends time with a patient and the patient eventually opens up to the nurse and the nurse realizes that during this whole medical situation, the patient has also been contemplating suicide. Not something the doctor would know after a 20 minute evaluation. As a nurse, we have the opportunity to be a friend to someone in need, someone who may not have any family or friends to visit, someone who just needs to be cared for and loved. Any medical assistants or CNAs that I have seen in the field have never been that thorough. I'm not saying they would never do that, but I believe it's rare.

I hope that helps a little bit at least!! ?

PurrRN said:
I've had an interest in the medical fields since I was a teenager. I wanted to be a vet for the longest time, but was discouraged by numerous people in my life from actively pursuing schooling for it. Nursing became an early interest as an alternative because of the medical aspect but also because it would really make me feel good to know that I had a part in helping people in some way.

Another attactive reason is the earning potiental I will have. Coming from someone who has never earned over 10.50/hr in her life, going to approximately 20.00/hr is pretty sweet.

At this point in my life (not a young 'un, but not an old fart either) I just want a career where I can earn a decent living, but still feel fullfilled and interested in what I am doing. I believe nursing will do that for me.

Me tooooo.. Vet was always my first option but I've had nursing in the back of my mind for ages!! Now I am currently doing a pre-course thing to get into vet but I keep applying all the anatomy concepts and stuff to humans- I am thinking about changing into nursing next year.. I just have to get a grips on my vomit fears ?

Because the pay is good, the job is in high demand in my area, the training doesn't take too long, and I like taking care of people.

frogger32091 said:
I want to be a nurse because I love helping people too and I love learning about the human body and anything at all to do with medical. However, what is plaguing me is why if those are the only reason that we list as becoming a nurse, did you pick nursing over say Medical Assisting? I am not trying to be controversial here, really. I am currently writing an entrance essay for the nursing school that I have already been accepted to, so the essay holds no bearing on whether or not I get into the program, but like all essays that does not mean I do not want to do my best. So as I was trying to write this essay it got me thinking, all of the generalized reasons that we as nurses or nursing students list for wanting to become a nurse do not really tell the story about why we chose nursing over any other profession in the health-care industry. I mean helping people, learning about the human body those can all be accomplished by being a Medical Assistant. They can also be reached by being a surgical technician. Other than just to make more money, which is no reason to pick a career, have any of you thought about why you really chose to be a nurse I mean over other areas of health care that is.

Like I said don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be controversial, and if someone can tell me how learning about the human body and helping people as a nurse is any different than doing it as a medical assistant, that would be great, I am just curious. And don't worry I am not trying to get help writing my entrance essay, I will be emailing it in this afternoon so this is just me wanting to know what really is the difference.

I am amedical assitant pursuing nursing school. I finished my CMA degree in 2006 and have been working in a doctors office since. The nurses in my office, are wonderful. As a CMA, I take vital signs, draw blood, and build relationships with my patients. Its rewarding but the pay just isn't there. Drs office nurses don't do much more than me but they are much better paid. I don't want to be an office nurse. They spend the majority of theirr time sitting behind their desks on the phone. I'm glad I've worked here bc althought the hours are great, I know where I won't want to work as a nurse. I am a people person and love talking to patients. I'm so excited to get thru nursing school so I can be challenged doing what I know I was born to do, whie making decent money.

JoeyDog said:
I was just curious, why do you want to be a nurse?

When I was young, I wanted to be a doctor one day. I didn't have the head for math or physics, and so I gave up on that idea. My mother would constantly tell me I should become a nurse. I guess she saw something in me that I couldn't. She died from a pulmonary embolism, and for a long time, I kept thinking...if only I'd become a nurse, I would have seen the signs, I could have saved her! I finally enrolled in a community college, took 2 yrs of prereq's, and just got accepted into a program. Mom was right. This is for me, because when I got that acceptance letter, it felt like this was meant to be; this is what I'm on the planet for. I couldn't save mom's life, but now I'll be able to save someone elses.

I know nursing is for me and it's in my blood. So what thats my opinion but everything draws me back to nursing because I'm good at science, and math.

I was originally going to go for addictions counseling, then for dental hygienest, and I still didn't feel connected to either one, but i kept taking my pre-reqs just to keep going. My friend and I started talking and then asked what about nursing? As she asked that i got scared, excited and wondered could I really be a nurse? Am I really smart enough to be a nurse? In my eyes Nurses are like doctors and we admire them and look at them as "gods helpers". I'm the first to go to college in my family, so you can see how my parents are already telling the town I'm in college, but when I told them I was going for nursing they almost fell back, and were extremely happy! When did i decide you ask? When I built enough confidence, courage, and Drive to WANT to b a nurse that day sitting at Dunkin Donuts with my friend. I had never felt or understood the term of "you gotta feel the drive and be HUNGRY for what you want" until that night!it was amazing, and I'm now hungrier then ever!! Nursing here i come =]

\ said:
I was originally going to go for addictions counseling, then for dental hygienest, and I still didn't feel connected to either one, but i kept taking my pre-reqs just to keep going. My friend and I started talking and then asked what about nursing? As she asked that i got scared, excited and wondered could I really be a nurse? Am I really smart enough to be a nurse? In my eyes Nurses are like doctors and we admire them and look at them as "gods helpers". I'm the first to go to college in my family, so you can see how my parents are already telling the town I'm in college, but when I told them I was going for nursing they almost fell back, and were extremely happy! When did i decide you ask? When I built enough confidence, courage, and Drive to WANT to b a nurse that day sitting at Dunkin Donuts with my friend. I had never felt or understood the term of "you gotta feel the drive and be HUNGRY for what you want" until that night!it was amazing, and I'm now hungrier then ever!! Nursing here i come =]

Oh yea and i want to be a nurse to be gods lil helper as well ? helping one life at a time!

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I wanted to be a pharmacist in high school. I can't give you one reason why. My first semester of college was ehhh, not too excited by it, not great grades. Second semester, I took A&P and LOVED it. I studied more than I'd ever studied in my life, and I was good at it, and it made me happy. I was sold on a more tactile form of health care from that point on. I went through the rest or college thinking I wanted to be an MD, but I realized not long ago that, while I'm sure I'd enjoy the education and work, my husband and kids are my everything, and I don't want to give myself over to an exhausting career. So I decided to become a nurse, and I couldn't be happier :)

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