Did a life experience start you into nursing??

Mijourney · Jul 12, 2000

Hi,

I went into nursing after being exposed to traumatic family illnesses and family members who practiced in the health or medical field. Although I am currently disappointed with the status of nursing and nursing practice, I do not regret going into this area. Nursing is all encompassing when it comes to health and medical care. If you decide to go into nursing, you will find that you are required to know how every other health and medical occupation operates as you will serve as their liaison/resource person in patient care. In other words, your role is very much like a nurturer, coordinator, and facilitator, just to list a few. I believe very few health, medical, and allied health professionals can say that. This is the reason I feel that nurses can perform in so many different capacities in and out of health and medical care.

I think it would be a good idea to work as a CNA to give you exposure to the variety of clients/patients and their families you would be exposed to as a professional. This would be helpful whether you decide on becoming a therapist, a nurse, a physician, or some other health or medical care worker. I would strongly suggest that you consider practicing in different settings as a CNA so that you can decide what type of area you want to practice in as a professional. Practicing as a CNA will not necessarily help you appreciate what you would encounter as a professional, but at least you will be better prepared to deal with stress in health and medical care practice than those with no medical background.

Finally, I am glad that your daughter is doing well now. Best wishes to your family and for your career decision.

CTSCOUT · Nov 7, 2005

I Was 16 When My Dad Had His First Mi...he Had 4 Before He Died Of Sss 8 Years Later...back Then They Kept Him In The Hospital For Two Weeks, I Was In Awe Of What Went On Around Him All The Time...at That Time They Also Wore Those Cool Blue Wool Capes With The Red Satin Lining...it Became My Ideal To Have One Someday...however, Husband And Children Got In The Way And I Didn't Enter Nursing School Until I Was 36...it Was The Toughest Thing I Ever Did But Wouldn't Give Up One Minute Of It, My Only Regret Is No One Wears The Capes Anymore...nor Even The Caps, But I Did Wear My Cap For The Following 22 Years Of My Career...probably The Last Person In My Hospital To Do So By The Time I Left...one Warning...its A Profound Empowering Experince For Many Women And Several Marriages Of My Classmates, And My Own. Didn't Last Very Long After That...only Upside Was The Ability To Support My Self And Children With A Decent Wage.

Kwality · Nov 7, 2005

I'm going to start a CNA class next year. I was prompted after my mother had become ill after awhile. I would sit and think what I could do if I had the proper training to help her at home. I watched how the nurses took care of her and were kind to her, even though her pain could not be alleviated. They tried and they did not stop. I'm appreciative of it and it moved me. I like working with people and I used to work in a shelter with adolescent girls.

I'm excited about nursing. :)

sddlnscp · Nov 7, 2005

I have always yearned for nursing, but it wasn't until the birth of my 2nd child (no problems/no complications - completely natural and very relaxed) that I really knew I had to quit procrastinating and go into nursing. The two nurses I had during her delivery were absolutely incredible, and all of the nurses I had through my entire stay were wonderful. They are truly my idols. That was the final push I needed to get me back into school. I am starting my last two pre-reqs next semester & then I can apply for the dreaded waiting list!

OUBobcat94 · Nov 7, 2005

jlore-

I entered the nursing field for the same reason you are considering- I had a preemie (26 weeker) who spent 3 months in the NICU. I was defintely inspired by the nurses that worked with my daughter. I went to CNA school 2 summers ago, finished up my pre-reqs for nursing school and am now in semester 3 of a 4 semester program and I will graduate in May with an ADN. The CNA school is not a necessity, but I feel it definitely helped me get a better idea of what nursing is all about.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

-Bobcat

Dublin37 · Dec 29, 2005

When I delivered an anencephalic child, the nurses were amazing. The seed was planted then but didn't take root, for oh 2 years. dublin

rogramjet · Dec 29, 2005

I was DX with diabetes in 98, and thought that being a diabetes educator would be an interesting job, but didn't have the courage to quit my job and go to school. Then the company I was working for went bankrupt and decided to go back to school. I was right, diabetes education is an amazing job, and I have no regrets.

sac. nursing student · Dec 29, 2005

My son was hospitalized with a serious illness at 4 1/2 years. I was inspired by many of the nurses in the ICU. Prior to his illness, I never planned on re-entering the workforce. Returning to college and focusing on the nursing prereq's helped me overcome this life experience.

smilin_gp · Dec 29, 2005

I was finishing up the last class required for the pre-med regimen (uggh so horrible that I ended up not needing that 3rd term of calculus-based physics!) when my father, who had been refusing CABG for 10 years, went into cardiac arrest. He was eventually put on a balloon pump and we were told that he could either have a 5-bypass surgery or not be able to be taken off of the pump. I just remember a particular nurse being extremely caring for him, and then waiting for the hourly phone calls from the surgeon with my mother and I long after her shift ended. It was really inspiring to see someone combine the technical skills required in healthcare with such a therapeutic presence. After seeing the difference that she was able to make for all 3 of us, I really began considering nursing as a more appropriate way for me to contribute. :Melody:

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Dec 29, 2005

I am not a nurse yet but i want to be and it isbecause i have had many surgries (as of this past summer 5) and i want to do for others what my nurses have done for me however corny that may sound.

markjrn · Dec 29, 2005

I didn't have any life altering experience to get me interested in nursing, other than spending some time doing volunteer first aid and firefighting.

My wife, however, lit herself on fire when she was young (she obviously survived!) and grew up in hospitals. It was how she became a nurse. I think life events can definitely make a difference.