So, why are you a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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Thought I'd take some time to get to know some of you. So here is my story...

I initially didn't want to be a nurse. That was my sisters thing and I remember joking with her about it. Told her that I didn't want to be the one rubbing powder under boobs, cleaning poop, and such things. So I thought I was cool and went to an engineering school. Thought I wanted to be a genetic engineer. Boy was I wrong. I struggled in general bio, and was scared of organic chemistry. I should have looked into the career more and the classes required before I chose it. I then quickly changed my major to psychology. Until I had my high school psych teacher tell me I was making a huge mistake because the job market in psychology sucks. Well, dang it lol.

So I came home and started taking classes at the local community college and started considering different career choices. Decided on OTA...then heard horror stories, again changed my mind. See a pattern? Then I though "hey! PA sounds great!" But then I realized you need health care experience (duh). I always knew I wanted to help people and I knew I belonged in the health care field, but didn't know just what.

Finally one day, I had a eureka moment. Went into the living room and said to my mom "I know. I'm gonna be a nurse." Finished in two years and a couple years later, here I am.

I tell this story for a couple reasons. One, to get to know some of you. Two, because when I was in nursing school and they had us present why we wanted to become nurses..everyone had such great stories about the excellent care a family member received. And that's what drove them. And I always felt bad telling my story because I didn't have some kind of "special story". But now I realize...I don't need a special story to be a good nurse and I don't need a "reason" I became a nurse.

Lastly, I read a thread saying nursing is a calling. It surely was not a calling for me. If it was, I don't think I would have gone through so many majors or considered so many other careers if it had been a calling.

So, why are you a nurse?

BecomingNursey

334 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Because I'm an adrenaline junkie and love helping people. Lol

AND because I grew up one of six children. My Mom freaks out when anything happens (cuts, blood, vomit, etc). So I was the "nurse" of my siblings. I was good at it and I loved it. So here I am ;)

noelly10

421 Posts

Because I'm an adrenaline junkie and love helping people. Lol

AND because I grew up one of six children. My Mom freaks out when anything happens (cuts, blood, vomit, etc). So I was the "nurse" of my siblings. I was good at it and I loved it. So here I am ;)

Lol, now I feel bad for not condensing my story! Yours is short and sweet. Guess I gotta learn how to say it in 3 words rather than 300! But I was the "nurse" of my sister, and sometimes parents. Loved playing with Band-Aids and a&d ointment lol.

Libby1987

3,726 Posts

I needed to declare a major for my rodeo queen competitions and my sister, already in nursing school, told me I should choose nursing for all of the usual pragmatic reasons. A calling was not one of them.

Sounded good to me so there I went.

I loved my college years, even the camaraderie and commiseration in nursing school is a good memory.

My first couple of years out of school were challenging, I was growing up as well as learning my trade.

About my 3rd year in I loved every job I've had. Not that there hasn't been hard work but the particular roles have been great fits.

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

I needed to declare a major for my rodeo queen competitions...

Oh HELL NO, Libby. You don't get to throw this out there and walk away!

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

My BA is in Psych. I worked for 2 years without really deciding which way I wanted to go with it, and then went in to Nursing.

My reasons? My mom was a nurse, my cousin was a nurse... Remember that scene in My Cousin Vinny when Marissa Tomei discusses why she knows about cars? Same thing, slip in nurses.

"Well my father was a mechanic. His father was a mechanic. My mother's father was a mechanic. My three brothers are mechanics. Four uncles on my father's side are mechanics --"

noelly10

421 Posts

My BA is in Psych. I worked for 2 years without really deciding which way I wanted to go with it, and then went in to Nursing.

My reasons? My mom was a nurse, my cousin was a nurse... Remember that scene in My Cousin Vinny when Marissa Tomei discusses why she knows about cars? Same thing, slip in nurses.

"Well my father was a mechanic. His father was a mechanic. My mother's father was a mechanic. My three brothers are mechanics. Four uncles on my father's side are mechanics --"

I am the only nurse in my family, but I am hoping to create a family of nurses. I can dream, right?

OCNRN63, RN

5,978 Posts

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Oh HELL NO, Libby. You don't get to throw this out there and walk away!

I know, right? Spill, Libby!

NOADLS

832 Posts

Initially I went into this for money, but I soon realized the money wasn't everything. Candycrush has become an important part of my life now. Not as much as the money, but I still love to crush candies.

noelly10

421 Posts

Initially I went into this for money, but I soon realized the money wasn't everything. Candycrush has become an important part of my life now. Not as much as the money, but I still love to crush candies.

Ohhh how I was awaiting an appearance from you. You have completed my night.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP

1 Article; 2,594 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Because I needed a job...does that count? :p

Three days a week, lots of flexibility, room for growth and advancement, hourly instead of salary, decent wage, lots of opportunity and specialties and it seemed like a good idea. And it isn't a desk job.

kiszi, RN

1 Article; 604 Posts

Initially I went into this for money, but I soon realized the money wasn't everything. Candycrush has become an important part of my life now. Not as much as the money, but I still love to crush candies.

You have got to be bored with Candy crush by now. Never could get into it myself.

I got into nursing as a way to break a dead-end cycle of bad factory jobs and worse restaurant jobs. It was time for a grown-up career.

It's growing on me now.

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