What contribution do YOU make to nursing?

[IamRN2345]

Is nursing just a money-making job for you? What contribution do you make to nursing? Why did you want to become a nurse and what continues to motivate you to show up to work each day?

[JBudd, MSN]

I chose nursing because I like people, and I wanted a job that made an essential difference (my jobs at restaurants and cashiering to get through school didn't really seem significant to the real world at the time and just about anybody could do them). I have a need to be needed. A great many people cannot do what we nurses do. I am happier nursing than in any other job. I have volunteered overseas as a nurse, using my own savings to live on.

However, I expect to be compensated for my time, experience, knowledge and expertise. I trade my labor for other people's labor (through the exchange medium of money) just like everyone else. My mistakes may cost someone their life, or my expertise may catch a life threatening situation in time; so I expect that my labor is worth more than most jobs where mistakes are troublesome but not killers.

[MomNRN, BSN, RN]

I guess I didn't understand the original intent of the question either.

I chose nursing as a mid-life career change because of the flexibility, the money is not bad, and I was already familiar with the inner-workings of the hospital and liked it.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

I don't feel as if I even chose nursing, but that nursing chose me. As your typical twenty-something college student, I stumbled through a couple different majors before one finally felt like the right fit.

All I wanted was a good paying job with security that allowed me to maximize my personal talents and giving nature. I am sure that I would excel in any occupation that offered these opportunities. I am proud to have found nursing, even if it was a haphazard decision. I admire those who say they always knew they were destined to be a nurse from the time they were a child. However, that was not how I discovered nursing.

In reference to the original post...did I chose nursing for the money? No. Am I excited that nursing pays a decent wage in comparison to many other careers? Absolutely. What keeps me coming back to work each day? Well, that's a more difficult question to answer...

I value continuing education, dedication, and hard work which are fulfilled through my career. I take pride in the sense of responsibility I have to my family to provide a living wage. I enjoy time outside from home to intermingle with co-workers and patients. I enjoy the role of nurse, just as I enjoy the role of woman, friend, and wife. The satisfaction of seeing my labor transformed into a dollar amount on a paycheck every two weeks is also gratifying because ultimately that paycheck is dedicated to myself, my spouse, my church, my family/friends, and my community. I delight in the opportunities to grow and expand that is offered with experience in nursing that allows me to transform and improve my abilities, rather than remaining in a stagnant position. And aside from the satisfaction that these elements bring me, there is a sense of pride I feel from giving a part of myself to others in a time of need. I feel that God uses my knowledge and skill each day to heal others or help them in some way.

And finally, what do I give back to nursing? As of now, I am giving my complete professional self. I hold myself accountable for putting my best foot forward, servicing my patients with integrity, and continuing to sharpen my knowledge and skills. In the future, I hope to become an instructor and expand the ways in which I can give back to nursing.

[snowfreeze, BSN, RN]

I became a nurse for the constant income, I was looking for a career to support me and 2 kids. I am still a nurse as I like the job 15 years later. Being a nurse is much more than I expected originally, I can go just about anywhere with my license. I can expand my license as I choose, I can move anywhere in the world and be accepted.

Yes I went into nursing for the income, that is my income.

[scrubsnhugsRN]

I became a nurse because I wanted to make a difference in people lives and empower them. I wanted to have a job that was available anywhere in the country, and one that I could support myself and children if I had too.

I love my job, even though it sounds corny, I really do, even though it is stressful and most times thankless, I still love it.

[Brigi23, BSN]

That was incredibly well put!!!

[shelly_oncRN]

Why am I a nurse?

I decided on my carrer path when I was 5 years old - am now 41. Had a couple of burnouts along the way - low pay, high workload etc etc. Have worked in a few different specialities and moved form Uk to Florida where I now work in a private onc office. I know all my patients, they all send me Xmas cards and miss me when I'm not here. I LOVE my job. It pays fairly well, but most of all I get incredible job satisfaction - and when a patient thanks me for doing my job....it don't get much better than that.

[HeatherLPN]

I became a nurse b/c after working with MR/DD I decided I wanted to go further with it. That, and I like people--like comforting them, like taking care of them. I'm one of those nurses that isn't afraid to hold someone's hand, doesn't flinch when a family member hugs me after a death, and likes to take a few minutes to joke around with my residents and do the little extras for them when I can. I just like to make people feel good I guess. But what i get back out of it is tenfold.