What or who was your inspiration for becoming a nurse? - page 3

1. 
   May 25, '02

   Occupation: Disabled due to SCI Specialty: Hospice, LTC, CBRF, and Home Health ; From: US ; Joined: Jan '02; Posts: 36; Likes: 5

   Hi Y'all, My inspiration started when I was younger. Both of my parents, when I was between the age of 15-17, became ill of terminal cancer, two years apart from each other. I spent much time in and out of hospitals with them, and loved how caring all the medical staff were. I also cared for my parents at home, out of the hospital, and I guess that just kindled the flame for caregiving. Since I have been married I now care for my newly disabled husband and also cared for my younger son for a year after his spinal surgery when he broke his back in a school football game. I have been a CNA for 7 years and loved it so much I became determined to get my GED at 38 and go for my ADN. I start in the fall. I have decided if God has put me on this earth to care for others as I have already, then I shall go all the way for the degree. Besides loving to care for others, subjects of science, health, and psycology in school are a breese for me learning wise so schooling shouldn't be too hard, It's just the math I worry about.:imbar
2. 
   May 25, '02

   Occupation: RN Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 1,418; Likes: 25

   Like Maureen, it was reading a book about Clara Barton during the Crimean War in elementary school. I read and re-read that book, multiple times, and then anything else I could find about her. I always liked helping hurt or newborn animals when I was young. :spin:
   I married a year out of high school, and had two kids in less than three years. My idea of becoming a nurse was kind of buried. During that time, a married friend of mine went to Nursing school. She had 2 small kids too. That planted the seed that it was still possible for me. Then 2 of my uncles died of acute MI's, my dad had triple bypass surgery, and another had several pacemakers (they failed, one after another, for some reason). I decided that it was time for me to try to make a difference in someone's life. If I could help one person, or their family, through a rough time, then I felt my life would be more worthwhile. Since then, I've "helped" many patients and families, and in many ways, they have helped me too. Consider my career a dream fulfilled!:angel2:
3. 
   May 25, '02

   Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 3,165; Likes: 59

   I was always really sick as a kid with some unknown GI ailment, back in the early 60's at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY.
   
   We pede pts. would get student nurses. I had a wonderful student RN. I remember telling her "you're not as pretty as the other one but you're way nicer" :chuckle and I remember telling her that "when I grow up I want to be a nurse like you" :kiss
   
   Well, here I am, finally an RN, graduated in 2000. I wish I could thank her, but I don't even remember her name. I just know she was an excellent student, a kind person, and I think about her often.
4. 
   May 25, '02

   Occupation: critical care Specialty: 2 year(s) of experience in critical care ; Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 469; Likes: 8

   I wanted to be a nurse when I was in highschool, but I forgot about it, sounds dumb. So i studied music for a long time, but when I got pregnant I read everything I could find relating to childcare it made me really wish that I had some medical training. Then I started talking to my OB/GYN nurse and she told me I could be an RN in just two years and I figured that it would take me that long to get my worthless music degree so I finished the semester and then started working on my prereqs. So Brandy M from Dallas, if you're reading...thanks.
5. 
   May 25, '02

   Occupation: ob staff nurse high-risk referral center Joined: Apr '01; Posts: 320; Likes: 32

   I had the most wonderful labor nurse with my first daughter. This was when they still sat at the bedside with pitocin and she was with me all night. I remember she stayed after her shift to see how my labor turned out. She was an LPN. I have never forgotten her and never will. She is the reason I am a labor and delivery nurse.
6. 
   May 25, '02

   Occupation: RN Joined: May '01; Posts: 124; Likes: 4

   Wow Sleepyeyes, I did my PEDs rotation at St. Peter's....not in the 60's though, in 1998. I must have liked it, cause I am a peds nurse now.
   
   I had a wonderful friend who was an RN... she really supported me in my struggles through school. I still feel like I owe her big time!
7. 
   May 25, '02

   Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 3,165; Likes: 59

   Aw right, Capgirl!
   
   Glad to see someone from my neck of the woods. Originally from Colonie; moved about 12 years ago to the sunny South.

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