Why did you choose to become a Nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am an aspiring nurse and I am looking to become a Nurse because the profession seems to really fit me unlike the others. I originally planned on becoming a surgeon, but couldn't stand the fact of going to school for 14 years and ending up in half a million in debt. Also, I'm pretty sure i wanted to become a surgeon only for the money. So here i am, saving myself from 14 years of misery and deciding i want to be a Nurse. Nursing seems like a job i would genuinely enjoy doing on a daily basis. Surgery on the other hand, not so much. Nursing will allow me to have hands on care with my patients, work in different departments, and give me enough freedom to where i would feel my career isn't "Taking over my life" so to speak. So, why did you become a nurse?

OrganizedChaos, LVN

1 Article; 6,883 Posts

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Honestly my parents told me to so I just went to school for it. I don't know what else I would do at this point.

graciehamm

4 Posts

Me too! I've been on this website without an account for about a year just learning about the nursing profession from real nurses and nursing sounds so perfect for me. I would like to hear the responses to this question as well.....

A&Ox6, MSN, RN

1 Article; 572 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

OP, you mentioned in two of your threads that you originally wanted to be a surgeon but chose nursing instead because of the schooling and because you only wanted to be a surgeon for the money.

I am concerned regarding this comment for a few reasons. If you were planning to be a surgeon because of the money, are you aware of the salary of a typical nurse? Are you aware of the minimum and maximum in your area? In my opinion, there is nothing shameful of entering a specific profession for the money, especially if you can be honest with yourself about it.

As a high school student, have you spoken to any counsellors about your choice? Have you taken any aptitude tests? I have worked in education and advisement at primary, secondary and college level. Currently I do advisement for nursing students in addition to my work as a psychiatric nurse. I have seen too many students enter nursing by default and without adequate career exploration. I encourage you to explore your options prior to choosing a career path.

I am not, in any way trying to dissuade you from becoming s nurse if it is right for you. As a stranger on a social media platform, I wouldn't be presumptuous enough to do that. If, after exploring your options you still choose nursing, I will be happy to welcome you to our profession and am sure that you will be an asset to our community.

Much luck on your endeavors!

KelRN215, BSN, RN

1 Article; 7,349 Posts

Specializes in Pedi.

Because when I was in 8th grade, I was obsessed with the TV show ER. Carol Hathaway was my favorite character and she got to make out with George Clooney. This is at least 75% of the reason why I became interested in nursing.

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

When I was a kid- my mom, my cousin (and China Beach's Colleen McMurphy and I liked Carol Hathaway as well!) were influences.

I like gross, disgusting stuff; dealing with it, learning about it, and talking about it.

I like helping people.

I didn't want to go all the way in psych, and being a nurse seemed a good compromise.

sharkbacon

32 Posts

I went to community college aimlessly for a year and a half because college was what I was supposed to do. Then I sort of figured I needed to make a decision, so I went into the front office and asked what programs they offered there on that particular campus. There was cosmetology, some kind of car mechanic stuff, and nursing.

So I signed up for the CNA classes.

And im an LPN now, finished in 2012. I'm about to start my RN year.

I sort of deeply regret this decision, but I'm going to keep trudging forward. I think this feeling will pass.

LucidDreamer

93 Posts

OP, you mentioned in two of your threads that you originally wanted to be a surgeon but chose nursing instead because of the schooling and because you only wanted to be a surgeon for the money.

I am concerned regarding this comment for a few reasons. If you were planning to be a surgeon because of the money, are you aware of the salary of a typical nurse? Are you aware of the minimum and maximum in your area? In my opinion, there is nothing shameful of entering a specific profession for the money, especially if you can be honest with yourself about it.

As a high school student, have you spoken to any counsellors about your choice? Have you taken any aptitude tests? I have worked in education and advisement at primary, secondary and college level. Currently I do advisement for nursing students in addition to my work as a psychiatric nurse. I have seen too many students enter nursing by default and without adequate career exploration. I encourage you to explore your options prior to choosing a career path.

I am not, in any way trying to dissuade you from becoming s nurse if it is right for you. As a stranger on a social media platform, I wouldn't be presumptuous enough to do that. If, after exploring your options you still choose nursing, I will be happy to welcome you to our profession and am sure that you will be an asset to our community.

Much luck on your endeavors!

Hello, thank you for your reply (: yes I am aware of the salary of a typical nurse. I haven't spoken to any counsellors since I do my schooling online and I also haven't taken any aptitude tests. Nursing just seems like the career that'll fit my life style more than any other so I'm deciding to stick with it as my career choice

OrganizedChaos, LVN

1 Article; 6,883 Posts

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I went to community college aimlessly for a year and a half because college was what I was supposed to do. Then I sort of figured I needed to make a decision, so I went into the front office and asked what programs they offered there on that particular campus. There was cosmetology, some kind of car mechanic stuff, and nursing.

So I signed up for the CNA classes.

And im an LPN now, finished in 2012. I'm about to start my RN year.

I sort of deeply regret this decision, but I'm going to keep trudging forward. I think this feeling will pass.

You sounds like me except I haven't gone back to become an RN. I don't want to waste my time on that just quite yet.

Julius Seizure

1 Article; 2,282 Posts

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I've told why I became a nurse on a thread here a long time ago.

Basically I got to freshman orientation for college and they said "Welcome! What would you like to major in?"

And I said "uhh..."

Because nobody had ever asked me that before and I had never thought about it.

And the registration person told me that if I wasn't sure, then I should go ahead and do pre-nursing classes while I thought about it, because then I wouldn't be a semester behind if I did decide to choose nursing after all.

And then I kind of just never dropped out of the program because it seemed like a waste to throw all that work away.

And now I am nurse.

OrganizedChaos, LVN

1 Article; 6,883 Posts

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I've told why I became a nurse on a thread here a long time ago.

Basically I got to freshman orientation for college and they said "Welcome! What would you like to major in?"

And I said "uhh..."

Because nobody had ever asked me that before and I had never thought about it.

And the registration person told me that if I wasn't sure, then I should go ahead and do pre-nursing classes while I thought about it, because then I wouldn't be a semester behind if I did decide to choose nursing after all.

And then I kind of just never dropped out of the program because it seemed like a waste to throw all that work away.

And now I am nurse.

I think these are great examples that nursing is not a "calling" for everyone.

jistravel

47 Posts

I was in finance for 10 years and was in the towers on 9/11. I volunteered with red cross at ground zero and wanted to help people after seeing people so selflessly give their time, resources, health. That feeling of wanting to change career to nursing and help others stayed but I couldnt just leave my cushy job until 2008 when I got laid off I thought it was "now or never". By then I was in in early/mid? thirties and looking to pre reqs and 15 months of Accelerated BSN Program.

I liked finance but I guess I got a little bored and wanted to help people. I generally dont admit or try to live with regrets but nursing is physically and mentally draining. Even if the unit you start with seems great eventually they make you take on more with less resources. Then again, everyone is different and some people can not imagine doing anything other than nursing. I am thankful for the opportunities because had I not left finance I would think later in life "should I have.." But please really consider your career choice. You have so many more resources to explore career choices.

In any case, I wish you the best with your future endeavors and career choice!

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