What made you go into nursing?

RKpianoman, APRN · Apr 26, 2012

I wanted a low-stress job with no responsibility, glamour, high-pay, and no body fluids!

Also, I have a bridge for sale...It's nice...It starts on one piece of land, spans a space, and ends on another piece of land. Anyone interested?

But for real, I chose nursing for a few reasons. I always wanted to do something medical; I started college in Bio. Engineering and wanted to do medical research. Then, I realized I hated Calculus and desk jobs. A year later, my dad had a CABG, and I was trying to rest on those silly little couch/beds they have in patient rooms....impossible! So, I started talking to the nursing staff about their jobs, what they liked/disliked, and I was invited to shadow the Nurse Manager in CVR for a few hours. Watching the varied skills, hands-on work, patient interactions, and the ability to make such huge impacts (negative and positive) on patients lives cemented in my mind that I wanted to pursue nursing.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2012

I entered nursing for the flexible schedules, income potential, and career mobility. I do not like going to work 5 days per week because it seems to suck the life out of me. Nursing makes it possible for me to work two or three 12-hour shifts per week, which enables me to have more days off.

mssjez · Apr 26, 2012

Nursing is my second career. I started in Psychology because I wanted to help people. When I started my Bachelor's, it was enough to get a decent job. But by the time I finished, I needed at least a Master's to get a well paying job. When I neared the end of my Master's, the job market (and the poor economy) created the need to get a PhD or attend a counseling program to get a decent job. I'm not a huge fan of doing research for 6 years for a PhD, and I know I don't have the personality to sit in an office all day with clients coming in and out discussing their problems with me. I've always been interested in the medical field but was afraid I couldn't handle the trauma that might accompany it.

I'm entering nursing now because I feel that it will give me another tool to help people. I can help individuals medically as well as emotionally and mentally. As for the trauma... I've learn many debriefing skills in my 6 years of Psychology and I feel like I can figure out how to effectively handle difficulties so that I can focus on helping my other patients. Phew! This will be 8 years of college! I should have just become a Doctor haha.

Cupcake89121 · Apr 26, 2012

I worked in customer service for many years, most recently for the largest online retailer of shoes. I got sick of listening to people call to complain about minutiae. I wanted to do something that actually helped those who have real problems and are in need. I didn't want to die as someone that worked my whole life apologizing because they got their shoe order a day after expected. Billions of people on this planet don't even have shoes...or clean water, or food in their bellies every day. So, honestly, who cares about your damn shoes? :nurse:

Ultimately, my reasons are very selfish. One day when I'm lying on my death bed I want to know that in my life I did something that really mattered. Then, I'll go with a smile on my face!

dbabklyn · Apr 26, 2012

One of the major reasons why I want to be a nurse is to be able to help people in the immigrant communities. What I've noticed is the many taboos, lack of knowledge, and lack of communication within those communities with regards to health/medical information. I am trilingual and with my language skills, I hope to be able to dispel misconceptions in those communities and give them information regarding common diseases, the benefits of preventive care, etc. Knowledge is power! :nurse:

Cupcake89121 · Apr 26, 2012

That is so great dbabklyn! You are right on with everything you said. Oh, and my husband is trilingual too! You guys are too cool and I am super jealous of your awesome language skills!

yetunde becky · Apr 26, 2012

i am call to be a nurse because am very passionate and caring.i love to take care of people who are in needs.

dbabklyn · Apr 26, 2012

thanks Cupcake :)

allnurses Guide · Apr 26, 2012

My son died of cancer. I had always thought about being a nurse through my younger years and even into my 30s. I was always too intimidated to pursue it. When the worst imaginable happened, I could not fathom going on living after his death. It was an avenue to both pay homage to what he went through and to carry some of the essence of his personality forward with me, since life was not considerate enough to stop and let me lay down and die with him. He was definitely frightened and intimidated the last 18 months of his life and had far more cause than I did in my fears of nursing school. My final goodbye to him included a promise to get through it, in honor of him. I started pre-reqs four months after his death and was pinned one month shy of five years after. What I have done with my life allows me to live with my grief in a healthier way.

redopal · Apr 27, 2012

I was very young when I realized I was going into either nursing or medicine. At first I thought being a pediatrician would be the best but my mother got very ill when I was ten and almost died. My brother and I were not permitted to see her as she struggled to survive intestinal rupture with sepsis; this was in the 50's and medicine was far from what it is now. Her surgeon operated a number of times but then told her and her family it was up to her if she survived. It was then that I recall the nurses being the real heroes for my mom. They made an exception for us to see her and I do think that gave her the will to survive. They kept her positive and encouraged us to be positive too. I was so impressed by the nurses I chose that as a career. My high school counselor was not impressed-telling me I could do better by being a doctor. I gave up a scholarship to attend a private nursing school at the young age of 17! I have never regretted my decision. Nurses keep patient's alive...it is a demanding profession and one that can wear you out quite quickly if you are not prepared. Having physical activity to counter affect the stress from a nursing job can make you last longer. Also developing a really good support system with the nurses you work with will help you love your job. It takes awhile to find the right job and people, but when you do your job doesn't feel so much like a job but a rewarding career.

akinot69 · Apr 27, 2012

i just enjoy taking care of people. plus i love the way i leave my residents feeling when i have helped them or just took the time to sit down and talk!!!!!