Why are you REALLY going into nursing? Honest answers please.

Nursing Students General Students

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Ok, I'm a bit frustrated with all of these posts telling us that we shouldn't go into nursing because we need a job and steady income. Sure, I do like to help people, but I need a steady job even more. So, I decided to post a poll to see if we can get some honest answers.

:p

I don't think that wanting a job that has decent pay and is relatively stable is anything to be ashamed of. We all have to live somehow, and for those who are fortunate enough to be fulfilled with a calling that pays crappy are very fortunate indeed. Me, I need to be practical. I'm a divorced single mom who needs to provide for my children. I don't see anything wrong with that. I've worked in the medical area before, was a Med Tech in the lab. That was fine but the pay scale and the opportunities were limited. Nursing seems like a better fit for me, there are many different types of nursing to pursue and so far what I've had in clinicals makes me think that I will be good at it. Any job is difficult at times, the main thing is to like it more often than not. Sometimes I'm scared when I'm in clinicals, but I bet the greatest and most seasoned nurses were too when they first started. So I know I can get there too.

I have wanted t o be a nurse since I was your girl. But after shigh school I went into accounting. This was a very good job but i wasn't happy. I have several family member get sick and pass away with the last 5 years. I was there to help and realized that this is what I need to be doing.

Taking care of those people that care for themselves. The thought of knowing that you have made a difference at the end of the day is a very rewarding experience.

If you are going into nursing for just the money then this is not the profession for you. With this job you get emotionally attached and it means more that money at the end of the day.

It is because you enjoy helping and making a difference.

This is priceless

Specializes in NICU, School Nursing, & Community Health.

I never grew up wanting to be a nurse. In fact, I wanted to be a lawyer and have a degree in Criminal Justice. When I got pregnant with my daughter I suffered through bouts of pre-term labor, eventually being hospitalized at 7 months on complete bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. It was a very scary and lonely time. The nursing staff got me through it and I knew then that this was God's way of showing me what I was meant to do.

Mel

BSN student

Future CNM

To be absolutely honest about this I would have to say that there are several reasons I want to go into nursing. I too have a family, so the most important thing for me is to make sure that I can provide for that family. Everybody knows that it takes money to do that. I also want stability, benefits, and job security. There are too many jobs out there that are not lasting. Second, I have always wanted to be in the healthcare field. I truly do love to help people. So, that would make for a great reason to choose nursing as a career. I don't want a job, I want a career. Third, I chose nursing because it happens to be a career choice that will always be in demand. We all know how the economy works. It's very topsy turvy so to speak. I need something that I can count on. Yes, the nursing home I may work at could close, but I could find another job in no time. I would tell anybody, when choosing your career and figuring out what it is you like to do, try to keep it in line with something that you believe would never be fazed out. Just about everything, if not everything, in the health field will be needed all the time. And finally, I chose nursing because I do believe that I will love doing it. It will make me happy to know that I am making a difference everyday and helping someone in some way.

I do not believe that choosing any career for money is wrong. We all have to survive somehow and it does take money, like it or not, but outside of that there should be something that you like about it, especially in nursing. It can not just be for that sole purpose. Like I said I have a family to support, just so happens that I want to do nursing and they make quite a bit of money too. God bless you all!

Teanna

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.
Ok, I'm a bit frustrated with all of these posts telling us that we shouldn't go into nursing because we need a job and steady income. Sure, I do like to help people, but I need a steady job even more. So, I decided to post a poll to see if we can get some honest answers.

:p

A few honest answers:

1. God wants me to do this. If it weren't for Him, I would not have been able to get into nursing school. And those who know me, know I'm telling the truth.

2. I desperately want to do this. The science of it interests and fascinates me. Our anatomy is something that was created to be studied and to be helped.

3. I love people. I love to see them smile and to make them laugh. I love the pool of personalities in which we live. Everyone is different; whether it be a subtle smile or a flamboyant personality, we are all different and amazing.

4. I would love to have a steady income for the rest of my life and the knowledge to help anyone in need.

5. I love nursing! The stress, the help, and the rewards that comes between the poop. (If you know what I mean. ;) )

Specializes in Clinicals.

To get into a CRNA program

Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.

Since we are being honest. I hope I don't get beaten for my answer. So I can get into PA school. That is my sole reason. I just want to get into PA school so I can do Orthopedic or Vascular surgery.

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
help people

to not have to work five days a week.

to not have fifteen e-mails from fifteen different people about something you have already taken care of but they can't find where they put your work

to not have files waiting on my desk that five different people want done five different ways

to not sit at a computer all day

to make more money

to get paid based on seniority rather than have a manager that gives raises to her favorites

need I go on?

No need to go on....that would be what I would have written, except don't forget the part about at the end of the day, who really cares? What difference did any of it make in the long run?!?! :uhoh3:

One additional item I hadn't thought of until we had an orientation with a group of nurses yesterday, was PAID OVERTIME!! In my salaried position, whether we work 35 or 65 hours a week makes no difference on the 1st and 15th when the paycheck hits the bank!!

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

1) I like healthcare, and anything medical-related.

2) I like the idea that there are so many specialities to choose from

3) I can pick up and work practically anywhere.

Money isn't a factor to me.

This is what I'm struggling with - a high paying job right now but still something in my gut tells me to still go for Nursing. I think all of it when I think why I want to continue with my pre-reqs - helping people, a good paying job, never boring, lots of opportunities, always fascinated by medicine, etc.

PASSION FOR BIRTH. During my pregnancy and birth of my daughter two years ago, I realized that my passion is birth and babies. I wished I had been a nurse so I could be an L&D nurse or nurse-midwife. Then I discovered that ADN=RN, and realized I could actually follow this dream while working part time. So here I am, about to start clinicals in September. Another thing that I'm excited about is the sheer possibility of so many jobs. In my current career, which I loathe, I really have no where else to go. With nursing, the possibilities in one specialty alone are almost endless. There are too many birthing hospitals in driving distance to even think about counting. I find that very exciting and refreshing compared to the 'trapped' feeling I have in my current career. Money was not a factor in my decision, except that nursing will pay enough for me to get by so I was able to consider it. I'll be taking a huge paycut to be a nurse. But it will be so worth it!!

to pay the bills. be in a field of great demand. and the satisfaction of knowing you made someones day a little brighter with your smile and caring attitude. but i've been doing this for 11 year. help a little burn out.

nurseladybear

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