How You Knew Nursing Was For You

[chloejean104]

Hi There,

I am just about to graduate from high school this May, and have a big decision on my hands in choosing what to major in. NICU nursing is something I have always been very interested in and think I would like to go into. I was just wondering how any of you made the decision that Nursing, or even just NICU nursing was want you wanted to do for a career.

[NFB2008]

I was always interested in science and healthcare. I'm the dork that watches discovery health and reads true lilfe medical books. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do though. At first I thought I wanted to be a doctor, but I decided that I did not want school and then work to be my whole life. I actually decided when my mom had outpatient surgery. I just remember the nurse was always in there, making sure that she wasn't having complications and making sure she was okay to go home. I like how nurses are involved so much with patients. Patients generally really trust nurses and (not to be generic), but you can really make a difference in someone's life (kind of like that nurse that helped me decide that's what I wanted to do). I also found that I never felt uncomfortable in hospitals (like lots of people do). And then when I started nursing school, I found that I wasn't as passionate about adult care (med-surg, etc.). I liked certain aspects of it and found the classes interesting, but I just like the intensive care part. I get to use lots of skills in the NICU. Plus, I love taking care of those little babies who can't speak up for themselves. I really have to have attention to detail since they can't tell me if something is bothering them. It can be a very rewarding job (sometimes it's sad too), but I love it and wouldn't trade my job for any other job out there.

[rnicare]

I knew that I wanted to be a nurse when I was 5 years old. I was always doing things for my grandma and taking care of her. Everyone told me that I would be a good nurse. When I was 7 years old I spent a week in the hospital and it was not a good experience but I did not let that deter me. The nurse that primarily took care of me was mean. I was scared being away from my family and she made me scared of her. I knew that I wanted to work with children because of the experience I had. I worked in PICU and throughly loved it. ICU can be intimidating at first but being there for those who are so sick is so rewarding. :wink2:

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I was predental and LOVED A&P. I decided against dentistry because I'd want my own practice and then that throws the business side into it and...I want a life outside of my work. Nursing deals with the whole body and that's what I'm interested in.. NICU because their issues are so different from adults (like the cardiac defects), they have no preexisting history, and I love to help the parents through their first rough days with their baby when what was supposed to be a happy day turned into a something scary.