I am in Nursing because.....

[Katie5]

....of a valid bunch of reasons. Do I have to explain to anyone my reasons?No. Do you have to explain to anyone your reasons?No.

Anyone and "anything" can come into nursing. Yes, at the begining, but they are always weeded out. And if one check misses them, then another will catch them.

Why all the bruhaha over one's reasons for joining nursing?Yes the competition is going to be excessive and with the influx of nursing possibly there would be a wage decline, but hey, that still does not give any one person autonomy in nursing. Nobody should be judged for their reason for going into nursing or be made to feel bad.

It's the computer age, if it's autonomy you seek, try there. To paraphrase, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but GOd looks at the heart".

After all is said and done, what we NEED to be looking at is patient care and not judging another's motives. Sometimes, we burden ourselves with inconsequentialities.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree that a person's motives for becoming a nurse is his/her own business. We don't all have to receive a "calling from God" to be a good nurse.

However, I also understand the frustration of seeing poor behavior from students and/or practicing nurses who "just don't care." Such students can hinder the progress of the whole class as they don't put as much effort into their studies. Such students and nurses give the profession a bad name when their performance on the job is less than what it should be. etc.

I don't care about someone's motives -- but if those motives lead to a weak committment to the profession, then they will often lead to poor performance. And poor performance should be of concern to all of us.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I am in nursing because I am a professional who enjoys nursing, caring and educating the ignorant. I have a passion for my profession and I care about my fellow collegues.

[Katie5]

I agree that a person's motives for becoming a nurse is his/her own business. We don't all have to receive a "calling from God" to be a good nurse.

However, I also understand the frustration of seeing poor behavior from students and/or practicing nurses who "just don't care." Such students can hinder the progress of the whole class as they don't put as much effort into their studies. Such students and nurses give the profession a bad name when their performance on the job is less than what it should be. etc.

I don't care about someone's motives -- but if those motives lead to a weak committment to the profession, then they will often lead to poor performance. And poor performance should be of concern to all of us.

And is this situation unique to the profession of nursing alone? Pls name one profession where there are no loafers? Heck even physicians have their not up to par members. Take for instance, the "infection-control" physician.

[Perpetual Student]

Agreed. Personally, I came into the career because it interested me and I wanted a job where I could accomplish something every shift--even if it's just making someone a little more comfortable. That said, if it weren't for the facts that it pays decently and I can find work pretty much anywhere that I might want to work, I would have chosen to do something else.

Some of the best nurses I know originally just got into nursing because it's a steady job that pays fairly well. That doesn't mean that they don't care about patients and doing a good job.

[eagiles]

I am going in to Nursing for one succurity it is a steady income we are always going to need nurses in this world. There is always going to be people who are sick and who are in pain.

I have always been a caring person. I love to help people. My family still worries about me going into this field I get attached to people a little to easily. I came home from the second day of clinicals at a nursing home crying because the lady I had taken care of the week before had passed away. It makes me happy to be able to help someone forget their illness even for just a little while. I am not becoming a nurse for the people around me or my future co-workers but for my future patients those i will save and those who will save me and teach me.

Yet saddly i will admit as I have gone though the nursing program the last few years and I have become really annoyed with the motive of those around me. I see myself as a very common sence smart person. I do great in the clinical field. And when we sit in the class room and the teacher asks questions I am always the first to answer. Yet I have test anxiety to the point where it holds me back from doing very well on the exams. So when I see these other students who are book smart and who have no people skills who are only going into the nursing field for the pay. And They make it look so easy and I have struggled my way through and I know that I am going to make a great nurse and those around me tell me I am going to make a great nurse because I have a huge heart. I is kind of irritating.

There are some people who I am going to school with that I hope I never run into again after we graduate. I hope they are never my nurse, and if they are I am going to request another one because I don't turse my life in their hands. (I think it is good that they Try to weed people out but I think that it is also sad at the same time because they weed out some people who would have made great nurses and yet they skip some of those who scare the hell out of me)

Sorry I think this turned into me venting. Thanks for reading if you did. :tinkbll:

[Simba&NalasMom, LPN]

I am going in to Nursing for one succurity it is a steady income we are always going to need nurses in this world. There is always going to be people who are sick and who are in pain.

I have always been a caring person. I love to help people. My family still worries about me going into this field I get attached to people a little to easily. I came home from the second day of clinicals at a nursing home crying because the lady I had taken care of the week before had passed away. It makes me happy to be able to help someone forget their illness even for just a little while. I am not becoming a nurse for the people around me or my future co-workers but for my future patients those i will save and those who will save me and teach me.

Yet saddly i will admit as I have gone though the nursing program the last few years and I have become really annoyed with the motive of those around me. I see myself as a very common sence smart person. I do great in the clinical field. And when we sit in the class room and the teacher asks questions I am always the first to answer. Yet I have test anxiety to the point where it holds me back from doing very well on the exams. So when I see these other students who are book smart and who have no people skills who are only going into the nursing field for the pay. And They make it look so easy and I have struggled my way through and I know that I am going to make a great nurse and those around me tell me I am going to make a great nurse because I have a huge heart. I is kind of irritating.

There are some people who I am going to school with that I hope I never run into again after we graduate. I hope they are never my nurse, and if they are I am going to request another one because I don't turse my life in their hands. (I think it is good that they Try to weed people out but I think that it is also sad at the same time because they weed out some people who would have made great nurses and yet they skip some of those who scare the hell out of me)

Sorry I think this turned into me venting. Thanks for reading if you did. :tinkbll:

I completely understand that. I don't get test anxiety but I do get horrible performance anxiety (pretty ironic for a former music major!!!). My "people" skills, e.g. bedside manner, etc. will always surpass my technical skills. I can certainly empathize with you as I was fired from my last job because during my orientation period, when it came time to check off on foley caths in front of other nurses, I would become very anxious and take a bit longer and the other nurses always seemed so impatient for me to do it fast (this was in home health, BTW...I couldn't see why such a need to hurry). Until the day this company let me go, I actually believed their lip service about being "mission driven, Christian-based, we care about our employees so please come to us if you're having problems with your orientation." When I knew I was having trouble, I suggested to my supervisor that my original preceptor work with me to correct it. Apparently she didn't really listen.

Anyway, looks like one vent turned into another...you will be a wonderful nurse; congratulations on your pending graduation! :)

[KungFuFtr]

We all have our reasons...

Me? I have a knack for A&P, patho, drugs and problem solving. I love to push myself mentally, physically and I practice what I preach. I feel that I can set a good example. Job variety and security are pluses and I get to work with tons of women.

Someone can be the most sensitive, caring and self-righteous nurse out there; however, competence trumps the virtuous aspects of nursing. I'd rather have someone who can think under pressure and has the ability to critically think, than have a Nightingale Nurse. Remember Maslow?

Nursing/Healthcare is just like any other profession dealing with customer service (except you must do no harm). Regardless if you are cutting someone's hair, taking their order or fulfilling any other need. You must show a caring attitude or the other party will go elsewhere for business. Why else do hospitals have mission statements, awards and press Ganey scores?

I get a little wierded out by the martyrs that show excessive pride for their spiritual work. Yes, some pride in what you are doing is fine; however, if you're smugly in the profession because you're bathing in the satisfaction of helping others. You may need to ask is it really about the patient's feelings or your own ego? Hmmm...Food for thought.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I'm in nursing because I love cleaning up poop.

[pashark]

I am currently a Nursing student and I have to admit I am one of those people who had a "calling". Two days before Christmas 2007 as my wife and I were crossing the street a drunk driver ran her over, literally ripped her out of my hands. She was given CPR at the scene by a RN. Over the next several months I watched how nursing professionals brought her back to were she is now. It was during the time she was in the ICU that I realized that this is what I was suppose to do with my life. It took me two years to work up enough courage to resign from my law enforcement job and enter school. By the way to all the trauma and ICU nurses out there, thank you, you are highly appreciated for the hard work you do, Frank.

[Scrubby]

I became an RN mainly so I could have a steady income, buy my own house and not have to live hand to mouth anymore. I guess this means my motivations are selfish but I'm not ashamed because at work I do the best that I can with what resources I have.

I too get very annoyed at the holier than thou attitude of some nurses. It's a very simple world view. Just because someone is going into something because it pays reasonably well does not make them an uncaring person who will not give good patient care.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm in nursing because I love cleaning up poop.

Yup, me too, poop rules. And abusive family members rock. Keeps the adrenelin flowin'

Seriously, I often ask myself the above question...and sometimes I have a hard time coming up with a sane answer.