Im curious and want to see absolute honesty

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

I'm also noticing now (after I've responded) that this is posted in the CNA/Medical Assistant forum.

Did you intend this to be for people going into the healthcare field in general, or nursing? If the former, it's in the right spot. If the latter....this particular board isn't actually for nurses.

alex1987 · Jul 30, 2012

I'm still in school and am doing this because I really want to be a nurse... but not because it is my "dream" though. I don't think it is realistic to go for a career just because you have a "call". In my case, I didn't know what I wanted to do after high school, so I started working as a CNA just to make some money. I loved the job and decided to go to college for nursing. I like nursing because I really do like the job, the skills, the critical thinking, the stress, and I get personal satisfaction from helping people.. but not just because some day I woke up and something was telling me that I needed to be a nurse or that I needed to "help people" cause there are definitely so many other things that you can do in order to help and just having the desire to help doesn't mean you'll be a good nurse.

veggieLPN · Jul 30, 2012

Your poll needs more options!!!!!!

I honestly became a nurse for a large number of reasons. I never "wanted" to be a nurse because I thought it was the greatest job in the world. I also never "wanted" to be a nurse because of money.

I needed a job where I could feel like a good person, or at least like I was going to work every day to do something other than make a company a bunch of money. I needed a job that required some education, but did not require that I go to school for 4 years straight or longer right off the bat. I needed a job that had a "gateway" to it so I could change my mind before I had invested too much into something I might end up hating. (Translation: I became a CNA before I applied to nursing school to make sure this was an envionment I could handle.) I needed a job that paid more than minimum wage. I needed a job that would pass the time quickly.

I didn't even know I needed most of those things until I saw a commercial in 2002 (Yes, it's true, I never would have considered being a nurse without seeing this commercial) that explained LPNs needed less than a 2 year degree and that RNs only needed an assoicate's degree and that the average salary of an RN and even LPN was higher than some of my friends with MASTERS DEGREES were making.

I became a nurse because I can't live without a job, and I can't live with a meaningless job.

I became a nurse because I love learning, but I can't sit through more than a year and a half of school at a time without losing my mind!

I became a nurse because it's dynamic and if my tastes and desires change, so can my job.

I never ever wanted to be a nurse! If I traveled back into time and told the High School me I was going to end up a nurse, I would never in a million years believe it. I just happened to become a nurse because it fits me so well.

First I was a CNA. Now I am an LPN. If everything goes as planned, I will be an RN by this time next year. I've been at the same facility for 7 years. I tell everyone that I love my job.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 30, 2012

I didn't want to be a nurse until I actually became one now I can't think of being anything else. Sometimes I literally forget that they pay me. Like literally.

LiLev · Jul 30, 2012

I'm actually taking a pay reduction to be a nurse but it seems worth it to feel like I'm doing something worthwhile rather than just making money for its own sake.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

I think these are two dubious questions, both go hand in hand. I honestly never gave thought to being a nurse...I just came to like working in the medical field after I got into EMT work a while back by accident because there was no work in my chosen field electrical/electronics and the jobs i did get I hated them, i just felt out of place. When i became an EMT it was strictly for the money, but a whole new world opened up to me, I actually loved what I was doing, helping people and getting paid to do it? wow...and it never felt like work at all....those who love what they doing would know what I'm talking about.

Anyways, I had to resign and move. Since moving i had to fall back on my electronics background for the sake of money but i dont really love the job persay. Yeah I could become EMT certified again, but the older I got, moving up in medicine, nursing seems like a good logical goal....more specifically ER nursing. So thats how this idea got me to where I'm at now. I mean to look down on people who say they in it for the money, is rediculous. During my teen years I also loved to be a DeeJay but the reality of how little they make(unless they get big in the music industry) woke me up from that really quickly. Hey if a Deejaying made 6 figure annual income just to play your favourite music and watch fools dance, I'm sure everyone would do it.

The blunt reality is for most, nursing is about the money, else why not just be a CNA, tech and PCA? there's many other choices in the medical field. Others would disagree and say the old cliche, " nursing is a calling" but for some, what happened to me when i first entered EMT work, I'm sure it happens to a lot of new nurses, they thought to get into it for the money,work for a couple year save up then quit and do something else, but years later they find themselves loving what they do..and being a nurse. So it happens both ways.

Java_Wench · Jul 30, 2012

My answer is a little bit of both. I've always had an interest in the medical and scientific fields. Until February of 2011 I owned my own business. The economy finally tanked me. And now, at 39, I'm driven to make a decent living for myself and my 2 year old daughter. So....really it's a bit of both! Although to be perfectly honest, after taking Microbiology, if I had more time and money I might pursue a degree in that as it was the most fascinating class I've ever taken and I absolutely loved it.

NurseMaybeBaby · Jul 30, 2012

It's not my life dream by any means. I'm 32 and was a marketing coordinator for years before going back to school.

I looked at the whole picture: the work, the pay, the hours. I'm in it for many reasons. What drew me was that I like the idea of flexibility, overtime sometimes, working with people.

miabia, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

I actually made the poll by the two ends of the spectrum I was only interested in. We, of course, can make a new on reflecting all ends where you can add your own reason why you're going into nursing :nurse:

ProudStudent · Jul 30, 2012

I can't wait to call myself a nurse. I have a passion for the field for some reason, and the money is a great bonus. My husband calls me a nerd, but I'm okay with that! I have this strange urge to be able to get up close and personal with complete strangers and allow them to feel that I can help them. There is something extremely rewarding about being with someone in their time of need while being able to help fill a void of uncertainty. Our human race is amazing and pretty entertaining too. I can't wait to be part of many people's lives.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

I started out wanting to be a nurse. I am okay still being a nurse but reality and maturity have tempered my younger years idealism for a middle ground. I now apprecate the job more for the financial aspect at this point in my life.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 30, 2012

How about some more options like:

- want to make difference in someone's lives;

- want to teach folks some cool stuff and help them live better;

- want to do something with chemistry/biology/pharm but hate lab/office;

-want a job AND a family;

-want to progress professionally, but with my own pace;

- want a career to bring me something everywhere - from NYC to Los Alamos;

- want eventually practice medicine but cannot afford $$$$$$ in debths and do not know what area to choose just yet;

- want eventually practice medicine but hate allopatic model;

Just a few ideas

Im curious and want to see absolute honesty

I'm in nursing because