your nursing decison

kidsnstudyn · May 3, 2010

I live in Ohio, but my grandmother in NC was really hurt. She had broken her femur a year after breaking her neck [yes, her neck]... they didn't think she would make it through the surgery to put the rod in, and they tried it once before everything just worked and came together. I spent that week with her and my grandfather, my mom and aunt... I helped care for her as we waited for her blood to thicken enough for the surgery, but not too much that she'd have a stroke, and i did some of the little stuff that saves nurses time. Would take the pitcher out and ask for more ice -so little, but I was thanked many times, I would be there and help move her up with the nurse or PCA instead of them having to get another employee... Brushing teeth, turning her, keeping an eye on her cast. I helped my favorite nurse dress a bedsore that came from the traction cast. And assisted with a few bed baths... she asked me if I was in nursing school, and I said "No" [at the time and until last year I was an Certified Optometric Assistant - like a medical assist, but for optometrists/opthalmologists-I'd been thinking about going back to school though, and had thought of nursing], she told me to go... But that nurse just told me that it would be a waste for me to not go, I could do it. And for a stranger, who had nothing to gain, and no personal investment in me to tell me she had the confidence in me - in that short of a time - it meant a lot. And that's why I've wanted to go.... Because of that experience, and others since [we had several years of a lot of family in the hospital] I just really felt it was were I could work, I think I can and will be good at being a nurse. It's been a long road, I started taking one class at a time to get the pre-reqs for school done, and it will be longer, I start the actual nursing program in the fall and if all goes well graduate in June '12.

The good news, my grandma made it, defying all odds, the ortho surgeon actually teared up when he told us about this final time how it all worked so well, and he was so happy and amazed. My grandma has a long complicated medical hx.

So I guess that's why. My husband had also gotten his "forever job" and my kids were 7 & 4 - old enough to understand that mommy is in school too, and why. And that it's a pretty good and stable field -doesn't hurt, with a lot of jobs in the area, hoping I can get one! :up:

Sorry for such a long reply.

:clown: Katie

DuluthMike · May 3, 2010

I became a nurse for the sole purpose of becoming a mid-level to service my very rural home community.

mamamerlee, LPN · May 3, 2010

I was a volunteer on a local all-volunteer ambulance co. I always wanted to hang out as long as possible in the ER to see what was done for the people we transported. The nurses all seemed to know so much, and exuded calm and confidence. I wanted to be like that, too. So I went to nursing school. I continued to volunteer all through school and for a few years after, until I moved too far.

Never worked in the ER, though!

MurseHopeful · May 3, 2010

Not a nurse yet, but will be starting NS in August. I have always been drawn to nursing. My mom was a nurse and many other family members were also, so there is that part of it. I have always gotten an enormous amount of satisfaction helping people. Currently I am a firefighter which allows me to help people on a daily basis. But I have always longed to do more for people on a more intimate basis. I want to be there from beginning to end, knowing I am doing absolutely everything I can for them. Of course the flexibility, pay and whatnot are cool too. But as far as I am concerned, those are just bonuses.

MH

clemmm78, RN · May 3, 2010

I chose nursing as I felt that it was a profession that would always be in demand. For sure, there are times when it is harder to find a job as a nurse, but nurses will always be needed in some form.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · May 3, 2010

Flexibility.

#1 reason.

klhmc729 · May 3, 2010

I'm just starting my BSN in the fall, but I've always felt called to work in healthcare. It sounds like a weird way to put it, since I'm not a very religious person, but I was always good at science, good with people, and deeply fascinated by physiology, and I believe that we should maximize our use of our talents. When I started college, I was pre-med, but after taking some medical anthropology classes as part of my core studies, I realized how narrowly focused the medical field can be in the U.S. It was all intervention and no prevention, and it seemed to lose sight of the patient as a person rather than just as a group of signs and symptoms. I like that nursing offers a more holistic view, a greater focus on prevention and education, and that we get to spend more time with the patient (although, sometimes that feels a little more like a curse than a blessing when you get a particularly difficult person or family :lol2: ). And I like a challenge!

mustlovepoodles, RN · May 4, 2010

Money and job stability. I was never the kid who dreamed of being a nurse and "helping people." But when I graduated high school my parents made it clear that it was my job to find something that would pay my way in life. Working at KMart wasn't gonna do it, so I got a scholarship and went to college. My roommate was in nursing school and it looked like something I could do, and I did it. Thankfully, I fell in love with nursing along the way. But I didn't start out that way. However, I'm going strong at 34years in the field. :nurse:

elizabeth8503RN, MSN, EMT-B, NP · May 4, 2010

I was in 4th grade when ER came out. My mom was home, and wanted me to sit down and watch it with her. I was hooked immediately. Granted I now know that ER isn't as realistic as I was led to believe as a 9 yr old, but, the doctors and nurses on that show made me want to do care for people, (that along with a dad in law enforcement and a mom who is an x-ray tech)

I have always been good in math and science. When I was a junior in high school, I was bound and determined to go to med school. My mom convicned me to try nursing first. She told me that it would probably be a better idea to have a nursing degree to get my feet wet and to see if I liked the field vrs have a 4 yr degree in pre-med and no ability to find a job. After some convincing, I started nursing school 2 days after I graduated from high school.

I have had some bumps along the way, but I graduated both my LPN, RN, and have several classes into my BSN, although currently I am not enrolled in any colleges at the current time (due to a number of things). I have my EMT-B and I am working, but never once have I have doubted my decision, or rather my mother's gentle nudging into this field.

I believe that this is my calling, despite the occasional bad days I encounter. I will go back to school to get my BSN, eventually. But for now, I am just glad to have a job.