I am a sophomore nursing student and I'm not really sure how I came across the idea of being a nurse. I just knew I was interested in medical stuff and I really liked helping people.
When I was 16 I started volunteering at a hospital and fell in love with being around nurses and doctors, and especially the patients. I found what the nurses did amazing, and I realized that one person can make such a big difference in a person's life. I learned as a volunteer that doing something as simple as getting a sick person a glass of gingerale or fixing their pillow, or just talking to them can make such a huge difference. When I was 18 I started volunteering at a children's hospital as a child life volunteer and fell in love with it. I admired the nurses there so much, for what they did for the families and the children.
I want a job where I felt my time was well spent. I dont want a job where the only purpose is to make money. I want my job to have meaning.
Someone once told me that a good way to decide on a career / job was to think of something that you wouldn't mind doing for free. NURSING is that thing for me. Although I know it will be stressful, and I know there will be tough times, I know that that is what I want to do, and I know that I will get great satisfaction knowing I made a big difference in the lives of many people.:)