What made u realize u wanted to be a nurse?

[pumpkin1984]

I keep losing my confidence and I keep thinking i'm not good enough for nursing. I also keep wondering if nursing is what I want to do. How do you know being a nurse is for you?

[icyounurse, BSN, RN]

I think everyone feels that way at some point, I know I did when I was in school. During clinicals I watched all those amazing self assured nurses running around putting out fires and providing excellent care with such knowledge and confidence, and I thought "I will never get there".

But you know what? I did. Eventually. After an excruciating stint in nursing school and a mentally and emotionally challenging period as a new grad, eventually I was that nurse. Most nights anyways:wink2:

You have to give it some time. It will happen if you really want it to, just not overnight.

[Butterflybee]

What a nice and inspiring post.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I can swiftly admit that nursing was never a 'higher calling' for me. I was never called to this profession by a higher power or anything of that nature.

I had been employed as a factory worker at a major paper products company for 3.5 years during my early twenties (ages 20 through 23). While the $40,000 yearly income was not too shabby for someone like me who had no college education, I realized that there was no future to be found in the factory. Higher-paying manufacturing jobs are disappearing from the American landscape in droves, never to return. I knew in my heart that if I were to be laid off or terminated from this factory job, another higher-paying entry level position probably wouldn't be around to replace it.

I wanted my next career pathway to be more interesting, less mechanical and rote, less prone to layoffs during economic downturns, and more inclusive of a sense of purpose. All of these factors caused me to realize I wanted to be a nurse.

[Roberta88]

How do I know? For one, I started reading my mosby's lab and diagnostics book last night... 4 weeks before the class started (it's a late start class).. because it was interesting! I've read so many books about nursing too and I just cannot put them down. I'm on this site every day. Not to mention the self-fulfillment you get out of nursing. It probably wont be that way every day, but it's still nice to know that you're helping someone out when they are going through a hard time. I guess I know I want to be one because I'm obsessed with it. :bowingpur

[ernrs2b]

I originally wanted to be a nun, I traded one hat for another...my grandmother was becoming an LPN when I was 5 that's when I knew this is what I wanted to do

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

My grandmother was a nurse for 35 years in a factory....she was always the "go to" person if anyone was sick...countless days on the farm getting treated for chicken pox, etc....

I have 2 aunts who are nurses, and I've always heard from them about what they've been up to and what they do...one of them teaches NS and CNAs....

I wanted a job where I make a difference...and I've always had a knack with people...I feel fulfilled when I get home, and I don't have to think about work when I'm off the clock.....

plus I don't mind making a decent wage....in a profession with a future.