What made you want to be a nurse

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2014

I was working as a factory worker from age 20 to 23 (2001 to 2004). After getting written up for an infraction, I realized that my workforce options were severely limited with only a high school education and no marketable skills.

So I took the plunge, quit the factory job without another position lined up, and enrolled in a 12-month LVN program. Ten years have passed and I have no regrets.

jojo489 · Mar 20, 2014

I graduated high school and was so sick of school I set forth to find the full time job that I was going to work for forever. That job ended up being with a non-for-profit company that staffed group homes for adults with developmental disabilities where they were cared for in their homes and importance was placed on these consumers being as independent as possible...that's what the staff was there for...to push them to be independent while filling the gaps where care was needed and also be their advocate. I FELL IN LOVE WITH MY JOB. The only problem was that $9.76/hr wasn't going to cut it anymore.

That job made me realize how much I truly enjoyed caring for other people and showed me where my career path was going to lead. Sadly, once I became licensed I was unable to stay with they company working under said license but I still go back and see my consumers on a pretty regular basis.

NOADLS · Mar 20, 2014

These slips of paper that you can take to the bank q2weeks to get numerous slips of green paper that you can use to buy things with.

Guest757854 · Mar 20, 2014

We aere taking care of my grandfather at home and i was a junior in high school and had no career definite...until i researched nursing assistant. Did that for a very quick second and decided to further my education to LPN 8 yrs ago and now RN today.

Guest757854 · Mar 20, 2014

These slips of paper that you can take to the bank q2weeks to get numerous slips of green paper that you can use to buy things with.

Hahaha.....Your comments ALWAYS make me laugh......i love them!

JenniferMaupin · Mar 23, 2014

My mother, father, sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents and various other family members had multiple health problems. I spent a lot of my life visiting family in the hospital. Also at their home when they needed help. My grandmother on my mothers side used to go and help people in their homes when they were recuperating. When my family members became ill I would often help them with bandaging, bathing, and assisting them with a multitude of problems and issues. I kind of fell into it. Helping people in need is something I enjoy and I enjoy being an LPN. Pay isn't always great but it is very rewarding in other ways.

futureRNicole · Mar 23, 2014

I am not a nurse yet, not even done with my prerequisites to get into a nursing program, but I've always felt sensitive to other people's feelings... I can never turn off my empathy button. I have always loved science, and anything that goes along with health. My family and friends have always come to me for answers (even though they could easily find answers on their own), and I enjoy the feeling of knowing someone looks to me for knowledge.

Ever since I became pregnant with my first child, I have since become the 'guru' for family and friends on all things baby/birth/pregnancy related. I have even been a 'doula' for friends of mine who were looking for encouragement during labor. I am a birth junkie! Absolutely in love! While I was delivering my second child, my L&D nurse was floored that I knew my own body so well, I was able to gauge how many centimeters I was just by the way I felt through each phase of labor. She would check me, and exclaim "YOU need to do this for a living!" At the time of course, I never imagined being a nurse. I never thought I could ever work as hard as a nurse does.

Two of my sisters in law became pregnant at the same time, and both have already been blowing up my phone with questions about pregnancy, and labor. Looking to me as a support through their labors to get the best experience they can. I have also helped quite a few friends with their breastfeeding journeys successfully.

So when I sat down to evaluate my life and where I saw myself, it finally hit me that it was worth it to become a nurse. I know I've got a long journey, and I surely won't get to start off in L&D like I would like, but ever since I made this decision, I've been completely addicted to any and all things nursing, and cannot see myself settling for any other title than RN.

Ella26, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2014

I have always liked science and the way the body works, it was always intriguing to me . I was not up for the challenge of becoming a doctor, so I went for nursing instead. I started off as a CNA, then LPN, and now RN (ADN). I may go back someday for BSN. Definitely if money were not option, I would be enrolled now. I need to pay down my loans first.

BellaRose4281, RN · Mar 28, 2014

I don't know. There isn't anything that made me want to become a nurse. It's just something that I've been always been drawn to. It's almost as if I have to do this to be fulfilled. Weird, huh? I'm not a real nurse yet. 3 months away from graduation. Since day 1 of school, I knew this was the career for me. This is my 2nd career. I was in marketing prior to being laid off a year ago. I was miserable doing that job.

happyRN77 · Mar 28, 2014

I wanted to be the person that my family could call for medical help/assistance. I also wanted my big brothers to respect their little sister. I always knew that I wanted to help other, but I just wasnt sure the best route or career path to take. Nursing just feels like it may have been something I was born to do. Like as if all the

choices in life brought me to this wonderful opportunity. To conclude however, my brothers still think I am a joke, and my family is proud but have not needed my skills (thank goodness).

MedChica · Mar 28, 2014

I wanted to contribute to something greater than myself. To do something meaningful. I wanted to do something challenging. I like critical thinking. I hate 'sameness' and monotony.

I'm not new to healthcare. I did radiology for some years. Anyway, I took a pay cut to become, first, a CNA, then, a nurse.

Most days I think, "I should've stuck with accounting.'

Regardless, I'm supposed to begin my ADN RN in a few days. I really don't get anyone who does this job for the paycheck, alone. Then again, if you don't like the job there's nothing left BUT the paycheck. I guess.