What was your "aha!" moment when you knew you were meant to be a nurse?

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

I never had an "a ha" moment. I really always wanted to work as a nurse since I was in grade school. I couldn't imagine doing anything else career wise. I know for a fact I chose the the right profession. :redpinkhe

Glenna, LPN · Nov 20, 2011

Growing up I felt like everytime we turned around someone either fell ill or died who were either family or friends. So I've spent my fair share of time sitting by someone in their hospital bed keeping them company.

In 2004, when I was 17 years old my dad and myself were visiting my grandmother at her foster home. We brought her here after she had broken her hip and wasn't given the care she needed in the nursing home. It was the first time I saw my dad and mom just break down and cry. I never wanted anyone else to feel the pain my parents felt. This was when I started becoming intrested in nursing. I wanted to make a difference. My 'aha' moment was when we were visiting my grandmother at the foster home and my dad went to the bathroom. My grandmother was eating a chocolate covered cherry and started choking and for the life of me I didn't know what to do. My dad came running back and helped her cough it back up. I felt so helpless. I wanted to not be so helpless. I wanted to learned what to do incase something like this were to happen again.

In 2006, I got a job as a caregiver at a near by assisted living place while I worked on getting my CNA. I enjoyed it. I wanted more. I got my CNA and went to work at a nursing home. I fell inlove with all the old kids. To me they were my grandparents. And it was my duty to take care for them the best as I could because I didn't want their family to come in and cry like my parents did when they saw my grandmother in the nursing home. I didn't want them to hurt like my parents did. This was my way of helping as best as I can for others.

2008, I got my CNA 2 and a job at the hospital in the surgical department. I knew that I was home. This is my calling. Not everyone can stomach what I can handle.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

I don't know. I wanted to do it when I was very young then I wanted to be everything and anything for a long time. Anyhow when I got serious about school nursing just made sense and I took a chance. I think I chose well. I love it so far. I am just finishing my second semester and have really enjoyed it. I love clinicals and really feel that this is something I have the potential to be really good at. So I guess my moment would really be clinicals, it's really made me feel I am headed in the right direction so I hope it continues on :)

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 20, 2011

I'll let you know if and when such a moment ever arrives.

healthstar, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

Once upon a time I loved nursing, and now nursing and I have a love -hate relationship, as a matter of fact I don't want to work at all, I just want to win the lottery loool and continue my dream job which is traveling , i want to travel the world :):):)

blueyesue · Nov 20, 2011

Once upon a time I loved nursing, and now nursing and I have a love -hate relationship, as a matter of fact I don't want to work at all, I just want to win the lottery loool and continue my dream job which is traveling , i want to travel the world :):):)

Well, you can travel the world as a nurse.

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

I never had one, and am still waiting.

aachavez · Nov 22, 2011

In high school, I always kinda knew I wanted to be a nurse.

A couple months ago, my mom was having surgery, and I was waiting with her while they were getting her all set up to go, Drs and nurses in and out, checking vitals, starting iv's and so on. While I was waiting with her while this was all going on, i had this Lighbulb moment, and just thought... THIS is where I'm SUPPOSED to be.

I was miserable at my corporate job, living on a cubicle farm. A couple weeks after mom's surgery, I lost my job. I start school full time in January. Couldn't have come at a better time, and I feel so fortunate I have this opportunity to focus on what I really want to do.