What's your story? Why did you take up nursing?

Every nurse has their own story to tell about how or why they chose to enter the nursing profession. Some may have been inspired by a personal experience with healthcare, while others may have been drawn to the idea of caring for others. Some may have stumbled upon nursing by chance, while others knew from a young age that it was their calling. Whatever the reason, each nurse has a unique narrative that led them to become a caregiver. These stories are a testament to the diversity and passion within the nursing community and the profound impact that healthcare can have on our lives.

Please be as detailed or as short as you wish. It'll be interesting to hear everyone's stories.

[teenynurse]

HI,

I became a nurse so I could make a difference and help people. I started as a CNA, then went to LPN, and just finished my RN degree. I just took the RN NCLEX today and I have been crying all night. I think my dream to be an RN and confidence has been shattered since I don't feel like I passed the test. My exam shut off around 130 questions and there were so many things I didn't know. I studied really hard but I don't think that mattered at all. Many of the questions were very obscure and obtuse to me. Thanks for listening. I have left everything in God's hands.

did you pass? good luck it will come true

[LCAlpn]

I was a sickly child in and out of hospitals.

The nurses were always kind and made me feel good.

I always knew that is what I wanted to do too. (well, after I realized sainthood wasn't going to pan out )

[greene]

I became a nurse because I took care of my mom when she was dying from lung cancer. She has a trach and no one in the family wanted to learn how to suction and clean it, so I volunteered. I went to my moms house everyday to help the hospice nurse. She showed my mom so much TLC. Shortly after that I went to nursing school. I was the second oldest in the class, and I graduated second in my class, only .03 points behind the first.

[Hygeia79]

I was a bad kid. I ran around with the wrong crowd. Got into some things I shouldn't have and saw some things I shouldn't have.The things I saw stuck with me due to the violent nature and the impact and I wished then I could help out in some way.... and vowed to do great things later.

I knew then I wanted to be a nurse.

Z :)

PS: I'll write more detail later..when it's not 3 am. :chuckle

[kathers71]

TO OBAMA WITH CANDOR

The people know. We are waiting for your response. If you want to become our president, you will need to be the next one to speak. Over 70% of the population is waiting for you to do something. Anything less than impeachment, is an insult to our intelligence. All of the educated voters have ceased watching television. We are READING! Your strategists don't have a clue. I'm hearing this from young and old. I'm hearing this from all parties. Ron Paul is miles ahead because he is speaking the truth. You need to catch up soon because the momentum for change has just begun. If you vote for any further defense spending, you will not be able to convince any more people that you are a qualified leader. If you do not vote to impeach Bush and Cheney, you will not convince any more people that you can change this downward spiral of destruction. We have heard enough excuses and we are not buying the fear. We will no longer support anyone who does not represent our beliefs. We will not accept any more promises or excuses. If you believe in The Constitution, you will reinstate it and prosecute all of the criminals and traitors that have taken over this country. I am a 56-year-old nurse who is very disappointed in you and all of our representatives. We need your help now.

Patriotically yours,

Kathleen A. Smith

"You share your young with the wolves of the nation...

There's nothing left 'til you pray for salvation."

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "American X"

P.S. As Molly Iverson said, "I believe that ignorance is the root of all evil."

I became a nurse 36 years ago because I wanted to make a difference in people's lives. The corporations have hijacked our health care. Although it wasn't perfect, it was better than the model that we see now. It has escalated. If you can't see the change, then you need to take time and read everything, while you can. We need one representative to do the same thing for our country! The world has changed, but there will always be a place for those that care. We need a leader. This is why I wrote this article.

==================================

I

[Hygeia79]

ı became nurse, because ı had thought that ı would be hero...

[kathers71]

We need all of you to carry on. I still enjoy every day that I can help someone. That's what we're here for.

"The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." Helen Keller

[fronkey bean]

ı became nurse, because ı had thought that ı would be hero...

You are!!

[Hygeia79]

You are!![/quote

We are

[agent66]

sadly, I got into nursing because I couldn't get into vet school. Oops, still at it almost 20 years later. If I ever leave nursing it would likely be to do something animal related.

[shashaRN]

I became a nurse because I wanted to have a job where I was making a difference in someone's life and to feel at the end of the day good and proud of it.

[Devil_Duckie, LVN]

My journey to nursing wasn't a very dramatic one...about six years ago (I was 15), my mom found out that she had breast cancer. My world came crashing down around me. My mom was my best friend, despite the occasional adolescent fights we went through, and we had made it through her divorce from my dad, single parenthood, moving from MD to NC, and a remarriage to a guy with 3 kids already! Needless to say, Mom and I were best buddies and the thought of possibly losing her shattered me. From that moment on, I was as involved in her care and recovery from a very painful mastectomy as possible. I took a day off from school and cried in the waiting room with my stepdad, hoping that mom would make it through and that I wouldn't be left to fend for myself with the man. (Wow, that was a long time ago...)

Long story short, one of the lasting memories mom had from her stay at the hospital was a particular nurse, whose kindness and care was above par. Ever since then, she encouraged me to look into nursing as a career choice. I was stubborn; I had read enough to know that I wanted to go to med school and be an ob-gyn and nothing would sway me! Ironically, a story on the news about the rising costs of malpractice insurance that were keeping some ob-gyn's from performing deliveries often, was what swayed me. I applied to a local ADN program the summer after high-school graduation, and three years later, here I am. About to re-take my NCLEX in August and have the job of my dreams waiting for me.

My experiences as a CNA in both a busy ED and a long term care/rehab facility have confirmed to me that nursing is the most satisfying and gratifying experience that one could have. At times, I marveled that I was getting paid for the fun I was having...and at other times, I wish I was paid more for the crap I endured. Ah, such is life. Thanks to all who bothered to read that, I never meant for it to turn into a book.