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.

[WhiteFlowerRN]

I went with my step sister to the local 25 bed hospital as a support person while she intervied for a nurses aide job. The Sister liked me better and hired me. That was in 1968. I wanted to go to acting school and told my mother so one day while driving to the city to shop. Unfortunatly, I mentioned this goal of mine at the begining of the 1 hr drive. She had me trapped in the car and proceeded to instruct me in my lifes mission and that I would become a nurse because they are respectable people. O.K. So, I went to nurses training and became an ER nurse (did that for 25 years) and now am a nursing supervisor and an ER nurse. Was it worth it? Yea, it's been a good journey. My children are raised. I still have time to act. We'll see.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

I went with my step sister to the local 25 bed hospital as a support person while she intervied for a nurses aide job. The Sister liked me better and hired me. That was in 1968. I wanted to go to acting school and told my mother so one day while driving to the city to shop. Unfortunatly, I mentioned this goal of mine at the begining of the 1 hr drive. She had me trapped in the car and proceeded to instruct me in my lifes mission and that I would become a nurse because they are respectable people. O.K. So, I went to nurses training and became an ER nurse (did that for 25 years) and now am a nursing supervisor and an ER nurse. Was it worth it? Yea, it's been a good journey. My children are raised. I still have time to act. We'll see.

GREAT STORY!

[Ther]

eanah, your story seems familiar... but it's nice to know that you learned to love nursing...

[Ther]

nice story...

[zoo*moon, BSN, RN]

because i couldn't find a job with my other degree, wow, that was 16 years ago! how time flies. i was doing some temp work in a factory, met a really cool nurse, saw an article about travel nursing. sadly i never did do any travel nursing. i found some job reject letters from that time. one job, gulp, paid, get this, $16k a year! wow am i glad i went back to school!

[lenjoy03, RN]

I dont know why I took up nursing.. The reason I can think about is because I dont know what course to take! Since my sister and aunt is a nurse, they forced me to take the entrance exam!

Just passed the board exam, already a nurse...... And enjoying it! Can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't take nursing....

[Peesha]

9/11 changed my life. It struck me that some of the people who died that day may not have realized a lot of their dreams or fulfilled desires and ambitions.

I was in a good paying job but did not feel personally satisfied at the end of the day. In the week following this tradgedy, I made the decision to become a nurse. I went back to school in Jan 2002 and will graduate in December.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

God Bless Ya Peesha!

[aasirscott]

I was working in a chemical factory, hated my job, liked the money. My Father-in-law went to a hospice unit and I visited him and all the other patients often. That is when I felt a "calling" to hospice, but it wasn't practical with 3 kids to go to school while I already had a "good" job (good=rate of pay). Then a few years later I was laid off from this good job. I used this time off to go to school and follow my calling and I love my job as a nurse now!!!!

[willbe]

Everyone has his or her own story about how or why they became a nurse. What's your story?

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

Hi

I joined the Royal Navy in 1990 and spent 14 yrs enjoying my time as a medic which I loved. Left when I became with brats and had twins !!!

I tried a few jobs teaching and Health and Social care officer and just needed to do what I should have done years ago. (When I went to join up I was told to join as a medic and then transfer HA HA.) So here I am just going back on monday into 2nd year !! and carn't wait to qualify planning to immigrate to Canada on qualifing

[vhrn]

I was a receptionist in a pediatric clinic. My older sister, whom our mother adored, was a nurse--OB/GYN, then house supervisor in a small rural hospital. My parents were aging, my sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and became disabled. I knew enough about the health care system that I figured someone in the family should have medical knowledge in order to look out for everyone else, and since I was the only one left, I decided to quit my job, return to school, and become a nurse. So, at the age of 34 with a 13 year old son and a son who was less than 2 years old, and a husband on shift work, I started nursing school. During my first quarter of school, my husband lost his job so I got a part time job as a nursing assistant. I had received a scholarship from the nursing office of the hospital and as terms of that scholarship, I had to be a full time student with a full course load. I was the only NA on a 34 bed telemetry floor on evening shift after school and weekends, worked like a dog, and managed to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Yes, I am proud of myself, and so glad I did it. I love my job, most of the time.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

vhrn,

I bet your families are very proud of you. Congrats!