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

Nurses General Nursing Nursing Q/A

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.

I grew up taking care of my non-compliant diabetic mother. In 1985 I was found dead in a housefire. I died twice more in the hospital. The nurses and docs did not give up on me. I survived for a reason. The best way I could think of "payback," was to become a nurse.

My passion for the medical field as a whole started when i was about 8 yrs old. My dad was a physiology professor,thus he had alot of picture texts which i admired.I was amazed at the pics of the human body,and soon started drawing them up.That was the birth of my art career too,after drawing and painting a while,i was amazed at the variations of what makes us physiologically unique. When i made that out,my hunger to go deeper brought me to the nursing field,which is were i am today.Still wanting to learn more and still not able to fathom the beauty of the Universe within.

My Mother got breast cancer in December of 2003, then in 2004 I got and had a double mastectomy for breast cancer. Nine months later my husband got colon cancer and I decided that I need to be a nurse and give back to the wonderful nurses that treated me. My Sister 9 months after my husband got colon cancer and died in 6 weeks. My mother died after 2 years of having her cancer but she was 91. I feel that I have a lot to offer to oncology patients. I understand, been there, done that. It's not the end but the best thing that happened to me. I am 53 years old and graduate in May of 09.:nurse:

Ever since I was a child, I've always wanted to become a doctor.

Circumstances change, we moved here in the US, and the family's been struggling, we're just barely surviving paying the bills every month, having credit card debts.

So at the age of 16 (I was already graduated in high school.. we graduate early over there), I started my pre-reqs and nursing school to help my family.

But seeing the situation of the Philippines, my personal reasons for entering this wonderful profession is to know how to care for people. Of course it brings money, which Im glad to give to my family, but there are so many poor and underprivileged people there, people dont understand. Its a third-world country, people at the streets, dying of starvation. I want to be a doctor to cure those people.

What I love about nursing or medicine in general is you're taking care of people other than yourself, and that what makes it very noble. I LOVE IT.

Specializes in Med-surg, Mental health, SNF.

This is my third career...early military retirement, then Biotech...couldn't find enough lab work that paid well, needed gainful, in-demand employment that would support my family and I. Since I'm strong in the Sciences and service to my country/community, Nursing just seemed to fit the bill. What a long, strange trip it's been!

I NEED TO INTERVIEW A CRNA ABOUT THEIR JOB FOR A RESEARCH PAPER! MY INTERVIEW IS DUE ON MONDAY! IF ANY CRNA IS WILLING TO HELP ME AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS THAT WOULD BE GREAT!!! THANK YOU!

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

  • How long have you worked for your current employer?
  • What is your current position?
  • What are your job responsibilities?
  • What do you like most about your job?
  • What do you like least about your job?
  • What specific training is required for your position?
  • What advice do you have for someone looking to go into this profession?
  • Can you briefly describe a typical day in your job?
  • Do you have a specific hospital you work at or are you required to commute to different locations?
  • Do you have a set amount of hours you work in a week? Or is your schedule unpredictable week by week? What about during the holiday season?
  • Is it hard to maintain a social life outside the work place?
  • What type of benefits does your job offer for you and your family?
  • If you could choose your career choice all over again, would you still pick to be an anesthesiologist?
  • What type of people do you work with at your job?
  • Do you have to work at your job everyday or is it something that comes naturally to you?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME OUT! THANKS!!!

Specializes in Occupational Health.

When i finished secondary school,i wanted to become a pilot,but later i developed interest in nursing and went straight into the school of nursing,and everyday i love the profession more.

When I graduated HS there were few jobs open for females. I did not want to be a sec., hated the idea of selling goods, did not want to work as a teller in a bank. The idea of teaching was there but all the females in my family had been nurses so I grew up planning to be a nurse.

I found a way to meld nursing with teaching and am glad for both. Nursing is my passion, education a way to convey that to another generation.:D

Well...my story...hhmmm

This is my third career. I was a paralegal, case mangaer, and early childhood teacher. I realized I was SICK and TIRED of the political agenda with the educational system. I've always been in the social service field and wanted to take care of others whether advocating for justice and equality or protecting someone from the neighborhood bully.

I use to tell my mommy I would take all the children in the world and live on an island where everyone would be happy, healthy, share, get to play all day on green grass, the sun would always shine, and flowers would always bloom. Hey, I was only 7 years old.:saint:

Serously, I decided nursing would be a great way to work with children and their parents, make an extraordinary difference in someone's life, educate others, provide a great service for the under-privileged, and have a fulfilling life. I really want to show God how thankful I am for His mercy, grace and never ending blessings. God has truly blessed me!!

Also, I would like flexibility in my work schedule so I can spend time with my family and financial provide for my child. Being a single parent is challenging. However, this is not my sole reason for going into nursing.

Presently, I'm completing my M.Ed. and taking pre-req's for the nursing program. I didn't tell my mother because I don't want her to think, "What in the world is this child going to do with her life?" Well, she was a licensed LPN and taught in the Healthcare field. She probably would be very proud of me (as she is presently). I'll probably tell her when I am admitted into the Nursing Program. My sister is about to enroll in the nursing program and she works at a hospital where 75% of her tuition is paid by her employer.

I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'm taking a chemistry class and I LOVE it!!! I have a wonderful instructor. I know nursing school is going to be challenging and I welcome it. BRING IT ON!!

I plan to get a MSN (NP) in Family Practice. Did I tell you how EXCITED I am?!!!!

By the way, although I may look 28; I'm all of 42 wonderful years young.:wink2: May God bless each of you and best wishes on your nursing careers.

The hospital is a highway where every patient shares something in common...they are victims of circumstance.Whether tall or short, rich or poor,black or white, diseases do not dicriminate who is a star or who is not. The only stars here are those who switch the patient's status from being a victim to being a victor. I always wanted to be a star,but didnt want to be hunted by paparazzi.I craved for the autographs of stars on my t-shirt or other stuff.But now i can sign my own autograph on people each time i help them become victors from a disease. You don't need to be on TV to be a star,cus guess what...even the TV stars need us.Thats why i chose nursing,not just to take the paparzzis out of buisness, but to inspire those who wanna be stars that stardom is not all about being in the spotlight.

Specializes in Respiratory.
I just read a fun book called Hot Nursing Careers for the 21st Century. It is one of the best books I've read on nursing. The author gives such honest writing on her hit on nursing. It's available on all the major online bookstores. Amazon, B&N, etc. She went in it because her mother wanted her to marry a doctor.:jester: How lame. :argue:

Tell me, did she end up marrying a doctor? :redbeathe I haven't time to read the book to find out!

I graduated in 2000, passed NCLEX, but decided to raise my family and take care of an ill parent. Now its 2008 and I've been to sooo many job interviews, not to mention how many I've applied for. Took a refresher course and still I just keeping getting rejected. HELP!!! I don't know what to do next. Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance.:cry:

OMGosh....I don't want to get depressed but, WOW!!! Have you never worked as an LPN or RN (you didn't specify)? What state do you live in? I thought there was a nursing shortage; from the looks of it, where you are, maybe there isn't. Have you thought about moving out of state (I know you said ypu're taking care of an ill parent)?

Best wishes on your job search. Stay hopeful.:)

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