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.

So much to say so little skin on the fingers:typing.. I was one of those bad kids put my mom and dad through hell. Did alot of stupid things made alot of stupid choices. Woke up one day and realized that I was lucky to be alive. Was befriended by a young blonde nurse that showed me anything was possible. Then got pregnant and married at 17, well I was married he was not.:o I lost my marriage my kids and spun out of control for about 2 years. I became a state tested nurse aide and loved every minute of it:D. I fell one day locking up my back and found out that I had DDD, was told would be lucky to be an stna for another year:bluecry1:. I decided that it was time to do what I had wanted to do it was time to make my girls and my family proud, and not to mention the plus of putting it in the ex mother in laws face. And it was the only way that I could continue to do what I loved helping people:heartbeat. And that is how I got here of course I shortened it but this was the jist of it.:tku::prdnrs:

I do take up nursing because i feel the need to help other people. Since I was a child I wanted to be a nurselike my mother.,

Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I wanted to be a nurse since I was in my 20s, but wasn't self disciplined enough to work and go to school, so I had to work.

I took care of my ill parent and was in and out of hospitals with this parent. I don't ever recall being treated well by nursing staff at a couple of hospitals in the area. So, I finally decided to pursue a nursing education to make a difference. To be friendly and care, not only about the pt but the families.

Now I realize how stressful and busy nursing is.....I can see why some nursing staff wasn't overall that friendly with me. This is very hard and stressful work, but there are times to where it's very rewarding.

Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

I never wanted to be a nurse, I was going to be a physical therapist (cause they make better money and don't hafta clean poo) well my first day of "volunteer" work at the local PT place, some guy came in and the cracking of his bones in his writst made me SICK SICK SICK and I puked. That was 1995, I was 17.

Fast forward to 2000, I done got married, had a one year old and I needed to find a job, so I went to school to be a PCT. Half way through the program, which was taught by RN's, they told me I was too smart to do this, I needed to apply for the LPN program, which around here is THE BEST and HARDEST class to get into. So I took the entrance exam and passed and started the class thinking, "well its only a year, its a job, if I don't like it I can drop out, I am not smart enough for this..." only to find out that cracking bones may make me sick, buy by golly I LOVE trach care and giving enema's and doing digital checks for impactions and dressing changes...lol.

So here I am, 6 years later with a job that I love, getting ready to go back to school to get my RN this summer :)

Specializes in ER, Peds ER.

When I was just starting college I was convinced I was going to marry and be with the girl I was dating forever. And originally I started out as a pre-med major, but I was in way too much of a hurry to grow up and started looking for something that was quick and paid enough to support a family. So I switched to XRay for a hot minute, before I realized that I had wanted to be a doctor because I'm someone who due to my own childhood issues I have a need to want to rescue and take care of people, and after talking with my step mom, she suggested I look into nursing. So I did and that's where I ended up. My girlfriend at the time was kinda ****** I wasn't going to be a doctor anymore, but we broke up shortly after I finished nursing school anyway, so I'm glad I didn't let her talk me out of it. I guess we all end up on the right path by a combination of chance and choice.

Specializes in all types.

short and sweet response, I have always helped people. My grandmother and mother are nurses. I felt it was my calling.

WOW!! Everyone's post has been awesome! Bravo to you guys!!

My story goes something like this...

I didn't want to have to ask if they wanted fries with that shake and I didn't want to ask did you find everything you needed today...

For the last eight months, I have painstakingly searched for employment with no success. This is my second layoff in 16 months apart, with a degree in Business Administration.

During this summer, my Grandfather became very ill. I spent many long hours visiting with him, caring for him and at some point in this process something changed within me. I came to understand that there is a certain quality of life that is important and oft times overlooked. In interacting and communicating with his nurses and Doctors, I came to realize I wanted to do the things that they were doing. I wanted to help people. I wanted to make a difference in peoples lives.

I felt that an education and subsequent career in nursing will offer me more opportunities for growth both in my personal life and on a more human level than my degree in business ever could. I want to be both self reliant and an asset to my community and family. I will reach what I now know is my purpose in this life...to become a nurse.

Honestly, I have no idea why I went into nursing! I didn't like the brief time I was a candy striper at a local hospital...I loved biology in school, didn't want to study long enough to be a vet yet felt it was time to pick something *shrugs*. I actually was still very unsure until about the second year nursing school when we could take care of patients. It was so rewarding that I have never looked back.

My first and only sibling (Kelley) was born when I was 8 years old. She was born with a VSD along with multiple blockages -at ten days old had her first open-heart surgery to repair the damage. She recovered beautifully, but as time went on her heart began to weaken again. At four y/o she underwent her second open-heart surgery to repair her heart. As time went by her she developed aortic insufficiency. Surgeons went in to repair the damage as best they could. Fours years later at age 12, Kelley had the Ross procedure. She is one year postop today and is doing well. She has shown more courage than I could have ever imagined from such a young girl. The strength she has is greater than I could ever give. Growing up and watching her push through every step has been amazing, and God has blessed us so many times. The nurse and all medical staff that provided care for her were truly amazing and as well played a huge part in my decision to join such an incredible career. I am also thankful for every conversation and encounter I had while my family and I spent many weeks throughout Kelley's surgeries at Ronald McDonald House. Every family was different but we were all experiancing some brokeness that brought us together. I can't wait to be take part in an experiance like this. Thank you ACH

I was 24 years old - no training or no college education. Figured that I could better myself and my family if I went to nursing school. Tha'ts exactly what I did. I've never been sorry. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE CAREERS, OR ENTER THIS FIELD. GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE CONSIDERING NURSING AS A NEW CAREER!

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Same reason I became a paramedic- I'm too fat to be a firefighter. I went into EMS because I was always out of breath with that airpack on, and I noticed when I went to rehab the EMS crew was always near A/C, beverages and fans. HHMMM..

So I got my EMT found out I really liked it. I got my medic, been there for almost 9 years, decided to take the next step. And I'm STILL too fat to be a firefighter.:mad:

Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Long Term care.

My miracle baby, Dinah,inspired me to pursue nursing. Before I got preggo with her, i was pursuing a Microbiologu degree and then left school my thrid yr because i began to realize I HATED my major and had no passion whatsoever for the field. Then i had my daughter at 24 weeks preggo and my life changed forevr. She was only 1 lb and 14 oz. We were given no hope and all from the docters but it was the nurses who gave me inspiration. I will never forget the nurse that let me hold me daughter for the first time when she was 31 days old. I thought I couldnt hold her because she was so small..i was terrified that I would hurt her. This same nurse taught me how to give my then tiny 3 lb baby a bath. From the things that I saw and thenurses i bonded with during those long an dlonely nights in the NICU i was also given this passon for nursing. i want to save the lives of children. Yeah, I know I cant save every patient but the pursuit is a worthy cause. I believe in hope when hope is not an option...

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