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.

[BridgetJones]

I was seriously obsessed with the show ER when I was in high school and I wanted to be just like Abby Lockhart. Don't know if I thought I would snag Noah Wyle or what, but here I am in nursing (but working in the OR and not about to date a doctor).

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

I was seriously obsessed with the show ER when I was in high school and I wanted to be just like Abby Lockhart. Don't know if I thought I would snag Noah Wyle or what, but here I am in nursing (but working in the OR and not about to date a doctor).

Gosh I miss that show!

[sugarloaf98]

I had a conversation with Mum. I said that when I leave school I'd like to help people and I can't decide between being a policewoman or becoming a nurse. She said "well you'll only wind up getting shot being a policewoman so you may as well be a nurse!" God love her and RIP Mum xx:heartbeat

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

Plan A was to be a Pop Star, but then Justin Beiber came around and crushed my dreams.

[kelsey.kristine, CNA]

My grandmother was a school nurse(school nurse of the year in '91!) And my great grandmothers on both sides were also nurses; I grew up hearing about how rewarding it was, etc.etc. I always insisted I would never be a nurse because I "hated blood"(now I find it fascinating lol). My grandmother told me for years that more nurses were always needed.

After high school, I started studying communications. But the thought of being a nurse had kind of snuck up on me. I would get pangs of jealousy whenever I saw a nursing student. But my advisor told me switching to nursing was a terrible idea.

One day I was watching "Mercy" with my family and I said, "you know, I'd love to be a nurse" and my dad just looked at me and said, "then do it". The next day at work, a customer dropped a coin and I found it, it had a prayer for nurses on the back of it. I kept it and decided that that was it. I withdrew from school, got my CNA, and now I'm at a different school doing my pre-reqs.

My great grandmother died in April at age 96. On her death bed, I assured her I'd make her proud :)

[Ms. SPLB]

I decided I wanted to be a nurse because of a RN named Mary. Honestly, I can not remember her face but I have always wanted to thank her. If u know her, please tell her I said, "Thank you".

It was 10 years ago on April 23, 2001. My oldest son was born. I was in labor at a hospital in Flint, Michigan. I was in so much pain, I was crying and my mother (Mary as well) was there trying to talk to me and calm me down. All of a sudden a new nurse came on duty and seen my condition. She started rubbing my lower back and I melted like putty in her hands. Mary, where ever u are today, U are the best. I have had 2 children since and both times, I prayed for a Mary.

She is my driving force, to be a Mary :heartbeat. Thanks Mary! :redbeathe

[BriRN]

My italian greyhound broke his leg as a puppy. I was soo torn up about it and cried and cried, so when he came home from getting plates in his leg, I was his personal "nurse". I made sure his cast was wrapped so he could go pee, and held him and cuddled him all the time! (haha how pathetic)

Somehow I thought real nursing would be all nice and rewarding like that? hahahaahahah

[Vinniesguy]

Mother and grandmother were both nurses. At family gatherings I used to sit with the two of them and they used to have some hilarious stories of what had happened at work. Everyone else would be in the front room with their boring RAF officer stories. Nursing sounded great and I have never regretted becoming a nurse

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

Because I care! Because I hope some one can be nice to me when I grow old, because I want to make some one's day better, because I like 3 days per week, because the pay is not bad, because people always get sick and need a nurse, because I can be on my feet and walk around all day long, because I can change fields, because I can change from bedside to law like, or informatics... And because I woke up one day and decided to be a nurse! Just 'cuz of that