When did you decide nursing was for you?

Nurses General Nursing

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I recently got a job as a CNA, I am about to be a senior in high school, currently getting my EMT-Basic. I was for sure that getting into trauma nursing is what I want. However, I am starting to second guess, I mean I am only in high school, how do I possibly know what I want to do with the rest of my life?

So, when was the moment that you decided nursing was for you? What happened?

Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

Well my journey is a bit different than many. Way back when (1950's) my parents and then myself were told I was a "slow learner", I was placed in what is now called "special ed" classes and teased/bullied horribly during grade school and high school. I wanted to go to college with everyone else and I was told by my father that it's a waste of money to educate woman (I'd just get married) and how could I ever get through school because I was "retarded" so after much nashing of teeth and tearing of hair they gave me a choice of a 1 year CC either secretary school or PN school. We had to take a few pre-req's back then (my parents never thought I'd get through one quarter and would be back home) one of the first courses was a reading and comprehension course to up your skills, deemed necessary to get through nursing school. That course changed my life, I was diagnosed with a form of dyslexia by the teacher after a few quick tests and she gave me the skills to solve the issues. A HUGE light went off, I could read and understand what I was reading at a great speed. I graduated with a 3.00 much to my parents shock and my ever lasting pride. I still get tears in my eyes when I think of what that one teacher and that one class did for me - it changed my life. I still can't spell well and have to have MS word open when I type, I still struggle with math. BUT can I read:yeah: and I love it, books surround me. I proudly graduated from Practical Nursing school in 1972 and passed the Nationals the first time. I worked in a hospital med/surg and ortho, LTC medicare floor, Family Practice Clinic at a University, Family Practice rural private practice, and Peds clinic for Kaiser. I then burnt out after almost 20 years and was living in a state where I couldn't keep my license up by CE's so had to let it lapse, but keep it up via CE's online in another state. Even though I'm not working as a nurse right now - I'm still a nurse and always will be.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

When my preschooler broke her leg while playing at our friend's house. I calmly assessed the situation and splinted her leg while giving orders to my (freaking out) husband and asking my friends to babysit my younger daughter until we returned from the hospital.

I stayed calm and cool the whole way... until she was xrayed, casted and safely home. :) Then I broke down. ;)

But it kind of made me think I might make an ok nurse. When she started school, I went back to school too.

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I decided nursing was "for me" when the job I really wanted to do couldn't pay the bills...........pessimistic but true.

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I'm still not 100% that nursing is for me :lol2:

Some days, I feel like breaking up with nursing, then nursing sincerely apologizes and I jump back into bed with nursing. In the morning when I wake up, nursing makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I am again in love with nursing. The giggles fade, reality hits a few weeks later, and I absolutely want to kill nursing. . . ...

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

When I flunked out if community college for non-attendance and my mother let me come back home, before we got home she showed me the jobs classifieds in which she had circled 4 jobs.....and essentially said "pick one".......I chose the nurses aide job and got it and was trained on-the-job ( no certification back in those days). I was always asking the nurses questions, and one time a nurse ,who I really admired for her good humor and kindness, started laughing at me and said with mock frustration/fierceness: "Why don't you just go to nursing school and leave me alone!" That planted the seed; I looked into schools, picked one, applied, got accepted, and was astonished to find that it really engaged my brain; I found out I was smart. I graduated 2nd in my class, which really blew me away. I would look for the scariest jobs I could find and go forth and conquer them. I miss the energy and enthusiasm I used to have, but am essentially looking forward to handing the baton on to the next 'runner'. It has been a wonderful career, and I thank you for starting this thread; it brought back a lot of good memories of a lot of dynamic experiences!

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My goodness! So many amazing stories!

I am really considering nursing. I guess for me, it just doesn't feel right doing any other thing.

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