When did you know you wanted to be a nurse?

[rachflamini]

I am a freshman in college for pre-nursing. I am loving biology, and doing well in my science classes. I never wanted to be a nurse when I was younger, and I really didn't spark this passion until about 2 years ago. I know I want to work in the medical field, but I'm wondering now if there's another field I would do better in... When did you know you truly wanted to be a nurse and how did you know? Everyone says you'll know when you start nursing school, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had a different experience.

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

Music nerds unite!! Maybe you can find a different story for every patient for your scar. Though the original is pretty interesting. Do you still play at all, even for fun?

One of the things I find invaluable from my other degrees, and it still serves me well in class, is stage presence. I'm not afraid to talk to people or answer questions. I'm obviously not using my opera projection in group discussions, but I speak clearly, enunciate, and maintain composure (and believe me, it can be a challenge in A&P to maintain composure).

I pulled it out about 6 weeks ago and played part of the theme song for Doctor Who, Happy and Sad (my Tri M audition piece), and a jazzy piece from the panned movie Tune In Tomorrow.

[KThurmond]

I've said I wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. I wrote a paper in 5th grade about it. In my high school in your 3rd yr you choose career pathways. I chose healthcare and CNA. I was certified my senior year. Working as a CNA made it sure for me. I like helping people, the patient interaction, & I've noticed I soak up information about medications. Ive also noticed bodily fluids don't bother me. I was the only person at my retail job who didn't freak out when a kid vomited in the floor. I'd give them sprite & grab gloves & paper towels & cleaner & go 4 it. No biggie:smug:

[PeanutButterToast]

I was volunteering in the respiratory therapy department but could not focus because I was fascinated with what the nurses were doing. They were so busy and I loved that! I started researching and just developed this fire in my gut that this is what I wanted to do. That was 10 years ago and I couldn't pursue it then due to life but I am still here with the same fire and ready to go. I worked as a home health aide, in an ER and for the past 8 years as a medical transcriptionist just to stay involved somehow in medicine. There is so much about nursing that gets me fired up...the opportunities, the amount of knowledge they have, always learning, working until your bone dead tired (yes, I like to do that), everyday being different, being an advocate for your patient, educating and so much more...even the thought of just trying to get through nursing school and clinicals is exciting for me. I don't even know what nurses in my area make and I don't care. I am not going for it for the money. Out of all the medical fields out there to pursue, nursing just gets me in a way the rest of them do not.

[Julius Seizure]

I didn't know that I wanted to be a nurse until...gosh....nearly a year after I started my first nursing job.

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

I've been a nurse almost five years now, still not sure what I want to do when I grow up.

[DiplomaNurseRN]

As a young US Army medic assigned to an Air Ambulance Company (we call them 'Medevac' now) in Vietnam. Watching the wonderful Army Nurses go about their duties in such a professional, sincere and compassionate manner inspired me to enter the field. Something I never regretted during the 38 years I was in practice.