Why does anyone go into nursing?

[guineapiglover2011]

i joined the board because i'm curious to know why other people choose to go to nursing school, particularly those who have worked in another field and are choosing nursing as a second career.

let me be perfectly clear: i'm not looking for an argument and don't intend to argue with anyone on here. (argue is different than debate). i'm also not trying to (deliberately, anyway), knock the profession of nursing in general. (i do, however, have a thing or two to say about nursing school and instructors, but i'll bite my tongue for now).

here's some good ones i've heard so far:

1.) "because i love people and i want to make them all better". my response: isn't there a career that pays a heck of a lot more money than nursing where you can still help people? how about accounting, where you can help people fix there money situation (which is ever so important in this awful economy). or law, to help them with legal manners. or perhaps even a life counselor or psychologist? you're helping the brain, and you don't have the chance of contracting hiv, hep a-z, mrsa, vre, etc.

2.) "it's secure; there'll always be a job for me". yeah, right. in this country/economy? nothing's secure.

3.) "the money is great". seriously? $20-25 is 'great'? i didn't realize...

4.) "my was sick with and from that point on, i just wanted to be able to heal people. yeah? that's your relative/friend. whole different ballgame.

so like i said, i'm interested in hearing thoughts/rebuttal. but not shots against me, my character, my opinions. not interested.

thanks!

[Annachu512, BSN, RN]

i must say it's really hard not to just argue with the original poster when it's obvious they are so condescending. yes they will be those who probably enter this field for what can be considered the wrong reasons. that's with any profession though. as far as the pay, yes 20-25 dollars an hour is great. this would depend where you are in the country but where i'm at (central pa) that is good money. and that is starting average pay anyway.

i chose this field as i want to stay in healthcare but do not what to be a pharmacy tech my whole life. this is little "moving up" room for a pharm tech. i want to move up and nursing has great opportunity in advancing. there is still shortages in many areas (no, not all but around here, yes..)

we all have our reason for our decisions. as long as those reasons are moral and right, don't attempt to judge.

[kspooner08]

Not many people can say that they have brought person who was in asystole (no heartbeat) to a sinus rhythm (a beat rhythm). I am proud to say that I am one who was part of the team who helped that person. I am proud of the knowledge I am soaking in. I'm not saying that other professions don't do any of these things but being a nurse, is more than being a nurse; you are an educator, role model, team member, and someone who has someone else's life in their hands.

[hello sammi]

My reasons for going into the field of nursing:

I love science and the human body. Anatomy, Chemistry, and other topics that are similar have ALWAYS been interesting to me.

I like dealing with people. Sitting behind a desk would not satisfy me.

I have a daughter than I need to help support, and she's not getting any younger. I need to step up asap.

IMO, nursing satisfies all of those qualities. I volunteered once at a homeless shelter/AIDS clinic and I loved the work I did there. But I'm not a total bleeding heart...I need to get paid lol.