Why did you become nurses?

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 20, 2014

Became a nurse for a variety of reasons;

My son was premature and the nurses who took care of him and me were amazing

Science has always interested me

I was in customer service/restaurant before nursing....if I was going to get yelled at while working it had better be for a good reason....messed up food order no....frustration over your diagnosis I can understand and empathize

Was a single mom at the time needed to earn a living salary....I am still the primary breadwinner

I like the variety nursing provides

Yes it is everything I thought it would be, I went in with my eyes wide open. I knew there were not so good places to work, the stress, working short staffed..ect...... Mainly because I researched threads here on allnurses before I went to nursing school.

I have worked in the scary SNFs that you read about and I currently work in an amazing hospital with some of the best coworkers.

Nursing can be what you make of it. I kept applying to jobs until I found one that I really love

rupertmichaes · Mar 20, 2014

Thank you, this was very helpful. Have an errand to run then will respond more.

rupertmichaes · Mar 20, 2014

The first one you said really resonates with me. My mom was sick recently so I went home expecting the worst. I watched nurses, aides, OT, PT, dietary, come in frequently (her doctor made two appearances, less than five minute total.) and they were so nice, so patient, so helpful, so dedicated. That's when I started to imagine myself doing the job, or a job like it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

I became a nurse for the flexible scheduling, career mobility, income, and advancement opportunities. Yes, all of my reasons for entering the nursing profession are centered around my own wants and desires. I am not an altruistic person.

Palliative Care, DNP · Mar 20, 2014

I became a nurse after being wait listed for dental hygiene. I didn't want to wait a year so I looked up majors that I could use the pre-requisites for. No "calling" or wanting to be Flo Nightingale here. Just practicality and floor nursing wasn't for me. I am in a BSN to DNP program now.

rupertmichaes · Mar 20, 2014

TheCommuter. Thanks for being honest. How long have you been a nurse?

Mom to 4: how long have you been a nurse?

rupertmichaes · Mar 20, 2014

And Commuter I'm curious - why nursing? Were there any other fields that fit that description?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

TheCommuter. Thanks for being honest. How long have you been a nurse?

I've been a nurse for 8 years.

And Commuter I'm curious - why nursing? Were there any other fields that fit that description?

I had been working as a factory worker from age 20 to 23 (2001 to 2004). After receiving a write-up for an infraction, it dawned on me that my options in the job market were dismal with only a high school diploma and no marketable skills.

So I took a risky plunge, quit the factory job without another position lined up, and enrolled in a 12-month LVN program. The LVN route facilitated a relatively quick career change due to the short length of the schooling. I earned my LVN license in 2006 and my RN license in 2010.

nursefrances, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

Twenty years ago I was a medical assistant for eye surgeons. I went to a class (continuation education) given by ophthalmic nurses and this is what first gave me the desire to be a nurse.

Fast forward to 2005 when I was finally able to quit my job and go to school full time (one year of junior college then transferred to the local state University for nursing school-BSN). I worked almost 4 years at the bedside then made the transition to ophthalmology.

I have been a nurse for 5 years now and I love it. It is great that there are so many different areas of nursing. The only thing difficult for new grad nurses is there are not many jobs out there due to the many schools pushing a "nursing shortage" that no longer exists (it was going away when I entered the field 5 years ago). There are still great jobs out there it is just more difficult to find them.

I don't regret my decision in 2005 to finally take the plunge and go back to school for nursing. It has been an interesting ride. If you decide to hop on and join the ride too I wish you luck and hope you find your niche. It's out there. :up:

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

1) My Mom was a nurse, that's how I became interested in Nursing. 2) Yes, it's everything I thought it would be and more..... :)

RNJeff73 · Mar 20, 2014

I remember seeing a friend saved by a paramedic when I was young. The firemen pulled my next door neighbor out of their house and the paramedic worked on him to revive him. I still remember the moment my friend started breathing again. I knew then that I wanted to be that important, to help people and save lives.