Why did you choose Nursing?

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · May 8, 2008

In my previous career, I worked with a lot of people who spent a lot of time nitpicking over things that had no life or death implications. I wanted my work to be more meaningful; to impact people's lives in a real and meaningful way. I also wanted a career in which I would not stagnate; where opportunities to learn and grow would be continuous. I wanted a family wage job with job security and good benefits, where I could pay the bills plus have enough left over to travel around the world. That has been my lifelong dream, to see places like the Pyramids in Egypt, or Great Barrier Reef. There was no way I was ever going to be able to do that in my previous line of work.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · May 8, 2008

Purely selfish reasons. I wanted a job I could work part time nights and weekends get good benefits and still make a decent hourly wage.

What I found was a career I love. Could not imagine doing anything else. I not only feel proud to say I am a nurse I feel lucky to call myself nurse.

hpcat · May 8, 2008

In my previous career, I worked with a lot of people who spent a lot of time nitpicking over things that had no life or death implications. I wanted my work to be more meaningful; to impact people's lives in a real and meaningful way. I also wanted a career in which I would not stagnate; where opportunities to learn and grow would be continuous. I wanted a family wage job with job security and good benefits, where I could pay the bills plus have enough left over to travel around the world. That has been my lifelong dream, to see places like the Pyramids in Egypt, or Great Barrier Reef. There was no way I was ever going to be able to do that in my previous line of work.

This sounds a lot like me, except I wanted the stability and income to start my own family - I am a single mom adopting a 14 year old girl from foster care and would like to adopt and/or foster more kids in the future.

I had a health crisis in 2000. I was in the business world, working on my MBA. I ruptured a disk and had to have major cervical spine surgery (essentially a broken neck) and was out of work for 1 1/2 years (I recovered very well). Nothing like a long sabbatical to figure out what your priorities in life are. When I returned to work, I realized I had changed but the office hadn't. I realized I needed to find a new career that would satisfy my soul, not just my bank account. My brother married a nurse, and spending time talking with her, I realized it was something I could do that would help me achieve all my goals.

So I'm half way thru my program and have a 4.0 GPA and total love it, especially psych nursing. I'm still at that same old job while I'm in school, but our company was bought out and me and many of my coworkers may be out of work soon. Fortunately, I can get by until I finish school. Otherwise I would have been screwed. Nursing jobs by me are easy to come by. Glad I made the choice to switch!

allnurses Guide · May 8, 2008

It was a complete accident for me. I was working as a telephonist and a friend who was a nurse tutor phoned me to say they had most of a class drop out on the first day so would I be interested in training to be a nurse.

I hadn't thought about it but back then in the UK being a student nurse was a paid apprentiship so I went to the interview and started the next day.

Never wanted to be a nurse, but it was the best decision I have ever made. I now can't imagine doing anything else

I love my job

BrittRN2b · May 8, 2008

In no particular order:

I have an incredible amount of compassion and empathy and this is the best field to fully utilize those qualities.
nursing involves a lifetime of learning - I love to learn. Whether it is improving current skills or learning new ways of doing things, I like to feel like I am constantly growing as a person.
flexible work hours - this will be a huge benefit when kiddos enter the picture
job security - nurses are always in demand
nursing is hands-on and that is something I like in a job
a respectable profession
inherent rewards in caring for people
Of all the professions, nursing is the one that blends science and technology of medicine with the art of caring and holistic healing.
lots of options as far as continuing education and career advancement. I hear most large hospitals even encourage and help pay for certifications and higher education.
largely due to spiritual beliefs, I've come to believe that a life invested in the welfare of others is not wasted.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · May 8, 2008

It seemed like a good idea at the time since I had been a unit secretary for 13 years.

RN1980 · May 8, 2008

i love poop...

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 8, 2008

My grandmother was a nursing supervisor for the OR, and I used to like seeing her walk out in her white uniform. My mother was a home health aide and CNA. I had a few jobs that were not health related, but, I also went the HHA, CNA, Phlebotomist route, continued on with being a Patient Care Technician and when I became a Medical Assistant, I realized that I was really trying to compensate for my true desire. So, here I am.

bassandtea · May 8, 2008

I had been working in administration for several years and had started a job that I thought would be great with a not for profit organisation. It turned out to be not so good and my supervisor was a bully. At the same time I was fostering sick animals and loved caring for them and doing what I could to make them healthy again.

I was fed up with jobs that went nowhere and that I would pour my heart and soul into and get nothing back from it. I decided at that point that I needed a career change and that making such a change probably meant going back to school. I started to look around at the different courses available, with one rule in mind - if I did go back and study it had to be a course with a clear career outcome at the end, where there was a good chance of employment.

Prior to that I had never considered nursing, but of everything that I considered it was the one career that felt right to me. It appealed to my compassionate and caring side, as well as the part of me that loved learning and science.

When I started telling friends and family that I wanted to study nursing there were some mixed reactions, most though it was a great idea, but were concerned how I would handle it, as I have depression and anxiety and with my boss being a bully it had just gotten worse. Those that supported me kept on saying that I would make a wonderful nurse.

I'm just about finished my first semester of nursing school and it has been the best decision I have ever made. It's not always been easy, but I feel more fulfilled than I have in a long time. I am happier and more confident than I can remember being in years and I feel challenged by the work and have met some wonderful people.

NurseKatSteeZ · May 9, 2008

It's what I've always wanted to be.

My mom has been a CNA for 20 years now. Before my Dad migrated to the US, my mom pretty much was a single mother. When I wouldn't have a sitter, she'd sneak me into the nursing home she was working at, and I would be in the break room with my coloring books. I remember seeing all these people in scrubs. As I was growing up, my mom always told me good things about her friends who were nurses.

I think my mom wanted to be a nurse too, but was discouraged to go back to school. She's very proud that I'm a nurse.

Lexxie, LPN · May 9, 2008

I wanted to help people. I went to travel school shortly after graduating from high school. While helping people with their travel plans was kinda fun (I didn't stay in it long enough to reap the benefits of it, ie: free/reduced travel for myself), it wasn't as fulfilling as I'd hoped. From there, I was hired at the county nursing home. A new nursing assistant class was starting. At that point, I wasn't sure I could do that kind of work. After completing the class and working on the floor, I KNEW I'd found my niche and would continue on to becoming an LPN.