Why did you decide to become a nurse?

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2014

I think many people have stories like yours, taking care of a family member and that lead them to nursing. I have always wanted to be in the medical field. The science of it fascinates me. I am a little bit of a nerd. I also am that person that takes care of everyone. Whether it is my family or other people's families. I'm kind of the team mom who takes care of all "my" kiddos on my son's judo team. Taking care of people is like ingrained in me. So between that and my love of science, I thought nursing would be good for me. I have wanted to be a nurse for a very long time.

gearedup · Sep 27, 2014

I guess that's me, too! I've always been a bit of a "mother hen". Grouchy at times, but always want to help make things better :-)

Girlafraid13 · Sep 27, 2014

Similar story I lost my mother young to cancer watched her deteriorate at a young age was rough which probably has a lot or everything to do with why I became a nurse. And my dad always pushed me towards science from a young age and he eventually created a nurse. And for the stomach feeding tube are you looking for the word gtube?

Everline · Sep 27, 2014

I never wanted to be a nurse until I got sick and saw what a difference there is between a compassionate nurse and one who is cold and unfriendly. It made such a difference in my recovery. That made me want to go out there and be a compassionate nurse.

Khalesi25 · Sep 27, 2014

I love your story. We were told at school; "Think of your patients as if they are your family" but nothing hits harder than when your family is ill. Treasure all those moments shared with your father, I am positive they can give you strength and inspiration on your career.

In my case, I had to talk to a nurse What is like to be a nurse? She told me with watered eyes "You do your best. Sometimes the result is not always good, but still you do your best" I have never cared for anyone. I always had someone to care for me, this was a new territory. Once I started going to clinicals, meet the patients, talking to them, help them with their basic needs, It was then when I realized, small help can make a big difference for patients. The responsibility of caring is a life long career full of rewards and endless possibilities.

Good luck

sjalv · Sep 28, 2014

I wanted a stable career with plenty of room for advancement (which nursing has), a decent income (my parents collectively made about $38k growing up, so $50k/yr in Oklahoma is more than decent to me), and a sense of fulfillment (making a difference in peoples' lives as opposed to pushing paper for a random corporation).

chiandre · Sep 29, 2014

My parents gave me an ultimatum to pick a major or they will not pay my school fees anymore. So I picked Criminal Justice (I wanted to go to Law School), but a cousin convinced me to go to Nursing School. It was the best decision. I never looked back.

RunBabyRN · Sep 29, 2014

When I was 5, I remember going to the hospital to meet my newborn brother. I saw the nurses in the nursery and thought they had the coolest job ever. I told my kindergarten teacher I wanted to be a "baby nurse." Somewhere I have some kindergarten project with this written on it.

After several changes in major (English, international business, romance languages, even looked at the park ranger program- how many people have "chainsaw safety" on their transcripts??), I joined the Navy and became a hospital corpsman, because it sounded interesting. It gave me a taste of a variety of healthcare specialties, and I came back around to OB nursing. After tinkering around with a few ideas, I settled on CNM. I changed my major at that point, continuing my general ed and then prereqs upon separation from the Navy, and finally went to nursing school. I'm waiting a few years (recover from my BSN program, pay off student loans) to go for my master's program.

NaeLPN · Oct 3, 2014

My concern for the well being of people led me to Nursing. I became a Nurse because I am such a sincerely caring and helpful person. I help anyone and everyone, even strangers. So being able to do this as a career was ideal! People always come to me with concerns and health questions and I take pride in knowing I played a small part in their progress. So now, I'm omw to earn my RN so I can do even more!

Aallison · Oct 3, 2014

I have always wanted to be a nurse, but right out of high school, I didn't think my mom could afford it and didn't want to bother her with the added expenses...so I opted for Travel/Tourism, (which I didn't stay in, I moved onto computer/application technology. But not a day went by that I didn't wish I took the other route. Then last year, my mother got really sick, in ICU, trachea put in, feeding tube, her organs started shutting down, they started her on dialysis....it didn't look good for her. The nurses there were SOOO unbelievably helpful to not only her, but to me and my family also. They helped us through the processes of realizing she really may not make it out of there. Since that day, I knew I had to do this. I am no spring chicken, but still young enough to do everything nurses need to do. My mom made it through everything (Thankfully!), and I started getting pre-requisites out of the way and now waiting to be called to start nursing school!! She is still in a nursing home, but just got her trachea and feeding tubes removed about 3 weeks ago and is now just working on regaining strength to her legs so she is able to walk, then she can go home and I will be in nursing school!! She is SO very proud of me, and I am finally at peace with myself knowing I am on my way to becoming what I believe I was MEANT TO BE!!!!