Why did you decide to become a nurse?

cocoa_puff · Sep 20, 2016

Because I was young and naive. I didn't fully research other careers or actually shadow a nurse until I was already in nursing school. I like science, medicine, and analyzing what the problem is...so I thought nursing would be the perfect career for me. I thought because I like to "help" people, that nursing would be the right career for me. I was so wrong. I don't like rushing around, answering call lights, dealing with rude/nasty patients and their family members. I don't like being short staffed and having 6 patients on a step-down/tele floor. I don't like taking care of manipulative, lazy people who abuse the system, complain about everything, take no responsibility for their choices, and then go right back to destroying their health. I don't like being yelled at for things that aren't even in my control (cold food, doctor's late, tv isn't working, NPO for surgery). I hate being the one who has to "coordinate the care," and I hate getting phone calls every second from the lab, radiology, pharmacy, the physician, family members, the ER, charge nurse. I hate dealing with other people's problems, and I find nursing to be extremely draining...emotionally, mentally and physically.

sd610 · Sep 20, 2016

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience! I hope it improves somehow!

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 20, 2016

Decent $ without a lot of school/debt and flexibility- I started college as a premed major then decided I didn't want to spend that much time and money on school.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2016

I like the reasons the OP cited...I'll add...for the scrubs! Yay!

cocoa_puff · Sep 21, 2016

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience! I hope it improves somehow!

Aww, thank you. I'm hoping it gets better too.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2016

I became a nurse for the steady income, career mobility, flexibility in scheduling, educational opportunities, and potential for advancement. For me, nursing is a means to an end.

This may sound crass, but I am not in it for altruistic reasons. I am not the type who gets a thrill from being needed by others. And to be blunt, I would exit out the back door if it weren't for the money.

I am approaching my eleventh year in the profession and have found all of the aforementioned attributes in nursing.

Wheaties · Sep 21, 2016

I became a nurse for the steady income, career mobility, flexibility in scheduling, educational opportunities, and potential for advancement. For me, nursing is a means to an end.
This may sound crass, but I am not in it for altruistic reasons. I am not the type who gets a thrill from being needed by others. And to be blunt, I would exit out the back door if it weren't for the money.
I am approaching my eleventh year in the profession and have found all of the aforementioned attributes in nursing.

i can totally relate, and it really rings true. mainly I grew up surrounded by friends and family of nurses. My decision to be a nurse was because of that. I was never good at math and computers. If I was, I would have loved to major in computer science, programming, or software engineer, or engineering

I agree: steady income, being able to work in many nursing areas. Sure the bad and demands and stress is overwhelming, but gotta respect those who have been in this profession all their life, work, not complain because it can become too much most of the time. It's too late for me to go back and pursue another career. Nursing is it, I'm gonna ride it to the end.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2016

I took care of my first patient as a student at the young age of 18 and 36 years later I am still working full time doing direct patient care. I became a nurse because anatomy and physiology instructors did not make much money nor did they have career flexibility. I did not know fully know what I was getting into but I made it work because I bought a house at the age of 22 and always have had bills to pay

sd610 · Sep 21, 2016

Decent $ without a lot of school/debt and flexibility- I started college as a premed major then decided I didn't want to spend that much time and money on school.

Wow, I had a really similar experience. I originally chose nursing, but then I decided to do pre-med, and I came back to nursing. I personally detest school so as little school as possible was the route to go!

sd610 · Sep 21, 2016

I like the reasons the OP cited...I'll add...for the scrubs! Yay!

I feel the same way with the scrubs!! So comfy :)

I became a nurse for the steady income, career mobility, flexibility in scheduling, educational opportunities, and potential for advancement. For me, nursing is a means to an end.
This may sound crass, but I am not in it for altruistic reasons. I am not the type who gets a thrill from being needed by others. And to be blunt, I would exit out the back door if it weren't for the money.
I am approaching my eleventh year in the profession and have found all of the aforementioned attributes in nursing.

I totally understand. I personally do get a thrill when helping others, but all of us have different reasons for choosing this career -- thanks for sharing! :)

i can totally relate, and it really rings true. mainly I grew up surrounded by friends and family of nurses. My decision to be a nurse was because of that. I was never good at math and computers. If I was, I would have loved to major in computer science, programming, or software engineer, or engineering
I agree: steady income, being able to work in many nursing areas. Sure the bad and demands and stress is overwhelming, but gotta respect those who have been in this profession all their life, work, not complain because it can become too much most of the time. It's too late for me to go back and pursue another career. Nursing is it, I'm gonna ride it to the end.

I'm doing this to the end too, haha! :roflmao:

I took care of my first patient as a student at the young age of 18 and 36 years later I am still working full time doing direct patient care. I became a nurse because anatomy and physiology instructors did not make much money nor did they have career flexibility. I did not know fully know what I was getting into but I made it work because I bought a house at the age of 22 and always have had bills to pay

So many years of experience, wow!! How were you able to take care of patients so young? :nurse:

AutumnApple · Sep 22, 2016

I became a nurse for the steady income, career mobility, flexibility in scheduling, educational opportunities, and potential for advancement. For me, nursing is a means to an end.
This may sound crass, but I am not in it for altruistic reasons. I am not the type who gets a thrill from being needed by others. And to be blunt, I would exit out the back door if it weren't for the money.
I am approaching my eleventh year in the profession and have found all of the aforementioned attributes in nursing.

I was a hard core "For the calling" type through school and my early career. Thankfully I've matured past that.

I'm writing an article about that now, why nursing is seen as a "calling" and how it became associated with us. If people knew the history behind how we got there, they'd not "have a calling" so much.