Why did you decide to become a nurse?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 21, 2005

welcome to the site. enjoy your stay and best wishes to you. :balloons:

stpauligirl · Oct 21, 2005

I would be very interested to know why many of you came to Nursing as a career? Was is the Money...Stability...Lifestyle...Love for people...Combination of all of the above? I want to change careers and wonder if Nursing is for me. What is the most rewarding part about being a Nurse.

I had a serious illness 4 years ago and had several operations in the last couple of years(not realated to that particular illness). The hospital was like my second home and I had alot of interaction with docs and nurses who became my second family. I received alot of encouragement.... Money is important, too :)

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Oct 22, 2005

I would be very interested to know why many of you came to Nursing as a career? Was is the Money...Stability...Lifestyle...Love for people...Combination of all of the above? I want to change careers and wonder if Nursing is for me. What is the most rewarding part about being a Nurse.

1 - Diversity. You have many specialties and work settings to choose from. Although when people think 'nurse' they tend to think 'adult med/surg', there are plenty of other options out there for nurses.

2 - Money. Although nurses are not, by any means, paid what they are worth or should be paid, they are relatively well-compensated (at least right out of school - many other professions that started out a bit behind nursing pass us by leaps and bounds once they have a few years of experience).

3 - Lifestyle. Flexible scheduling options are a definite plus. Travel nursing was another experience I was able to enjoy as a nurse.

4 - Interests. I was always interested in human anatomy and physiology, as well as pathophysiology and pharmacology. Nursing was a good match.

5 - Relative job security. Nurses are needed most places. I do not buy into the idea of a shortage that permeates every city and town, but most places you go would have a position for an experienced nurse (disclaimer - it may not be a good position or one you would want, but it would likely put food on your table).

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2005

1) I wanted to feel like I was doing something important and helping people.

2) I was tired of working in an office and staring at the same people every day and listening to their petty gripes about really dumb stuff.

3) OK, I'll be honest, the money.

However, it's not the money that keeps me in it. I love working with people and doing something meaningful. As a nurse you affect people's quality of life every day.

Zigeunerin · Oct 23, 2005

Way back then............. there were only three choices in my Junior College, nursing, police, computers. My husband wanted me to work in a female environment. Personnally I wish I became a cop but nursing has been good to me. :cool:

Cute_CNA, CNA · Oct 23, 2005

Um... there's a sticky thread at the top of this forum acting almost an identical question.

mich_01085 · Oct 23, 2005

I decided to become a Nurse because I am a care giver. This is something I have done all my life and figured I could get payed to do what I love instead of working in jobs that I liked.