Why I became a nurse, the down and dirty

[libran1984]

I did not become a nurse because I was inspired by the care of an ailing family member received by a nurse.

I did not become a nurse to fix the nursing home my grandmother lived in.

I did not become a nurse to accomodate a person's passage into the afterlife.

I did not become a nurse to share in all of these wonderful private moments.

I did not become a nurse to motivate people to get through "the hard times".

I became a nurse because I love blood, guts, and gore. I love working weekends and holidays for extra money. I love working only 2 days a week and being paid for 3 for weekend option. I love the mobility and respect that comes with being a nurse. I love saving lives and cheating death. I love all the overtime I could want!

This is why I became a nurse and I'm very good at my job! Treat 'em and street 'em. If you are sick or concerned, come to me and if I can't help you, by George, I will find someone who will. I especially love poking people with needles and watching the first splash of blood splatter inside the test tube.

I love seeing the disease process. I love looking at a person and thinking, "I can't believe they survived that." Then I love looking at the same person 3 months later and then thinking, "I can't believe they're actually back to normal!!"

AMAAAAZZZINGG!!!

I really love all the stupid people that come through. They are the highlights of my day. I love to educate them. I love hearing their outrageous stories of self-entitlement. This may sound sarcastic, but it gives the best and most funny stories to laugh about at home with your husband or wife at dinner. It allows a plethora of communication and a way to bond. Without the stupid people coming to the ED, my love life may not even exist because it opens the way to such therapeutic laughter.

After graduation, I grew to love the special moments shared by myself and the patients. I enjoyed being that person people thanked for helping them. I enjoyed being rewarded for doing a job well-done. I enjoyed upping my income from prenursing by over $40,000 more per year

Nursing isn't just a job for me, its my livelihood. I treat my job with respect and dignity. I try my best to cut out the drama get straight to the point.

Sure, I didnt get into for all those sentimental reasons, but I know this is what I was meant to do. I know I will succeed in this profession and I kick major butt because I LOVE my job and enjoy every day I go to work.

[D-Nurse]

As an aspiring ED nurse I love this post. Everyone has a different reason for wanting to be a nurse, and as long as we perform our jobs safely, competently and respectfully no one reason is better than another!

[Kikilaurel]

Libran,

Its like you put my thoughts into words so I could read them directly. Everyday when people I work with in ER ask me how I'm doing - I say "living the dream"

Very few people fully understand me - you my friend, are one of them

[nekozuki, LPN]

Oh man, it's such a relief to hear I'm not the only person to do this NOT by way of heart-wrenching personal events or a "calling." I'm a rubbernecker who loves science, gross stuff, excitement and the weird/wacky aspects of nursing. As time goes on, I discover more about it that I love, but being a morbid adrenaline junkie is where I started!

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

I became a nurse because I love blood, guts, and gore.

I especially love poking people with needles and watching the first splash of blood splatter inside the test tube.

I love seeing the disease process.

That's exactly why, after 20 years of teaching, I quit and started nursing school! I never felt "the calling" like so many say they have. From the time I was a little girl, I was intrigued by diseases and surgeries. I did have some experiences with the nurses when my grandmother was in the hospital during her final days but honestly.....I want the gore.

[Reader007]

Great post OP. There's more than one way to love your job.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Thanks for that post. ER nurses are indeed a special breed and you all do

love your jobs more than most, I think. =)

I first became a nurse because I thought working in a psychiatric hospital

sounded super cool. I've always been fascinated with mental illness.

Now I work in a nursing home, and it's not my ideal situation but I'm having

a hard time wanting to leave. I stay crazy busy, feel a huge sense of

accomplishment when I've made it through a shift and actually gotten

everything done, I love the residents, AND... I do feel a divine calling

to stay and help these people.

[rbekt2010]

Amen sister!!! Finally, someone posted what I have been feeling for almost 30 years.

[wanderlust99]

When I sat down at my kitchen table filling out college applications and having to pick a major, I just thought hmmm nursing. I never thought about it before that. Ahhh being young and stupid:) Sometimes you make the best decisions when you don't over think it and just go with your gut!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

When I sat down at my kitchen table filling out college applications and having to pick a major, I just thought hmmm nursing. I never thought about it before that. Ahhh being young and stupid:) Sometimes you make the best decisions when you don't over think it and just go with your gut!

I make both my best and worst decisions that way

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Hate to go all "Bill Clinton" on this, but it all boils down to your definition of "calling". To me, it means that something meets your needs on a intensely personal level... but not necessarily religious or spiritual in any way. Something about the job 'calls to' your psyche and fills a gap like nothing else could.

In my case (and many other ICU nurses, whether they admit it or not - LOL) it fulfills my need for control. Yes, I am a control enthusiast. There is no greater control than the means to determine basic physiologic functions -- mechanical ventilation, managing hemodynamics, regulating fluid balance, etc. And the fact that I understand (or can find out) exactly what is going on with my patient.... no need for guesswork. Maybe that's why OB terrifies me - being responsible for that tiny hidden patient... shudder.

So - I would still argue that that 'thing' that makes nursing so satisfying for you is a 'Calling'.

[linzjane88]

"Tiny hidden patient"Ha! I love it. It's like a turducken. A patient inside a patient.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Hate to go all "Bill Clinton" on this, but it all boils down to your definition of "calling". To me, it means that something meets your needs on a intensely personal level... but not necessarily religious or spiritual in any way.

(snip)

So - I would still argue that that 'thing' that makes nursing so satisfying for you is a 'Calling'.

Well, yes, if you ignore culturally established meanings, you can make words fit your needs. I did not feel like I was brought to nursing by divine inspiration seeking me out and leading me to it. I made a choice and luckily it was a good one for me.