Why did you take up nursing? What's your story?

Every nurse has their own story to tell about how or why they chose to enter the nursing profession. Some may have been inspired by a personal experience with healthcare, while others may have been drawn to the idea of caring for others. Some may have stumbled upon nursing by chance, while others knew from a young age that it was their calling. Whatever the reason, each nurse has a unique narrative that led them to become a caregiver. These stories are a testament to the diversity and passion within the nursing community and the profound impact that healthcare can have on our lives.

Please be as detailed or as short as you wish. It'll be interesting to hear everyone's stories.

Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
I'M A FILIPINO... need i say more? o.k. I will. A lot of Filipinos become nurses because it means a plane ticket to America. However, that's not my story, that's my mom's story. That's right- a filipino family of nurses. It's about as rare as grass. Well, i was predestined to be a nurse whether I liked it or not. I Remember being 5 years old and thinking "I'm gonna be a nurse just like my mommy!" And as the years past I decided I wasn't so sure about nursing, and as more years past and the time to apply for college rolled around, nursing was the only thing I could think of. I had doubts in my head about nursing everyday, and I was surrounded by nursing fanatics. Then one day (you know that day when you haven't slept in days, you've spent hours studying for that exam right after finishing that project and getting dressed to go to clinical and had your morning cry) I thought to myself: "Damn! I love this profession!"

This is great. Best wishes to you. :)

Well, since I was little I wanted to be a nurse...can't tell you how many Trapper John MD reruns I watched (yes, the one where the nurses ran around in high heels). After graduating High school, I was stupid and got married to a man in the Navy and ended up getting a degree in the local college where he was stationed , well, to make a long story short we ended up divorcing and I moved back home and decided to do my lifes dream and enrolled at the University of South Florida and 2 years later, I earned my bachelors in Nursing (that was 1997). Since graduating I've worked the telemetry units, and I just love anything cardiac, and that's where I've stuck now for 8 years. I'm currently the charge nurse of my unit. Even though it has its ups and downs, bottom line, I do love nursing.

I'm now currently re-married with 2 gorgeous boys.

I wanted to be a DVM when I grew up. It wasn't until I was working as a CNA at the hospital and a doctor had asked me how a pt was doing and how the pt had done during the night that I decided I was going to be a nurse. When I explained to the doctor that I was the CNA and not the nurse, he demanded to know what I was doing in the pt's room. Explained to the doctor that I was assisting the pt with their breakfast, and he again demanded to know what I was doing in the pt room if I wasn't the nurse. I decided at that time that I would become a nurse. I was offended by that doctor. That same doctor I work with still, and I know now that it really isn't personal he talks to everyone not a doctor in the same way. But it gave me the incentive to apply to and graduate from nursing school.

Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

when my first child (boy) was born i delivered at 28 weeks. he was 3# 3/4oz. he was in a neonatal unit for 70 days. we were there 69. the best nurse we had was one that had been though the same experience. she was a great help. it was then and there that i decided one day i would be a nurse. i started as a cna, then have been an lpn since 2000. i am currently working on my rn. i have two required classes. humanities and com.ii (research paper) then i will be able to hit my second year rn; and will be completed in two semesters. it has taken me awhile but i will reach my goal.

angie

I wanted to be a DVM when I grew up. It wasn't until I was working as a CNA at the hospital and a doctor had asked me how a pt was doing and how the pt had done during the night that I decided I was going to be a nurse. When I explained to the doctor that I was the CNA and not the nurse, he demanded to know what I was doing in the pt's room. Explained to the doctor that I was assisting the pt with their breakfast, and he again demanded to know what I was doing in the pt room if I wasn't the nurse. I decided at that time that I would become a nurse. I was offended by that doctor. That same doctor I work with still, and I know now that it really isn't personal he talks to everyone not a doctor in the same way. But it gave me the incentive to apply to and graduate from nursing school.

Your story reminded me of one incident with a doctor during nursing school: I picked an elderly patient who had just had abdominal surgery. All the floor nurses told me I would regret the choice as his doctor "ate student nurses for breakfast." I could not get the siderails in the patients bed down on either side and had been calling maintenance for help or a new bed for about an hour. Meanwhile, I had gotten the patient shaved, cleaned up, and fed while waiting. I didn't see how I could be expected to get an elderly man with an 8" abdominal incision out of a bed over the rails of foot of the bed. Basically, I refused to even try.

I got the heads up from the charge nurse the the doctor had just come on the floor and he was going to be very angry his patient was still in bed. I met the doctor as he came to the room and asked him if he could help and explained about the bed, I asked him if HE would call maintenance to get "our" patient a bed that worked. He walked to the phone and placed the call. A different bed arrived within five minutes.

The doctor helped me lift the patient over the siderails and into the new bed and then he did his assessment. I asked a few pertinent questions and he answered, I was also included in the assessment, as he asked my opinion on several points.

As we were leaving the room the doctor asked to speak to me privately in the waiting room. I thought, "Okay here it comes, I'm going to get my first reaming by a doctor." Then he asked me, "Why aren't you scared of me?" I must have looked stunned, and then I said, "I didn't know I was supposed to be scared of you." He smiled and thanked me for taking care of his patient and left the floor.

The floor nurses were standing around waiting for us to get finished, wanting to know what he had said to me. They said they only asked because usually they could hear what that doctor said to any student nurse as he said it at the top of his lungs.

When I was 15 I had surgery on my hand. I was scared and didn't have a clue. No one explained anything to me, no one comforted me, I felt totally alone. I figured it didn't have to be like that and maybe I could help. I keep that thought in the back of my mind whenever dealing with patients and families.

Sue

My family is Romanian, my parents immigrated here with me when I was almost 2. My mom always had a dream of going into the medical field, just didn't know what. It didn't help that my dad was a jerk, and never supported anything any of us wanted to do. Fast forward, I'm 18, and they finally got divorced. My two younger brothers and I couldn't have been happier. Watched mom finish her Bachelors in Occupational Therapy and graduate with honors at 45 years old.

Now me, happily married, but not happily working in accounting/administrative assistant/human resourses jobs. Mom (and dang if she doesn't know best!) suggested I volunteer at a local hospital, because she knows I would be an awesome nurse. (I helped her with ALL of her school work, and she was amazed at how easily I picked everything up...). Volunteered in the Geriatric wing of the hospital. LOVED IT. Signed up for nursing school last November.

I'm currently taking my pre-req's, and hope to start the 2.5 year ADN program in winter of 2007.

I don't think it was a 'calling' more than a group of experiences that led up to my decision. Job security and decent pay doesn't hurt either.

I always wanted to be a nurse since young. I find them looking very pure and kind in their white uniform. ( nurses used to wear white uniforms and caps in the 70s ) Therefore I tell myself I want to be like them when I grow up.

I became a nurse eventually and even thought of looking after premature babies oneday when I was still a student nurse & this wish did come true but after may trial and errors.

I quit nursing before and did something else however I still decided to come back as I feel that nursing is still my passion and interest. I've never regretted being a nurse , I learnt to be very tough and nursing has provided me alot of knowledge. My family members and friends have always come to me for information abt any medical condition. I believe that sickness is part of us and going to the hospital is something that'll happen to us at some point of our life - AGREE? :rolleyes:

Don't forget patients are admitted to the hospital for nursing care. A doctor will only order and provide the treatment but eventually it's the nurse that provide nursing care 24/7 days a week.

I guess I'll be a nurse till retirement - CHEERS to us! - MEESY ( how a nurse is being addressed in my home ) :nurse: :cheers:

In the 60's there were two things that a girl could do--be a teacher or be a nurse

Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.
I grew up watching M*A*S*H after school. I loved Hot Lips Hoolihan, thought she was so cool. Seriously.

Me too! It came on every day (the re-runs) at about 4 pm. They always had two episodes... Still love it!

Ok I saw I'm not the only student responding to this so I'll add my story. I have always had a love for medicine and kids. When I was little I told everyone I would have 13 kids(one more than my great grandmother did). Because I was born premature at 2lbs 8oz, I thought working as a neonatologist would be great. To make a long story short, I realized being a MD woudn't suit me. I have worked in daycares and babysat since I was 15 and I love interacting with kids and infants. I get attached I cant help it. Everyone kept telling me I should go into education but I knew I didnt want to teach them or work in a daycare (cant live off that pay). What pushed me into nursing was an ad. I was looking at the news on my cell and this ad is always at the top that says 'be a model'. I finally clicked on it and it said 'be a role model. be a nurse'. It had been staring me in the face forever and i never looked at it. So since being the MD wouldnt give me a chance to be at the bedside more I want to be a neonatal RN instead. I wish I had decided it sooner because I would be graduating next year but I'm young and single and have time.

I was in my back yard one evening with a nice fat possum on the grill. I heard a noise and looked up to see a spacecraft directly above me. In an instant, I was transported into a dimly lit area equipped with strange equipment. Then a 3 ft tall being with a single eye in the center of his neck...or what I though was a neck, kicked me in the shins. As I jerked my leg up out of the way, several of the little critters pushed me back on an exam table. The next few hours were a blur as I went in and out of consciousness. Before I knew what was happening I was graduating from nursing school. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

hahahahaha wish i had thought of that

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