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.

I was often sick as a child. I have some connective tissue disorders and Celiac disease (an inability to metabolize glutens), which results in a chronic nutritional imbalance. Obviously this can cause many different kinds of health issues. In me, it manifested as chronic stomache aches, headaches, and intense fatigue. I also had a weak immune system and caught every cold and virus that went around my school. Since these things could be (and were, generally) attributed to hypochondria by my doctors, I went undiagnosed untill I was seventeen. My health grew increasingly worse up to that point, so I was in and out of the doctor's office and Children's all throughout my childhood.

I remember how much better my nurses always made me feel. While the doctors would ask me questions, the nurses would have conversations with me. They always made me feel that they really cared, and I appreciate that more than I can say. When I decided to go into the medical field I originally wanted to be a doctor, but as I thought about it I realized that I want to have the more personal relationship that nurses have with their patients. I want to be to somebody what my nurses were to me. So that's why I decided to go into nursing.

:) For me, it is a calling, always has been and I pray it always will be! I consider myself lucky to have followed this path.:rolleyes:

It was either this or the "other" world's oldest profession:chuckle

Just kiddin' of course!

I find it most challenging to turn the most crankiest, nastiest, and sickest forms of human life into sweetest people you would ever want to meet! When other nurses state that Room # such and such is the meanest person in the world who is impossible to deal with, I say "bring it on!". Seriously, I love getting to the bottom of why some patients are so darned difficult. Maybe I should work in Psych rather than OB!:)

Hello, Im a little new to the site but want to ask for encouragement and pointers as I am in my Jr yr of Nursing school. I had intended on going to college right after high school but I lost my dad to lymphoma jr yr and couldnt deal with it at the time. Got married, had a child, got divorced...now at 34 Im back in school full time and working 2 part time jobs. This is far from easy but I know itll be worth it in the end knowing this is a career I have always wanted. Im off to study for a pharmacology midterm Tuesday and like I said, and pointers would be greatly appreciated. Jodi...future RN

Specializes in Gen Med,LTC.

My mother made me do it....15 years later, here I am.

my story.

i never really wanted to be a nurse or a teacher, as they are female dominated careers. i wanted to be a trailblazer. i wanted to go into a career that no woman had ever been in. i wanted to be anything but a nurse or a teacher.

nonetheless, i was young, hormonal, and in love. in love with a man who my parents felt wasn't good enough for me. being confused about what was right, i spoke with my pastor. he listened intently to my plight and advised me that parents aren't always right. he asked how much education i and my boyfriend(he is now my husband) had. i told him that we both had hs diplomas. he advised that i go to school and continue my education, as it is hard to make a marriage work, especially when finances are in short supply. he told me to look into the lpn program at the local community college.

after graduating in 1979 from the lpn program, my husband and i were married. after a while, my parents grew to love him as much as i.

in 1995, i completed my degree in nursing, and i'm now working as a staff rn at a local hospital, as i find management a bore and too demanding.

when asked for advice, i always encourage people to go into the medical profession in any capacity, as there is always work, the pay is adequate, and the work is very rewarding.

so, if a person were to choose to continue their education, they can afford the tuition and still help out with the family, with the rest of the financial responsibilities, and it will give them a warm and fuzzy feeling helping those in need.

thanks for the thread. it's quite interesting and often humorous.

nursekare:nurse:

Specializes in Case Manager, LTC,Staff Dev/NAT Instr.
May I suggest we stop telling God how big our storms are...instead, tell the storm how big our God is! :kiss

love the quote!

Specializes in Case Manager, LTC,Staff Dev/NAT Instr.

Growing up as a child my house was full of nursing books, material that my mom collected...It took me awhile to realize I was destined to become a nurse...after thinking I wanted to become a teacher/actress/singer/writer...as a child I would play nurse on my sister and brothers by giving them pixie sticks in their mouths for pretend thermometers or sweet/sour tarts for medicine...popping my wrist like the local nurse at the clinic shaking down an old mercury thermometer....it never dawned on me until the day of graduation my mom hugged me with tears in her eyes saying I quit nursing school and chose to have you over my career as a nurse and you have made me very proud by becoming a nurse....

I love nursing!

I was born a nurse. I knew it from the time I was a little kid. Grew up in a project. 11 Bros & sisters. They were my guinea pigs. I always patched them up. Once removed a bullet from my lil bros. leg. Didn't finish HS. Dove headfirst into the 60's and 70's. Married at 18. Two kids at 20. Low paying jobs. Poor & neurotic. At 43 went to live in Oregon forests for 3 yrs. in a 15' trailer. Returned, took care of dying mother with Hospice support. Mother died. I had an epiphany. Divorced. Went to school. RN grad at 50. Agency Nurse. Transitional Care Nurse. Currently own/operate AFH. There was a nurse living inside of me my whole life. Thank karma, I let her out. Oh, I am back with my X (childhood sweetheart). Still neurotic and a hippy at heart. Oh, and a nurse too. P.S. I want to get my BSN now. Please, let me hear from some BSN's out there. What is the best way to pursue this next goal of mine?

My mother made me do it....15 years later, here I am.

Your mom is a smart woman. You an obedient child:rolleyes: :balloons:

What awesome stories! I've so enjoyed them! Mine? I've wanted to be a doctor since age 9. When I was 12, we lived out in the "boonies"; I went swimming one day with my brothers at a distant lake and while walking up on the boat landing, I cut my foot on a piece of broken beer bottle---a kind older nurse was nearby at the time. She immediately took my brothers and me in her car to our house and then helped to transport me or accompanied us to the hospital. I needed many stitiches. She made a lasting impression on me...but I still wanted to be a brain or heart surgeon--just didn't make good enough grades nor had the financial resources to pursue medical school. I have enjoyed a variety of jobs during 20 years of nursing but as an LPN have not been able to do what I'd truly love to do which is surgical nursing. And alas at age 46, I just don't have the financial resources, energy, or motivation to pursue the RN.

I went back to school at age 47 and graduated from RN school at age 50. I was basically homeless and was given a grant. Lived with my kids during part of my schooling. You can do it. Go to the mirror, look yourself square in the eyes and say -- I am a powerful and worthy woman and I am capable of achieving anything I want! Grannynursetoo

I always wanted to be a social worker. So I took Sociology as a major in school. It wasn't what I thought. I wanted to help people, not do this sociology thing. I loved biology, got to thinking about the whole thing. Seemed like God switched everything in my mind and I felt a calling to become a nurse. So after revamping my major, vala, after 5 years of busting my butt, (I was told by several people, that I didn't have the smarts or anything that it took to be a nurse) I obtained my BSN. I've been in nursing for 29 years now. I do believe I proved a few people wrong. Don't tell me I can't do something. Also, because it was a calling, God gave me what it took to get where I am.:balloons:

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