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.

Hrmm, when I was around 9 I was an ambulance cadet, it was pretty exciting stuff back then. I got to go to carnivals and sporting events wear a uniform and help people. I have had many operations on my eyes since I was born and was always grateful of just how nice all the nurses (and heaven forbid even the surgeons) were. It was after may most recent operation and many trips to the ER that I decided upon Medicine. I really wasn't sure if I was smart enough to become a doctor, and nurses do all the work anyway:P (waiting for the flaming) I kinda thought about a few different thing in the next few years until one day I was at a friends apartment complex and a lady was screaming for help, when we arrived her 18 month old daughter was choking. I felt so humbled that of all the people that were there noone knew what to do except me. I revived the child and at that moment I knew. I am in my first year Bsn and have been working as a CNA. I think I might continue when I graduate to study medicine, but I know I have to make a difference in peoples lives.

Sorry this is soo long.

Why I became a nurse. I was always interested in something in the medical field. I initially wanted to be a Dental Hygienest, but my mothers' Dr. friend talked me out of it, he said it wasn't a good field. In the meantime, I had already taken all of the sciences and was attending a school for medical assistanting. I did so well, my instructor suggested I continue on to be a RN. I went to a 2 year college, and now have my BSN and looking forward to starting a MSN in health care administration. By the way my family never thought I would finish school. They used to tease me and call me a professional student. I finished nursing school when I was 26. This was done on my own while working 32 hours a week at a drug store.

Specializes in Emergency, PACU, ICU,.
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.

:wink2:

Wow!!! You, too???

Kev

Specializes in burns & reconstructive surgery/EENT.

why did I become a nurse....well I'm sure there was a good reason but I can't remember much from the 80's - except big-bar-hair that required way too much hair spray to maintain

well i always wanted to help people so i become a nurse. in two years when my twins start school im going to start pre-med and become a doctor..:idea:

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.
well i always wanted to help people so i become a nurse. in two years when my twins start school im going to start pre-med and become a doctor..:idea:

Well, I wish you all the luck in the world. Work hard! :balloons: ;) :monkeydance:

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

I can remember as a child helping my mother and grandmother take care of my great grandmother, who was legally blind. She was the sweetist little lady you could have ever known. I always wanted to help out in anyway I could. I also remember always wanting to put medicine on my booboos and my friends and families hurts. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a small child I guess you could say, when we would go to the hospital for something I would always admire the Nurses there. I have been a CNA for about 7 years now and I am starting the ADN program this fall in August. I am really excited. I got accepted on my first try to get in! I cried/screamed shouted when I got my acceptance letter. I am just grateful that I get to fufill my lifelong dream to be a nurse.

Specializes in E/R, Med/Surg, PCU, Mom-Baby, ICU, more.

I never meant to go into the medical field... In my teens I was very much into auto mechanics and I did a a few years in the USAF as an aircraft mechanic. In the early 80's the economy was in rough shape and I had the misfortune of being in Yuba City, California at this time. I believe they had an unemployment rate which was in top 10 across the country at this time. I found a job in the California Conservation Corp and I took an EMT class while there because there was nothing better to do. I was hooked.

I eventually received my paramedic while in Illinois but my employer decided to pull out of the state. They had a branch open in Georgia and I decided to relocate cause I like warmer weather.

This was quite a change. I went from being a paramedic in a hospital based medical control system into a system which was a bit in the dark ages. From hanging dopamine drips, pushing verapamil, clearing c-spines, and performing rapid sequence intubation in the field (under standing medical orders) into a system which required direct medical control to give an amp of D50. When this system bought in a new medical director it got to the point of needing direct medical control for an IV. It was time for a change as I was now nothing but an "ambulance driver".

Specializes in Peds, Home Care, Cardiology, Pulmonology.

I cannot remember ever wanting to be anything else when I grew up! Why? I have no idea. I do remember being 4 and in the hospital for tonsillectomy and telling the nurse I was going to be just like her when I grew up!!

My favorite uncle married an OR nurse who encouraged my dreams and gave me scrubs!!![this was back in the early 60's when no one had scrubs] I thought I was so cool!!

I entered nursing school right out of high school and found out I passed boards the day before my 21st birthday!! PARTY!!!

I met my husband in nursing school and we will be married 30 years this June. He's now a CRNA

Still do not know why I became a nurse. I enjoy constantly learning and being challlenged on a daily/hourly basis.

I know whrn I was not employed as a nurse I missed IT, whatever IT is!

Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

When I was graduating high school, my dad was looking in the classifieds and said "Looks like nurses make pretty good money." I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but decided to check out nursing because of my dad's statement.

I started out as a CNA, then went to nursing school. Graduated at 22 years old and I've been a nurse since 1989. Yikes! I'm glad I have medical knowledge because my dad was very ill since I graduated high school and I was able to help out with some things with doctors and hospitals he had to deal with.

He passed away last September and I will always remember how I started with my career, with guidance from my dad. He always said education was very important.

I took him on a tour of my NICU one time and he was fascinated...by the little things like weighing a tiny baby and passing an OG tube. He was proud of me and my profession. I will always be thankful for my dad's advice to become a nurse.:nuke:

I believe because my mother died at a tender age and it was so mysterious, I could never stop why and what she died from, made more aware of the physiology of man,death and dying then developed in wellness. jcrlpn:cheers:

Honestly. To meet women. I know, what a pig. But now I really care about the patients.

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