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 critical care transport.

I wanted to be a nurse when I was 19, but hated school so much, so I volunteered at the fire department and became an EMT (met my husband there too).

Did a 24 hour shadow in the ER when I got out of EMT school, asked about nursing jobs, the guy told me it's hard to find a nursing job...so I quit looking into it. I felt like I was a really good EMT, and our psych patients were "mine," because I could convince them to do what they needed to do. Just got lucky with that, I guess. Enjoyed volunteering until I gave birth (I got a picture of me with bunkers on and a belly sticking out of it), and then became extremely domesticated.

Ten years later after the nurse I shadowed told me there were no jobs to be had, after being married, having a daughter who was 5, and sick of being broke (had horses, 'nuff said) I decided I'd become a nurse, or I'd die trying. Heard it was really hard to get into a program, but at that point, I saw life passing me by while I sat at home stareing out the window. I even thought to myself, "it's too late to start something like this." Dumb, eh?

I remember specifically making the decision to DO IT. It was late at night, and I went in to where my husband was sleeping, and said, "We need to talk."

I told him I'd sell the horses (one of them was my "dream horse") if I could go to school. This was HUGE for me to say, because I'm telling you, I had the horse of my dreams, and he wasn't cheap. My friends acted like lightening struck them when I told them.

I just wanted something more, I knew I could become more than what I was (and I had all these plans to home school our daughter and everything). I know this sounds bad, but I felt like I was rotting away at home, and I didn't want to be a cashier at Home Depot forever.

The funny thing is, I hated school when I was younger. With a little age, I had a whole new perspective on it- and with a goal in mind, I got my game face on and dove right in. It boosted my self esteem and morale, BIG TIME, and it enabled me to make friends, use my brain, and get out of the house. It changed my outlook on everything. I'm an honor student and on the dean's list!

Going to school was the best thing that I have ever done for myself. It was a huge adjustment for my husband. I was going through personal growth, and sometimes it's hard to see the dynamics of your relationship change. We had some big run-ins over it (another thread actually). He'd always find a reason why I shouldn't "go this quarter." He talked about not having money to do it, or not enough time to spend with our daughter (she never has needed a baby sitter). He even told me he didn't think I'd finish! :devil:

Later I learned that he had confided in a friend that he thought I'd find a doctor and run off with him! :roll I had a chit chat with him and said if I wanted to do that (or run off with no one), then I could do it at any time...but here I am. Now, of course, he is excited about me going to school. It just took a while for him to see the "new me."

I am so excited to start my program in August that I can hardly contain myself! I've loved doing my science prereqs. I also feel like I'm supposed to help people ("called" if you will), and I think I will truly enjoy employment as a nurse!:D Oh- and looking forward to having horses come back into my life when I'm done.

I never wanted to be a nurse!! Several of my family members were in the medical field and I remember hearing all their horrible stories. I graduated with a degree in journalism but couldnt find a job so I started taking more classes. My advisor felt like a medical career would be good, plus there was a nursing shortage. Low and behold I became one and will celebrate 30 years this May. Would I do it again? Hardly, though I have had some good laughs and the bills have always gotten paid.

:nono: Thinking about this, I have read osme of the reason for becoming a nurse, in some way I could have taken one or two reasons out of each reply,( Not the Every since I was A little Girl) :lol2:

I first thought that I could not do this since my spelling realy sucks.

But that was not what was ment to be, I had found inrolment forms for Div 1 nursing for monash in a paper, this was two days before cut off time, I applyed and low I got in, It has been a intersting 4 years, if it had not been for my wife I would have given up long ago. \

Yet this dose not give a reason I wanted to make a difference to the world, Lame is it?

I felt that this was the way I was being Lead in life, this is some thing that I do good and that is why I do what I do,

It is a prety cool life, to be able to help others, also great for us when we see new problems and work through them.

I love the work, and I would not do anything other.

thanks for the questio hope that this gives you an insite of how I feel and it is fun to read others mail that they have sent.

gksmkm,rn1

I want to be a nurse because I have two children. when they were sick, I have no idea how to handle. I panic over it. so, I decided to take a step forward. I am going to learn how to take care of sick people and earn a living. :uhoh3::D

i didnt know what i wanted to do when i left school my friend had gone into nursing so i thought i would follow her she did the two year enrollment and i did what was called the the state final. that was some 25years ago now and i am still doing it, with slightly more money then when i started. its the only career that you can leave have children and go back to. ive done this three times, but never going back to the place that i left. i now work in the community as a staff nurse and i enjoy it.

i love your enthusiasm sure hope it last would like to hear what you have to say in a few years.!:idea: ?

Specializes in MED/SURG, ONCOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, ER.

why did i become a nurse? well, think that i always wanted to be a nurse i remember when i was a little girl wear a grandma's white gown and play with my medical toys syringe, stethoscope, thermometer,etc. with my cousins. i really enjoy nursing...just love it! :)

i can not imagine doing something else....for that reason i'm desperate to pass the nclex...:uhoh21:

Specializes in MED/SURG, ONCOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, ER.
i've always found the human body fascinating, enjoyed biology and anatomy. while in jr. high school, one of my best friend's mom was a nurse, and the idea of being a nurse intrigued me. i also new a flight paramedic and his stories always peaked my interest as well. while in high school, i made my mind up that i wanted to be an er nurse and eventually become a flight nurse.

i went to nursing school, started out in geriatrics, became very interested in nursing informatics, which at the time was fairly new. i was amazed at how little the nursing home and hospitals used technology, and i loved using computers to save time. i never did anything with my interest in informatics directly. i then moved to the hospital, worked telemetry, and then i went to work in ccu for several years.

back in 1995, i started a nursing website as a hobby when i was in nursing school back in 95, that hobby became a passion, and then became a business for me. that website is now called allnurses.com (this website ;) ) has grown to significantly since it's early days. i've never for one minute regretted becoming a nurse!

while i never became an er nurse or a flight nurse, i am very happy where my nursing career has taken me :)

brian, i love your story....thanks god that you are a "brainy person" and started this website!! :idea: it's the best! i really enjoy reading every post here and thanks to this site(suzanne) i see the "light" to go forward to take and pass the nclex , thanks to suzanne and this site i feel confident that i can do this....first everything was unclear not knowing how to get started, thanks again brian and god bless you and the same to all your staff!!

ps. just need it to vent! ;)

Specializes in school nursing.

I was enjoying my retirement in sunny Carolina Beach NC. My Daughter brought my attention to a little girl at the bottom of the swimming pool. With the limited skills I possessed at the time from the red cross cpr training I had taken almost 30 years earlier I was able thanks to God to give a young mother a live child. I had an apithany - if I cold help out knowing next to nothing, what would I be able to do if I had skills? So - I applied to nursing school and came out of retirement to persue this. I am now a second semester junior in an RN program and loving what I am learning. Who knows - God willing in another year or so, I may yet be a nurse.

I like to provide comfort and safety for people who can't

take care of themselves. I like to touch people.

I am at work and my story is a bit detailed so I will write it up when I get home and post it on here. I think it's interesting to know what drives people to chose this as a career.

I saw my favorite aunt graduate from nursing school in 1975. I was from then on fascinated with nursing. (they were all so impressive in their uniforms and hats looking so official) I told my kindergarten teacher I wanted to be a nurse. I then went through the "big business" "get out of this town" episode (teen years). I became a wife and then a mother. Only when my husband's job was threatened did I decide to go back to nursing. It is a wonderful fit. Even though going through school I had my doubts at times. I really can't imagine myself doing anything else. I love the patient teaching, the interaction and the clinical skills required. It's wonderful when you love what you do.

its my calling

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