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.

Quick reply: VietNam. I was a medic in RVN and after I got out of the service, I became a RN.

started nursing at 16 years of age(this was in 1969 when we had cadet nurses)to support my mother who was separated from my father.Had 2 younger siblings.Wanted to be an archeologist.Here I am all these yeas later.Reared 6 kids alone and still helping them out when necessary.Shall probably work till Im 70.Still have a passion for ancient history that is satisfied by documentaries and books.Oh well.Next life maybe I'll get to do what I want to do.

Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

I grew up as a little bit of a problem child - for the first few years, in and out of the hospital with problems stemming from spina bifida. I've grown up listening to my parents' stories about doctors, nurses, and the hospital. Luckily, I got really top-notch care and I'm doing well today (some people would even say I'm close to normal :) ).

I've always been influenced and inspired toward a healthcare career. I had a great neurosurgeon, so that's what I wanted to do initially. As school wore on, it became more and more evident that medicine wasn't my thing. After messing around in various areas of healthcare for several years, I'm finally an RN in a Level II/III NICU. I love what I do. It helps that I can see some personal connection between myself and my patients/families. Although I don't really think it's appropriate to share my story with them, I hope that what I've learned as a patient influences the care I provide.

Specializes in Management, Surgery, Recovery Room.

I was a stockbroker for 9 years, and one day I told my mother that I had always thought about how cool it would be to be a nurse (I was good at finance, but never had much passion for it). I was going through all kinds of changes in my life at that time (getting divorced, just had a child), so the idea of going back to school and changing careers seemed crazy! But, my mother, being the pit bull that she is, didn't let go of the idea and practically forced me to pursue it! I thank her every chance I get!

hi! i just graduated!even though i dont have a job yet and i dont really have a clear mind of what it really feels like to work as a full time RN, im proud and im really glad that i chose to be a nurse. actually i decided to be in this field because of several reasons. first i wanted to do something in the medical field and second i wanted a gauranteed job. also i felt that with a nursing degree it would allow me to provide something for my family, society and myself. nursing ffelt like the right choice to make! and thats why i became a nurse!

Specializes in critical care transport.
I'm a guy, 39 years old. I have been married twice and both of my wives went to nursing school while we were married. I helped them both with the sciences quite a bit, and had some interest in nursing. But as my first wife had been a CNA in LTC for many years I knew a bit about what was involved with being a nurse, and I didnt see where I would fit in.

I had spent a number of years doing IT (Computer) work in various healthcare settings. I was working with HIPAA in 1997 for the grouphealth division of New York Life (we laid some of the technical groundwork for parts of what is now the WebMD.com site); I was a regional IT manager for a huge home health company; In house IT support at a Bayer plant where they extracted proteins from blood plasma; as a small biz owner I helped a number of clinics become HIPAA compliant.

Then, as my second wife was nearing completion of school, an old buddy from school showed up as an RN at the homehealth agency, and I read in an AJN about a mental health triage nurse. When they listed the traits you look for in someone to have this job I realized they where describing me! ie older, comfortable around people of all socio economic backgrounds, excellent communication skills, varied background etc.

I realized then and there that was my calling. I have dealt on a personal level most of my life with peoples psych issues, and I am so greatfull to be learning more and to soon be able to help people (I will complete my LPN next year, and will start working right away and go on to get my BSN) At 15 I held my moms hands apart while she tried to cut her wrists with broken glass. My brother has been a drug addict since he was 14, I have had a few close friends commit suicide over the years. My mom drove special education busses and we always volunteered at the special olympics.

A few months ago a close friend killed himself. We spent alot of time together over the last two years (both of our marriages broke up at the same time and we lived in the same neighboorhood) I knew he was depressed and reached out to him on several occasions over the last months. I even aksed him bluntly if he had guns in the house and he said "I know better than to have guns around when I feel like this". I believed him, but I know better now. After that I almost changed my plans for my specialty. It was hard, we had been friends since about 14. And after all, if I couldnt help someone I was that close too, how will I help people I barely even know? After several weeks of thinking hard though, I am only more dedicated to learn from this and learn more in clinical settings, and from those more experienced than I am, so I can go out and help some more people who need it, cause I know they are out there.

It looks like I have my first job lined up too. At a lockdown civil commitment DETOX center, and I cant wait!

Wow long winded, but it's good to talk about things, dont you think?

Bless your heart- you weren't nudged into nursing, I'd say you were shoved!

Whatever you believe in, it's like something bigger than you is showing you where you should go.

Specializes in Telemetry, ER, SICU.

I thought that I wanted to be a psychiatrist, or a dentist before I became a nurse. I never knew a nurse or really paid attention to what a nurse did whenever I went to the doctor's office as a child. When I found out how long it would take me to become a psychiatrist, I changed my mind. When I realized that I hated people's breath and rotten teeth, the thought of becoming a dentist flew out the window. As a senior in high school, all of the college recruiters kept trying to get people to go to their school to become a nurse, and I got sucked in. I stuck with it and ended up liking it, so that's why I'm where I am today. Plus, considering the other jobs I could have, being a nurse was a lot more interesting.

Specializes in medical, surgical, reearch , clinic.

I was a single mum heading down the wrong path and didn't know where to go. Mum and dad were supporting me and I was pretty much depressed when they suggested that I should give nursing a go. I guess, at first it was to make mum and dad happy, didn't really think I'd get into uni, but I did, and now I've completed my degree and am working towards a PG diploma in family and community health. I'm glad mum and dad suggested it as I couldn't picture myself doing anything different now!

I always wanted to since I was a child. I like to take care of people. I like to see people getting healty and stay healthy. It makes me feel good. Also my grandfather was a surgeon, a really good surgeon. I guess by becoming a nurse, I also get into the medical field. I'm a new grad and my goal is to become an excellent nurse that truly cares for my patients and and hopefully be loved by them as well.

1991,i lost my job.i had been playing golf with an rn/manager of an icu in princeton nj.she said,rich,with your love of people and christian upbringing would you ever consider nursing?i laughed[ i have 7 boys,no girls in my family],well a few months later after losing my job i started nursing school.it was absolutely the best thing besides my loving wife and 2 loving children to ever happen to a guy like me!i would never consider another profession unless it had the same feel good feeling i get now knowing i help people every day of my life!.

My story is short. I admired the nurses I had at the time of a surgery and again during a pregnancy. I took 2 years off to be a stay at home mom. School and studying began when my daughter was in pre-school. Flexibility to work any shift made it possible for my husband and I to raise her without hired help!! Wages allowed me to have a home life as well as a career.

BTW, she's in college now and says the LAST thing she will ever do is go into nursing :chuckle

Love my job, Abbie

Specializes in CCU,ED, Hospice.

Well, I have a secret fetish about pushing old men out of bed, why else?

No really, when I was a kid and my dad was terminal, I spent a lot of time at the hospital. The nurses were the coolest..

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