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.

The reason why i became a nurse is because I like helping others. I always wanted to do this since i was a chlild in elementary i would always ask for something that would do with health care. so in high school I took a nursing class and it went on from there and i am what i am today A Nurse :nurse:

Specializes in Med Surg, Burn Unit, Peds, Ob/GYN.

My best friend was a nursing student who decided to go pre-med. She use to nag me about going to nursing school so that I could be her nurse. She passed away in a house fire after her first semester pre-med. I decided that since she wanted me to and kept telling me how great I would be at it that I would try!!!

I left home when I was 15 years old (to be more precise my mother left me). My favourite subjects at school were biology, maths and art. I was living alone but not mature enough to have the self discipline to continue my schooling and dropped out at 16. I travelled hitch-hiking the west coast, met many people and enjoyed a life of freedom being accountable to no-one and then fell in love with a young talented musician. I was introduced to a music scene that was fast, fun and full of drugs. One tragic night my boyfriend took an accidental drug overdose. There were about 10 people present, myself included..and no-one knew what to do. After a lot of panicking an ambulance was called. He died before the ambulance arrived. I always wonder how his death may have been prevented if someone commenced resusitation or got help earlier. To cut a long story short..this incident clearly shaped my direction in life. I felt responsible and accountable for his death and to help with my guilt I decided to take up nursing. I was lucky enough to gain a special entry to university. I worked hard to pay for my university fees, and in return recieved good grades. I have been a nurse for 12 years now. I love nursing. I have been able to travel and meet thousands of people. Additionally, nursing keeps my life in perspective...everyday I go home I am grateful for my health and make the most of each day.

ive read a few of the stories and many are quite interesting. Well, for me, nursing wasnt really my first choice- i actually wanted to be a lawyer, however, in the process of taking my prerequisites, i realized that that wasnt for me after all. It was too dry for me. On christmas day 2003, i woke up and i decided to become a nurse. Ive always been a compassionate person and i figured that this is the best profession i can be in. It never dawned on me the financial benefits of being a nurse as of yet. I wasnt wrong. Becoming a nurse is indeed the most fulfilling, rewarding decision ive ever made in my life. It wasnt easy and many can attest to it, but the the hard work and endless studying til dawn,making careplans, waking up so early in the morning for clinicals were all worth it. At the end of the day, i can say to myself, i made a another difference in someone's life- a smile, a gratitude. That is the most wonderful feeling to have. i love nursing with a passion.

This is sooooooooo touching and I feel everything you said....just knowing that you made a difference in someone's life and touch them in some way, is worth a millions dollars.;)

Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

Why did I become a nurse?

My childhood friend's mom was a nurse. I was always fascinated by the fact that she helped sick people feel better.

My grandma always wanted to become a nurse, but had to quit school and work to help support her family when she was an older teen, so she never got to finish school.

When I was 14 years old I took an overdose of several medications in an attempt to end my life. There was a lot of difficulty and confusion in my life and no support. I wound up in ICU and then on a telemetry floor. A nurse told me I was strong and not to give up on life. She was about the only one that was nice to me.

Specializes in ICU.

I had a BA in Art, was waiting tables, pushing 30, and had a thought... I NEED INSURANCE AND BENEFITS! :eek:

Honestly, I am already a veterinarian before it dawned on me that I wanted to become a nurse. I have been treating sick animals, dog, cats, birds of these affluent people. But every time I see those sick people on the suburbs, those mentally unhealthy man on the street and those poor women in labor without money to pay the bills, I started to think about the importance of human life (compared to the sick animals that I treat). So, I took a the nursing path and fortunately, passed the recent local board examination here in the Philippines. Now, that I am already a nurse, I can now help those people in need but still not leaving those sick animals around.

I was 15 years old and i found myself admitted to tje hospital @ 3am , and I found out I was 4 months pregnant, I wasa at a childs hospital and was told "we have to transfer u to another hospital there might be something wrong with the baby and we do not deal with this here u may have to have an abortion" so i was transfered to anohter local hospital , well to say my mom was upset would be mild so she went home. There I was young and scared to death. I was up walking the halls all night with no support. And the nurses @ that time really did not supply much support sorry to say. to them i was just another " oh my god do u know how old she is" Well there was this other patient that night up walking the halls with his own problems, He was awaiting news for a match for a kidney transplant. His name was Kevin, we talked all night about each others stories . Than and there I knew that I wanted to be a NURSE. the next morning his girlfriend and my boyfriend met each other. He was the best person for me at the time to tolk to . Its funny how a stranger comes into your life and leaves a foot print forever in your heart. and changes your life. That night GOD gave me 2 angles to look over this scared 15 year old child, and 4 months later I the chance to look into my daughters eyes and thank her for coming into my life. And I will always remember Kevin. Today 20years later I am LPN for the last 10years and love every minute of it. I have 3 great kids today and a wonderfull granson. And Kevin we lost touch over the years, I hope his life was blessed, as He blessed mine that night.:saint: :saint: :saint: :saint:

as i read the posts tonight i'm just cracking up! granted i just worked a 0545 to 2200 shift, so lots of things are funny right now. to answer the question, i became a nurse to replace the "high paying restaurant gm's" salary that i had been earning for the past 15 years. i liked working with people (i'm not crazy). i had an instructor that said if you're in it for the money, you might as well quit right now. i was in it for the money. but what i found out is that i was doing it because i cared. i swore as a gn i would not work in ltc, so guess what? i do and i love it. my heart is in surgery and i'll be there one of these days but right now my residents need me. and yes, the money is good but knowing i made a difference to someone is better.

Specializes in gerontology.

I was in engineering school when I realized that I would not have enough money to pay for the full four years. I was not eligible for fed loans then but I had a 2 year scholarship. So my mom, a super nurse, and I decided that my best option was to go through the LPN program and go from there. I've been an LPN for several years now.

Recently I got my greencard making me eligible for in-state tuition and fed loans. And I am going back to the engineering program I left. I am just so tired of nursing. I am tired of the BS. I work in a nursing home and I treasure the time I spend just talking to the residents. Now I don't have that time anymore. It's been replaced by more and more paperwork added on by administration (to ward off possible lawsuit liability) and by the health care system(for who knows what). The last straw was broken when my mom was forced to resign from her work by some jealous DON who viewed her as a threat, owing to the great repect her peers have of her due to her tireless work ethic.

I'll be working as a nurse for a while longer to pay for my bills while I'm in school. But the sparkle is gone. I still work hard. I still get praise from my bosses. But baby, I'm in it for the money.

Really I always wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little. I cant remember ever wanting to do anything else. I was in Nursing school at age 18 when my mother died and I had to quit shortly after to take care of my dad and 12 year old sister but a few years later I decided it was time to go back....and after 13 years I did get my associates degree....It just took forever. Now I am traveling and love the opportunities it gives me to see some of the country. I can't go far due to my dads health but I have visited a few states so far and Hawaii here I come some day soon!!!!!!:chuckle :loveya:

Specializes in Med Surg/LTC.

I was dropped on my head as an infant....true story.

:wakeneo:

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