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 Mental Health and MR/DD.

I worked in a LTC as direct care staff and wanted to take it to the next level.

I was in girlscouts and we had a first aide lesson. I was hooked. I'm one of those people who tries to be prepared for anything. As one of six children we spent a lot of time in the emergency room, stiches and the like. My mom handled broken arms and all with such calm, her ability impressed the hell out of me. So after marriage, children, divorce and re-marriage, I am finally starting ADN classes the 28th of this month.

I've always wanted it and been afraid of the magnatude of it at the same time. Reading the posts on this website make me feel better prepared to avoid some of the mishaps that the rest of you had to go through. Thanks for the advance education.

Celest,

Your husband is so lucky to have you and to have learned so much from you that he didn't let those two fools cause him more physical pain and suffering than he was already going through. I'm not a nurse yet, but I have always believed that no one should go to the hospital without a family member present to prevent the "bad nurses" from messing you up. As in every field there are some good and some stupid people and you have to protect yourself.

Focus on the good years. Good luck in the future.

My mom was in a horrible car accident when i was 10, so i was her "nurse" helping her get in and out bed, fixing her things to eat, helping her clean/dress her wounds. after taking care of her, i knew i wanted to take car of other people.

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

LOL!

Specializes in ER.

As a kid I wanted to be a veterinarian. That changed when I learned how much schooling you had to go through for not that great of pay, and now hearing stories of animal abuse completely breaks my heart. There's no way I would have made it as a vet. So I started thinking of the next best thing. If I can't help the animals, I'll help humans. ;) I have always been interested in the human body and death (I know that probably sounds weird) and it just seemed right.

OH - and I'm sooooooo sick of wearing business attire everyday. I'm ready for some scrubs! LOL ;)

Believe it or not, this is what I was destined to do! I started in this direction when I was a 17, taking an ROP nurses aide class. I absolutely loved my teacher, Ms Hampton RN, as she had been in the field for years and still possessed this wonderful compassion for the patients. Long story even longer, I fell in love and married my high school sweetheart spent the next 11 1/2 years raising children. Needless to say my nursing career got put on hold. At 30 I spent time as a car salesperson, all the while I had that nagging feeling (or Divine Intervention :) that I had to help people. I had two more jobs where I had that same feeling. So, here I am, 34, I just graduated LVN school in May and am anxiously (if not miserably) awaiting the results of boards. I took the NCLEX PN on July 12th and called CA BON Aug 7th only to be told that my results were processed Aug 2nd. So, in a nutshell, I am definately headed in the right direction and enjoying ( if not painstakingly) every step of the way !!

:devil: the money
Specializes in ICU, CVICU, E.R..

I became a nurse coz all my friends were taking it. I'm glad they were my friends!!

When I graduated from high school nursing never even crossed my mind... not a very "manly" job. I was looking at becoming an M.D., but at the time, it seemed like too much time and money. Wound up as a medic for 6 years, burnt out and got out. Got into computer work. Did PC/network repair, programming, etc. for the next 4 years or so... Then my dad got sick and for the last week or so of his life, he had a male nurse in the CCU. Watching that guy work not only changed my perspective on nursing, but it reminded me of why I got into the medical field in the first place. One month later I quit my job and went back to school for my ASN. I worked full time and went to school full time... had a lot of trouble switching mindsets from medic to nurse... I personally thought nursing school was much harder than paramedic school. Anyway, wound up in a CCU, and I've been there since.

When i left the secondary school, i never thought of nursing. Although my mum's a nurse;she never for once tried to influence my thought. It was my dad (a registered surveyor)who encouraged me encouraged me to go for nursing which I later did( he didn't coerce me ). Since then I have not regretted being into nursing. I found out that it's a way of serving God and humanity being a nurse. The uttmost thing is that one has a job fulfilment and job satisfaction; i.e you are doing what you like and that one is pushed into it whether by another person or by frustration.

Specializes in Medical, pediatric and surgical.

I was an avid fan of my pediatrician, everytime i went for check-ups or my shots, i would always want to be like him. Everytime i saw nurses in the hospitals, they give me such an angelic image. And so i said I would like to be a doctor. But when i was about to enter college i realizd that my family's income couldn't support us, much more take medicine. So I decided to just take nursing, blessedly, my brother was able to get a job overseas and he helped my father finance my nursing course.

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