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.

[pissa]

I become a student of nursing school, this desion take me no more than 15 minitues only. But I realise that my choice was right, i like working as a nurse, it takes me a lot that someother jobs can't. I like to be a nurse.

[HeatherRN2006]

Six years ago I was dx with diabetes. The diabetes educator I had was wonderful and saved my life, BG over 650, obese, drank, smoked, ate too much, sedentary lifestyle. I really started taking care of myself at that point. I worked as a project manager for a business firm and hated it. I started looking into how to become a diabetes educator, but didn't have the guts to quit my job. I got laid off and decided that that was the sign I was looking for. I went back to school in my mid thirties became an RN, and two years later I am a diabetes educator. I love every minute of it. I am living my dream.

:) i'm thinking of getting certified as a diabetes educator or something involved with endocrinology :)

anyway, my story. pretty boring.

when i was a child i wanted to be a teacher or nurse. in high school i did a lot of volunteering with clubs and thought doing something that helped people was my calling. i first thought of psychology but decided it was too vague and abstract for me. then social work but felt i wouldnt be able to make a living doing that... then nursing. i questioned my decision while in school but after being diagnosed and having to be involved with nurses and doctors i no longer questioned it. at an appointment i needed an ekg because of an innocent murmur... the nurse taught me step by step how to do it just little things like that reassured me that this profession was right for me

[HeatherRN2006]

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

doesn't sound weird to me... i was actually thinking of becoming a csi person/medical investigator... thought it might be too morbid of a job :rotfl:

[PooterPT]

I became a nurse because I was sure I could be more caring and do a beter job than the Hospice nurse who cared for my dying mother. I was an elementary school teacher living in Canada, when my mother became very ill. She and my Dad retired to the Eastern Shore. No one seemed to know what was wrong with her. She grew tired of being told it was all in her head, it was her nerves, etc. Long story short - she had undiagnosed colon cancer. By the time it was diagnosed it had spread and her prognosis was not good. We moved to the US so I could help care for her. Eventually Mother was placed in Hospice care. Her nurse held her and my dad emotionally hostage.

I tried to convince my husband to let me go back to school but he thought I was out of my mind (since I loved teaching).

Since he wouldn't consent, I took a CNA course and started working in a nursing home. I worked full time and went to nursing school. First I became an LPN. Then after having a bilateral mastectomy, I returned to school for my RN.

I love nursing. I especially love my patients and take very seriously their need for an advocate.

[pedi-er]

Mc Donalds, Dairy Queen, Child Care (ages 16-19) , Mobile home finisher, carpenter, cabinet laminator/cookie packager, Administrative assistant, CNA/LPN at age 38-now 41--Something different. I've been 'em all for the past 25 years--Well, I don't get bored! Question is--What do I want to do for the next 25?

Sorry I don't have a "I knew I wanted to be a nurse when--stories." But--I am a good nurse. Sort of well-rounded one might say.

[fedupnurse]

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.

Oh good Lord!! That is where I am working now!!!!!! You described my CEO to a tee!!!!!!

[new_mom2005]

Well I had a baby in 2005 and one in 2006 and both times the nurses was GREAT!!!! The hospital had a great atmosphere. I really did not want to leave LOL

[pedi-er]

Mc Donalds, Dairy Queen, Child Care (ages 16-19) , Mobile home finisher, carpenter, cabinet laminator/cookie packager, Administrative assistant, CNA/LPN at age 38-now 41--Something different. I've been 'em all for the past 25 years--Well, I don't get bored! Question is--What do I want to do for the next 25?

Sorry, I don't have an "I knew I wanted to be a nurse when--stories. But--I am a good nurse. Sort of well-rounded one might say.

"I know far less than there is to know."

[teenynurse]

I knew I always wanted to be anurse because I enjoy helping people. I was an aide from age 17-27 then I was a LPN for about a year and half now I just passed my RN boards after graduating in may. I love it my grandmother was an RN and she likes to tell people her grandaughter is an RN sense of pride and accomplishmentt that is what being a nurse is to me:nurse: Tina Palone RN

[pedi-er]

I really wish I could say "I love it", but I can't. I really love the children that are helped by our staff, and I enjoy the teaching aspect of my job. Parents these days are really clueless.

I hope to some day find the piece to the puzzle that really makes me say I love it. Some day, I'm sure. I, too started out a cna. I was in a float pool at the same hospital where I work now. Jiminny, the nurses were rude, and my fellow cna's were mean. They obviously didn't like their jobs, and that made it soooo hard on everyone else, including me. But I still went for the LPN. I have no intentions to further my medical career at this time in nursing. Many of the nurses where I work are only there for the money.

Money isn't everything. I care too much to be there for the money.

[bubblesthenurse]

basically, i have no idea why i'm in nursing. i hate the hours, i hate the emotional and physical stress, i hate the lack of recognition i get for my studies, i hate the pay and the working conditions. the thing is, i am still young enough to change to a higher paying career path. i come from a rather well off family, who never wanted for anything...

but i have no idea what i would do, because i dont think anyother job would be as rewarding, or as well suited to me...

i originally wanted to to psychology, and be a counsellor, since i was about 10. it took to my final year of high school (17) for someone to recommend nursing.

as a child i was born with a congenital deformity of my arm... had surgery on that when i was 3... then got vulkmanns contracture, and am still effected by it... its not as dramatic as some other people's stories, but i had been around hospitals a fair bit... especially for physio evryday so i could semi starighten my fingers.

plus... as embarrasing as it is...

since i was a kid, i always loved M.A.S.H, chicago hope, ER, All Saints ( a terrible aussie nurses soapie). anything medical...

so i had always been exposed to it, but never considered it...

but my god, i'm glad i did

[doublej]

I have a twin sister. We did most everything together. Our older sister was a nurse (3 yr. diploma) and we always admired her. So from childhood up, we always dreamed of being nurses. That we did together, graduating from a highly reputable nursing school in Phila. Never regretted it either. Now retired, I miss it very much. However the lawsuits (at least for an older nurse who never heard of these till the last years of my career) felt it was time to step aside and let the younger ones do it. I do wish they had programs for older nurses who could work now and then and not let the years of experience they gained, go down the drain.