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.

Any Nurses here from Newfoundland????

well,as far as i can recall it,i was so facinated in arts.i even dreamt of becoming a painter.unfortunately my father didnt like that idea!so,insted of painting on a canvass,now im painting the hands of my patients while im doing iv insertion.........he he he.......just kidding...!!!!!!!!!!!

I always wanted to be a doctor, an obstetrician or veterinarian to be specific. When I left for college I had declared my major as pre-med. I was at Texas A&M and so decided that I could go either way! Whatever seemed to pull me more. After my first semester I found out I was pregnant, right before Christmas break. I went home for break and during break my Mom almost died with some strange heart arrythmia issue that we had no idea she had. I went through the entire pregnancy with my little sweetie without telling anyone. Ended up staying home from school because my Mom needed me to care for her and my Dad wasn't around. It was during this time that I decided to place my little angel for adoption. I knew she deserved so much better than I could ever offer her. During this time I was befriended by my OB/GYN's nurse. She was amazing, so caring. She really helped me through this time, you cannot imagine how difficult it was. She even was allowed to come to my delivery and gave me a piece of advice that I will never forget and will forever by indebted to her for. I had decided that after delivery I did not want to see my baby, I was terrified that if I saw her there was no way I could follow thru with my decision and I knew that I had to. Polly knew this and she said, "Honey, please promise me that you will see your baby, it may seem like it will make the pain worse, but you will be glad in the end." I originally stuck with my plan, but one day postpartum I had to see her and I did. That moment is engraved on my heart and remains so precious to me. Yes, it hurt.....but I knew that I was doing the best thing I could for her. I have always felt that Polly was the person who sealed the deal for me on nursing. She offered me her friendship and her knowledge, she actually loved me and cared what happened to me. That is what I want to do, even if I am only able to reach one person. I am so thankful to Polly, because of her I have that precious memory of my angel and dreams of a rewarding career. :nurse:

Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
I always wanted to be a doctor, an obstetrician or veterinarian to be specific. When I left for college I had declared my major as pre-med. I was at Texas A&M and so decided that I could go either way! Whatever seemed to pull me more. After my first semester I found out I was pregnant, right before Christmas break. I went home for break and during break my Mom almost died with some strange heart arrythmia issue that we had no idea she had. I went through the entire pregnancy with my little sweetie without telling anyone. Ended up staying home from school because my Mom needed me to care for her and my Dad wasn't around. It was during this time that I decided to place my little angel for adoption. I knew she deserved so much better than I could ever offer her. During this time I was befriended by my OB/GYN's nurse. She was amazing, so caring. She really helped me through this time, you cannot imagine how difficult it was. She even was allowed to come to my delivery and gave me a piece of advice that I will never forget and will forever by indebted to her for. I had decided that after delivery I did not want to see my baby, I was terrified that if I saw her there was no way I could follow thru with my decision and I knew that I had to. Polly knew this and she said, "Honey, please promise me that you will see your baby, it may seem like it will make the pain worse, but you will be glad in the end." I originally stuck with my plan, but one day postpartum I had to see her and I did. That moment is engraved on my heart and remains so precious to me. Yes, it hurt.....but I knew that I was doing the best thing I could for her. I have always felt that Polly was the person who sealed the deal for me on nursing. She offered me her friendship and her knowledge, she actually loved me and cared what happened to me. That is what I want to do, even if I am only able to reach one person. I am so thankful to Polly, because of her I have that precious memory of my angel and dreams of a rewarding career. :nurse:

Bless you and I wish you every success! I'm sure you will be an awesome nurse! Thanks for sharing your touching story. (((hug)))

Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Actually when I really think about it, there wasn't pole dancing back in the 1960's! :rotfl:

A girl had to do something for a living, right?! :clown::devil::chuckle

Specializes in acute care, peds, er.

I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. I had my choice of med school or nursing. I knew that if I became a doctor, I would not want to have children. My pts would be "my children." I started dating my future husband when I was 17, and decided that he would be a wonderful father to MY children, so I chose a nursing career. Now I can care for my patients without being responsible for them 24/7.

Specializes in peds med surg,.

It started with the TV show "Emergency" at age 6 or so I fell in love with Johnny Gage, though he was actually a paramedic if you're not familiar with the show. I always read books about the hospital, doctor etc- Nurse Nancy and her little red wagon. So I guess that was the start. When my grandmother had a left TBKA when I was 12, I liked going to the hospital and especially helping to care for her when she lived with us after the surgery. My mom did most of the dressing changes and I tried to help. Unfortunately in high school I got in with a bad group and at 18yrs. was unsure if I wanted to spend my time studying. I went to cosmetology school, and worked for 2 yrs as a hair stylist. when I was 20 or 21 I decided that I really wanted to be a nurse and went back to school and here I am!

HI,

I became a nurse so I could make a difference and help people. I started as a CNA, then went to LPN, and just finished my RN degree. I just took the RN NCLEX today and I have been crying all night. I think my dream to be an RN and confidence has been shattered since I don't feel like I passed the test. My exam shut off around 130 questions and there were so many things I didn't know. I studied really hard but I don't think that mattered at all. Many of the questions were very obscure and obtuse to me. Thanks for listening. I have left everything in God's hands.

Specializes in Geriatrics and Psych.

When I was 17 my stupid boyfriend at the time thought it would be a good idea to oil a motorcycle chain while it was running, and hold a towel over the chain where it was resting on it to distribute the lube. Well the towel got caught in the chain and he cut off a part of his pointer finger and thumb. I went with him to physical therapy a lot and I got to see all the people around him and what progress they were making. That got me turned on to the medical field, so I eventually went into nursing!! And I love it!!

Specializes in healthcare12 years.
HI,

I became a nurse so I could make a difference and help people. I started as a CNA, then went to LPN, and just finished my RN degree. I just took the RN NCLEX today and I have been crying all night. I think my dream to be an RN and confidence has been shattered since I don't feel like I passed the test. My exam shut off around 130 questions and there were so many things I didn't know. I studied really hard but I don't think that mattered at all. Many of the questions were very obscure and obtuse to me. Thanks for listening. I have left everything in God's hands.

did you pass? good luck it will come true

I was a sickly child in and out of hospitals.

The nurses were always kind and made me feel good.

I always knew that is what I wanted to do too. (well, after I realized sainthood wasn't going to pan out :lol2:)

I became a nurse because I took care of my mom when she was dying from lung cancer. She has a trach and no one in the family wanted to learn how to suction and clean it, so I volunteered. I went to my moms house everyday to help the hospice nurse. She showed my mom so much TLC. Shortly after that I went to nursing school. I was the second oldest in the class, and I graduated second in my class, only .03 points behind the first.:lol2:

+ Join the Discussion