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.

Good Morning MyToon38,

Does she really? I net $1,200.00 wkly on a sit down nursing job & $1,350.00 on 12 shifts / 3 days. A waitress make that much, wow. I know my daughter was thinking about posing. My niece posing, is paying her way through college. She has no delayed gratification. As my son who struggle through college financially, after I hit a tough spot in my life say, "I CAN'T GET MAD AT MY NIECE". She got to do what she got to do. Treasure

I was an underground prize fighter,( yes, before UFC and Pride fiighting shows came out on TV) so I frequently had to visit ER for related minor injuries. I befriended with a nurse who told me about nursing profession, so I enrolled to Paramedic school to get my feet wet. I realized it was more fun to help people feel better than hurting them. After grueling years in nursing school, I came out a new person: I have learned to symphatize, and care without compromising my machismo type personality. Hey,it's just a job. Even though I know I can knock out my rude patient with a punch, I' ve got to do my job as an RN, meaning my patients' well being is my highest priority. It ain't calling; it's just a job like any other jobs out there although this one, patients trust their lives on us, so we have a duty to act to utilize our nursing skills to help them.

My record as a fighter was 114-13-2, meaning wins 114, lost 13, draw 2. I was making enough money then to live a simple debt free life, but it was a dangerous job because alot of people who I defeated wanted me literally dead. So nursing was my escape in the beginning, but as time goes by I have realized that nursing is a great job for me because meeting people in their most vulnerable times ( illness, tragedy, death and dying, sense of hopelessness and uncertainties that they are experiencing while in the hospital) gives me a sense of personal or spiritual fulfillment when I'm able to help or at least comfort them. I'm sort of touched by being there and witnessing the whole arrays of emotions of families and patients --which was for me, I seriously used to think that only sissy men would feel this way.

I lived a life of a violent man once, but now the mortality of others I have witnessed allows me to reflect and to make use of my life for good, so when I'm about to depart from this world one day, at least I have done something good to others by being a nurse.

Oh wow, interesting story!!!

and I like and agree what you said about the extra thing that being a nurse has...K

When I was 14 I had my face kicked in by one of the horses at a local barn that I kept my horse at. For some reason I stayed conscious, but my face was smashed in. I looked like one of the vampires on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" haha. I needed to have a reconstructive sugery at our local hicksville USA hospital. I was completely freaking out because I'd never been to the hospital. The doctors and the radiology tech's were horribly mean and no one wanted to talk to me or tell me what was going on. One of the nurses, I think she had just gotten off of her shift came in, sat down by me, and held my hand. Later right before surgery she braided my hair to keep the blood out of it. During my surgery she sat with my parents until I woke up. She was the first person I saw when I woke up from anesthesia. Ever since then I've wanted to be a nurse. I'm in my sophomore year and hope to end up as a CRNA.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

I originally went to school from another pretty good paying field, because there was no room for promotion (ie-I wasn't a man!). I needed a good paying job for obvious reasons (wanting out of a crummy marriage that I am currently still in, but leaving very soon!) and I thought nursing would be a great paycheck. Since getting my license in 2005, I have totally fallen in love with the job, the pay is just the icing on the cake!

Well I`m not a nurse yet. I start nursing school in the fall this year. The reason why I decided on becoming a nusre is b/c of all the dead end jobs I`ve had and still have one. I remember the at a young age of becoming a nurse. I let a lot of things stop me, things like,"I have to keep working my dead end job to pay my bills.":o I grew more and more disgusted of my job,which is retail, and decided whatever it takes I`m going for it. Why nursing? I love being in a situation that I`m needed in and I can be part of making a difference. I bet that feels good at the end of the day:yelclap:.

Specializes in Cardiac, Med-Surg, now in ED.

I can't really pinpoint when I decided that nursing was what I wanted to do. I remember wanting to be a vet/horse trainer when I was very young. My mother was a nurse, died in a car crash coming home from a home nursing visit. I was supposed to have gone with her that night, but she was going to be late, and she didn't want me to miss school. Blamed myself for her death for the longest time(sometimes still do on bad days), I was 10yrs old. Thought I could have helped avoid the accident.:o

First real job was in a local restaurant, then the adjacent grocery store. Worked in a LTC facility as a CNA for awhile, quit after my second child was stillborn, divorced worthless husband, went back to LTC , then quit while pregnant with 2nd son (3rd child). Waitressed at a state resort, got into bartending there, continued bartending. Applied to nursing school(financial reasons, single mom) got accepted, found I was pregant with daughter, did not go to school. Long term relationship with what turned out to be another loser, had a son with him, still bartending. Broke up with loser bf. Got together with my now husband, whom I had dated on and off for a long time, and known even longer, he told me "you've talked about going to nursing school since I've known you. Do it or shut up" And I did it. He finally was able to convince me that I could. Bartended until 2003(could no longer handle 4 kids and 50-60 hrs wk bartending, plus full time school), I graduated an ADN program in March, 2004, married my husband June 2004, and haven't looked back. I love nursing, I feel its where I'm meant to be. Got my EMT-Basic March 2007. Will end up in emergency/trauma nursing(can we say adrenaline junkie?), though am currently unemployed (lay-offs), just interviewed for a telemetry position. Interview Wednesday for an EMT position.

So I guess I ended up in nursing to prove that I could do it. I had been told for so many yrs that I would not be able to, that when my now DH threw the challenge out, I had to prove everyone wrong. He was the only one to ever believe in me enough, and knew what buttons to push. So thats my story. Lot of ups and downs, lot of misdirection along the way. But I finally made it, and have never been happier. Well except as a carefree child who's only job was to make my older brothers miserable. :lol2:

Well I am not sure why I chose this path. I have always loved helping people, and had jobs that entailed it in one way or another.

I was 30 yrs. old with 3 kids when I chose to go to school. I believe everything happens for a reason, and think I now know why. I was married for 18yrs. to a man who the last 5yrs was an alcoholic. I wanted to find a career to support my kids and I. I graduated in June 06 @ 34 years old (I had to work full time and school full time). I left my husband in Sept 06 I just could not get him to give up the booze. I was able to support us and feel good again. I truly loved him, just could not handle his ways. I had not had the courage to file for divorce yet, early this year he was killed in a motorcycle accident. Very tragic time in our lives. Fast forward to today. I have ended up dating a paramedic that I have known for about a year. We have been seeing each other for a couple of months, and I never thought I would feel this way again. So everything happens for a reason, why fight destiny. I went with what my gut told me to do. Look at me now! I work in an ER, at a great hospital, 3 great kids, and an amazing man in my life. Sorry I think I went a little off topic. Please forgive me...

ER NRS.. I can relate to your story. I am 37 and studying for the pre entrance exam. I have been married for 17 years to a man who is very controlling, manipulative, and plays mental games. I've been with him since I was 20 and am finding it difficult to leave because I will have to take care of myself. He told me if I go to nursing scholl he will file for divorce. Can't control me if I become more independent. I have three children also. For years and years I was depressed and let him put me down. Through my faith in God I feel I am being pulled toward a nursing career. I love to help people. I also want to help myself. It's good to know someone else can relate.

wow nitenurse7 your story is inspirational.And you know that saying "Everything happens for a reason".well look you have a great son and your a nurse now.It takes time but it can be done your a shining example.

Specializes in TELE/Step Down/Critical Care.

On the morning of Sept 11, 2001 I left my home in NH to drive to Boston's Logan Airport to go to work as a United flight attendant. I had been a flight attendant for 15 years and it was a career I was very comfortable and happy with. There was one thing different that morning though, I had made a error in my schedule that month and instead of flying non stop on flt 175 to LA, I was flying to Denver and then on to LA. I was really not that happy about not flying my normal schedule and not being able to flying with my usual co-workers. I only had myself to blame as I had inverted the numbers on my schedule, something I had never done in 15 years.

I parked my car in the employee lot and boarded the bus employee's take to the terminal. Just as the bus was pulling out of the parking lot a flight attendant came running out of the parking garage. I ask the driver to wait and this young man boarded the bus. He was also a United flight attendant and he sat next to me. His name was Robert Fangman, and he was a new flight attendant for United. He had only been flying a few months and he was so excited to go to LA. The bus had to stop at a draw bridge and a tanker needed to cross so this added an extra 15 minutes to our normal 10 minute ride. During this time I got a chance to get to know Robert and we talked about his plans for his layover in LA. I mentioned to him how he had replaced me on the flight that day and how I had made a mistake in my schedule. When we got to the airport we were running late, about ten minutes past our check in and we said a quick good bye and I mentioned how I hoped we could fly together some day. I saw my crew and they tried to convince me to bump him off the flight since I had more senority and he was late. I just couldn't do it since I knew how excited he was about going to LA. I told my crew I would see them next week and boarded my aircraft for Denver.

My flight was diverted to Detroit that fateful day and when I opened the door of the aircraft the agent informed me how United had lost 2 flights. when I asked her which ones she said "93 from Newark and 175 from Boston". I dropped to my knees and cried. I had lost my crew and by all rights should have been on the flight. I spent 5 days in Detroit doing alot of sole searching and when I put my uniform on to go back home I knew the job I loved would never be the same.

As people heard my story they would say "you have something important left to do here". I don't know why I was spared but I know everyday of my life since 9/11 is a bonus, and I live every day to the fullest.

I never aspired to be a nurse, in fact I'm the one who had to lay down everytime I had blood drawn. The airlines down sized after 9/11 and offered leaves of absences. I decided to take one and go back to school. I knew I needed a new career and I needed a job were I would appreciate life everyday. This is where the nursing came in. I felt I needed to make a difference to others in some small way. Hence the decision to become a nurse.

In May of 2005 I graduated top of my class from Northern Essex Community College with an ADN. On June 1, 2005 my leave expired with United Airlines so I returned to the friendly or not so friendly skies. I had made a promise to myself that Sept 11 would not be my last flight and that a terrorist would not keep me from doing the job that I had once loved. I also promised myself that I would complete 175 for my flying partners and do what Robert Fangman had intended to due in his memory. I also wanted to meet the Fangman family and tell them how I met Robert that day and how excited he was to be going to LA that morning and how meeting him had changed my life and how I hoped I could carry on his memory by touching the lives of others. In August I flew to LA and complete flt 175 doing all the things the crew was to do that day and 2 weeks later I met the Fangman Family. They welcomed me with open arms and we have a special relationship.

In January of 2006 I took another leave from the airlines and began working as an RN on a Critical Care Floor. I love what I do! I have received several personalized thank you notes and patients and their families have come back in to see me and thank me for the care they were given. Durig nurses week this year I was given the honor of being chosen to represent my facility on the wall of nursing which represents outsanding nurses at my hospital.

Friends always ask me "are you still flying" and my response is "I'm a nurse now" and "I love what I do".

Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.

esokane - Wow.... Thanks for sharing the above story of how you chose to become a nurse.... wow...

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