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 Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.
When I was about 13 years old, I went to my,then unemployed single parent of 4, mother and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She looked at me with a smile and said she always wanted to be a nurse, had started nursing school, but could not take care of me and go to school (my mother had me at the age of 17). Since that moment, I never thought of being anything but a nurse. I always wanted to be like my mother. My mother and I ended up being a lot alike. I, too, became a single parent at the age of 17 as a senior in high school. But, I continued on to go to college. Which I believe motivated my mother, because she too went back to school. I graduated from nursing school in 2004, she graduated in 2006. It took me seven years to earn an associates degree, but two children and a fiance' later, I did it. I do not always know if nursing was the best career choice for me, but I know it is for my mother.

If that's not a beautiful beautiful heart warming tale, I don't know of any better! School nurses rock by the way!

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

My mother, now retired, was a school nurse. During the nineteen eighties I would not have dared go into nursing; just did not register with me. I knew no male nurses (not the biblical sense mind you!)...Anyway, I lived a life of the unprofessional what seemed forever. Hopes for retail to give me security and an income evaporated over time. I quit retail and went back to school. I studied math and philosophy...thought I would become a nice math teacher, to shed good vibes in a math class; since, if you see math as a creative art could work wonders with students, at least that was my plan. Well, it just didn't pan out. Precalculas after Trig sunk my battle ship. So, I thought...huh? What about nursing? I thought and thought and thought and thought...Nursing makes good sense. Since I passed Trig...Chemistry didn't appear so daunting after all. And besides I could share heroic bedside tales with my mom the RN...cool.....So here I am a nurse after 5 heroic years of nursing school...and that does'nt include the gen ed and prereqs..LOL!

PS. And I can tell my mom virtually every gory detail that my wife would gague at. Wife starts to turn pale at the edited version of a hint of work related to blood, pain, insertion and more!

It is a long story but i will make it short, iam from india after graduating from college i worked as a teacher and secreatory did not like it, then i went to nursing school, I was very happy to find the best job i like, the job wash your hand, start your work, wash your hand, go home, no home work,i donot take any tension home. i work in critical care areas. now my daughter is a nurse, she loves it too.

Specializes in cariothoracic surgery.

It was the late 80's in Ireland and all I had to look forward to was a lifetime on the dole. An aunt (a retired nurse living in London) phoned one day and suggested I gave nursing a go. To be honest....my initial reaction was to laugh. I just didn't think it was for me. There was the obvious stigma attached to being a male nurse and that scared me. However, the chance of a move to London and its social scene was very appealing so I gave it ago. Hands up...I was naive and never gave the nursing side much thought. But glad I took the plunge. It's been very rewarding and made me a much better person and I've been able to use nursing as a means to travel as I've spent 3 yrs in Aussie and NZ.

Snice I was once a law enforcement mojosr and stop going to school because i didnt know what i wanted to do or so . Took some time off and decided not to do that and go for nursing .I am starting in winter and cant be happier.

Katie

my story short.my dad was an ER doctor in ukraine. back then doctors were riding ambulance to a location where help needed. i rode ambulance with him also: first as a dauther and then as a "cna"(i started working with him when i was 14, i worked during summer vacation). i like it very much. i saw how passionate my dad was to his job and his patients. there weren't any questions who i wana be after high school graduation. i finished medical colege-became a nurse. after moving to usa, i decided pursue my carrier again. i went in college here because i knew there is difference in medical systems, documentations,responsibilities, and medications. so i did it .and i very glad i did finished college here, it opened my eyes on many things i did not notice, did not do in my previous carrier in ukraine, and also i reviewed many things i forgot.

thank you for reading my post. and thank you brian for asking this question. :balloons:

Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

Congratulations and welcome to America!

Specializes in Medical Surical Issues.

In fact i don't love nursing , but decided to study nursing then medicine good luck for all

I was about 12 yr. old when I care for my first pt.-Home care. I immigrated to USA and attended HS. After I graduated I dreamed of caring and educating people to prevent illnesses. I finally graduated in 2006 with an Associates in Nursing. Now I am facing a dilemma. I will not be able to renew my RN license if fail to obtain a SSN, according to the current laws it would be about 12-14 yrs. to change my legal status. I have been volunteering for a clinic and I love what I do. Does anyone have a suggestion.

Specializes in Volunterr in A&E.

Well I havent even become a student yet but I am trying (i'm told very!), I always liked science stuff when I was little and when I left school went to college to do health studies but then life sucked. I went on to the second term when my old school teacher died and we were very close it was very sad because she was 29. I was in an abusive relationship during this time and suffered domestic violence having decided to move in with him against my parents wishe at 16. I then ended up being raped by him and decided to leave, at which point he tried to commit suicide and ended up in our local mental health unit.

And what you ask does this have to do with nursing well, I'll tell you...... since that time in my life I had tried to distance myself from anyone and everything related to that dark time including any courses I was taking at the time. After 10 years or so I have realised one thing, you can run away for ever but all you get are tired legs and broad shoulders, it's only when you accept who you are that you can become who you want to be. Besides I often ask myself could I have made a difference to the x who needed metal health support and understanding,orto the teacher who died of a heart attack if I had the training then. The answer I know is NO you can't think what if all you can do is stand up and be true to yourself, so this is me standing up andI'll do whatever it takes to become a nurse cos I want my son to be proud of me.

Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

LazyDaisey,

I wish you the best in your future endeavors in nursing and life with your son.

I was about 12 yr. old when I care for my first pt.-Home care. I immigrated to USA and attended HS. After I graduated I dreamed of caring and educating people to prevent illnesses. I finally graduated in 2006 with an Associates in Nursing. Now I am facing a dilemma. I will not be able to renew my RN license if fail to obtain a SSN, according to the current laws it would be about 12-14 yrs. to change my legal status. I have been volunteering for a clinic and I love what I do. Does anyone have a suggestion.

Hmmm....apply for SSN then. Also, try applying for citizenship. I don't know, ask the Nursing Board on what state you in and ask them what you should do, I bet they can help you.

Jomarkk - VN Graduate 2007/RN Student ISU

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