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.

i forgot something.....

Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I was forced into nursing by God. I was a Biology pre-vet major and was constantly having scheduling issues, $ issues, mediocre grades, I switched to an A.D. in Surgical Assisting for better job security and a bit better pay but couldn't get into the clinical rotation for almost 2 years. With 2 yrs Biology, and 1 1/2 years A.D. in an allied health major the only thing my courses fit was nursing. I applied with an iffy GPA, long hair and a track record of changing majors and got in first time. Once I was in the Col. of Nursing I couldn't get kicked out. Instructors went out of thier way to cut me slack, I could get into classes at the last minute without even trying. My GPA went up, my job improved- it was as if a rocky road became smooth and straight.

When I get up there I intend to have a little chat about why I wouldn't have made a good millionaire philanthropist- I job I've always wanted to have.

Specializes in LTC.

I was an accident prone kid, stitches, broken arm, concussion...The nurses were always so kind to me. I started reading Clara Barton books in 4th grade, have known since then I wanted to be a nurse. Have been a nurse in Geriatrics for 15 yrs. now and not sure I want to be a nurse anymore, very disallusioned.

End Of Shift Report

All targets met, all patients satisfied.

All staff are eager and enthusiastic to return for their next shift.

All pigs are fed, washed and ready to fly.

In a life that's cruel...nobody cares for me...

so I became a nurse...so that someone will show what caring is about...

;)

I was mother, my children were growing - there didn't seem to be much point in life. I needed something to occupy me and keep me sane. I needed something worthwhile to do.

I love my job, I would hate not to being able to work as a nurse. Nursing gives me a focus and direction in my life. I have personality traits that make the job easy - (in some ways) - but really hard in others. I need to be a nurse - it's a vocational thing - perhaps.

When I was a kid, I really wanted to become a nurse just like my cousin but when I finished HS, Ive changed my mind. I graduated with a Psychology course which was somewhat associated with Nursing coz its more of dealing with people. I landed on a job as an HR professional after college. After almost 3 years of working, I realized I wasnt happy with my job. That's when I realized I need to pursue what's really meant for me. I went back to school til I became a full-pledged nurse. As of the moment, I found joy in what I am doing and I guess this is really what GOd wants me to be here on earth.. :)

Specializes in geriatics,hospice,med-surg.

Visiting my aunt in the nursing home. I was around the age 9 remembering seeing one day an elderly gentleman in his wheelchair foley urine just spilling on the floor. I wonder to myself why is anybody getting that? I wanted the opportunity to help people within limits. I just know if I can help at least one person I've made a difference whether patient or coworker.

:balloons:

Specializes in ICU.

Look around you...............wake up call, you live in a world of 6 billion people. Thats Billion with a "B"............everywhere you turn someone, your neighbor, your family, your community needs your help. To live a world of 6 billion people and not have the compassion to touch every life that you can in a meaningful way is to live in isolation, whether physically or psychologically. I have had (and retired) from several jobs, in every job I always did the best I could to treat those around me in a manner respectful and honorable. But in all of those people I touched I never left a truly lasting impression, nursing gives me the ability to give back to those who have made my world livable, exciting, and worthy. I'm old enough to know that the streets aren't paved in gold of youth, but at the same time I'm old enough to know that cities could be built of good intentions...........I decided to manifest my intentions by the touch of a hand, the smile on my face, and the reality of love that is carried in the glint of my eye. I sincerely care for my fellow human being, and want everyone to aspire to be what they are capable of being, and it is my hope and prayer that every nurse share this with me.

This forum is really great....

I am currently a nursing student and I hope very much that one day I become a professional nurse :nurse:as many of you are.

I would like to interview one professional nurse for my school progect. If any of YOU are interested ,please post you answers on the questions below. I would love to share your stroies and opinions in my nursing class.

Thank you

1.What is your educational preparation ? How long have you been in practice? What additional certification do you have? Why did you choose to obtain these additional certifications? (if apply) What value do they hold to you

2. What is your role within Care Delivery System? (Identify the type of Health Care Delivery System and/or unit within which you work and describe your position).

3.What do you think your role within the nursing practice? Are you Provider of Care, Manager of Care or/and Member with in Profession of Nursing.

Description:

Role as "Provider of Care" characterized by critical thinking, clinical competence, accountability, and commitment to the values of caring.

Role as "Manager of Care" is characterized by collaboration, organization, delegation, accountability, advocacy and respect for other health care workers.

Role as "Member within the Profession of Nursing is characterized by a commitment to professional growth , continuous learning, and self-development.

4. How do you utilize the nursing process in practice. (which includes: assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating). What s your responsibility to the development of a patient/client care plan? What is your thoughts/beliefs about "care plans"?

5. What is your viewpoints pertaining to the basic concepts of nursing? (i.e. What is your thoughts about being caring and compassionate? What communication techniques do you feel are most effective? How do you define "health and wellness"? What type of patient teaching activities do you perform in your practice?)

6. How do you define " Professional Nursing Practice"? What do you feel differentiates your practice from that of an LPN?

7. What is the hiring institution's view of nursing? (i.e. Are there different levels of nursing practice, such as "clinical ladders"? Are nurses involved in committees? Do the nurses get rewarded for their committee work? Are nurses encouraged to further their education? Are they rewarded for continuing their education?)

8. How have current trends in healthcare affected your professional experience? (e.g. technology, the nursing shortage, mandatory overtime, etc.)

Everyone has his or her own story about how or why they became a nurse. What's your story?

Please be as detailed or as short as you wish. It'll be interesting to hear everyone's stories.

actually, i got no idear what is nursing and what nurses normally do for their patient before i got my first nursing job 16 years ago, it was my father who chose this career for me, he got his own reasons for that .my father used to be a builder, that mean he has to work outside all year round ,no matter how harsh the weather is.

he really want his only daughter leading a better life than his, working in a good enviornment. so he chose this for me, now i am gratful to be a nurse,i can travelling around the world if i like. i am now in Australia

Specializes in OR: General, DIEP flaps, HIPEC, NEURO.

It's funny because over the last year I have wondered the same thing!!

I hate my profession right now, the lack of respect, the feelings of helplessness to do anything to change it, the backstabbing, the crappy pay and health benefits.

I work at a hospital in east tennessee in the operating room. The managment is terrible, like a horribly dysfunctional family. If you have any complaint you are basically told to stuff it and if you attempt to go up the chain of command it is always ignored and put back to the person with the least power and ability to do anything about it. The people who do the least get rewarded the most in this hospital. I am currently looking for a new job, probably agency. At least that way I can make more money for the BS I have to put up with. As soon as my son graduates from high school, my husband and I are moving the heck outta here, this place is backwoods as far as treatment....disrespect, good ol' boy dealings. I just wish we could get more respect with better pay, is that so much to ask? I am beginning to think it is. I tell everyone who will listen to not get into nursing. :o

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Adrenaline junkie, control freak, eldest child of alcoholic parent...you do the math.

Sarcasm aside, actually I have never regretted the decision to go to nursing school. I was married to a red neck from you know where, and going to school was the one thing that was mine....and I eventually left him. Nursing gave me the skills (I was a terrible secretary) to not only support myself (in comparison to what I had been doing which was working for minimum wage) and it provided me with a sense of self worth.

Without it who knows... I'd still be married to the red neck, working for pennies (despite all the comments about poor pay it's one of the few jobs I know of that you can work 3 shifts/wk and make $40-50K/yr.), become a drunk (like my mom), and be terribly unhappy.

So there you go. My story in a nutshell.

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