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.

My grandmother was my inspiration to become a nurse. She was a neonatal nurse and died suddenly my senior year of high school from an aneurysm. At the time I was going back and forth between nursing and something else. That's what ultimately pushed me to go to nursing school.

Specializes in OB, Med-Surg.

I think I answered this before, but, my inspiration was the fact I seen my mother struggle raising kids she couldn't afford. I lived dirt poor and had a not so fun childhood. I decided since I so badly wanted to be a mother myself I was going to pick a career that would enable me to stand on my own two feet if I ever had to. I also care so much about other people, especially children, I wanted to help make a difference, even if it is only a small one.

Specializes in ER, Infusion therapy, Oncology.

At the beginning I did it to support my family. Now I realize it was destiny. I can not imagine doing anything else. Nursing is the most satisfying thing I have ever done.

Specializes in NICU.

I have no idea. I guess it was a calling.

Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

I don't know if there's a cool way to insert a link to another thread on another forum here (other than just posting its url as I did)... but I stated my reasons in great gory detail in this story: https://allnurses.com/forums/f300/mahogany-door-272985.html

I am just beginning the pre-req process for nursing school so I'm not there yet, but the science of it all is what is drawing me to the profession. I used to work as a veterinary technician and since leaving that 3 years ago I've realized how much I miss the medical field. I loved the critical thinking, diagnosis and treatment processes and watching the healing process. I loved surgery and the OR, especially when I got to scrub in and help. I'm hoping to pursue the OR once I become a nurse.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I think my full story is listed in the link above, but basically my granddaddy's death was very traumatic for me, and I decided to become a nurse to take care of my family if they are ever in his place. And if I help other's family along the way, the all the better :)

My husband won't let me quit is the reason I keep going :jester:

Actually, I still love it. I've gotten close to all the women I work with, we're a big family. I couldnt' imagine leaving them. And when I have time to take care of my patients the way I want to, I can't imagine loving any job more. I really do feel like I'm there bright spot of sunshine :flwrhrts:

----Ookay...ignore the last sentence. I got a little carried away....

I start my pre-nursing classes in the fall, but I suppose my reasons will still be the same when I actually become a nurse as they are now.

Me: Born almost 3 months early, lots of time in the NICU, followed by 2 years of surgeries and hospital trips, then another major surgery a few years ago.

My Mom: ICU about half a dozen times at this point. Last time, we were told she wouldn't make it or would be brain damaged. Somehow, she's fine other than some memory loss.

My Little Brother: Died in the ICU after a very sudden onset of acute pancreatitis. They spent 20 minutes trying to revive my brother, even though as soon as they got a look at him in the ER, we were told he probably wasn't coming home. I guess they try harder when it's a kid. (2 weeks shy of his 15th birthday).

A lot of health care workers have put a lot of time and energy into my family. (Who HAS this kind of luck? Seriously?!) That's not counting stitches, broken bones, and all the other trips to the ER you make when there are 3 little boys in your family. I figured, the money is good, medicine is interesting, and I REALLY ought to do something to "pay it forward". Also, I hate pantyhose, so I'm pretty excited about wearing scrubs.

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

Nurses were the first people who treated me with love and kindness when I had my tonsillectomy. I didn't want to go home.

Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

In all honesty I am not sure why I wanted to be a nurse. My mom and 2 aunts were nurses, but I dont think that made much of an impression on me. When I was in my 30's I went to school to become a medical assistant and loved working side by side with other healthcare workers. I also loved the science behind it all. I did well in school with a 4.0, so after many years I finally decided I wanted to put LPN behind my name.

Maybe someday RN.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Threads merged for continuity.

science and math subjects had been my favorite since i was in the primary school...

my greatest dream was to be a doctor, but for some reasons, i was forced to finished b.s. mathematics major in computer science as my first course.. i told myself at that time that perharps i could be better off by studying computer engineering because there's a heavy infusion of math subjects but since the course wasn't offered at that time (1991) i entered computer science instead... after i finished my course, i was supposed to pursue medicine but my life took a blow when my parents discloses the fact and couldn't accept that i am an m-f transsexual... since then i tried to stay afloat by working as a computer programmer/analyst (keeping a decent life and aspiring for a white-collar job at the same time exposing the real you as a transsexual is hard & painful and discriminatory in the philippines)... but after working for 7 years (some of them abroad) i realized that i just couldn't imagine my life getting old in that profession.

...so last 2003 after going back here in the phils, i wasted no time and i enrolled as a 2nd courser nursing student... i think my interest lies in the medical/paramedical field as i'd shown to have good understanding of the subjects (i used to whisper... god at last i am in the field where should i rightfully belong)

.. i forgot how to be a computer programmer as my knowledge on that field is swiftly drifting away.. at this point, i already managed to pass the cgfns and ielts and is now painstakingly waiting for the nclex result from ca bon... i hope i would make it ^^v

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