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 hospice,ltac, geriatric.
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.

I was in the Army for 5 years and I had a son so after he was born my enlistment was up and I decided not to reenlist. I came back to Louisiana and worked as a psychiatric tech for a year then got hired at the local police dept. I met my husband there and got pregnant with my second son after a very rough pregnancy I gave birth to a 1lb baby boy who lived four hours. I also had 5 miscarriages after that.The nursing care I recieved in the hospital was excellent.The nurses who took care of me not only cared for me physically but emotionally as well. After recovering from that my marriage was pretty rocky and I couldn't understand what was the purpose all of this emotional pain I was enduring. I was at work and I was praying and a commercial for the local cc came on T.V. so I decided to check it out. My girlfriend who was an Lpn

was going to register for the lpn to rn program was there also she helped me get everything set up. I graduated two months before Katrina hit I was five months preganant. I now not only have a two year old son. I just had a daughter in October of 2007:) I believe that God wanted me to become a nurse because I absolutely love it. I don't think I would have had anymore children if I would've stayed at the police department. I believe everyone has a God appointed purpose and some of us need to be pushed into ours.Oh yeah my daughter was 2 months early and was 3 lbs 4 oz she spent 5 weeks in the nicu.God Bless nicu nurses!!!!:redbeathe

I became a nurse because I knew I wanted to help the ill. I want to be apart of making a difference in other peoples lives

Specializes in OR, PACU, Dialysis.

Good answer!

Specializes in Nursing home, private care.

I have worked as a CNA at a nursing home for the last four years. At first I had no desire to become a nurse, but over the years I became so attached to the Alzheimer's residents. I did so much reserch on my own time and learned as much as I could. It sickened me the way people treated these residents, like they were chilren or nobody's. I even had another CNA tell me that they were just getting ready to die so why bother brushing their teeth? What? I have learned so much from these residents and consider it an honor to be able to take care of them in the last moments of their lives. I decided that I wanted to be able to teach people, and impact these resident's lives more. I am on my way to pursuing my BSN and then my Master's so I can do just that. I want to be an advocate for these residents, and I want other's to learn the right way to help them. I want them to learn how to be these resident's family, because a lot of them do not have any. I want them to understand that they don't act the way that is considered appropriate adult behavior because they are scared, their brains are in a fog and they don't know how to get out of it. This doesn't mean we treat them like invalids, or children. They are adults, and should be treated as so.

I guess that's my speech. The residents are why i am becoming a nurse. To help them live the end of their lives as great, if not greater, than the beginnng of their lives.

I have worked as a CNA at a nursing home for the last four years. At first I had no desire to become a nurse, but over the years I became so attached to the Alzheimer's residents. I did so much reserch on my own time and learned as much as I could. It sickened me the way people treated these residents, like they were chilren or nobody's. I even had another CNA tell me that they were just getting ready to die so why bother brushing their teeth? What? I have learned so much from these residents and consider it an honor to be able to take care of them in the last moments of their lives. I decided that I wanted to be able to teach people, and impact these resident's lives more. I am on my way to pursuing my BSN and then my Master's so I can do just that. I want to be an advocate for these residents, and I want other's to learn the right way to help them. I want them to learn how to be these resident's family, because a lot of them do not have any. I want them to understand that they don't act the way that is considered appropriate adult behavior because they are scared, their brains are in a fog and they don't know how to get out of it. This doesn't mean we treat them like invalids, or children. They are adults, and should be treated as so.

I guess that's my speech. The residents are why i am becoming a nurse. To help them live the end of their lives as great, if not greater, than the beginnng of their lives.

Your residents are lucky to have you! Good luck in your pursuit of your education and your mentorship to your residents. God Bless. :heartbeat

I think it's important for nurses to reflect on why they entered this practice/profession. Reflecting also helps to define nursing as a profession, a career, and not just a JOB!

Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

I always did well in the sciences in HS. Biology was my favorite. I first attended college at age 18, for me, it was a time to socialize and not study.

I realized my marriage probably wasn't going to make it, and I had to think of a career that I would enjoy, but most importantly, would insure employment no matter what the economy, so that I could support my two children. Nursing was the first thing that came to mind. I was 28 years old when I finally grew up enough to take school seriously.

I went down and enrolled - I had a GPA of 1.84 from my early attempts at college, but after nursing school, I ended with a GPA of 3.74. Not to shabby considering my "slow" start.

Over all, I have enjoyed my career. I'd like to say my reason for becoming a nurse was purely philanthropic - but really, is was primarily financial with a leaning toward wanting to help others.

Yes you can. Somehow you need to convince your husband that a part time job will keep you interesting and on top of things, not to mention your monetary contribution to the family.

You will need to enroll in a nursing review class, but once that is accomplished there are many directions you can go. I would guess that you are bilingual at least, and that is a real plus.

I wish you much success and don't give up, we need your abilities as a nurse, your patients await.

Best Wishes, Azmimi

Specializes in orthopaedics.

when i was 18 a new nursing home opened by my house. my mom encouraged me to apply. i was thinking i'd do housekeeping or laundry. the don was looking for nursing assistants. i thought it would be "neat" to try.

i had this amazing instructor for na classes. she encouraged me and said i really had something and someday would be a great nurse. she died a year later.

i applied for lpn school the following year and got in. my dad was a raging alcholoic at the time and told me i could never finish and couln't handle it, so i didn't go to lpn school.

for years i continued to be a na and found it rewarding. i got burnt out and decided to try other things. my heart always came back to nursing.

finally @ the age of 30 i went back to school to pursue my nursing degree. i did it paid for school on my own and i am now a super proud rn

i still think about that instructor that believed i was special. on the day i graduated i said a special prayer for her. i hoped that she was smiling down on me.:saint:

my dad has been sober for 8 years and is proud of what i have accomplished. :yeah:

Thats awesome that you never gave up mom2bears. The nursing bug bit me about 12yrs ago and I have been going to school part time, trying to raise a family, & work since then. I've just completed my block I and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yea, i wish I would of went to school full time or change other things going on in my life but the imprtant thing is I will not fail and my dream to be a nurse will come true. to all those out there don't give up, yes it may be hard but it will be worth it.

Specializes in Agency/HomeCare.

thank you very much. I respect your honesty.

I lost a little girl 10 1/2 years old to a brain tumor now 8 years ago...I made a promise to her and God, that I would go and be a support for parents who would find themselves in the most terrible situation they would have to go thru....lose a child...and I also said I would go and touch the children, I got to go to LVN school in Texas, I am now in NM, trying desperately to pursue my RN, I've got to keep my promise. I lost a patient who was so ill from birth, 19 months old....but I was her nurse, central line, colostomy from birth, j-tube, g-tube, I cried asking God one day when she had to be literally whisked off to a children's hospital...I said, why God, when this month is the anniversary that I lost my Lizzy,....how could you?? I entertained my patient as her grandmother prepared everything for their 4 hour trip....as I sat in my car as they drove off, my little patient never to return, God spoke..........you see Eileen, you are doing just what I called you to do....I felt humbled as I realized....it was a privilege to have cared for this tiny patient....that is why I got into nursing..........Eileen

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