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 LTC.

I come from a family of nurses, from my great-granmother to my younger sister. As the only male interested in the medical field, I was supposed to be the doctor in the family, but that was too much schooling for me. Beeing a nurse helps fulfill my curiosity about the human body and my desire for helping people that are sick get better.

I'm not a nurse yet...but I will probably "officially" start nursing school in a few months.

I'm 24 years old. I was always a very good student. After graduating from high school, I went straight to college and got a B.S. in biochemistry. I had no life in college...all I did was study. I was stressed out, not balanced, and very one dimensional. I can say I was unhappy with my life. My plan was to go to medical school. Doing biochemistry made me realize how much time I had to put into school to do well and also how much time and dedication it takes to be a doctor. Now most women in my family are nurses, so I always admired the job. Yet, everyone pushed me to go to medical school, because I was "smart". That was part of the reason I also pursued my degree and not nursing in the first place.

Towards the end of college, I met who I thought at the time was the man of my dreams. After graduating college I moved to a new city( to be with this man) and started using my degree to work in a lab. The relationship went downhill and caused me a lot of heart break in the end. The company was overstaffed and laid me off as well. I also hated lab work because I was not interacting with others. I realized that I needed a career where I could talk to people and help them.

This time off from school made me realize what I really wanted out of life. I was drawn to the medical field because I cared about people.When I think about what nurses do, it seems very rewarding to me. I also wanted to lead a balanced life myself, where I could have time to pursue other interests. I concluded that nursing would be perfect for me. During the year off, I also learned about ABSN programs in many places. I also learned about the job opportunities and advanced degree options in nursing. I had no idea that these were out there during college.

I'm so happy at this point in my life even though there's the stress of classes and exams. I'm one hundred percent satisfied most days with my new career choice. I haven't questioned it once(like I did medical school). Also, I'm not so scared about what the future holds(as I was with medical school).:loveya:I hope to be done with my BSN/ABSN in a year or two, depending on when I start.

I am now in my 30th year of nursing, and nursing is the only career I ever considered. As a child, I stayed with my grandparents for a week or two during the summer months, and needless to say, was very close to them, especially my grandmother. When I was 12, my grandmother had a stroke that left her aphasic and with Rt hemiparalysis...when we went to visit her, I will never forget how helpless I felt as I watched her being fed and cared for and yet she tried to converse with me. I remember being speechless, and feeling clumsy and awkward. Funny how images stay with you!

After that, I don't think I consciously was even aware that I was doing it, but I did join the Future Health Careers Clubs and any health related activities in school. I now realize that that was a crossroad for me, and it affected my career path. I became an LPN right out of high school, and then returned to school 3 years later to become an RN. I have since obtained my BSN and MSN and currently teach nursing students. I will be back in school again in a year to pursue my Doctorate, and the biggest reward for me has always been thinking that I caught a glimpse of my Grandmother's eyes in the eyes of a patient I was caring for...I truly believe she looks out for me and would approve. :prdnrs:

Specializes in Geri, Pedi, Trauma, OR, Rehab, MH, OP.

I went into nursing directly because of two certain nurses. A nurse practioner that took care of me during my first and second trimester of my first child, and the RN working when I had my child and the two days following.

The nurse practioner treated me not just for my pregnancy. That women taught me more in a few months than I had from anyone else. I left her services with a healthy child, a healthier mind/body/spirit, and a self-esteem/confidence that I had never known before. I never ONCE, spoke of any other problems other than issues with my pregnancy, but she picked up on SOO much. I still dont know how she knew soo much about me just from my appointment times. An insightful angel.

The LD RN, was just as much of an angel. I hate to say that the rest of the other staff was seriously lacking in different areas. This one though...you would have thought she was taking care of a scared little sister. I knew very little of the process and had very little support in my personal life. She took care of my needs before I even knew they existed. Not once, did she complain with my naive questions. Not once, did it seem that she was busy. I felt like I was her one and only patient when I had her. Being as sheltered and timid as I was, not once did I ever feel awkward or embarrassed during the times that I JUST KNEW, I was going to have a heart attack over.

I decided I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be "that one particular nurse", that someone would never forget...with a smile.

:)

I will try to make this brief :p. I'm still a student but this is why I want to become a nurse!

-Always been highly interested and fascinated with the human body as long as I could remember

-Always been a sickly child :o. I still have issues with my body malfunctioning, and there's never a solid explanation...

-My best friend was shot while sitting on her door-step, twice in the left arm, shattered her bone. As I visited her in the hospital, my curiousity about the human body was aroused even more when the doctors performed several procedures such as attaching her arm to her hip bone, taking skin from her stomach and attaching it to her arm etc. It was horrible...but kinda cool at the same time :eek:

-Love people, love caring for people....but still have doubts in my mind if its for me because I still gag at the sight of puss, drewl, worms or a hole in someone's neck:barf01:We''l see...

My daughter was the same way, she alway gaged or threw up just thinking of spit, vomit or bm. She now works in a nursing home-it was the best thing for her (I didn't think it would last more than a week or two and she has been there 2+ years). She just graduated from LPN school and is doing great, in fact when she had a patient throwing up, she was the one holding the bag when the patient and her co-worker was vomiting!! You would be suprised how strong you really are when it comes down to it. (although I have watched RN's & LPN's turn green and have to leave the room at the sight of some things--everyone has their weakness)

I am still in school but what made me want to become a nurse is a fairly recent experience. After months on bed rest during my pregnancy our son was born at a very small 25 weeks. He was 1 pound 4oz and just barely 12 inches long. We spent 3 long months in the NICU and it was the most positive life changing experience i have ever encountered. I know my heart is for the NICU babies and their families. I want to experience all the NICU has to offer the good and the not so good. I am a strong and positive person and I know that I can be of help to parents and that I will take only the best care of those babies. I have learned so much from all the nurses I have met and I want to do for others what they have done not only for my son but our family aswell.

Originally Posted by reneed viewpost.gif

I graduated in 2000, passed NCLEX, but decided to raise my family and take care of an ill parent. Now its 2008 and I've been to sooo many job interviews, not to mention how many I've applied for. Took a refresher course and still I just keeping getting rejected. HELP!!! I don't know what to do next. Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance.
:cry:

I think one barrier you are facing is that the nursing shortage has resulted in employers who do not want to train you. At least in my area they are very demanding about experience because no one has time to orient or train you
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That being said, do not give up. I don't know what fields you have tried, sometimes even a Dr. office is a place to start. Many nursing jobs place very high responsibility on even new grads. You need a place that will have support around while you get your feet wet. Back in the 80's when I graduated there were no jobs. I found a part-time one to start but a lot of girls in my class left the area to find work or even gave up on nursing. I supplemented my income working some private duty in a local hospital. Some private duty agencies will find cases that will fit your abilities and needs, and it is a good way to start out. Good luck.

I wasn't going to be a nurse. It was just a coincidence. Had worked at hospitals since 17 of age, and was very sure about NOT being a nurse. One day I went with my friend, who wanted badly to be a nurse, to the nursing school to get forms to apply. The register-lady handed the forms to me also and my friend insisted I filled the forms also.

Well, I was admitted, sadly not my friend.

Now I've been a nurse for over 25 years and look forward to go to work every day. I like my job a lot.

Specializes in RN-BC, CCRN, TCRN, CEN.
I wasn't going to be a nurse. It was just a coincidence. Had worked at hospitals since 17 of age, and was very sure about NOT being a nurse. One day I went with my friend, who wanted badly to be a nurse, to the nursing school to get forms to apply. The register-lady handed the forms to me also and my friend insisted I filled the forms also.

Well, I was admitted, sadly not my friend.

Now I've been a nurse for over 25 years and look forward to go to work every day. I like my job a lot.

Wow. That's awesome. I wish it was that easy these days! Fill out a form and you're in. Oh well, guess I'll have to keep up with this GPA system....

Jeremy

Specializes in everywhere.

WOW! I can't believe that is has been that long since I replied to this. I replied when I was in LVN-RN bridge program. I have been a RN since 2006, passed with honors, passed NCLEX with 75 questions!

I love being a nurse! I love taking care of my patients, I DON'T like management breathing done our necks to do more with less (staff, equipment, etc). I DON'T like the abusive families. Why do people think that it is okay to be so nasty to their loved ones nurse, then turn around and tell the doctor the opposite?

People never cease to amaze me.

I had posted earlier that I had always wanted to be a nurse, my mom was a nurse. I had always been fascinated with the human body, the anatomy, the things that a body can tolerate. My EX-husband always told me that I wasn't smart to be a nurse. I passed both LVN and RN with honors, passed NCLEX with mimimum amount of questions. Sometimes I want to mail him a copy of my transcripts and ask him "who's stupid now?", but I decide that he isn't worth the copy paper or postage. LOL

I encourage anyone who wants to be a nurse to apply, to do it. It doesn't matter how old you are, you will be the same age in 2 years (or however long it takes you)with or without going to school.

Good luck to all of us!

Jeremy, it was certainly not any easier then. I graduated in 85', and we started with 150 students and finished with 49 graduates. The rest dropped or could not keep up a 3.0. There were over 450 students who applied for acceptance. I was lucky to get in, and lucky to get out with my sanity. Don't delude yourself that you have it any harder than us "older"nurses.

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