Why did you take up nursing? What's your story?

UPDATE: Changes: New Log In Requirement

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.

Nobody persuaded me to be a nurse, it was my own decision. In my high school days i was so much attracted with the white cloths the nun in our school was wearing and i also enjoy all the voluntary works they are doing especially when there is a medical mission the school will sponsor, so i always join the group. Thus i have a feeling of fulfillment in doing so, i studied in an all girls school then. But i dont want to be a nun so i was trying to visualize what other profession has the same white uniform and the same passion of helping the sick. It was then when the nursing profession came into my mind.:redbeathe

i was a liberal arts major,english degree,foreign languages and knew nothing about medecine but when i was 8 mos pregnant my water broke and i went to the er,where i was examined and told i had made a mistake...i went meekly home thinking the doctor knew best !!!my son was born early and was septic 11 days later when they decided to induce,i was also septic,while they were giving me pit i could see the staff was afraid and i decided never again! i need to know something and not rely on others and decided to go to nursing school,now i advocate for my patients and encourage them to ask questions,get answers and be assertive!:twocents:

Specializes in Trauma.

Ever since I was little I wanted to become a soldier, so I always knew that was what I was going to do. When I was a senior in high school I was looking for a fun summer job to do as I just turned 18 and came upon a job as a hospital security guard. So I ended up working in the short staffed ER doing stuff that a security guard is not supposed to do and loved it. Despite the fact I was enrolled in a college that did not offer nursing and I had already enlisted in the army as an MP (army cop) I was determined to be a nurse, starting I.Vs during my combat lifesaver course in MP school made me want to be a nurse even more, so I transfered to a smaller school who threw out almost all my credits (3 credits for 2yrs worth of work) and am now in my first semester of nursing school. I also had my MOS (military job) switched to Medic and now I work as a Medic for an Aviation unit furthering my experience for the ultimate goal of being a flight nurse. Being able to help people 1 on 1 is a feeling that can't be beat. The fact you make a difference in someones life is something you don't find many places.

Specializes in ER.

Just wanted to share a summed up story of what validated my concerns of pursuing a nursing career. Unfortunately, when I was younger I was always one of those people who started things & didn't follow thru. I had started nursing school yrs earlier but of course quit bcuz I had a job where I was making good $$ so who needed nursing school, right?? It was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made! My cousin & I started at the same time, she of course finished, was loving her career & making dough- while little stubborn me was job hopping & looking at her with envy. Anywho, yrs later I wound up in ICU after going into respiratory distress due to complications of double pneumonia while pregnant. Lucky to be alive is not saying enuff & having a healthy baby boy by emerg C-Section on top of that! I have to say the nurses & doctors that cared for me & my son- the pleasantries we experienced, the way they rubbed my back, cared for my son & showed there concern- it made me look at them & say "Yes, that's it, this is what I want to do".

All my doubts disappeared & in that instance I realized life is to short not to be where you want or to not follow your heart. I understand it can go the other way to, where there are nurses who have no business being nurses but it only takes 1 to a make difference & that difference can start with you!!!! :heartbeat:nurse:

Specializes in school/residence for disabled.

:no:Hmm, I didn't dream of being a nurse, it wasn't a calling. It sort of just happened. I was working as a trained but unlicensed vet tech at North Shore Animal league for years. I loved it so much but knew there was no money working with animals unless I became a vet and the idea of all those years of school turned me off. Being a horrible student my whole life I just rolled along working for little pay and switching jobs to work as an aid for developmentally disabled children. One day while complaining about my inability to support myself, my friends mom, who was an RN told me of boces programs that do a 40 hour a week program for 12 months. Slam bam way of getting a career. So I figured, why not. It turned out I wasn't as dumb as I thought and breezed through school with a 90 average, and pregnant through most of it, then on the two week summer break, giving birth. Passed my boards and voila, I was a nurse. It was a whirl wind. I switched over to the nursing department at my job and my pay doubled. That is my story.

I started off premed trying to be the "perfect doctor" that all parents dream of. I did not like my classes or professors (they were all from other countries and you could not understand the lectures). So I dropped out. After a year off and feeling like pond scum I decided to go back to school, for nursing. It just seemed like the easiest thing to do (yeah right). Anyways here I am in Lompoc california on my first travel assignment.

Hi! I am just new here.:)

I've been through a rebellious stage when I was around 16 y.o. My father forced me to take up engineering because he was a frustrated one - he did not passed mechanical and electrical engineering licensure exams. He was a dominant person, and makes sure that whatever he says will be followed.:cry:

I came to a point in my life, where I told my mom that I don't want to go to school anymore. She felt sad about it, but knowing that I can never work things out with my dad, suggested that I study in our province and take up nursing. She asked me five times if I really wanted to become a nurse making sure that it is my decision, therefore, if there are any regrets, there'll be no one to blame except me. I just said "yes", its not because of money or going abroad, its for the single reason that I wanted to earn a college diploma someday - by then, I can work any type of job that I'm eligible with.

Nurse as a profession started to have meaning in my life during our exposure to public hospitals, where the poorest among the poor are the ones that we are taking care of. It really feels good to help. It feels like I'm not even working (student) because I'm enjoying it.

Whatever reasons I have to go through to get me here as a nurse, was all worth it. I think I was placed here with a purpose and I'm happy.

:typing My parents are already separated for 2 years. My dad is just impossible to live with.:rolleyes:

Specializes in med & surg.

hi , my story :

in my country nurse is the only thing that you can stude it and after graduation you can work immediately , and that what hapend after 2 days of my grduation i work

7 yrs ago, i had cervical cancer, resulting in a hysterectomy

I went into nursing, as I wanted to be able to 'give something back'

I have made lots of gd friends since working in the local hospital, & am just about to start my 3rd yr at uni, then I'll be a staff nurse....scary stuff!

:clown:

Becoming a nurse wasn't in my plan. I didn't like taking care of people and more importantly I was never good in science. Taking up nursing was just a decision I had to make, because it was either that or advertising.I was actually leaning on advertising but the school was just too far from our house.Actually, I think I could have developed my skills and talents even more had I taken the latter.

But like they say, you are exactly where your suppose to be. I sincerely believe that I'm supposed to become a nurse. I learned a lot of things because of nursing,things that I might not learn even more experience had I chosen a different career.

Hey all. Obviously, i'm new to the forums, but I originally planned to go to art school until I found out that the cost for only 3 years is about the same as buying a Ferrari. My girlfriend was about to attend nursing school when I changed my mind at the last minute. So far, it's looking like a good choice. Not only is the program much, much cheaper, the medical field is so stable. No regrets.

Well I've always been the one to help people and I was doing social work. However, because I want to eventually leave the city I live in, I felt I needed a more marketable career.

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