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 Psych, Med-Surg.

I never could decide what I wanted to do with my life. I had a younger sister who knew from age 10 that she'd become a lawyer (and she did!), but despite being a good student I was clueless. I went through the "career testing" at the community college, and one of the results showed "healthcare." I then spent 4 years doing my BA in Psych. After working and making $10/hr, I thought that there had to be a way to help people and make a living. So back to the career counselor I went. He said "You should be a nurse" and I looked him straight in the eye and said "No way." Understand, I didn't think I could deal with the "blood and guts." But a few years later, I decided to give it a try. Would I do nursing school again? Not a chance. But it was a smart decision. And although the specialty I'm in now isn't for me, I'm sure to find my way back to being a Psych RN someday...

I was taking A&P for fun (yes people, I said for fun) because I absolutely love science. As I worked through labs I noticed that like 80% of the people there were pre-nursing school students. So I thought, what the hell, I'll give it a shot too! I figured if I finished and didn't like it, then it wouldn't be that much of a loss since the program was pretty short. Now that I'm an RN.... I'm still in the deciding phase of whether or not I'm going to continue this or not. I can't imagine myself being a nurse for the rest of my working career, but I also cringe about the thought of going to graduate school. Seems like the only people that are still being hired like crazy are RNs in this crappy economy. I'm in a pickle, so they say! I'm thinking about the CRNA route, but my family says I should dump the nursing gig and go to medical school if that's what I want to do.

I'm currently in a RN program in San Diego, Ca. I have wanted to become a Nurse since I was in High School. It all started when I took a Health Occupation course my senior year; I spent ¾ of my day in the Hospital assisting in every which way. I did the fun stuff too like cast myself and a friend LOL. It was cool back then anyway. I rotated throughout the hospital and took interest in all aspects of health care. I worked with patients and loved it. I can especially recall the patients that made inspiring comments to me such as "you are the kindest nurse I've met," "you've made my day with your smile," and "Thank you for being here for me." As simple as it was I felt like I made a difference in somebody's life that day, and that is a great feeling to have. Immediately after High School I got my CNA and began my journey to becoming a RN. As a CNA I worked at a staffing agency that placed me all over the hospitals where I gained more interest and explored many different fields. I could work anywhere as an RN, but most of all I would get the chance to make a difference in some ones life, even for a day. It might be your son or daughter or your worst enemy. Truth is that it doesn't matter because you still reap the same reward. I want to become a Nurse because I want to make someone feel better everyday. :heartbeat:lol2:

25 years ago I was volunteering in Chiapas, Mexico, on the Guatemalan border, working with Guatemalan refugees that were the victims of the repressive military dictatorship there. I had my Bachelor's degree in Community Studies, a liberal arts degree from UC Santa Cruz, and was living in an area with no electricity and no potable water. I became fluent in Spanish, great at digging latrines and fund raising abroad. But the real needs of the community would greet me daily in the form of children knocking on death's door related to diarrhea, or URI. Pregnancy complications, maternal death in childbirth, neonatal death; it was all a daily reality for these families. I finally realized that I needed more concrete skills that could be readily employed to truly make a difference.

I returned to the States and became an RN through the Los Angeles County School of Nursing, which I chose because of the unmatched clinicals and hands-on experience. I lived in an all Spanish speaking neighborhood, volunteered in a free clinic for central american refugees, and ultimately worked on Labor and Delivery at LA County.

I never returned to live in Latin America as I originally planned, although I have gone on various Health Education Delegations throughout Mexico and Central America. Twenty years later, I continue to work with a primarily Spanish speaking population on a busy OB floor, now in more livable Oregon. Interestingly, there is a sizable Mayan community here from northern Guate, the same community I was working with in Chiapas. I have never regretted my decision to go into nursing, and am grateful that I can make a living wage doing something so fulfilling and that truly touches others' lives. I feel honored and moved every birth I attend.

Science is the only thing that kept me interested throughout my childhood. I also want to help others. Health care just called out to me. At first, my major was premed then I learned nursing gives you a variety of fields to work in and the world needs more nurses anyways. This summer I plan to do volunteer work at a hospital and I hope I can job shadow a nurse!:p

Specializes in Rehabilitation.

I have always been interested in all things medical. I decided to be a nurse my junior year of highschool. I was rejected from nursing school twice due to high volume of applicants. Two angels started a nights and weekends ADN/RN program at my school. I will never forget the day I was accepted. It solidified my calling on this earth. I was meant to be an RN. Through the ups and downs of school, working and getting married, I made it. I passed my boards February 19th 2009.

I cannot wait to start working.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories. It is people like you who influence others to begin the wonderful journey of becoming a nurse. :nurse:

Do you know that you became a nurse on the same day my husband and I got married--only that happened 43 years ago. Congratulations. Yes, I have been a nurse now for 45 years and becoming one was the best decision for me that I could have made as a young person. I enjoy what I do, yes, I still work, though I have taken a position that allows me much more flexibility in scheduling as a part-time float at an outpatient surgical facility.

Nursing is one of the few occupations that allows flexible days, hours and a variety of types of work--you can teach, sell, do bedside, research, be in bio technical, the law aspect, forensics, it goes on and on.

I wish you the best in your nursing career, remember to give a job a reasonable trial, but if you hate what you are doing, don't be afraid to search for something different until you come upon the perfect job for YOU. Life is too short to be wishing you didn't have to be there day in and day out--we all have certain days when we wish we were somewhere else, but if it is always miserable, it is time to change.

Again, Congratulations AzMimi

Honestly, I have no idea why I went into nursing! I didn't like the brief time I was a candy striper at a local hospital...I loved biology in school, didn't want to study long enough to be a vet yet felt it was time to pick something *shrugs*. I actually was still very unsure until about the second year nursing school when we could take care of patients. It was so rewarding that I have never looked back.

My first and only sibling (Kelley) was born when I was 8 years old. She was born with a VSD along with multiple blockages -at ten days old had her first open-heart surgery to repair the damage. She recovered beautifully, but as time went on her heart began to weaken again. At four y/o she underwent her second open-heart surgery to repair her heart. As time went by her she developed aortic insufficiency. Surgeons went in to repair the damage as best they could. Fours years later at age 12, Kelley had the Ross procedure. She is one year postop today and is doing well. She has shown more courage than I could have ever imagined from such a young girl. The strength she has is greater than I could ever give. Growing up and watching her push through every step has been amazing, and God has blessed us so many times. The nurse and all medical staff that provided care for her were truly amazing and as well played a huge part in my decision to join such an incredible career. I am also thankful for every conversation and encounter I had while my family and I spent many weeks throughout Kelley's surgeries at Ronald McDonald House. Every family was different but we were all experiancing some brokeness that brought us together. I can't wait to be take part in an experiance like this. Thank you ACH

I was 24 years old - no training or no college education. Figured that I could better myself and my family if I went to nursing school. Tha'ts exactly what I did. I've never been sorry. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE CAREERS, OR ENTER THIS FIELD. GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE CONSIDERING NURSING AS A NEW CAREER!

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Same reason I became a paramedic- I'm too fat to be a firefighter. I went into EMS because I was always out of breath with that airpack on, and I noticed when I went to rehab the EMS crew was always near A/C, beverages and fans. HHMMM..

So I got my EMT found out I really liked it. I got my medic, been there for almost 9 years, decided to take the next step. And I'm STILL too fat to be a firefighter.:mad:

Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Long Term care.

My miracle baby, Dinah,inspired me to pursue nursing. Before I got preggo with her, i was pursuing a Microbiologu degree and then left school my thrid yr because i began to realize I HATED my major and had no passion whatsoever for the field. Then i had my daughter at 24 weeks preggo and my life changed forevr. She was only 1 lb and 14 oz. We were given no hope and all from the docters but it was the nurses who gave me inspiration. I will never forget the nurse that let me hold me daughter for the first time when she was 31 days old. I thought I couldnt hold her because she was so small..i was terrified that I would hurt her. This same nurse taught me how to give my then tiny 3 lb baby a bath. From the things that I saw and thenurses i bonded with during those long an dlonely nights in the NICU i was also given this passon for nursing. i want to save the lives of children. Yeah, I know I cant save every patient but the pursuit is a worthy cause. I believe in hope when hope is not an option...

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