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.

Specializes in Occupational Health.

When i finished secondary school,i wanted to become a pilot,but later i developed interest in nursing and went straight into the school of nursing,and everyday i love the profession more.

When I graduated HS there were few jobs open for females. I did not want to be a sec., hated the idea of selling goods, did not want to work as a teller in a bank. The idea of teaching was there but all the females in my family had been nurses so I grew up planning to be a nurse.

I found a way to meld nursing with teaching and am glad for both. Nursing is my passion, education a way to convey that to another generation.:D

Well...my story...hhmmm

This is my third career. I was a paralegal, case mangaer, and early childhood teacher. I realized I was SICK and TIRED of the political agenda with the educational system. I've always been in the social service field and wanted to take care of others whether advocating for justice and equality or protecting someone from the neighborhood bully.

I use to tell my mommy I would take all the children in the world and live on an island where everyone would be happy, healthy, share, get to play all day on green grass, the sun would always shine, and flowers would always bloom. Hey, I was only 7 years old.:saint:

Serously, I decided nursing would be a great way to work with children and their parents, make an extraordinary difference in someone's life, educate others, provide a great service for the under-privileged, and have a fulfilling life. I really want to show God how thankful I am for His mercy, grace and never ending blessings. God has truly blessed me!!

Also, I would like flexibility in my work schedule so I can spend time with my family and financial provide for my child. Being a single parent is challenging. However, this is not my sole reason for going into nursing.

Presently, I'm completing my M.Ed. and taking pre-req's for the nursing program. I didn't tell my mother because I don't want her to think, "What in the world is this child going to do with her life?" Well, she was a licensed LPN and taught in the Healthcare field. She probably would be very proud of me (as she is presently). I'll probably tell her when I am admitted into the Nursing Program. My sister is about to enroll in the nursing program and she works at a hospital where 75% of her tuition is paid by her employer.

I AM SO EXCITED!!! I'm taking a chemistry class and I LOVE it!!! I have a wonderful instructor. I know nursing school is going to be challenging and I welcome it. BRING IT ON!!

I plan to get a MSN (NP) in Family Practice. Did I tell you how EXCITED I am?!!!!

By the way, although I may look 28; I'm all of 42 wonderful years young.:wink2: May God bless each of you and best wishes on your nursing careers.

The hospital is a highway where every patient shares something in common...they are victims of circumstance.Whether tall or short, rich or poor,black or white, diseases do not dicriminate who is a star or who is not. The only stars here are those who switch the patient's status from being a victim to being a victor. I always wanted to be a star,but didnt want to be hunted by paparazzi.I craved for the autographs of stars on my t-shirt or other stuff.But now i can sign my own autograph on people each time i help them become victors from a disease. You don't need to be on TV to be a star,cus guess what...even the TV stars need us.Thats why i chose nursing,not just to take the paparzzis out of buisness, but to inspire those who wanna be stars that stardom is not all about being in the spotlight.

Specializes in Respiratory.
I just read a fun book called Hot Nursing Careers for the 21st Century. It is one of the best books I've read on nursing. The author gives such honest writing on her hit on nursing. It's available on all the major online bookstores. Amazon, B&N, etc. She went in it because her mother wanted her to marry a doctor.:jester: How lame. :argue:

Tell me, did she end up marrying a doctor? :redbeathe I haven't time to read the book to find out!

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:

OMGosh....I don't want to get depressed but, WOW!!! Have you never worked as an LPN or RN (you didn't specify)? What state do you live in? I thought there was a nursing shortage; from the looks of it, where you are, maybe there isn't. Have you thought about moving out of state (I know you said ypu're taking care of an ill parent)?

Best wishes on your job search. Stay hopeful.:)

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.

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!

+ Join the Discussion