Your nursing story

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Hello,

I would love to hear all your stories on WHY you got into nursing and what path you took to get there. Did you go right after highschool? Was your calling not untill later in life? After raising a family? While raising a family?

Im sure you all have some intresting reads :)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Since I was maybe 6 or 7, I wanted to be a surgeon. I used to watch operations on tv and I thought it was cool. Later, when I was in high school, in 1992, I was set to go to nursing school, and back then, a degree wasn't required. However, I decided against nursing because I was on my own, and we were in the midst of a major recession. Nurses couldn't get jobs, and many were going to the US to work. Same thing all over again, except this downturn is even worse.

So I got a Diploma in hospitality management and worked in various hotels. Traveled often. After SARS and 911, and long hours, I decided to go to nursing school. I went backpacking to Australia in 2005, came home and started prerequisites, and entered a BSN program in 2006. Graduated in 2010, and I'm now working as a charge nurse in LTC. It was all worth it, and I think my experiences helped to make the transition easier. For one thing, you learn to go with the flow more so in your 30s. I've also realized the value of self care, which I had not in my 20s.

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Specializes in OR.

Have you ever thought about OR nursing as a specialty?

I was wondering, since you wanted to become a surgeon, I think that you would find OR

nursing very interesting and rewarding?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Yes I would love the OR and I had my 4th year placement in an OR. At this time, OR positions are not easy to get. I also don't want to spend 2500 on the OR course right now, since I have loans to pay. Maybe in a few years when the economy improves. I actually have no interest in working any hospital units except OR and PACU.

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Specializes in OR.

I worked in psych nursing before OR, the hospital paid for my OR training. This is still happening in Canada, depending on what the requirements are.

There are so many choices in nursing, we are lucky to have such opportunities.

My original plan was to be a vet, as I am so fond of dogs, and horses.

I don't think I would have had a very easy time euthanizing animals, so, am glad I chose this career in the end.:heartbeat

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I always wanted to be a nurse but life got in the way.After dropping out of high school I spent the next 10 years or so working with racehorses as a groom/assistant trainer. Then I had 2 kids and I stayed home with them until they were both in school full time.I worked part time in the kitchen of a fancy restaurant for about a year and then got laid off from that the same week my marriage ended.Desperate for work with no education I got hired working for an agency as a Personal Support Worker ( like a CNA) doing home care in the community. After a couple of years I started looking into RPN programs and found out that a local community college was going to be offering a part time night program.Because I hadn't finished high school i had to pick up my grade 12 biology and chemistry and pass an English and math test.I worked 2 jobs, 7 days a week and went to night school 2 nights a week for almost 4 years.

And here I am.

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Specializes in Psych, OR.

I got into nursing more or less because I wanted to help people. During my early 20's I debated over many different career paths. I had an opportunity to go into business which would have guaranteed me a significantly larger income but in the end I choose passion over money.

I have yet to work in nursing full time, as I have just graduated, but based on my clinical experiences so far I have had some very memorable and rewarding moments with different patients that have been very moving. I also look forward to one day working in a third world country as this has been a dream of mine:)

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

I dreamed of being a nurse after I watched the nurses taking care of my grandmother after she had a CVA when I was still in jr high school. After graduating from hs, took a job in a hospital as a ward clerk. Went to LPN school, then on to RN school. Found my home in the ER. Loved working in the ER, but this year I had a CVA also and retired, just before my 20th year of nursing.

Anne, RNC

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Wow you guys! Such awesome stories. Shows just how strong, hardworking and full of passion nurses are!

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Specializes in Nephrology.

When I was a kid I always said I'd either be a nurse or a teacher. The medical stuff intrigued me, and I loved music. Anyhow, after high school I didn't do either--I did a theology degree instead. In my last year of my theology degree I started wondering what to do next, and my old passions--nursing and teaching came up. I also had an offer of a scholarship to go to the States and do a Master's of Theology. So I sent off applications to the Faculty of Nursing at one university and Faculty of Education at two. Then I said a prayer that went something like this: "Okay God, I'm not sure what I am supposed to do. I have applied to education and nursing, and I am going to trust you that whatever I get into first is where I should be. And if I don't get into either, I'll pursue that Master's degree." And I waited. Long story short, I got into nursing first so that is where I went. And it was the best move I ever made. I love nursing and I could never imagine doing anything else. And as an aside, I have been a Girl Guide leader for years, and know now I could never have been a teacher. I'd have to kill to many children....:lol2: And this fall I am going to start that Master's degree online.....

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I wanted to meet George Clooney....haha I dreamed of working in the ER and it being just like ER (on tv!!) I went to nursing school when I was 19 and graduated 3 years later (3 year condensed course in the UK). I worked for 2 years on a surgical floor then I took the nclex and planned on moving to the states with an agency which fell through (I still moved with my husband and lived their for 3 years but not working) and now have been in Canada for 2 years......have not nursed in 5 years and wondering if I should get back into it! :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I wanted to meet George Clooney....haha I dreamed of working in the ER and it being just like ER (on tv!!) I went to nursing school when I was 19 and graduated 3 years later (3 year condensed course in the UK). I worked for 2 years on a surgical floor then I took the nclex and planned on moving to the states with an agency which fell through (I still moved with my husband and lived their for 3 years but not working) and now have been in Canada for 2 years......have not nursed in 5 years and wondering if I should get back into it! :)

If you haven't worked in 5 years then the likelihood will be the provincial college will require some sort of refresher course. Also meeting provincial college of RN requirements may be difficult. If it is something you want to do and you can afford it then I would say go for it however job opportunities may vary depending on the province you live in

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