Why did you decide to be a nurse?

What is the thing that made you decide that you wanted to become a nurse? Was there a particular experience or person that helped persuade your decision?
I was a preemie (weighing only 2 lbs.) and hearing all of the stories of my wonderful NICU nurses made me want to make a difference in the lives of children. I am now a pediatric RN. Knowing I can help save a life like those nurses did for me is an incredible feeling.

My 2 year old son was diagnosed with a one in a million blood disorder. Became a caregiver at the age of 20 and wanted to learn the reason for this disaster.Yes.. I am sorry I did it.

Quote from Been there,done thatMy 2 year old son was diagnosed with a one in a million blood disorder. Became a caregiver at the age of 20 and wanted to learn the reason for this disaster.Yes.. I am sorry I did it.

Because I didn't have good enough grades to become a physical therapist. (honest)

I was a nurse's aide in a nursing home in college (1970s) I worked with a 'grandfathered' LPN (Back then, you could do on the job training and become an LPN) She was a very nice lady, but dumber than a box of rocks. I one day had a revelation- "If SHE can become a nurse, I bet I could!"True story. Nothing altruistic or high minded. Just a desire to prove I could do it.

Quote from rachel_fusionWhat is the thing that made you decide that you wanted to become a nurse? Was there a particular experience or person that helped persuade your decision?

I worked at a restaurant as "drink and salad girl" for $4.25 an hour and had a friend who became a CNA and was making $2 an hour more than I was. That seemed like a lot of money to a 16 year-old--I wasn't sure I could stomach changing people's diapers but I went ahead and applied for the program and found it to be no big deal. I'm only 5'3" and 115 lbs so hauling old folks on and off their commodes was KILLING my back. Once I heard there was a program where I could spend a measly year studying and then make more money *and* not have to do so much lifting, I jumped at it. After becoming an LPN I realized that with just another year or so of school I could make 50% more money for doing the exact same stuff I was doing *and* have more job opportunities, so I did my ADN. After finishing my ADN, my then-employer began to offer a killer nursing scholarship that paid 100% tuition for an entire year for one lucky recipient, so half of my BSN ended up being paid for outright. At this point I'm thinking in for a penny, in for a pound, and I'm starting grad school in January :PKinda funny for someone who never necessarily even wanted to be a nurse...

Was pre-med fresh out of high school and didn't take school seriously changed majors and finished with a psych degree instead. Decided to go back to school and it was a choice between nursing and IT. Picked nursing now going back for my IT degree.Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

The choice to become a nurse was more of a personal business decision for me. I never had a childhood dream of doing this kind of work. I never felt a passion or higher calling.I worked at a paper products factory from ages 20 to 23. Three years into my employment at the factory, something happened that led me to make a snap decision about where my future was headed. My supervisor gave me problems one day in August 2004, and the department manager planned to write me up. I felt defeated because, instead of addressing the issues behind closed doors, they aired the dirty laundry out in the open for others to hear. On that day I decided I would never return to the factory job again. I was 23 years old and living on my own with enough money saved to survive for one year. After visiting a psychiatrist the next day, I went on stress leave. During the much-needed time away from work I was admitted into a 12-month LVN program at a private nonprofit school.I became an LVN nearly 8 years ago and earned my RN license nearly 4 years ago. The rest is history.

I was sick and hospitalized A LOT as a child. Then, when I had my son I had an unbelievably rude nurse who kind of ruined that whole experience. (Thankfully when I had my daughter they were amazing & it was a totally different experience.) Also, my mother-in-law became a nurse (after being a CNA & LPN) while raising 3 kids as a single mom and inspired me to go back to school as an adult. I've always loved science and learning about how the body works/how to try to fix it. I love my job and I'm proud of what I do

Quote from meanmaryjeanNothing altruistic or high minded. Just a desire to prove I could do it.

I have always been a helper/nurturer. I helped raise 3 younger siblings when both of my parents were so busy they were always either sleeping, working, or out doing something. It gives me a sense of personal fulfillment to help others, so I moved on to giving out advice to friends, helping people in online communities, etc. It was my work with an online community of gay teenage males that pushed me to find a line of work that was about caring for people and making a difference in their lives. My sister had recently become a CNA with intent to go into nursing, and even though I'd never considered being a nurse, I realized a 2 year ADN program was the fastest and most affordable way to help others. She convinced me I could handle the physical aspect of causing people pain to help them get better. I think if I'd not been pushed to do something "practical" from a young age, and not been so sheltered from the world by my overly-religious parents, I would have realized a lot sooner that the human brain and body fascinate me, and I'd have ended up a psychiatrist. To this day, people tell me I am cheating the profession and myself by not going into the mental health avenue of the healthcare profession as a counselor of some sort.