When did you know that Nursing was the right path for you?

1 I've always been interested in Science; chemistry, biology, anthropology, all sorts. I've always felt I was destined to do something in life regarding helping people. I've always been the shoulder, or the rock, or the guiding voice for my friends, family, and even strangers. I take pride in my life knowing I have a gift of making people feel better however I can. The first time I thought I was interested in a Health Care related career was when I was dating somebody who got me very interested in Nutrition, I thought Dietary Aide could be for me, of course I had a job and couldn't really afford to go to school at the time, so I put it off.

A couple of years ago, my father became very ill. I won't go into detail, but when my mother and I finally convinced him to go to the V.A. (he's a Vietnam vet and very stubborn), he got admitted into the hospital and he stayed there for many weeks. My mom was there every day from 9:00 in the morning til sundown or after. Many days I'd go with her when I wasn't looking for another job and it eventually hit me that Nursing was calling to me. Every day I was there with my mom I became more and more comfortable with the hospital. I learned the layout of the hospital, met so many wonderful Nurses, got to experience so much there, and I just knew that Nursing was the path I was going to choose. The Nurses at the V.A. were incredible. They let me help them with my dad, I was allowed to do CNA type care for him (within reason of course), and they even tried to teach me things when they had time. My father had to go back to the hospital for two more major surgeries, and has spent probably a total of six or seven months in the hospital, luckily always the same floor, and I always got to revisit the same nurses that were so good to my father and I. It just felt like home every time I set foot in the V.A., where most people feel anxious or even scared to be in a hospital, it feels so familiar, so right to me.

So I ask the students, working nurses, retired nurses, teachers, and anybody else to share their story when they knew Nursing was going to be their career path. I'd really love to hear them, and I'm sure many of the other forum readers will as well.
To be honest with you I knew when I was 5 yrs old. It was always what I wanted to do. In the '60's there was a show called "Dr.'s At Work", (I think that was the name), and I was fascinated with medical stuff. Then when I was maybe 10 or so I found the "Cherry Ames" books and I cherished them. I just always knew.

I didn't know until about my third year as a nurse that it was truly my calling.

Quote from coastalcatteryTo be honest with you I knew when I was 5 yrs old. It was always what I wanted to do. In the '60's there was a show called "Dr.'s At Work", (I think that was the name), and I was fascinated with medical stuff. Then when I was maybe 10 or so I found the "Cherry Ames" books and I cherished them. I just always knew.

my grandfather spoke it in to existance because he wa s a diabetic. checking his blood glucose and administering his insulin came natural at age 14! but even still i wasn't aware of my path.. it hit me when i started doing clinicals in med surge this semester that i'm really going to enjoy being a nurse!! btw, i'm 24 now!

Quote from prettililnursemy grandfather spoke it in to existance because he wa s a diabetic. checking his blood glucose and administering his insulin came natural at age 14! but even still i wasn't aware of my path.. it hit me when i started doing clinicals in med surge this semester that i'm really going to enjoy being a nurse!! btw, i'm 24 now!

I was working as a home health aide during college while getting my degree in speech path. On my first day I was cleaning up a woman with late stage alzheimers who had a BM in bed. In my head I thought, "this should totally be grossing me out," but instead all I felt was this intense empathy for this woman who had to have all her needs met by strangers. I knew then that I wanted to change my path and go into nursing. A few years later, I am finally pursuing my passion!

I was 12 years old when I made the decision and it never changed. I have been a nurse for almost 38 years now and have no regrets! When I am in the hospital or nursing home, I am in all my glory. I feel like I just walked into my own home I am so comfortable there!

Quote from kah5209I was working as a home health aide during college while getting my degree in speech path. On my first day I was cleaning up a woman with late stage alzheimers who had a BM in bed. In my head I thought, "this should totally be grossing me out," but instead all I felt was this intense empathy for this woman who had to have all her needs met by strangers. I knew then that I wanted to change my path and go into nursing. A few years later, I am finally pursuing my passion!

I was around 8 or 9 when I had the first instance I thought of being a nurse. This was the age that my mother graduated from nursing school and became an RN herself. As the years went on by I flipped between pursuing many other healthcare careers. MD/DO (anesthesiology, psychiatry, cardiology), respiratory therapy, psychology/ counseling etc... In the end During the summer before my junior year in high school I attended a local CC's Camp S.C.R.U.B.S which hosted a nurse camp, that was not just for students going into nursing, but all interested in the healthcare field, but the camp was focused on nursing. Basically the camp exposes you to the job of a nurse and how to become one and what possibilities there are with nursing. We went through "labs" on injections, birthing, wound care, and lung and heart assessment on the colleges high-tech dummies. That summer, I was 15 and it sealed the deal for me. I realized that I liked problem solving, but I liked just fixing the problem much better. I realized that I could have an office or clinical job. That Nurse Camp opened my eyes to a profession that isn't always about (well most of the time at least) the glory and the grand titles. I am not one who likes the lime light. I also realized that I wouldn't have to sacrifice most of my young adult life to school with this profession and that I could actually come out of school in a much shorter time with some real life experience outside of being in school for 10 to 14 years.Interesting enough when I was around 14, I also participated in giving my gp's insulin injection. He (Oand many other who still do this) kept telling me that I would make a great doctor one day, and for a while I thought the same thing, until I realized that what I was doing was considered to be in the role of the nurse. So now, I am a Pre- Nursing Student, and it is a fight to compete with others for a spot in a program for the fall of 2011, but I am honestly and wholeheartedly loving it! I am working at a local hospital as a CNA-I now and I enjoy doing so. I don't regret making the decision to pursue nursing.

I grew up clueless as to career, got steered into Engineering (good at math), switched to pre-med Sophmore year (bored), went to med school, ended up dropping out - the book stuff was OK but the sleep deprivation clobbered me, 36 hour days every few days starting year three, got to where I was starting to hate people for being sick, and my teachers and other students seemed to find patients an irritating obstacle to the good stuff- the (hopefully exotic and cool) diseases. I worked in group homes while I regrouped, then Nursing seemed to offer the most options, and it has all worked out very well for me. No regrets, it took a while to get over the status thing and the money but now I'm happy, optimistic, and moving forward- Go Nursing!

I CHOSE nursing over medicine when I was in Ecuador volunteering in a clinic, and *being with the patients while I treated them made my heart sing so much more than figuring out what to treat them with...

I started out in the medical field back in early 2003. I was pursing a degree in medical assisting. My mom tried to get me to switch to nursing because she knew I would be good at it. Of course I said no and went on and got my degree. I worked in a small family practice and was very happy for the first few years I was there. I was helping ppl and it was great. Well then we lost two workers and the whole place changed. Something just grabbed me and made me realize this isnt really where I wanted to be. I dreaded getting up and going to work. I had already started classes for LPN. I was so happy I made that choice and left that stressful, underpaid job for something better. In June I will be an LPN for 2 years. I work for a LTC facility part time and also for an agency. I really enjoy what I do now and don't get that dreaded feeling of going to work. My dream is to be an RN, but not sure where yet. I am trying to get into an ADN program by April. I am proud of the work I have done and can't wait to see what else is out there.