What Made You Decide to Become a Nurse? Many nurses have a story behind the reason they decided to become a nurse. Some nurses had the dream of pursuing this career since they were children, others decided later in life, and returned to school to study nursing. There are a number or reasons, however there is one thing common in the nursing profession, and that is everyone has a reason that they are where they are. All stories are recounted by Susan, a retired nurse. Related: Positive effects of Nursing Education Ten Reasons Nurses Chose the Nursing Profession From Nurses I used to play house with my sister and friends as a child, and I would always be a nurse that they had to bring their dolls to see. Other kids would vary on what they wanted to be, but I actually always stuck to nursing. I won a scholarship to attend school, based on an essay I wrote regarding my childhood dream. I could not imagine doing anything else; I love my patients, and the job itself. - For me, I felt that I had a calling to help others, and nursing was the best way of giving back that I could think of. My brother is a doctor, and many family members pushed me into also going to medical school; however I love my job as a nurse, and would not change it for anything. - My little brother was 7 when he passed away from a rare form of childhood cancer. I felt that I would never get over losing him that is until I became a nurse. I work with pediatric patients that are critically ill, some with cancer. Some days are very difficult; it can be a very emotionally draining job for sure. At the end of the day, there is nothing that makes me feel better than seeing the smile of sick child, and knowing that you helped put it there. - I was about 6 when my grandmother passed away. My grandma was as close to a best friend as anyone could have, regardless of age difference. My grandma was suffering from dementia, and I can remember how kind some of the nurses were to her, I made up my mind then that this was the profession I needed to pursue. I now work in the Alzheimer’s unit of a geriatric center, and I would not trade my job for the world.
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It’s rather a strange story for me; I started out to attend medical school. It was my full intention to be a doctor, I was accepted to medical school, and my future seemed pretty bright. Toward the end of my first year in medical school, I started to realize how little time doctors spent with patients, and how much time nurses did spend with the patients. You should have seen my dad’s face when I told him I wanted to drop out of medical school and attend nursing school. My dad was older and set in his ways, the first thing he said was, men are doctors not nurses. Oh, it took some convincing, but eventually dad came around and accepted the fact that I was pursing what I really wanted. Today I am in my 16th year of being a nurse, and I have never regretted one moment, I’m right where I am meant to be.
As for me personally, I became a nurse because I saw the under-developed countries when working in the Peace Corp. I wanted to help, even if only a few people, the area’s I had seen, and the people that had no access to medical care needed someone on their side. After completing school, I went back to the Peace Corp and worked for 3 years in various places that had no medical facilities. I look back now, and consider myself very fortunate to have experienced the things I did in those early years. Related:
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Whatever the reason you decide to become a nurse, it is unique to you, and will remain in your heart throughout your career. Never lose the passion or reason that you chose this profession. Related: Skilled Registered Nurse, Certified Hospice Nurse and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant Lucinda Perkins, RN, will be Spotlighted in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter