This post was originally published on May 6, 2013 and updated on May 7, 2019.
At many of my keynote addresses, I talk about the choice we all made when deciding to become a nurse.
I will ask my audience, “Why did you become a nurse?”
And almost immediately…
The responses to my questions begin filling up space.
I really love hearing all the reasons and want to share some of my favorites with you today.
Why did you make the decision to become a nurse?
“I always admired the white cap and I wanted to become a nurse so that I could wear one too.”
“My Grandmother was a nurse; so were her sisters, my mother, my mother’s sisters and cousins. It was the expectation that I became a nurse too. I’m so glad I did!”
“My parents told me that I could be a teacher or a nurse – I chose to become a nurse because I could teach as a nurse but couldn’t nurse as a teacher!”
“I watched how the nurses cared for my Grandmother when she was dying. I was so inspired by how smart and kind they were – how they treated everyone like we were family. I knew I wanted to become a nurse so that I could be like them.”
“When I was a kid, I was in a bad car accident and spent a lot of time in the hospital. Not only did the nurses take care of my physical needs – dressed my wounds, gave me medications, and took away my pain – but they read to me, played games with me and comforted me when I was scared. I wanted to grow up to be like those nurses! And now I’m a pediatric nurse!”
….and my personal favorite from a young, new male nurse:
“I became a nurse to meet chicks.” When I asked if he’d met any, he replied…” Nope. Still waiting.”
Whatever the reason, I’m glad you choose to become a nurse. Being a nurse isn’t easy – actually, sometimes it feels like it’s humanly impossible to meet the demands placed on us!
However, somehow, we manage to rise above and find a way to make a difference no matter how big those demands are.
Never forget that…
- It’s a privilege to care for the sick
- It’s an honor to be present when a human is brought into this life and when that human leaves
- It’s a choice we make every day to put the needs of strangers before our own.
Most nurses I know are in the PEOPLE business…who happen to be nurses.
We’d love to hear why you made the decision to become a nurse. Let us know in the comments below. I can’t wait to learn your reasons!
Take care and stay connected
