Are you trying to decide whether to go to nursing school? If you’ve ever wondered “why become a nurse” then read on – I share my entire story!
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“Why Do You Want to Go into Nursing? “
There’s always that one question on every college application. “Why do you want to become a nurse?” It’s asked the first day of nursing school, and again in every single job interview.
The Story of Why I Became A Nurse
I wasn’t one of those people that always knew what they wanted to do professionally. I didn’t know what path to take freshmen year of college and didn’t have this burning in me to become something specific. I envied those that did. My friends that knew they wanted to be a teacher, a pilot, a CPA, a doctor, etc., all had a passion for it and nothing else would satisfy their professional urge.
(Oh, you guys make me sick. And proud. But mainly sick.)
I Didn’t Always Know I Wanted To Be A Nurse
I was very aware of the need to make a decision, quickly, about the path I was going to take regarding my career, but painfully unaware of which path I wanted to take.
If you are one of those people who just knew within you which career was for you, please consider that a blessing. Please be thankful for that. The rest of us are out there, trying not to go into financial ruin, attempting to figure out what we should do with the rest of our lives. Once you become a nurse, you’ll notice a lot of nurses are in the field as a second career.
As a child, high schooler, and even into college, I didn’t have an innate desire to go into nursing.
Why I Became a Nurse: It Seemed Like a Good Idea
I originally started college in 2005 with an undergraduate major of early childhood education. The classes I took that first semester were not at all enjoyable to me. I thought to myself, “My gosh I do NOT want to do this for the next 40 years. What are my other options!?”
I knew I liked education and I was fascinated with the medical field, so I put 2 + 2 together and changed my major to nursing! I thought to myself, “I’ll take the pre-nursing courses like anatomy and physiology and see if I like it.” And I enrolled in those courses. And I just kept going!
It’s OK To Become a Nurse Because You Need a Job
Loving your career is something not everyone is blessed enough to be able to enjoy. Many work to make a living, to provide, and not to simply do what they love and somehow get paid for it. And that’s 100% okay. Our jobs don’t have to be our identity, and nursing is a great field to get into because of job security, variability, and it provides a livable salary.
When you have great boundaries with work, you can be a nurse for many years. (I talk about the sustainability of the nursing career here.)
So, if you don’t have some amazing story to tell in your nursing school or nursing job interview question, that’s completely okay.
I’m So Glad I Became a Nurse
Even though my rationale wasn’t profound, it was still valid. So, whenever you’re asked that question, just answer it honestly. Even if it’s not a beautiful story about a formative experience, it’s still important. Own your story!
I’m so happy with my extremely practical decision, and it has served me well since I made it back in 2006! If you want to hear more about my nursing journey, listen to this podcast episode below.
What about you? Why did you go into nursing? Share your story in the comments! (I read them all!)
Worried you’ll look clueless at clinicals? We’ve got you.
Nursing clinicals are awkward at first. You’re surrounded by experienced nurses, real patients, and you’re just trying to figure out where the gloves are. It’s a lot.
That’s why we created Nursing Skills Refresh—to give you a realistic, supportive head start. You’ll get demo videos of common procedures, insider tips from two experienced nurses, and a clear picture of how a shift actually flows. (and a lot more) The goal? Walk into clinicals feeling like you belong there—not like you’re in the way.
Start Lesson #1 Now
I will never forget the day I decided to become a nurse. It was a hot Saturday in mid August. My dad was a mechanical engineer and trouble shooter for commercial refrigeration systems. On weekends he often let me tag along. We had just departed from a big Chicago supermarket and the service man my dad was advising suddenly grabbed his throat and toppled over in the parking lot next to his Dodge service van. He died before our very eyes. Later I was told he suffered a heart attack. There was no CPR back in the late 1950s. I decided then and there that I was never going to be in a position of not knowing how to help a sick person get better. I would become a nurse. I was 8 years old at the time and never deviated from my plan.