Your Story: Why Did You Become a Nurse?

Everyone has a story about why they chose to become a nurse. We recently asked our Facebook Fans to share why they embraced nursing in their lives.

The following 10 comments are candid responses from our fans which offer insight into the driving factors that brought them to their calling.

Discover the shared motivations you have with your fellow nurses and add your own in the comments below.

1. To make a difference and touch lives.

- Angela M.

2. I love offering bedside care and helping others to feel better and hopefully make a difference in someone's life by always trying to be positive and provide care with a smile on my face. Thank you to all the nurse for what you do!!!

- Sarika M.

3. It takes a special kind of person to be a nurse. I have been a nurse for over 30 years. I have had my share of disappointments, but it is from my own experience I am able to draw the perfect pleasure of nursing. I was a psychiatric nurse and worked with youngsters who had issues with drugs and abandonment. I became very enlightened and gained abilities to intervene in many cases. In one case, as the young lady was leaving she said to me, "I'll never forget you, what you said to me, as long as I live.” I guess that one instance made my life important to someone. I have since become a supervisor in a nursing home where I oversee 60 residents. I see to the comfort of my residents while they are alive, and I comfort their families when they pass. I feel my life matters! In a world where it seems money is the only measures that people look at, I am proud to know I matter and make a difference in someone's life.

- Bon H.

4. I wanted to repay the kindness that was shown to me when my daughter had surgery for a heart defect.

- Shannon C.

5. When I was quite young, our neighbor, a nurse, changed the bandages on my injured hand. I admired her for it and from the age of four I knew I wanted to be a nurse, just like her.

- Dorothy G.

6. When I was 15 in 1979, my grandmother had a heart attack right in front of me and I didn't know what to do for her. It broke my heart and I promised myself that I would not let it ever happen again.

- Lea H.

7. To help others when they can't help themselves.

- Janee B.

8. To help make this world a better place with love and kindness!!!!!

- Mimi S.

9. I became a nurse because I have a passion and a drive to be a part of the healing process. I believe that nursing is simply to give tender loving care while applying it to the everyday concept of medical care.

- Whitney P.

10. I knew it was something that I wanted to do. I have been a nurse since I was 19 years old. I know it's the right profession if you enjoy and want to help people! It's not a job, it's a calling.

- Glenda Y.