Some say nursing is their calling; for others it is a choice. In either case, we all have different stories of how we joined this profession and the turns our careers have taken. Last month, we shared some of our stories and you also shared some of yours. See them all below…

2020 Nurses Month Blog Series

Why I Became a Nurse 

Margaret Smith MJ, BSN, RN, CRNI
The biggest influence was my grandmother who was a Cadet Nurse in World War II…She was the first example, for me, that being a nurse means becoming a nurse; it is who you are.

Creativity in the Era of COVID-19 

Robin Haskell, MSN, RN, CRNP
About 18 months into my first nursing job, when the fear of making a mistake was replaced by confidence and critical thinking, I began to appreciate how creativity in nursing can enhance the patient experience as well as job satisfaction.

My Nursing Story – A Filipino Perspective 

Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN
My mother was a nurse, an excellent, well-respected surgical intensive care nurse…While she loved her work, it was physically and emotionally demanding, so she often advised me not to follow in her footsteps. And frankly, I didn’t want to be another cliché as Filipinos are practically synonymous with the profession of nursing - it’s in our blood.        

Navigating Nursing – My Personal Journey 

Lisa Bonsall, MSN, RN, CRNP
Did I always want to be a nurse? No. First I wanted to be a Rockette…But as that childhood dream faded, I realized that my passion for science, especially biology, would turn my dreams in another direction.  

Lessons Learned from the Frontline 

Anne Dabrow Woods DNP, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, FAAN
Being a nurse is a calling and I am so glad I answered that call. When I was a young girl, I always dreamed about being a nurse; it is who I am and I have never been more proud than I am today about being a nurse and nurse practitioner.

Social Chatter

In response to these blog posts, we have been fortunate to hear from our followers on social media and learn some of their responses to the question, “Did you choose nursing, or did nursing choose you?”
 

“Like Myrna, I am also Filipino. And similarly, I too was not too sure at first if nursing was for me. However, immersion in the world of caring drove me closer to the profession. There are many specialties of nursing available and as I ventured, I found my calling.  I love what I do!”

“I've always believed that I was born to be a nurse”

“Nursing chose me. Was working in a LTC during college and changed my major senior year because I suddenly couldn’t imagine doing anything else. 20 years later and still love it despite all that is going on.”