Why do I want to be a nurse?

It's the question not only that job interviewers will ask, it is also the question of why I chose to go through all the school, the long nights, and studying.  A lot of people will answer the question with this: I want to help people.  While this is true, I feel that is not the full explanation of why I want to be a nurse.  I want to serve God through helping people.  I wanted to care for people.  Nursing was the perfect choice that fit with my personality, my interests, and what I enjoy.   Nursing is also a career with so much diversity.  I can work in an acute care setting, I can practice emergency medicine, work in a clinic, serve underprivileged people, or work in education, teaching others.  I can see all of these things possible in my future.

Let me tell you a story.  In the summer of 2008, a group of of from my church went down on a trip to Mexico.  A group of dentists, and a couple of students operated a dental clinic.  That was my first experience working on some sort of medical clinic -- and it was inspiring, and it was an extraordinary growing experience.  We worked long hours, in less than optimal conditions.  We worked in a cramped trailer, with very low ceilings, which ran on a generator.  One day, the generator broke, and we did not get started until the late afternoon.  We ended up working until midnight.  But even with all the things that didn't go according to plan, things worked out.  We had a group of men and women that love God, and worked well with one another.  The people were so appreciative and hospitable to us.  Those people in Mexico, had very little: small houses with dirt floors, limited clean water and electricity, yet they were very grateful for the little help we could give them.

It's experiences like this that made me want to do nursing.  God has told us to help those in need, to help the orphans and widows.  If your neighbor is hungry, feed them, if they need clothing, give them your jacket, if they ask you for money, give to them, without expecting them to pay you back.I hope I can do something like that with nursing.