People have different reasons for pursuing their career path. For some, it’s an innate interest in an area that drives them. For others, it may be a certain income level they’re looking to attain, or it might be influenced by family tradition. Still others find that a career path happens organically when a job turns into a lifelong passion.
When it comes to nursing, though, the choice is often defined as a calling. We asked some of our graduates to share their reasons for becoming a nurse.
Doing Important Work
Denise H., a graduate of Fortis College in Centerville, Ohio, has always loved medicine. She chose nursing because she likes helping others.
“I like the feeling I get when I can make a difference in someone's life,” she says. “What I love most about my job is everything. I love helping my patients. I love being there when I see them turnaround from critical to getting better. And I also love being there for the families when our patients aren't going to get better at the end of life, helping the patient and the family at that time -- it's still important.”
Having More Opportunity
Jeff L. graduated from the nursing program at Fortis’s Salt Lake City, Utah campus. Before going to school for nursing, he worked as a medical assistant at a local hospital. He decided a nursing degree could open more doors.
“I'm a nurse at a prison and we work with inmates, from maximum security to minimum security,” he says. “We have male and female inmates with things from the flu to cancer—pretty much anything that anybody on the outside could have.”
While at Fortis, Jeff learned that getting through school is not always easy. “But when you put in the work and you really try hard and put in that valiant effort, you're going to get the success that you want,” he says.
Fulfilling a Dream
Chrystal C. graduated from Fortis’s Pensacola, Fla. nursing program. Her desire to get into the field was due to her desire to save the world.
“It's a big dream—a very big dream—but where I grew up and where I've traveled to, I've seen a lot of poor neighborhoods that did not have access to very good health care,” she says.
As a RN, Chrystal currently has three jobs. She works for an acute care hospital, she works for a long-term care facility, and she does contract work for flu and vaccination clinics in her area.
“What I enjoy most is the vaccination clinics because it goes back to helping people who otherwise can't afford or do not have access to health care that they deserve,” she says.
Witnessing Positive Outcomes
From a young age, Leah L., a graduate of Fortis College in Cincinnati, Ohio, has always liked caring for others. She was inspired to go into nursing after a family experience.
“From the time that I was a very little girl, I got to watch in-home nurses take care of my father and they just really stuck out to me,” she says. “I do long-term care nursing right now. I get to see people for a longer duration of time, not as quickly as a hospital turnover. You get to see how your nursing skills are making a difference in their life, and I love seeing that positive outcome from the care that I give.”
Being a Professional
Warren M. graduated from Fortis’s Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio campus. Before attending nursing school, he worked as a resident supervisor for a local community corrections agency as well as other jobs in the healthcare field, including as a home health aide and nursing assistant. When his sons graduated from high school and went off to college, he decided it was time to take the next step in his career and “become a professional.”
“They were moving in that direction, and I wanted to be there also,” he says. “They're in the healthcare profession. I've met a lot of nice people. I've been able to help a lot of people and being a nurse was just the next logical progression.”
No matter what your reason might be for getting into nursing, Fortis can help put you on your path. Click here for more information on our nursing programs or call us today at (855) 436-7847 and speak to one of our admissions representatives.