What Inspired You To Become A Nurse
Our nurses share difficult, pivotal moments in their lives that set them on a path to become a nurse.
Dawn White RN, BSN
TriStar Skyline Medical Center
"While I was attending nursing school during the week and working full time on the weekends, I often thought 'Am I doing the right thing? Is this what I really want to do?' One day we had a patient with pulmonary fibrosis, who was having increasing shortness of breath and I was by her side for a while trying to comfort her. She turned to me, grabbed my hand, looked me straight in the eye and said, 'Don’t let me die.' At that moment, I knew that my course was already set for me. I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my career. Unfortunately, related to the patient’s multiple issues, the patient passed that day, with me holding her hand. I find comfort that she did not die alone and that the simple gesture of me holding her hand made her feel more at ease."
Jennifer Pinckard, RN
TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center
"After my father was diagnosed with an illness, I found myself in places that I had been fortunate enough to never visit before and heard more medical jargon that I ever wanted to hear. There are no words to describe that day that your life, as well as your loved ones’ are changed forever. Through his fight, I found myself watching him make relationships with nurses that would help him to look forward to his visits. Although he was having long, dreaded treatments that would cause him to become sick, he would manage to find some light in the fact that he knew his nurses would save him his favorite chair and have him his favorite magazines and papers to read. I quickly became so grateful to those nurses and knew that it would be a privilege to be a nurse. My father didn’t see me graduate from nursing school, but I know he would be proud. Each and every day, I care for patients to the best of my ability and I am honored to hold their hand and listen to their stores."
Brook Fitzgerald, RN
TriStar Spring Hill ER
"There is no one story or encounter with a patient and/or their family members that can describe why I care. Each patient, each circumstance I have experienced in my 8+ years of nursing is unique and holds a special place in my heart. I love the career I have chosen. I consider it a blessing to be able to help and provide care to those in need. I find great comfort and peace knowing I have hopefully changed lives.
Nursing is a thankless career. I did not choose nursing to be thanked everyday, or for the money or the lack there of, or because of the hours. I became a nurse because of my mom. My mom was a critical care nurse for 31 years. She's definitely my role model and I have her to thank for the awesome nurse and mom I have become. She's the strongest, most intelligent, caring, and courageous woman I know. Not only did she change and save lives every night she went to work, she was also an amazing mom to my two brothers and I. She still is! I wanted to be and strive to be just like her...a wonder woman!"
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