Nursing 411: A blog for nurses by nurses

Inspired by women's health and advocacy, a current Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student shares her story on choosing nursing. This student began at UMass Chan Medical School, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing as a part of the Graduate Entry Pathway Program to DNP under the Family Nurse Practitioner Track. Continue reading to learn more about why she chose to pursue a career in nursing:

I am currently a registered nurse and full-time DNP student. I get asked often why I chose nursing. Honestly, I don’t think I actively walked towards it; nursing chose me. Choosing nursing wasn’t just about finding a career; it was about discovering who I am and who I want to become. This path found me, guiding me toward a life of purpose, resilience, and hope. The values that guided me were shaped by the experiences I carried from childhood. Growing up In a household where men made decisions and women followed, I saw the limits placed on women’s lives. This cultural narrative wasn’t just a background hum; it was a strong foundation. I carried these experiences with me when I moved to the United States, hoping that my new life here would allow me to explore a different way of being a woman, one where I could make my own choices, one where I could find my own voice.

Years later, I found myself studying nursing, far from the life I’d known, yet still carrying these memories. In nursing, I saw an opportunity to advocate for people and to challenge the cultural and systemic barriers that limited their choices. In choosing nursing, I chose a path that allows me to right some of the wrongs I have witnessed, to challenge the expectations that were placed on me, and to break free from a silence that has defined the lives of so many before me. Every day, as I continue my nursing journey, I think of the women back home who would have given anything for an opportunity like this. I carry their stories, their hopes, and their resilience with me, letting them inspire me to be the best nurse I can be.

I remember the application process vividly with late nights spent researching schools that resonated with the new life I was building. I was only interested in programs that aligned with my values and aspirations; emphasizing advocacy and patient-centered care. After discovering incredible institutions across Massachusetts, I gathered recommendations and wrote essays about my experiences, with each step feeling like a crucial part of my journey toward empowerment. I crafted my personal statement with care, weaving in the stories of the women in my life and my deep desire to create a different narrative for them. Finally, when I submitted my application, I felt a mix of excitement and fear, knowing I was taking a significant step toward a future I deeply wanted.

So, when people ask me why I chose nursing, I tell them it’s because this profession offers me the chance to do more than heal. It allows me to transform lives, to advocate for those whose voices have been silenced, and to honor the legacy of so many women before me. And with every patient I’m reminded that nursing is my opportunity to give back, to break free, and to rewrite the narratives that have held many back for far too long.