What made you want to become a nurse? Nursing is actually my second career. I worked for 20 years as a Registered Dietitian and loved my work; however, I reached a turning point and realized there were so many things I wanted to learn and jobs I wanted to do that fit with nursing, so I embarked on my second career in nursing when I was almost 40 years old.

What made you want to become a nurse? Nursing is a professional that is fundamentally about caring. Nurses are witnesses to the entire continuum of life, and they often find themselves in the role of advocate for the most vulnerable among us. The opportunity to blend science and the power of humanity continues to draw me to nursing.

What made you want to become a nurse? As a former Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Marines, becoming a nurse was both a natural progression, and a personal passion for me. Caring for military members in both peace and wartime environments instilled a sense of service and duty to care for those who willingly place their lives in jeopardy for their country every day. I owe it to these men and women to prepare myself to provide care for them at the highest levels possible.

What made you want to become a nurse? I always wanted to be a nurse since I was little. I would dress up as a nurse growing up for Halloween, and if anyone in my family were sick, I would volunteer to take care of them and give them a bell to ring if they needed anything. I don’t know where this deep desire to be a nurse came from since there are no nurses in my family, but it has been there for as long as I can remember.

Join us for a Conversation with Ira Byock, MD, FAAHMP, noted author, palliative care physician, and public advocate for improving care through the end of life. Dr. Byock authored Dying Well, The Four Things that Matter Most, and The Best Care Possible. A distinguished panel of experts will also discuss health care issues. View Event Details .