Most nurses didn't choose this career because of great hours and working conditions. As trite as it may sound, many of us entered the profession of caring to help people within their toughest times. I often say that nursing is really a calling. That's why we to remain and stay on.Yet on the days once the workload is too great, on the days that people can't take all the pain away, following the shift when we go back home with achy feet and achy hearts, those are the days we must be reminded of why we do what we do. We have to reignite our passion for nursing.One of the better ways to do this is by recalling and sharing our stories. I learned the crucial need for this when I study 2000 stories to select the very best 101 for Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul, then 2000 more for the next edition, the next Dose. Clearly, when nurses share their stories, they remember why they entered this profession, and why they stay.What exactly are your stories? To put the fire back in your belly for nursing, take time to recall them.When did you know you wanted to be considered a nurse? Was it once you bandaged a nearby cats or reluctant little brothers? Was it once you saw someone role modeling what it was like to become a great nurse? Did you watch a compassionate nurse care for someone you love?What is your best story about being a student? What was your first day of nursing school like? Who was simply the initial patient you ever cared for?When was the first time you (nearly) fainted? (Or better yet, whenever your classmate did!)For all of us "seasoned" nurses, how did you are feeling when you received your nursing pin or donned your cap for the very first time? (Tell the "young" nurses just what a cap was!)What was the funniest thing which has ever happened for you as a nurse? That which was the scariest? That which was one of the emotional moments?What patient left the feeling on you? Which "healed" you or taught you a significant life lesson?What patient relative impressed you probably the most?Who was a popular mentor or the one who "showed you the ropes?" Why was get more info or she so special?How perhaps you have grown as a person because you are a nurse?When did a health care provider educate you on a lesson or two? When did you teach a health care provider a lesson or two?What are other special memories about people or medical circumstances?Reminisce often about these caring moments. Scribble them down in a spiral notebook or journal. It generally does not need to be fancy or well crafted. (Your English teacher will never grade it.) Read your stories often. Share them with others, verbally even.Many nurses have explained that, to begin with their shifts with inspiration and hope, they together read a story from Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul. That is a great idea. (Needless to say!) Another one equally great or better is to share your personal true stories at this time. One hospital I work with calls these "Heart Moments."At other hospitals where I really do retention events, I learned they created their own book of stories written by staff. What a smart way to improve morale and retention.Still other hospitals have "Best Story" contests. What a wonderful way to engage employees as each department gathers and chooses the top stories from their unit. Sometimes I may be the final judge, a prize is directed at the average person or department with the "Best Story." Some have different categories (funniest, most compassionate, etc) and multiple winners are awarded.While some people might say, "We don't have time because of this," I submit that we must take time make time to enrich our spirits and soothe our souls and reignite our passion for nursing.We answered the calling to care. Our stories prove the privilege we need to literally touch and save lives.That is surely the best calling of all.LeAnn Thieman LPN, CSP, CPAE is really a Hall of Fame Speaker and coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul, Second Dose. She actually is a specialist on nurse recruitment and retention. For more information about her books or presentations, visit http://www.NurseRecruitmentandRetention.com or call 970-223-1574.