With 30 years of nursing experience and health care expertise, Kathy Quan, RN, BSN, PHN is a welcome resource for nurses. In this article she talks about her experiences as a nurse, her formation of TheNursingSite.com and the Nursing Site Blog, and offers suggestions for those just starting out in the field of nursing.

Tell us about your medical background and what led you to become a nurse.

Like many nurses, the thought of becoming a nurse began when I was still a child. We had had a very mean, grumpy nurse at our family physician’s office, and one day I remember I was so upset with her that I told her I was going to grow up to be a nurse someday and not be mean .... just to spite her! She thought that was a terrific idea. I think my grandmother later told her I had become a nurse shortly before she retired.

The idea of being a nurse always remained in my mind, although there were a few other things I aspired to along the way. In high school my physiology teacher was very impressed with how well I caught on to the subject, and encouraged me to become a nurse.

You’ve also written extensively online, and in articles and books. Tell us about your medical writing career.

As far back as I can remember, I loved to tell stories and write. At some point I realized I would love to be able to write professionally, and so I began to look more into nursing as a means to support myself while I became a writer. Since I had always wanted to be a nurse too, I realized this would be a good combination for me, since I would be able to do the two things I loved.

I started writing and running my own desktop publishing company on the side, which I did for many years. I also wrote and published newsletters for the PTA and all of my kids’ youth sports groups as well as worked as a nurse.

Then in 2004, I had an opportunity to leave my nursing job and take some time off. There were professional issues I was having problems with and just needed a break. Shortly before I left the job, I had applied to become the Guide to Nursing at About.com. I heard nothing back and kind of forgot about it. However, the first Monday after I had quit, I received an email from About.com telling me I would begin prep in a couple of weeks. If I passed, I would be considered for the job. It was a grueling two weeks, but I apparently did well and they offered me the position.

From that job I received several other offers to write for websites and publications (including SupportForNurses.com, Ultimate Nurse.com, Suite101.com and NurseTogether.com), and I also met my book agent. She emailed me one day and asked if I would consider writing a book about nursing. I think the person who had been hired to write The Everything New Nurse Book was unable to commit to the project, so they needed another author right away. I jumped at the chance, and the book was published in March 2006. Now that book has been re-purposed into 150 Tips and Tricks for New Nurses, which is being released February 17, 2009.

Another one of my books is titled The Everything Guide to Careers in Health Care (2007). My latest book, The Everything Guide to Caring for Aging Parents, which will also be released February 17, is based on my 30 years of experience as a home health nurse as well as my personal experience with my own parents and in-laws.

What was a typical workday like for you as a nurse?