nursing admission essay samples

nursing admission essay samples

Nursing Admission Essay: Keys to Success

1. Introduction

My experiences in nursing school, although limited have been profound. My clinical and lab classes with the CNA program did wonders to strengthen my basic nursing skills, something that school alone could not have molded me into. Interaction with the patients and families any chance I get during my job has enhanced my interpersonal and communication techniques and best of all, watching the birth of a baby is an awe-inspiring experience and has helped confirm both my decision to remain in the field of maternal and infant care, and to further my education to become a registered nurse.

Reflect upon your life, whether it is in elementary, high school, or college – you were always learning. You were always in a mental bind preparing yourself for a higher opportunity, something of excellence and self-fulfillment. It is within this context that I will describe the statement that helped me find my career in nursing. “Life is a journey and it’s about growing and changing. When you feel you’ve stopped growing in your current situation, you move on to change and grow some more.” The quest to continue growing both educationally and professionally has followed me close at heart. I’ve gone through a swing of changes as far as my favorite study subject and what I envision myself doing in the future. It hadn’t struck me until my 2nd year of college – huh, nursing is the profession for me. This is where I will maximize my life’s potential. From that point on, I have kept a single-minded focus and have found success in moving toward that goal. I graduated from Montgomery College in the spring of ’09 with an A.S. in general studies. I spent the following year working full-time as a Rehab Aide/Unit Secretary for HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital; this past July, I became nationally certified as a nursing assistant and accepted an entry-level position as a PCA in the Mother/Baby division at Holy Cross Hospital.

2. Highlighting Academic Achievements

Because of the intensive demands of nursing faculty, it is important that you have done well in your coursework, particularly in the sciences. If you have made a C in a science course, it is in your best interest to consider retaking it for a better grade. The same goes for the basic required courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology. The higher your grade in these courses, the more confident faculty will be in your ability to succeed in the nursing program. If you have a high GPA, be sure to include this in your statement. It is also a good idea to provide an academic resume which highlights your courses, GPA, and any awards you may have received. Don’t forget that this is a different type of ‘resume’ than that used when seeking employment. Your resume should stick strictly to academic achievements and your mission to become a nurse. Finally, it is a good idea to submit an unofficial transcript along with your resume and statement. This will enable faculty to efficiently track your grades during their decision-making process. Remember, it is these first impressions of your dedication and initiative that will get you into the nursing program.

3. Demonstrating Relevant Experience

One of the best ways to convince your reader that you are prepared for a career in nursing is to share an example of a past experience that had the opportunity for professional growth. Many nursing students start their nursing career with simple, personal care of a family member or friend. Whether the individual was injured or became ill, the student filled a basic care role for them requiring assistance with their activities of daily living (ADLs). This is the most typical form of care that nurses provide, it is fundamental in nature, and it is a good place to start. If this is the extent of a person’s experience it may not be enough to say, “I have a lot of experience,” but it is a good building block for a career in nursing. This is sure contrary to the person who has been an EMT or CNA and has other higher level acute care experiences under their belt. Whether you have personally been the patient, or watched a family member go through the experience, working in an acute care setting begins to shape the critical thinking skills and medical knowledge that are required for nursing. Any experience in an acute care setting is valuable, and the more time spent the better it will be.

4. Showcasing Personal Qualities

Remember, this statement is meant to learn the essence of who you are and what you believe makes you a competent learner and care provider in the field of nursing. So, although you may have experience and awards within the community and high school throughout recent years, it is still relevant to convey experiences from years ago if you believe they were significant building blocks that led you to your current state of readiness. Non-academic or personal experiences can also be prime examples to showcase the characteristics necessary for a nurse and may illuminate qualities that are not shown in other parts of your application. For example, working in a supermarket will demonstrate a team working skill, and an anecdote about consoling a friend in a difficult time will show empathy and provide evidence that you are a “people person”.

Personal, supportive, patient-centered, and sensitive care to a diverse clientele is the essence of nursing. It is important to convey personal attributes in the interview and through letters of recommendation. Personal characteristics should be demonstrated through examples and not just stated. It is often asked why you want to be a nurse. Think about what exemplifies the essence of nursing: caring, empathy, knowledge, and professionalism. It is important to convey this in your essay, emphasizing that these core values are a driving force in wanting to become a nurse. For example, providing a specific example of a personal experience that sparked an interest in mental health and revealing a future goal to undertake mental health nursing will show commitment and dedication to a specific area of nursing practice. This may not necessarily be an essential qualifier, but it may be the thing that sets your statement above the rest.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, there are three simple and profound things that one must remember when writing an admission essay. These things are not only important for does a deal for the essay, but they can also help you to become a better person in the future. A reflective write-up can help you to project clear image of self, improvements in writing and strong speaking skills can reflect confidence, and confidence is surely something that is needed when aiming to make a change in the world of nursing for the better. With these tools we can become a force to be reckoned with, in turn making this world a better place.

In your admission to the programme, retrieve the essay you wrote in your application. By reflecting over the essay, this will be a chance to evaluate all of the writing skills that you have gained throughout the BSN programme, and will offer a clear image of the areas that want development pertaining to writing mechanics and competence. With strong writing skills, there will be great improvement in communication skills. By becoming a role model to the general populace, better communication can bring about positive change in patient advocacy and health care outcomes. A strong voice in the essay will reflect confidence in the person. Confidence and a clear range of diversity begin with good knowledge. It is important to remember the information learned in pursuit of the BSN degree is still fresh to the mind, and is vast. A range of diversity is shown by addressing many issues, instead of dwelling in one area. This offers the reader a clear understanding of the issue at hand.

The fundamental components of the nursing admission essay have been discussed. It is important to remember while composing your essay to have an engaging opening and solid thesis, a range of diversity in the body, and to sum up with a conclusive ending. When it is time to write your essay for entering into the nursing programme of your choice it can be a daunting task. Often the importance of a first-rate essay is overlooked, however it can be the one thing that will make or break your acceptance into the programme. This essay will give you the tools you need, and it doesn’t have to be a difficult thing, using this guide and utilising good judgment can result in a write-up that is sure to get you an acceptance to your desired nursing programme.