Personal statement for nursing school

[Autumnovember]

Ok, so I'm applying to a nursing school and they want us to write a personal statement about our goals.

I love to write and usually never have any problems writing anything but I'm stuck on this one.

I don't even know where to begin! Sure, I know what my goals are but I have no idea what kind of introduction to begin with.

How long is a personal statement supposed to be, anyway?!

The last time I applied to schools was 5 years ago (for undergrad) so I'm rusty.

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!

Also, if anyone likes editing papers................

 

[Haven]

I'll edit for you once you're finished writing!

To get your brainstorming started, think about:
- Why you want to be a nurse?
- What do you personally hope to get out of the profession?
- What do you hope to bring to the profession?
- What specific instances in your life have helped shape your desire to become a nurse? (You can use these as small anecdotes in your statement to make yourself stand out and appear to be a "real" person behind the application.

Hope this helps!

 

[Kaleigh]

I'll edit for you once you're finished writing!

To get your brainstorming started, think about:
- Why you want to be a nurse?
- What do you personally hope to get out of the profession?
- What do you hope to bring to the profession?
- What specific instances in your life have helped shape your desire to become a nurse? (You can use these as small anecdotes in your statement to make yourself stand out and appear to be a "real" person behind the application.

Hope this helps!

Haven gave you great advice as always.

I just wanted to wish you best of luck Autumnovember!!!

 

[Amber St. Clare]

I also wish you the best--I know how challenging assignments like that are.

 

[Lynnie]

Congrats Autumn! I know you're in the Philly area, and I'm curious what school you're applying for... you don't have to share if you don't want, but I want to wish you the best of luck!! I went to CCP for my Associate's in nursing, and work at one of the hospitals downtown.

As far as a personal statement, I think Haven gave you a nice place to start. I agree with the personal story aspect, too. If you've ever been impacted by a nurse in any way, definitely share your story!
Also, I think it'd be good to include some qualities that you have that pertain to the profession... After all, the admission person is most likely a nurse, too... so if you say something like "I believe I possess some of the qualities that make a great nurse, such as compassion, dedication and the ability to advocate ((((Nursing school is HUGE on advocation))), and I hope to fine-tune these qualities at XXX school, in order to provide the absolute best patient care possible." Or something like that. FWIW, I haven't written a paper in 4+ years.
I feel your pain in this - I don't think I had to write a personal statement when applying. Gosh, I'd be stuck too!

Here's a website with samples:http://www.studential.com/personalstatements/getpscourse.asp?type=38

It seems a lot of them are really long! If you google 'nursing personal statement', they seem to range anywhere from 400-3000+ words!

Lots of luck!

 

[Autumnovember]

Congrats Autumn! I know you're in the Philly area, and I'm curious what school you're applying for... you don't have to share if you don't want, but I want to wish you the best of luck!! I went to CCP for my Associate's in nursing, and work at one of the hospitals downtown.

As far as a personal statement, I think Haven gave you a nice place to start. I agree with the personal story aspect, too. If you've ever been impacted by a nurse in any way, definitely share your story!
Also, I think it'd be good to include some qualities that you have that pertain to the profession... After all, the admission person is most likely a nurse, too... so if you say something like "I believe I possess some of the qualities that make a great nurse, such as compassion, dedication and the ability to advocate ((((Nursing school is HUGE on advocation))), and I hope to fine-tune these qualities at XXX school, in order to provide the absolute best patient care possible." Or something like that. FWIW, I haven't written a paper in 4+ years.
I feel your pain in this - I don't think I had to write a personal statement when applying. Gosh, I'd be stuck too!

Here's a website with samples:http://www.studential.com/personalstatements/getpscourse.asp?type=38

It seems a lot of them are really long! If you google 'nursing personal statement', they seem to range anywhere from 400-3000+ words!

Lots of luck!

Thanks so much everyone.


Haven----THANK YOU! Those are great ideas. I'll post the statement when I finish it!


I'm applying to UMDNJ in North Jersey. They accept 50 students per semester When I asked a rep if it is save to assume that a student with a stronger GPA would be considered more over a student with their minimum GPA she told me that it is "a 3.0 GPA requirement and as long as you have that, it is first come first serve"


I don't think she knew what she was talking about OR she wasn't allowed to come right out and say "Yes, the higher the GPA the stronger your chances are to get in"

It made me mad. So that 3.7 cumulative GPA I worked my a$$ off to get was pointless? Cool. GRR...

Its an accelerated 15 month BSN program----misery!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Haven gave great advice. I am in grad school for a helping profession, though not nursing, and I really made sure my passion for the profession came across. One of my professors told us that our drive, passion, empathy, compassion is what earned us a spot in the program. Everyone there is smart, according to her anyways, but in the end my personality is what is going to make me successful not my GPA or GRE test scores. You need to show them why you want to be a nurse and why they need YOU in their program. Personal stories I think can be helpful if that is what got you interested in the profession. My statement was 2 pages long (which is what they requested). 50 per semester is decent odds. My program only takes 50-60 a year. Good luck!!!!

 

[Porridge]

Great advice so far! I think the suggestions to include anecdotes are a wonderful idea. I can give you tips on what I do for statements, if it's any good. They're so hard, aren't they!

First, if I'm stuck with where to start, I just write down everything I want to include, haphazardly. Like brainstorming. Then I link those things together. Some points flow naturally into others, and it tends to flesh out as you think of ways to link the points and how you want to describe them.

One thing I do to sell myself is to make it school/company specific. For example it may be worthwhile to think about things that your school might focus on more than others, and why you feel that makes the school a good fit for you, and vice versa. Is it a little more research focused? More hands-on focused? Things like that. Also, maybe think a little down the line - what do you want to with your nursing degree?

Most importantly, it's a personal statement. Make it personal.

ETA attruibutes specific to nursing are a great idea to include too. One way to make yourself stand out even further might be to include examples of when you demonstrated those attributes. For example Lynnie's suggestion of being able to advocate is excellent - not many people will have thought of that! Maybe you volunteered for a disabled organisation and advocated for better access in schools, something like that.

Best of luck!

 

[iheartscience]

I'm surprised there's nothing on their website about what it should include! I'd search around on the school website-I bet you can find more details.

 

[Indylady]

Personal statements are so tricky!

I usually make them one part my interest/motivation for pursuing the program I'm applying to, one part why I would be suited for the program. I also try to show why I really, really want to do x,y,z.

And then, write with topic sentences. That may be elementary advice for most, but its something I really have to pay attention to--sometimes my writing/organization makes sense to me, but not so much for an outside reader. Its also important to write clearly and directly. Sometimes my writing will get cluttered when I'm trying to be artful or crafty, and my point ends up weakened even if it "sounds good" if that makes sense. Lastly, write in the active, so "I bought the diamond studs" and not "the diamond studs were bought by me."

Good luck and lots of dust!

 

[artdecogirl]

AN, I have nothing to add, you have received excellent advice as usual here on ps. I just wanted to say congratulations on your choice of career, I have been a nurse for 15 years and love it, it is stressfull at times but never boring and the rewards are endless. Good luck!

 

[lizzyann]

Hi Autumn! Not much more to offer as everyone has given great advice. Just be yourself and show your passion! Just wanted to post and say GOOD LUCK!! Your hard work will pay off!!!!! 3.7 GPA is definitely reason enough to be higher on the list of applicants IMO! It shows that you work hard and can make it in an accelerated program! Keep us posted!

edit - oh and on a side note, I took your recommendation on the 100 calorie Klondike bars and they are awesome! Like chocolate soft serve on a stick!

 

[soocool]

Autumn, UMDNJ is a great school. I have a few friends who went there many many years ago. Don't much care for the area though since it is downtown Newark. Will you be commuting?

 

[Autumnovember]

AN, I have nothing to add, you have received excellent advice as usual here on ps. I just wanted to say congratulations on your choice of career, I have been a nurse for 15 years and love it, it is stressfull at times but never boring and the rewards are endless. Good luck!

Thank you!

I can't wait to get into nursing! I'm going into psychiatric nursing...should be very interesting to say the least!

 

[Autumnovember]

Autumn, UMDNJ is a great school. I have a few friends who went there many many years ago. Don't much care for the area though since it is downtown Newark. Will you be commuting?

Don't care for the area either... I'll be commuting...

 

[Autumnovember]

Hi Autumn! Not much more to offer as everyone has given great advice. Just be yourself and show your passion! Just wanted to post and say GOOD LUCK!! Your hard work will pay off!!!!! 3.7 GPA is definitely reason enough to be higher on the list of applicants IMO! It shows that you work hard and can make it in an accelerated program! Keep us posted!

edit - oh and on a side note, I took your recommendation on the 100 calorie Klondike bars and they are awesome! Like chocolate soft serve on a stick!

Yeah?! I'm glad you liked it!!!!!

 

[Autumnovember]

Personal statements are so tricky!

I usually make them one part my interest/motivation for pursuing the program I'm applying to, one part why I would be suited for the program. I also try to show why I really, really want to do x,y,z.

And then, write with topic sentences. That may be elementary advice for most, but its something I really have to pay attention to--sometimes my writing/organization makes sense to me, but not so much for an outside reader. Its also important to write clearly and directly. Sometimes my writing will get cluttered when I'm trying to be artful or crafty, and my point ends up weakened even if it "sounds good" if that makes sense. Lastly, write in the active, so "I bought the diamond studs" and not "the diamond studs were bought by me."

Good luck and lots of dust!

Thank you thank you thank you! GREATLY appreciated

 

[soocool]

Autumn, UMDNJ is a great school. I have a few friends who went there many many years ago. Don't much care for the area though since it is downtown Newark. Will you be commuting?

Don't care for the area either... I'll be commuting...

Hopefully, if you will be commuting by train they will have a shuttle to take you to the campus. If you are driving most of the major highways come together at the Newark Airport ... Rts 22, 1&9 are the worst. Rt 78 is somewhat better. The company I used to work for many years ago always book my flights via Newark airport. Luckily, whenever I had to go into Newark or to the airport there my company always had a limo pick me up.

BTW, the area immediately surrounding the university is nice, it is just the outskirts that suck. I understand that Rutgers University has a campus nearby.