How To Write a Personal Statement for Nursing School in 7 Steps

Applying to nursing school can be an exciting and daunting process. Many aspiring nurses must craft a compelling personal statement to demonstrate their passion and commitment to their chosen field. Crafting a personal statement for nursing school requires careful consideration and reflection, and extensive research into the program and its requirements. It is essential to create a personal statement that conveys your commitment to nursing and your enthusiasm for the program. It should also represent your professional and academic capabilities, and demonstrate that you are an ideal candidate for admission. A powerful, well-crafted personal statement will show that you are an individual who can meet the challenges of nursing school with enthusiasm, resilience, and the determination to succeed.

What to include in a nursing school personal statement

The specific requirements for personal statements for nursing school vary depending on the program or university. For instance, while some prompts for personal statements for nursing schools may inquire about your interest in working with a particular nursing population, such as children or cardiology patients, others may ask you to discuss your professional nursing goals.

Each nursing school admissions committee wants to know about your individual nursing interests and experiences. The following are some subjects that nursing schools will probably want you to touch on in your personal statement:

Educational experiences

Talk about the aspects of your educational background that are most pertinent to nursing. This could involve taking biology in high school, taking anatomy in a community college, or receiving CPR and first aid instruction from a reputable institution. You could also talk about educational experiences that weren’t specifically nursing-related but influenced your decision to become a nurse. For instance, if you have a degree from a different field, explain how your interest in nursing was sparked by that other educational route.

Related skills

Describe any abilities you have that might be useful as a nurse. These could be technical abilities, such as the capacity to administer insulin shots or communicate in a foreign tongue. Additionally, you can talk about your soft skills, like empathy and communication.

Volunteer positions

Many prospective nursing students engage in volunteer work involving medicine, advocacy, or caring for others. Write about meaningful volunteer work at places such as:

Interest in the specific program

Although many applicants to nursing programs submit applications to multiple programs, it’s crucial to tailor your personal statement to each institution you’re submitting to. Describe your motivations for choosing this particular course of study or institution. For instance, the program may focus on the area of nursing that most interests you, or the nursing educators on staff may be someone you admire.

Personal motivation or unique experiences

Writing about your distinctive goals and experiences can help you make a personal statement that stands out to the admissions committees for nursing schools because they read a lot of applications. Describe any passions, pastimes, or life events that have fueled your desire to become a nurse. For instance, you might have had experience caring for a sick pet, giving personal care to a family member, or interacting with inspiring nurses in your community.

What is a personal statement for nursing school?

Nearly all nursing schools require applicants to submit a personal statement. Applicants to nursing schools are typically required to include this personal statement with their application. Letters of recommendation, transcripts from prior institutions, and contact and demographic information are some additional frequently requested documents for a nursing school application package.

Template for a nursing school personal statement

Here is one template for a nursing school personal statement:

[Begin your essay with a personal experience connected to your interest in nursing. ].

[Explain how that experience motivated or inspired you to become a nurse. ].

[Write about why you want to attend this nursing school.]

[Discuss your volunteer activities, educational opportunities, and other nursing-related interests. ].

Write about the abilities you’ve developed as a result of these experiences and how they can make you a better nurse. ].

[End by highlighting your desire to start your nursing career at this specific institution. ].

How to write a personal statement for nursing school

The following seven steps will help you write an effective personal statement for nursing school:

1. Decide on your schools

Selecting the programs you want to apply to is the first step in creating a nursing school personal statement. Look into which nursing programs fit your interests, abilities, career objectives, and values. If at all possible, speak with an admissions representative or visit each school.

2. Create a timeline

Make a schedule for yourself with approximate due dates for the various parts of your personal statement and the other application components. Include the application deadlines for all the universities you are considering. Knowing roughly when you want to finish different parts of your personal statement, such as the outline or draft, can help you stay organized and effectively manage your time, even though the deadlines you set for yourself may change.

3. Plan your personal statement

Before writing the essay, come up with some rough ideas for your nursing school personal statement. You may be able to develop the content of your personal statement by engaging in some creative writing exercises. For instance, try writing anything that comes to mind in relation to the personal statement prompt for a predetermined period of time without stopping. It might also be useful to make a more formal outline with notes on the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

4. Think about your approach

Consider how you want the admissions committee to feel as they read your essay as you create your outline and start drafting it. You could, for instance, begin with a personal story that grabs their interest. Instead, you might want to introduce yourself by expressing your enthusiasm for their specific program. Additionally, think about how to make transitions from one topic to the next.

5. Use specific details and examples

Incorporate specific details, anecdotes or examples into your personal statement. Specific details from your essay are more likely to stick in the admissions committee’s mind than generalized statements. Write about a time in your life when you showed compassion to a friend, family member, animal, or neighbor instead of simply stating that you are compassionate.

6. Get feedback

Ask someone else to read and critique your essay. By doing so, you will be able to view your writing more objectively and comprehend the best way to edit your personal statement. Consider seeking input on your personal statement from one or more of the people listed below:

7. Revise and proofread

Edit your essay before submitting it to admissions committees. If your essay has any content or structural flaws, like awkward transitions or anecdotes, start by fixing them. After completing these more substantial parts, thoroughly proofread to make sure your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct.

Example of a personal statement for nursing school

Here is an illustration of a personal statement for nursing school to assist you in creating your own:

My arms carried the wheelchair’s weight as I descended the hill in reverse, the wheelchair’s wheels moving slowly. As my grandmother sat in the wheelchair, sunlight danced through the trees around us and gleamed in her hair. Although I couldn’t see my grandmother’s face from that angle, I could hear her giggling with delight as she spent her first day outside in weeks.

Two years ago, my grandmother moved in with my family after breaking her hip. Nurse George visited my grandmother every day to take care of her personal needs, keep an eye on her vital signs, and help with her physical therapy exercises even though she recovered at our house for the majority of the time. George also showed me how to properly support a wheelchair while it is moving downwards, among other fundamental patient care techniques. Before George, I had never thought about becoming a nurse, but he showed me the benefits of assisting people with their illnesses and wounds.

I am thrilled to have the chance to apply to Fern Hills College of Nursing because I value your rehabilitation nursing-specific programs. I’ve been motivated to pursue a nursing career that aids patients in recovering from illnesses or injuries by being a part of my grandmother’s recovery team. I think that your school’s emphasis on helping patients regain their independence can support me in pursuing these professional goals.

I’ve started volunteering at Jefferson Rehabilitation Center on a regular basis now that I know I want to be a nurse. I support young people battling drug addiction and offer childcare to the kids of rehab clients. When a patient or mentee thanks you sincerely, it is an experience unlike any other. “I can no longer picture myself pursuing a career in which I do not get to assist people in overcoming their obstacles and finding their way to recovery.

I’ve learned the value of empathy and communication from my experiences working with patients at Jefferson and my grandmother. Frequently, my mentees simply want someone to listen to them. I try to provide them with a judgment-free environment where they can tell their stories. Patients value working with adaptable and considerate people, regardless of whether the medical issue is emotional or physical. I think that by paying attention and allowing patients to speak at their own pace, I exhibit these qualities.

I’m prepared to pursue a nursing career and discover how to assist patients in a more knowledgeable and skilled manner. My future nursing career will be best prepared at Fern Hills College of Nursing.

Tips for writing a nursing school personal statement

The following tips will assist you in creating a personal statement for nursing school:

Discuss additional aspects of yourself or elaborate on other parts of your application

Avoid repeating in your personal statement information that admissions committees already know, such as your GPA or entire course history. In your essay, discuss the aspects of yourself that the admissions committee would not learn from reading the rest of your application. Additionally, you can elaborate on the most crucial elements of your application package in the personal statement. Talk about the specific characteristics of that teacher or class that you found most admirable or inspirational, for instance, if your high school biology teacher inspired you to pursue a career in nursing.

Keep in mind the expectations for personal statements

Perhaps you’ve previously written essays about yourself for high school classes. However, a personal statement differs from the five-paragraph essay format and other easier essay structures in terms of conventions. Admissions committees try to understand your characteristics, motivating factors, experiences, and values through personal statements.

Follow all directions

Read the directions for each schools admissions requirements carefully. Be sure to adhere to any character or word limits and submit the personal statement appropriately in addition to responding fully to a school’s personal statement prompt. For instance, some schools might require you to submit your personal statement via an online portal, while others might ask you to mail paper copies.

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FAQ

What should a nursing school personal statement include?

• Educational experiences. …
• Related skills. …
• Volunteer positions. …
• Interest in the specific program. …
• Personal motivation or unique experiences. …
• Decide on your schools. …
• Create a timeline. …
• Plan your personal statement.

What makes a good personal statement for nursing?

Your nursing personal statement should inform the universities to which you are applying about your qualifications and nursing goals. It ought to provide nursing admissions tutors with a clear understanding of who you are and why you would be a good fit for their program.

How do you write a personal statement for nursing admissions?

1. Research the program. Knowing specifics about each program to which you are applying can help you demonstrate why you are a strong candidate.
2. Read the directions. …
3. Think about your motivations. …
4. Tell a story. …
5. Review before you submit.

How do you write a personal essay for nursing school?

1. Plan Your Essay. …
2. Make Yourself Stand Out. …
3. Share Your Dreams. …
4. Show that You Care about People. …
5. Explain Your Qualifications. …
6. Describe your goals for attending the school to the admissions committee.