Need help with my nursing entrance essay

[edithn05]

You can pick out any toy you want” my father said enthusiastically. Growing up my parents didn't' have much money, so going to the thrift store was a luxury. I remember running to the toy area to see what I could find. There wasn't that many toys and most were broken or missing pieces. I looked over to a corner where there was this small white suitcase with a red cross painted on one side and a picture of a nurse listening to someone's heart on the other. When I got home I opened it and inside I found a red rubbery stethoscope, plastic syringes, and a red hammer. I put the stethoscope in my ears and pretended to listen to my heart, and it felt just right. That's when I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I want to be a nurse because it's my calling, I want to do it for my family and I want to make a difference in someone's life.

Nursing is my calling because I am empathetic, passionate and I am good at connecting with the patients. It's something I have wanted to be since I was a little girl. Because of that believe I signed up for the HOPE program a dual enrollment program in which you could get your certified nursing assistant license (CNA) while in high school. The HOPE program changed my life because it gave me my first taste of nursing. I loved working with the patients and feeling like I made their lives better. After high school I pursued my licensed practical nursing (LPN) license. In order to do so I had to keep a full-time job, but I felt all the hard work was worth it. I loved my clinicals as an LPN, because it introduced me to the hospital environment. I felt at home in the hospital, by the end of my clinicals I knew where everything was and was practically doing it all on my own.

Due to life situations, I was forced to stop my nursing career. I started a family and soon after I became a single mom. When my son was 3 months old he was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and required a lot of medical attention. I realized that to provide for my son I need a career. I also want to show my son that no matter what the circumstances you should always follow your dreams and not give up. My parents are my role models they mean everything to me. They came here from Mexico with nothing, and have worked hard to be where they are now. They have sacrificed time and money so I could get an education. They have always told me no matter where you come from you can always make a difference.

On one of my LPN rotations I was put in charge of a patient who was two years old. She had several heart surgeries and the family was no longer in the picture. My instructor told me that I would oversee her care all day and not to leave her side. I was a little frustrated because I wanted to pit iv's in, give medication and do wound care but instead I stayed with her and gave her a bath, brushed her hair, and sang her lullabies. At the end of the day I felt like I hadn't done much my instructor told me that today was probably the best days that little girl had in a long time. I felt proud, alive and like I had made a difference in someone's life. I realized that being a nurse is more than just putting in Iv's and giving medications. I want the opportunity to continue to make an impact on people lives.

Since my son was diagnosed and during the many stays at the hospital with my him we have encountered many nurses and they have made a huge difference in our lives. I want to be able to do the same for someone else. Nursing is my calling, its where I feel most alive and where I feel I can make a difference. I want to make my family proud of me, and show them that after all these years I can persevere. The pursuit of my nursing career has been long but I will not give up until I accomplish my dreams.