Question about Nursing Entrance Essay

[J_Irish]

I'm looking for advice on my nursing essay opener...

Should I start with my positive experience and interaction with my Labor and Delivery nurse when I had my baby or open the essay with my experience in the operating room with an RN (I was helping the RN with new technology)?

The nurses in the OR perform less clinical hands-on patient experience than the L&D nurses, which makes me think the L&D story may be more appealing. However given the intensity of the ACCEL BSN (2^nd career) programs, admission staff seem more focused on the potential a student has to get through the program and having additional responsibilities outside of school (such as parenting) may be more concerning to the admission staff than a student who is not a parent.

Sounds silly, but would love some feedback.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

The question is a good one. I look at this very similar to writing a cover letter for a job. Basically you have an outline that could apply to just about any cover letter; but you modify what you write -- order, what you include, etc. -- based on the anticipated target audience.

In this case, I would recommend doing some homework about the school(s) to which you are applying, and see if they have any type of specialty, recognition, etc. that might lead to some ideas of what they do best... then lead off with the appropriate tie in from your experience. Given what you've shared in the forum, both cases you listed sound good. So if you had to pick one, I don't believe there would be a right or wrong choice.

Also, what I try to remember is that the longer the letter, the more in the middle is forgotten (which is why they tell you to sandwich anything negative in the middle of a letter between positive items).

Thank you.

[TexRN, BSN, RN]

I just went through ACAP in the military, how to transition to civilian lifestyle. We went over resumes and it said do not include anything personal including your family or kids, anything like that.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

Thank you, ratlady, for yur service to our country!!!

While I do agree with you, I believe it can be situational. From what the OP shared, it appears to fit in; and this is a nursing school entrance essay which is very different than a cover letter for a job.

Thank you.

[TexRN, BSN, RN]

Aww thanks :)

I will have a hard time with mine too, considering I want to practice as an RN IBCLC, how could I not say I was inspired by being a breastfeeding woman!?

[J_Irish]

Great Feedback, thank you!