Acute Care Peds NP School Aplication

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Hello! I am applying to Ohio States Acute Care PNP program. I am working on my personal statement and having issues with the flow and a conclusion Here are the questions I need to answer and my current essay below. Open to any and all feedback!

What specifically are your academic and career goals?

How did you decide to seek graduate education in this specialty area?

How have your life experiences prepared you for a master's degree and/or to be an advanced practice nurse in your selected specialty?

How do you see yourself as a leader and advocate for patients in your future practice setting?

 

I have been a PICU nurse for over three years. Starting my nursing career during one of the most transitional periods in healthcare history has shaped me into the nurse I am today. Not only is the landscape of healthcare changing, but dynamics within my unit have evolved immensely in just three years. The pediatric world did not share the devastation of COVID-19 felt by my colleagues in adult medicine. With many children home from school and scheduled procedures halted, the year of my nursing career was desolate. My unit had few patients, and during this time, many nurses left to pursue travel nursing. After nearly a year, when children returned to school, our census began to climb. As cases of RSV began rising, our unit was at capacity while our staff remained minimal. This time forced me to grow and learn quickly with minimal resources around me. Laying my foundation as a nurse during this demanding time has led me to become resilient and adaptive in my career. I have quickly adjusted from being a novice nurse to a role model within my unit. I am flexible, patient, and empathetic. I thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy the collaborative nature of the acute care setting. My love for knowledge has suited me well within the PICU, as there is always a variety of learning experiences. I have become a strong advocate for my patients, myself, and my team. These qualities and the innumerable experiences I have collected have led me to advance my career by pursuing my MSN in Acute Care Pediatrics at The Ohio State University.
 One of my favorite things about pediatric healthcare is family-centered care and the personal relationships created. While the child is ultimately the priority care recipient, their family is often close second. Every patient and family comes with unique needs, both physical and emotional. In the ICU, the patients I care for are experiencing the lowest moments in their lives. While in the first few hours and days, prioritizing physical needs is critical, I enjoy making time for the emotional needs of my patients and their families. Some of my favorite times at work are those when I can wash and braid my intubated patient's matted hair. Or making connections with families to help take their minds off this challenging time, even if only for a few minutes. It is important to me to help maintain a sense of normalcy during their admission. Especially in children, integrating self-care and mental health practices is imperative for successful long-term healing. As an advanced practice nurse, I plan to continue to forge these relationships with patients and advocate for their mental and emotional needs.
I recently participated in a Pediatric Critical Care Fundamentals Course, which is intended for Pediatric Residents. This course involved an online didactic portion and an in-person skills and simulation day. One of only two nurses selected from my unit, I was eager for the opportunity to learn and gain a deeper understanding of our practices within the Pediatric ICU. While the didactic portion allowed me to gather the knowledge I was seeking, the course's in-person aspect made the most significant impact on me. I have always wanted to further my education and receive an advanced degree, but I have struggled with what specialty to pursue. Pediatric Intensive Care is a specialty like no other. Critically ill children are inherently complex. After participating in these simulations, I was reminded how rewarding our field is. Seeing a sick child, anticipating and acting upon their needs, and ultimately saving their life is a priceless experience. Although I was just a nurse in a group of several physicians, I was a leader within my group. At this moment, it became clear to me the advantage APNs have in the acute care setting. The hands-on knowledge and experience that we carry, along with the advanced knowledge base of an advanced practitioner, is invaluable as a practitioner and advocate for patients.
I plan to work as an advanced practice nurse in the PICU. My unit primarily utilizes the traditional hierarchy ascending from nurses, resident physicians, fellows, and attendings. While many of our residents are intelligent and qualified to provide adequate care to our patients, this hierarchy has some drawbacks. Residents spend one month in the pediatric ICU each year, and some residents have career goals in areas that are not critical care. Often, these factors lead to poor communication and slow decision-making. Ultimately, this can negatively affect the care our patients need, especially when quick decision-making is crucial. Integrating more APNs into this hierarchy could lead to better patient outcomes. I always enjoy working with our few advanced practice nurses and look to them as role models. With my direct patient care experience, I can anticipate changes in patient status and provide proactive care. After years of advocating for patients, I have seen how urgency, or lack thereof, can affect patient outcomes. As an APN, I would be more apt to respond to nurses' concerns. The relationship between nurses and the medical team plays a vital role in the care of patients. The direct patient care aspect, along with the advanced knowledge base of an advanced practitioner, would allow me to provide proactive care to patients to help prevent adverse outcomes.