Admission essay

[chidi1985]

i am applying for accelerated nursing program and this is my essay. can someone help me with some input. thanks

Long before I considered nursing, I grew up in a family of farmers, herbal/native doctors, and herbal/native midwives who cared for sick people and pregnant women respectively in my small village of Imo State, Nigeria. While in primary school, after school hours, I and my siblings were always saddled with the responsibility of fetching the herbs from the bush which my grandparents used for healing purposes. The passion to care for others was imbibed in us, and we cared for people wholeheartedly. I once tended to a pregnant woman who went into labor in the farm. I helped her lay on her back on the leaf cushion I had already made, and in about eight pushes the baby was in my palms. After cutting the umbilical cord with my knife, I took the baby and her mother home on my bicycle, and from that day I was called the farm nurse” in my village. I was also a member of the boys' brigade in my local church parish where we volunteered to help seniors with some of their activity of daily living. I really enjoyed helping the needy, but during these episodes of life, the idea of becoming a nurse never crossed my mind; rather, care giving was a way of life.

The defining moment that influenced my career decision was the day I tried to save a life at Joseph Bartholomew golf course in New Orleans. Mr. Ken had a heart attack and fell on his face after hitting a golf ball. The incident occurred when I was closing for the day, and was making my last round to make sure everybody was on their way to the eighteenth hole. I called the emergency medical service (EMS), and they instructed me to help with the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This kept Mr. Ken alive before the arrival of the EMS. After this incident, I was convinced within me that I have a calling in caring for others. Although I was recognized by the City of New Orleans for exemplary effort to save a life, the importance of health and its social impacts is of utmost value to me; hence I want to be in a position to compassionately provide service to patients who face the same challenges as Mr. Ken and the pregnant woman in my village.

These pivotal experiences immensely influenced my decision to become a nurse; hence, I enrolled in college. I have enjoyed my studies as a biology student here in the United States. I chose biology as my major with the ultimate goal of gaining more knowledge in science, and to progressively transit into nursing school. I worked full-time during my four years in college. I also had my two daughters and a stepson during my last three years in college. Though all these factors affected some of my grades, I was not deterred. My burning desire is to be part of a team that provides holistic healthcare to patients. Volunteering at the Pontchartrain Senior Citizens Center in New Orleans as part of my community service informed me of my greatest desire. I realized that I enjoyed building a relationship with people in need, and that my willingness to help and care can go a long way in bringing happiness to people. What's more, my desire to be of service to others propelled me to volunteer at the Daughters of Charity health Center in New Orleans after my graduation in May 2015. The Health center provides affordable health care to low-income New Orleans residents. I was allowed to watch Dr. Jay Dumas perform dental procedures on both children and adult patients. Again, I was opportune to shadow Dr. Marcus Jackson and Dr. John Day at the Affordable Dentures on Veterans Boulevard in Metairie LA. I observed these two dentists as they perform full-mouth extractions and dental impressions for full dentures. Watching and helping with a full-mouth extraction was a great experience as I gladly passed instruments to the dentists.

I relocated to New York from Louisiana after I got my Bs degree in May 2015. In addition to my experiences, and for an easy transition into nursing, I am presently taking CNA classes. This step will help me spend the most time with patients, and comprehend medicine and care at the patient level. It will also teach me the importance of treating each patient with the utmost respect and dignity. Service to mankind is a principle that my parents instilled in me as a little child and I still crave opportunities to serve. With these attributes at the core of my value system, I am determined to dedicate the rest of my life, using a lifelong career in nursing as a conduit to serving humanity. I chose SUNY Downstate Medical Center because I believe that this would significantly educate and prepare me for my future in nursing. SUNY downstate also stands out as a national leader in the education of health professionals. I am very pleased with the massive services the institution has been providing to the Brooklyn community through education, research, and healthcare. I believe that SUNY downstate Medical Center would be consistent with these services, and prepare me to become a nurse who is prepared for the ever changing healthcare field.