Application Essay Help!!

[Keiko229]

I just finished writing the first draft of my essay for an accelerated nursing school. I had a hard time deciding what i wanted to write about...and I'm not a very good writer. So I am worried that it will prevent me from being accepted! Any tips/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! :)

3. Share a story about yourself that will help us get to know you better and tell us something that we wouldn't otherwise know from your application.

Holidays undoubtedly bring close and distant relatives together for a glorious religious celebration. The conversations between relatives and me eventually always discuss events and plans for the future. The uncle on my mother's side habitually fails to remember what my post- graduation plans are and therefore is forced to inquire. One conversation in particular between my uncle and I will help you get acquainted with me.

This past Christmas during a conversation between my uncle and me at dinner, my uncle posed the yearly question. "What are your plans after graduating from the University of Iowa this spring?" I instantaneously reminded him that I will be applying to an accelerated nursing school in hopes of becoming a Registered Nurse in the near future. Then he ventured on and asked why I had the desire to become a nurse and how I knew I would be a good nurse.

Why do I have the desire to become a nurse? One of the reasons why I want to be a nurse is because of my mother. My mother is my role model and has been my whole life. My mother is a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at Loyola University Medical Center. My mother initially sparked my interest by entering the medical field in 1991 while simultaneously raising a family. During my undergrad at the U of I, I took various nursing courses which furthered my interests and desires to become a nurse. Then I began to contemplate how to pursue a career in nursing. Incidentally I took a proactive approach and enrolled in many health courses which lead me to major in health and sport studies. I have the desire and passion to become a nurse and care for individuals who are in need of assistance.

How do I know I will be a good nurse? I know I will be a good nurse because I possess the necessary qualities for nursing. I am honest, caring, patient, gentle, kind, assertive, punctual, determined, courageous, and sense of humor. Currently I hold the position of Coordinator at the TLA which is a non profit student organization on campus. This job has helped strengthen my personal qualities and taught me a great deal more about empathy. Empathy and the compassion for others are essential qualities that nurses exemplify. Empathy is one of my personal strengths; therefore this is the reason nursing is the field of expertise that will be the perfect area for me.

After I had explained my reasoning for becoming a nurse my uncle had another question. He asked, "The program is accelerated and therefore twice as hard as regular nursing school. Do you think you can handle being a student in an accelerated nursing program?" To help express my answer to him I immediately reflected on 'Relay for Life,' a philanthropy event I participated in a few years ago hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS). This event raised money for the ACS while participants had teams of runners. The rule was to have one runner from each team on the track at all times during the event. Before attending the U of Iowa, participating in 'Relay for Life' was one of the hardest things I had ever done. It challenged my strength mentally and physically for twelve straight hours. At the end of the event I knew I would conquer anything I set my mind to. Therefore I am confident that I will be successful in an accelerated nursing program. I will devote all of my strength to what I love which is the advocacy of health, and the care of individuals. I am excited about new learning experiences and I am determined to be successful in the accelerated nursing program.