Entrance Essay

[OnelifeOnechance]

I am trying to apply to the BSN program. I was previously in a nursing program but I had to relocate due to financial complications. The program I am applying to only looks at the grades and the TEAS score. I am retaking the TEAS to try and move up to the 90-100% range. I am including an essay on why I want to be a nurse, because of some recommendations of students that have made it in to the program. I also plan on including a letter of recommendation from my previous Nursing Director. I need some opinions on my essay. Please critique it and give any suggestions.

THANK YOU!

Nursing is an amazing field that offers so many life growing experiences. It requires an individual with solid knowledge in the medical field, as well as, the ability to care for a patient holistically.

My passion for nursing started when I was very young. I always loved taking care of anyone that got hurt, whether it was physical or emotional. However, it was not until I was twelve and I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that I truly understood what it meant to have a caring hand that you can trust right by your side. This was a terrifying experience that I made through because of my loved ones and an amazing experience with the nurses that took care of me. I knew right then that I wanted to touch others lives like those nurses touched mine.

This is the goal that I entered Mesa State with. While at Mesa State College I have grown in so many ways. I started out with an idea that I knew exactly what I was doing, because I knew exactly where I wanted to be. This was a learning experience for me, and I made some poor choice that affected my grades. I enlisted in the Navy as a medical corpsman, but was honorably discharged because of the cancer I had back when I was twelve. While I was in basic I obtained the official division Yeoman position, and the unofficial caregiver. There were many obstacles that came up from foot sores from marching to, overweight challenges, an emotional breakdowns. These were opportunities that I could show my ability to lead and change the health of the division. I set up a time each night for the division to meet and vent any feelings that were affecting each recruit. After these meetings we would do an extra workout to improve the health of all of us. This had a drastic impact on the divisions' performance, and made me feel like I was helping those I could.

I can definitely say that I grew up in college. Life has changed in so many directions over the years and my grades have taken a hit. From the Navy, to my wonderful family, and financial obstacles that I would have never thought I would experience at this age. While I have allowed each of these to bear in on my schooling each has taught me a lesson that I can use when caring for patients. These lessons helped me grow. I also realize I created another obstacle by allowing my grades to be effected. This is an area that over the last year my husband and I have changed so that my education is taking the forefront.

I left Mesa State and took an opportunity with Everest University's Nursing program. The lessons that I got from Everest were mind-blowing. I was able to interact with patients and get a firsthand experience of treating a patients emotions and not just the care required. Observing the surgery process enforced the different roles in health care and the importance of communication. Each skill that I was able to perform was challenging and exciting while giving me the confidence that I can pull my education together and perform under pressure. I was not able to hold on to the housing in Florida and returned to Grand Junction where we had a network of aid.

When I close my eyes think of the ideal career to wake up to every day. It is the clinical days that I think of, and while it was trying, difficult, and at times extremely emotional I looked forward to every day with the confidence that I was going to touch someone's life as positively as I could. Nursing is my true passion and a career that I confidently say I want. The education I could obtain here at Mesa State is critical for success in this career. I just need the opportunity to prove my abilities to be an amazing nurse.