When I was 18, I left home and got a job working as a caregiver and I lived in my patient's home. I gave bed baths, provided meds, and assisted with ADLs for 2.5 years. Someone came in for me while I was in class, otherwise I did this round the clock while paying my way through my associates degree.
I worked in several non-nursing helping capacities later on (alternative medicine and psych). Now I'm preparing to apply to PMHNP programs. The main issue that kept me away from nursing was that my mom and sister were both nurses, hated it, constantly brought home tales of woe and became very bitter, overworked people until they left the profession. I didn't even think of it as an option until I learned about the PMHNP role working with one at 28.
Because I'm looking at direct entry, the prompts advise writing a personal statement that illustrates how I began to be interested in this field and why nursing now and honestly..........
here goes....
Straight out of caregiving, I worked in a sex store. Yes, many of my customers laughed too. Anything member shaped is funny. But the reality is, most of them needed instruction, help problem solving, and someone to confide in. SO many were uninformed or got caught up in stigma and what they learned in Mediaography and it was seriously impacting their relationships. For four years I aided people with very personal concerns. I often learned more about people than I really wanted to know LOL but I loved being a knowledgeable authority, and being trusted to help them work through very sensitive concerns that they wouldn't bring to their closest friends.
Someone suggested I be sure to include the sex store experience because it would stand out. But I'm concerned it would stand out in a frivolous way compared to my caregiving experience. Also, I'm not sure if I should include the family influences on my choice to be a nurse, or not, as it were. Being a PMHNP and an ER nurse (my family members) are very different roles with similarities in early education and I'd like to demonstrate that I know that.
Given that most people seek mental health services because they have a "dysfunction", I think working in the sex store could be relevant. You helped people identify what the "dysfunction" was and fix it, even it really wasn't, but society says it is because it doesn't conform to the sociological box we put people in. You aren't afraid to get into the nitty gritty, even if the discussion can be uncomfortable.
I once wrote an admission essay very similar to your life story. I remember talking to a professor who'd actually read it. He told me that he remembered my name because I DIDN'T write the cookie cutter essay, which he appreciated.
To each his own, only you can decide what you think you should put out there. Good luck with school!
I realize this is an old post, but I felt compelled to leave my two cents. I happened upon this thread in search of broader but relevant advice to what TexTart was seeking, and I was truly disheartened to read the various replies. Her desire to help and educate people without judgment and with regards to a highly stigmatized and misunderstood element of the human condition is absolutely essential to maintaining a successful career in psychiatric/behavioral health. I guess everyone got super offended at the mention of the word sex? Okay, so she could have called it an adult novelty store. TexTart is clearly intelligent and a skilled writer - I'm sure she would have framed her experience in a way that would make it easy for the reader to see continuity between her past and future goals. Personal statements should not be thought of merely as rote regurgitation for a jaded reader - it's the highlight of one's application and the only real opportunity to shine. I wish I would have been able to offer a counterpoint to the negative and misguided responses when it was needed. TexTart, if you're still out there, I would love to hear an update on your progress. You have a fan in me!
TachyNurseGuy
45 Posts
I would leave the sex store out, and just try to sound very positive as a whole.
Its a great story for peers though! :-)