ideas for a outstanding letter to get in to nursing school

NursingStudent08 · Aug 29, 2006

hi guys
i have been busy for the last 2 yrs taking prerequisetts and now i am getting ready to apply to a very competitive nursing program. This is my dream!! I need to write a letter basically saying why i would be a good candidate for the program. I am a wreck trying to write the letter because
i want to get in so badly. Does anyone have any ideas that would help?
I just want to write the something that gets their attention. thanks

What I would do is search on google for a model, that you think is impeccable ofcourse, and follow it with your own verbage. I would also include my future goals as an RN and how the program will assist me in obtaining those goals. Use colorful words that exemplify your work ethic and elaborately discuss how you will remain scholarly while in the program. I've never written a letter to secure a spot in a nursing program (yet) but that's what I am going to do when my time comes :wink2:

Good luck to you and I'm sure the other wonderful members of the board will offer excellent advice...as they always do:monkeydance:

Be Blessed and good luck to you :nurse:

starzzmom · Aug 29, 2006

I would, personally, include an illustrative story as to why you are wanting to become a nurse.

For instance, I was very influenced growing up by our neighbor who was my age and suffered from CF. Seeing her daily battle with this disease instilled a desire at a young age to become a nurse and to one day specialize in respiratory diseases. blah blah blah...

LaceyRN · Aug 29, 2006

hi guys
i have been busy for the last 2 yrs taking prerequisetts and now i am getting ready to apply to a very competitive nursing program. This is my dream!! I need to write a letter basically saying why i would be a good candidate for the program. I am a wreck trying to write the letter because
i want to get in so badly. Does anyone have any ideas that would help?
I just want to write the something that gets their attention. thanks

I just struggled with the very thing you are dealing with now... my personal essay for the application. I had specific questions to answer so if you also do, be sure to include that in the essay.

I decided to structure my essay about a positive experience I had with a Dr. many years ago and how she inspired me. I wrote about the qualities that I admired about her and also my life experiences that led me to the decision to pursue nursing, the research I did to choose this particular nursing school, why I chose it and the preparation I did to complete pre-req's and co-req's for the degree, my commitment to the educational process, and last but definitely not least- how I plan to make a contribution to the profession and future goal of continuing education for BSN. In conclusion, I discussed how I aspire to be like Dr. X in my approach to patient care, i.e. follow her example.

Hope this helps you and good luck!!

Megsd, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2006

This may sound funny, but you may want to consider your nursing essay as sort of a resume. When I was writing my essay, I decided to forego the typical "I want to help people" thing and instead focus on how my unique life experiences will aid me in the program and in the nursing field.

I would recommend you think about things that make you unique and give you skills necessary for the nursing field. Do you speak another language that can help you communicate with more patients? Have you had other healthcare experience? Have you been in a situation where you have had to help someone else? Have you had to work alongside people different from you? What challenges have you faced and overcome that have made you a stronger person?

Write an essay that helps explain who you are and why you are different from every other candidate. Convince them that you are equipped with skills and experiences necessary to be successful.

Good luck to you!

romie · Aug 30, 2006

Remeber that the readers of your admission essay would have read hundreds of other essays and are probably burnt out an unimpressed. I would definitely avoid any reference to " I want to help people" or "angel of mercy" or " I have a calling". Blegh!

You should carefully read the instructions for the essay, if there are any detailed instructions at all. The instructions for my essay included fairly detailed points that were required, so what I did is grabbed a piece of paper and used each sentence in the instruction to make a "heading" for my rough draft.

Another thing you can do is carefully inspect the school's website for mission statements and philosphy. They will probably say something about how they are educating future healthcare leaders with critical thinking skills and a breadth and depth of knowledge of healthcare systems, ect ect and blah blah blah. Underline key words and phrases in the mission statement/ philosphy and then make a point to use those same exact words and phrases in your essay. This same technique can also be used for writing resumes, only you carefully analyze the job ad.

Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to write your essay-- at least four weeks. This will ensure that you can mull over it, make revisions. Read it to your kids, your friends, your spouse. Have an english teacher edit it f you can!

Good luck

KungFuFtr · Aug 30, 2006

I sent you a pm

lisabeth · Aug 30, 2006

I dont think we have to do that, but I was thinking, it wouldnt hurt to write one out because we do have to go through an interview. It would put it all into perspective I think.

I have no idea what kinds of questions they ask in an interview, but I can definitly imagine they would want to know reasons for wanting to be a nurse and what goals and ambitions we have.

shock-me-sane · Aug 30, 2006

I remember the first part of my essay. My first line was "I never wanted to be a nurse". I then went on to explain that it was part of rebellion against my mom (she is an RN) and then I matured blah blah blah. It was true of course, but I loved the attention getter and wondered what their initial thoughts were at reading that line.

so yeah, use an attention getter. Be descriptive about your life experiences and how nursing fits into your future plans, why you will make a good nurse, etc. I like the concept of writing essays like telling a story. Make it personal without dramatics or seeking pity.

Good luck!

AmericanChai · Aug 30, 2006

In addition to the great advice above, tell about your life experience in areas other than nursing and how that has shaped your character and what skills you gained to help you be a better nurse. It will make you look well-rounded.