Need Some Advice on Personal Statement

elizabells, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

I have to write a personal statement of my professional goals and how this program will help me achieve them. Any advice on things they are looking for. I am applying to an online psychiatric nurse program.

Try to show that you have a good understanding of what an NP actually is/does. They want to see that you have a realistic grasp of the job.

HealthyRN · Sep 9, 2005

Include your long-term career goals and what you hope to accomplish by earning your MSN. Also, state why you are applying to the program and why you choose the program that you did. If you have an interest in doing specific research while earning your degree, include that information. If you plan on working with a particular group or in a certain area that is somehow disenfranchised, make sure that you put that in there too. For example, if you want to work with Native Americans or if you live in an Appalachian area, I would definately include that.

krisssy · Sep 12, 2005

Thank you guys-this has been very helpful. krisssy

KatieBell · Sep 16, 2005

I don't know if you are still having trouble with your SOP, but you could check out another website not for nurses http://www.testmagic.com it is primarily for GRE prep but they have a heavily used grad school admissions area.

Try to show the admissions committee that you have had this interest for a long time and how it has progressed into your desire for the MSN. As others have mentioned be as specific as possible about research goals.

I sort of follow a standard format for the statement of purpose.

1. Explain my interest in the degree, and explain why the particular program interests me more than others. (Felxibility of classes, high academic standards, reputable faculty, whatever....)

2. Explain in detail for one to two paragraphs how I came to develop the interest in this degree (In nursing school I was exposed to XYZ type nursing ....after graduation, I continued this interest by taking a job as a XYZ nurse, and volunteering at a local XYZ clinic in my free time....)

3. Explain what contribution I can make with this degree to society. (In obtaining my MSN degree in XYZ nursing, I plan to continue to work with the xyz population, but in a broader scope, allowing me to make a bigger impact than before....)

Restate your interest in the particular program and in the degree in general.

Hope this helps.

krisssy · Sep 16, 2005

I don't know if you are still having trouble with your SOP, but you could check out another website not for nurses http://www.testmagic.com it is primarily for GRE prep but they have a heavily used grad school admissions area.
Try to show the admissions committee that you have had this interest for a long time and how it has progressed into your desire for the MSN. As others have mentioned be as specific as possible about research goals.
I sort of follow a standard format for the statement of purpose.
1. Explain my interest in the degree, and explain why the particular program interests me more than others. (Felxibility of classes, high academic standards, reputable faculty, whatever....)
2. Explain in detail for one to two paragraphs how I came to develop the interest in this degree (In nursing school I was exposed to XYZ type nursing ....after graduation, I continued this interest by taking a job as a XYZ nurse, and volunteering at a local XYZ clinic in my free time....)
3. Explain what contribution I can make with this degree to society. (In obtaining my MSN degree in XYZ nursing, I plan to continue to work with the xyz population, but in a broader scope, allowing me to make a bigger impact than before....)
Restate your interest in the particular program and in the degree in general.
Hope this helps.

This really helps a lot! Thank you so much. Krisssy