NP admissions essay advice?

westcoastgirl · Feb 8, 2008

it seems like with all your volunteer experience you should have lots of material to draw from!

try looking at it like any other essay. Come up with a hook in the first paragraph, recount some story or experience about NP practice then lead in to broader things like why you want to become NP, etc.

I work in an environment serving the population you describe, and I am pretty sure I would not have gotten the job if I were Adult NP due to the number of kids in the practice. Fortunately I have a Family NP license. why the adult only? I think you may want to rethink that if you're thinking of working in outpatient Primary Care, in a non-geriatric setting.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2008

I'm all about making an essay stand out among the crowd. The folks who read them see the same theme over and over again. When one comes across their desk that is unique yet professionally written they notice it and you. Remember, they are not only looking at an outline of your goals, but also at your personality, writing ability, and how you express yourself in black and white to complete strangers.

My essay was just that... an essay in the form of a story about my background, how I came to be interested in nursing/NP'ing, and where I hoped it would all lead me. If you want to see it, I'll be happy to send you a copy... just pm me. I don't want to post it online so that it remains specific to me and not copied out (I'm kinda proud of the darn thing!). The dean of the program contacted me after reading it letting me know that it should be published in one of those compilation books of essays... :)

Anyway, it can't hurt to go to the library or bookstore and flip through books on graduate school/med school essays. They might give you some good ideas on how to stand out professionally. One essay that I recall from many years ago was literally styled as a recipe! A recipe of all things!

Write down your thoughts in note form, search the internet for ideas and samples, don't forget what your ultimate goals are, have lots of people proofread your drafts, and be yourself. You'll make your best work by showing the admission committee just who you are and why you're the best candidate for the program.

Best of luck to you!

EDRN-2010 · Jan 5, 2010

How about writing something about you or someone you know having limited access to healthcare and a NP that made an impact on you because of the time they spent teaching regarding the disease process or other qualities significant to the profession that stood out and made you think "I want to do this for people"

I think stating you want to help poor people is too broad of a statement yet also limiting, don't you want to help all people really? What quality in NP's makes you want to be one?

All I can come up with is "I want to be a nurse practitioner so I can take care of poor people" and that would sound pretty lame and pretentious on an admissions essay.
I'm applying for NP school and the essay topic is your typical outline your career goals and why you want to be an NP. I know I want to be an adult health nurse practitioner and take care of economically disadvantaged population(mainly because I've come from a poor immigrant family and know how crappy the healthcare system is for poor people and the issues that they face). I also volunteered at a nurse practitioner run clinic for a couple months where I got to see what NP's do on a daily basis and really think I would enjoy doing it.
But kinda stumped on what to include or write about. The light bulb just won't turn on!