'Professional Goals' essay due Friday..

[yikib38]

I am applying to a NICU training program and they are asking for a 1 page essay listing my professional goals emphasizing on working in the NICU. I just found out about this program today and applications are due Friday. I have googled samples but, have had no great results. It seems as it should be straight forward but, I have no idea how it's even supposed to look as far as formatting. I have to make my essay stand out as I'm sure there is a bazillion other applicants. If anyone has any tips, samples, or links to share they would be much appreciated.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Usual standards for formatting are New York Times 12 point font, double-spaced, with 1-1/2 inch margins (top, bottom, and sides).

What are your goals in being part of the program? What are your strengths? What do you hope to give and gain as a resulty of being in it? Only you can answer these questions.

[llg, PhD, RN]

1. I agree with being straightforward and not to get too fancy or weird with anything.

2. Start by simply brainstorming a list -- not pretty, just the facts. Once you see your list, then you can start to use some of the things on the list to start shaping your essay.

3. You might want to think both "short-term" and "long-term." What are your goals for the first year or so ... and then what are your longer term career goals. Be more specific with your short term goals and be more general with your long term ones as your longer-term goals will take more shape as you get experience. But thinking in terms of shirt, medium, long-term, etc. might help you create your list.

Good luck!