Revisit: Personal Statement

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I just have to say that writing a personal statement is about as frustrating as dealing with a first year resident on July 1.

I need help.

I am trying to find some direction for my personal statement. After browsing a little online, all I can find are all these anecdote ridden statements supposedly written by people applying to med school. As I read these, I am thinking, "Really?!? Is this what they write? Stories about spoon-feeding their grandmothers until the day they die, and that is what made them want to go to medical school." Seems a little too personal for a personal statement.

I guess what I am saying is that I don't have a story about any one moment I decided that I wanted to be a CRNA. I knew I wanted to work in medicine when I was 10. I don't want to come out and say, "I didn't want to be a doctor because I wanted to spend more time with my patients." And, "I like being a nurse and I like the operating room, but I don't want to be an OR nurse."

How about this? "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it, people like me."

AHHHH, frustrating. Any advice is appreciated.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Originally posted by javajunkie

I knew I wanted to work in medicine when I was 10

How did you know this at age 10?

What experiences as a nurse led you to consider working as a CRNA? Do you have any burning passions??

That's what you need to focus on in your statement.

Good luck!

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I know what you mean Java, I am revising mine right now. i wrote one, my husband looked at it and said, good start, now fix it. :-) It helps to have a 2nd set of eyes look it over, because what I thought was good, others thought too personal etc. Mine ended up focusing on Learning, education and leadership. I agree with the above post, find what drives to, and what you have excelled at and them make yourself look even better!!

Good Luck.

Where are you applying to?

:roll

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i tried to be very honest and told them (in big words of course) that i was at the pinnacle of what i could do in the er - that i am an over acheiver by nature and crna is the only way to go - it requires the most/best clinical skills as well as the most intense didactic learning - i also mentioned that i would be lying if i didn't say that the money was also an encouraging feature.... they seemed to love it....

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Make it sincere, concise, and realistic. Don't get to hung up on it, I think it will be more important to prepare for your interview. They will ask you something like "why do you want to become a crna"?

Then you will get a chance to reexplain it.

Just stay away from statements about money and prestige in your letter. It is okay to mention it, but it is not what they want you to be focused on. I think they want to see that you have an understanding what a crna does and the sacrifices it take to become one.

Bottem line, don't sweat this part of the process out. They are other part which I think are more important, such as the interview and your grades, GRE and work experience.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thank you to everyone for the great advice.

To NRSKaren: I knew I wanted to do something medical at the ripe old age of 10 I think because I have many family members in the field. My grandmother was a phlebot for 30 years, my mother was a nursing assistant while I was growing up, and I have many aunts and uncles in the business. So if you can imagine, family gatherings are really boring for outsiders. :)

To mommy: I am applying to Southwest Missouri State (first choice), Mount Marty, and Newman. All of these apps are due by January 1st. Depending on what happens, I may apply to Webster in St. Louis in March.

Thanks again to everyone.

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The best "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone it, people like me," statement came when Michael Jordan said it on SNL. Thanks for the laugh, memory and whatnot. People may be looking for that original statement, but if it doesn't match everything else, it doesn't go.....

Think right this second why you want this and see if you can't make it your statement. Write it down!

Ok, is it real? Make sense? Match?

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