The entrance essay! Argh! Did you tell a story?

[porterwoman]

What do you think--

Is it hopelessly cliche to tell a patient care story in your admissions essay? I am trying to "show not tell" my skills and experiences. I have a story that I believe showcases my strengths, that influenced my career goals, and that helps explain why I want to pursue my MSN. But--admissions officers read a hundred dopey patient stories a day, so I wonder if my story could actually be a turn-off.

What's your opinion? Did you tell a patient story?

thanks,

Rebecca

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you can tell it so that it doesn't sound too dopey, then I would recommend using it. But I would only recommend it if you can tell it as a professional example, like a case study, or something that would be appropriate for presentation at a conference as an illustration of a key point or principle. If it "reads" too much like a "disease of the week movie," then I wouldn't go there. You want to have it sound professional, not juvenile or melodramatic.

[porterwoman]

"Presentation at a conference"--that helps me. That helps pin down my audience. Thanks, llg.--Rebecca