Trying to write a short memo for nursing program

[puertorican0027]

hello to all of you!

well i am writing to see if you all have any advice for me. i am writing something to get into the nursing program this january and things are not coming together for me. on part of the application it is asking for a short memo on this: if you attend school and also have to work, how do i plan to manage school and work responsibilities? well i want to answer the way i have managed everything else in life but i know that is not what they want to know. i just do not know how to put what i want to say in words.

i have two other questions for you all: (1) i am also applying for a scholarship with this college and there is a part on it i am not understanding to well. it says: a students essay special circumstances, qualifications or experience.

and finally: (2) when you all were doing references for the nursing program who did you all write them for you? see i am not working right now but i just got a job offer working as prn for a ltc and i dont feel right asking them to write one for me. so any suggestions? and i am sure some of you if not all has taken a & p if so how is that? i am taking it this fall. has anyone taken a nutrition class? just curious :)

i would like to say thank you ahead of time.

i am needing advice for these.

[zumalong]

Good luck getting into nursing school. When it comes to the essay just write the truth--if you start trying to make up extra stuff--It will not benefit you in anyway. Most programs have heard it all. They look for the "real thing". Don't just say how I always do though...explain what it is you do to get through tough times.

It is very hard to work full time (even part time) and keep up with all the classes. Most programs will recommend that you don't work. But this is not the way of the world so programs know you will have to work even harder. At the beginning of each year i would give my students 5 colored rocks--I would tell them they are equal to 2-3 hours of study time per week. (at least at beginning--how much time you spend is your choice--but this is a good start). I would ask them to prioritize what can be put on hold (ie: hobbies, less work time, less family time, less cleaning time etc.) But keeping in mind that personal life is going to change over the course of school. My key point was that there are things you can put on back burner as long as you don;'t lose sight of important stuff. Like family and taking care of yourself.

As far as references-can be anyone who knows you. If you have never worked in medical field you can't get a reference. What about other jobs? What made you want to go to nursing school in first place. Try to be genuine and all the other stuff will work out.

:welcome:

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

You will be working PRN, so that is to your advantage. You can start by saying that is how you will manage to work while going to school. You will have a flexible schedule, since you are PRN, correct?

If you are following a dream to become a nurse, tell them that, and why you want to become a nurse.

Let them know if you have a supportive spouse or family. If you have children, or are a single parent, that could be your qualifying factor for the scholarship. Fill out a FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) and see what your Estimated Family Contribution is. If it's low, then your income may be low enough for you to qualify for federal aid as well. Get that ball rolling, and they will see that you are serious about needing financial aid & scholarships. Make sure when you are done with the FAFSA, that you have it sent to the school.

If you know any nurses on a personal level, have them write you a reference on your character, work ethic, etc. If you have attended any previous college courses, see if your former instructors will write you a reference. If you don't have anyone like that to write you one, ask your new manager- she'll probably be happy to do it, so she can keep you as a nurse when you graduate.

Good luck!

[Beggar♂]

As stated by the others: Be yourself and be genuine. Don't think about "what they're looking for" because (a) you don't know, and (b) it doesn't matter -- you are who you are.

To your question: I'd try to write about other circumstances where you've had multiple responsibilities which required substantial time and how (specifically) you managed to meet these responsibilities.

The drop-out/delayed rate in nursing school is very high. With huge waiting lists, they're trying to select the people that they think are most likely able to complete the program. Drop-outs waste a slot.

[Beggar♂]

By the way, consider a different color than pink. It's downright painful to read pink on a white background.