video essay for georgetown fnp application - help!

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

I'm working on my application for Georgetown's FNP program and while I'm confident in writing my personal statement, I'm way less confident about planning my video essay. I hate seeing myself on camera and the idea of talking to my webcam for 3-4 minutes is terrifying and nerve-wracking. I'd much rather go through a long interview and answer questions than try to summarize everything about me and why I want to be a FNP in such a short format! Does anyone have any advice?

The recommendations for the video are as follows:

  • Introduce yourself - including your undergraduate university, current job title, employer, and years as an RN.

  • Please describe how your personal and professional experiences have prepared you for this advanced practice role.

  • How will your advanced practice degree help you meet your career goals?

  • How does your pursuit of an MS in Nursing, and your future career plans, align with Georgetown University's mission statement?

  • What do you think your greatest challenges will be entering graduate studies? How will you cope with these challenges?

  • Describe a specific clinical situation that best exemplifies your interpersonal skills (i.e. advocacy, leadership, communication, cooperation, attitude, etc).

  • How have your life experiences thus far shaped your path towards a career in the new role you are pursuing?

I'm most interested in providing answers to the last three questions, about challenges, clinical situations and life experiences, but I'm at a loss as to how to summarize yet still have my answers be sufficient.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm applying for the whnp/cnm program and had a hard time too with the video. It took me a hour to make a decent 3-4 min video. I too would just rather have a interview. I went on YouTube and found some videos of past applicants who made their's and it helped me a lot

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Also be prepared about answering questions about any ethical dilemmas you have faced as an RN and how you resolved it.

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Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

If it doesnt seem silly, helped me in the past, have a trusted friend sit behind the camera so you feel like your talking to someone face to face and help you to relax and be more natural. But make sure your friend understands no silly faces!

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Specializes in NICU.

I did something similar fuzzy. I had someone stand behind my computer with some notes so I could remember what I wanted to say in case I blanked out

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

First thing that comes to mind is how one could stand out with a video interview?----Creativity! I would get someone that can make your "interview" into something that is attractive but yet professional. Follow all the guidelines they have given you. Practice your presentation on camera wearing professional attire and in the location with appropriate lighting. You can always have cue cards, but you also don't want to look like you are reading. Hit buzz words from the school's mission inside your answers. Use any language that is appropriate from any nursing theorist. Mention your desire to acquire additional skills that master prepared nurses have. I would vote for an ethical scenario and show that you involved the patient and their family in the solution. For the last question, I would say something that expresses your thirst to be involved in shaping healthcare with the skills you will acquire during your FNP program. This is your goal.......Healthcare is changing and you need additional skills...... Sound professional, humble, and caring. Avoid sounding tired of bedside nursing and wanting a better job to spend more time with hobbies on the weekend. Stick to the topic and focus it on nursing.

Pitfalls to avoid:

Reading directly from a piece of paper

Video is unclear (sound or lighting)

Not dressing professional

Noisy background (turn off all ringers, phones, dogs, cats, etc)

Not following their guidelines

good luck!

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This is the reason I passed on this school when looking into a Masters. I thought the video was a little much with everything else they wanted for admission. I selected another school for a Masters and will graduate in Dec.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

did you submit the video and get in? I'm working on mine now too and it is nerve wrecking!

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I am preparing my video outline to get ready for submission to GU and wondered how you all feel you did? Did any of you get accepted? I am applying for the FNP/MSN there and between the video and personal statement - hope that there are samples somewhere to guide us. IS anayone in the online program for FNP/MSN? If so, please share how its going. I am considering JH as well.

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Specializes in ER.

Hello Biloxi,

I have applied for the Jan. 2015 cohort. It took me a couple days to finish my video essay. I must have recorded myself 20 times. I have started a thread for other students who have applied for 2015.

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Hello uscg2RN - sorry I didn't see this sooner. Thanks for setting up a thread - I will look for it. How did your video turn out? Any chance I could check it out? Hoping ofr the call of '15 myself.

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