admission essay for nurse practitioner

How to Write an Excellent NP School Personal Statement

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“Try not to rush this statement. We recommend taking some time to reflect on your nursing career accomplishments, as well as situations that perhaps were learning situations that did not end favorably. Use these to reflect on your motivation and priorities and how they apply to the topic that the school has provided.”

Dr. Doreen Rogers, DNS, RN, CCRN, CNE, Assistant Professor of Nursing & Graduate Nursing Program Director at Utica University

Anyone who’s ever applied to a nurse practitioner program knows two things: careers in nursing are in high demand and graduate school admissions are competitive. Nurse practitioner careers are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States; in fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) predicts that 118,600 new NP jobs will be added to the economy between 2022 and 2032—a 45 percent increase.

So why are nurse practitioner admissions so competitive? A shortage of qualified nursing teaching faculty and an increasing number of retiring nurses are some possible reasons, according to CNN . 

Despite these admissions barriers, a nationwide shortage of doctors is poised to restrict patients’ access to care. To address this problem, states are beginning to expand the scope of practice laws for nurse practitioners. The U.S. News & World Report shows that 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the Veterans Health Administration removed practice authority limitations for NPs, which resulted in expanded healthcare and decreased costs. 

One thing is sure: applicants for nursing practitioner programs must put together flawless applications to rank high with an admissions committee. In addition, an aspiring nurse practitioner who wants to stand out and make a solid first impression needs to write an excellent nurse practitioner (NP) school personal statement.  

To help out hard-working nurses who spend more time seeing patients than practicing academic writing skills, here are some tips for writing an excellent nurse practitioner (NP) school personal statement.

Follow the Five-Paragraph Essay Format

Drexel University has a video featuring several tips for writing a personal essay for admissions committees. The video recommends applicants organize their statements in a five-paragraph essay format and write no more than 500 words. 

• First paragraph: Make an immediate impact in your introduction
• Second paragraph: Explain what attracted you to the program and field
• Third paragraph: Compare your short- and long-term goals with the program goals
• Fourth paragraph: Share your skills, experiences, and characteristics
• Fifth paragraph: Conclude by summarizing your five-paragraph essay

Drexel University also offers a downloadable infographic to illustrate what admissions committees are looking for in an applicant’s essay.

Write an Impactful Introduction

Pretty Nurse Ashley , a registered nurse who documented her experience getting into Vanderbilt University’s top-ranked nurse practitioner program, emphasizes the importance of an impactful introduction in a personal statement in her YouTube video:

That first sentence needs to be something spectacular, something that’s going to pull them in, so it needs to be very creative and something that’s going to get their attention. With your personal statement, you want to stand out from the other applicants. You want to create a story, create a vivid picture of who you are.

At a time when nursing schools are sending thousands of rejection letters to qualified applicants, Pretty Nurse Ashley’s advice to make a strong introduction is solid advice to help an applicant open their statement with what makes them unique.

Do Your Homework: Advice From an NP Career Coach

Renee Dahring is a nurse practitioner career coach , past president of the Minnesota chapter of the APRN Coalition, and a nursing university instructor with extensive experience in recruitment and admissions for nurse practitioner programs. When applying to NP schools, Ms. Dahring recommends that nurse practitioner applicants do their homework in three areas.

Show Your Commitment to Finish

Dahring said, “Every university wants its students to finish, especially in a nurse practitioner program. If you drop out, your spot in the NP cohort is empty. Mostly we like to know: ‘Have people thought this decision through?’” 

In other words, when an NP program admission committee decides to admit a student, they are investing in that person to finish the program. Therefore, if it seems like a risky investment, they will not want to admit that individual.

Connect Your Career Goals to the NP Program’s Mission

“Understand what the program’s goals and missions are and align your personal statement with them. . .Also, consider the mission of the educational institution; most have a dedication to the underserved, but that will vary from place to place,” Dahring advised.

Addressing a program’s or an institution’s mission statement directly in a personal essay can catch the attention of an admission committee. They want to ensure that a person is a strong fit for their specific program. It’s also a benefit for applicants to be familiar with a school’s objectives and guiding philosophy, as it can help ensure that a program is the right fit for them.

Demonstrate Your Understanding of NP Scope of Practice Laws 

Dahring also stated, “The other important thing is to have a really good understanding of the NP Scope of Practice Laws. . .You should have a clear idea of what you are allowed and not allowed to do in the states where you apply for NP school and intend to work as a nurse practitioner.” 

NPs can practice more independently in some states than others—and a solid understanding of these regional nuances can inform one’s essay.

Take Time to Communicate Clearly

Above all, take the time to write and edit well. Admissions committees read through hundreds of personal statements, so communicating concisely and clearly can increase an applicant’s chances of admission to an NP program.

Dr. Doreen Rogers is an assistant professor of nursing and the graduate nursing program director at Utica University in New York. She advises applicants to use their best writing skills:

Remember, your personal statement is an opportunity for you to convey what motivates you and discuss your priorities as a healthcare professional while extending them to your future career as a nurse practitioner. Some aspects that are exceptionally important are the use of appropriate grammar, spelling, word selection, and sentence structure (including an introductory paragraph, transition sentences in between paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together).

Dr. Rogers also recommended taking the time to communicate clearly: “Try not to rush this statement. Instead, we recommend taking some time to reflect on your nursing career accomplishments, as well as situations that perhaps were learning situations that did not end favorably. Use these to reflect on your motivation and priorities and how they apply to the topic that the school has provided.”

Rachel Drummond, MEd

On NPschools.com, Rachel Drummond has leveraged her extensive background in education and mindfulness to provide valuable insights to nursing professionals since 2020. She explores how mindfulness and movement can be incorporated into the demanding routines of nurses, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical well-being for increased resilience and effectiveness in the challenging field of nursing.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog , inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

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DNP-FNP entrance essay

Specialties NP

Updated: Jul 23, 2023   Published Jan 20, 2020

• by Dane Yu 2 Posts

Hello, I am applying for a DNP -FNP program and would love some feed back on my essay.

Specifically I would like to be reviewed for the following but am open to other suggestions

1) Did I answer the prompts appropriately?

2) Is the writing concise, easy to understand and has decent flow? I had some trouble with transitioning in the last few paragraphs as I wanted to answer the prompt in order. I also feel my opening is a little abrupt, but again, trying to be concise and answer the prompt appropriately.

PROMPT: Please describe (1) Your understanding of the family nurse practitioner role and why you are interested in this role, (2) Your perception of what the doctorate of nursing practice education adds to advanced practice nursing, and (3) Your understanding of integrative health and how it blends with the nurse practitioner role.

I believe the primary role of the family nurse practitioner is to function as a central part of an interdisciplinary team to promote and direct primary healthcare for individuals of all age groups. Unique to the role and purpose of nurse practitioners is the merging of the nursing/psychosocial model of care and medical/pathophysiological model. It is the marriage of the two modalities that allows the provision of the highest quality patient centered care. I feel this role highlights our ability to treat diseases and illnesses as they arise, while simultaneously addressing the individuality of patients in context to their culture, economic status, belief and social system.

Personally my interest in becoming a family nurse practitioner stems from my passion for public health especially in sub urban and rural communities having grown up in one myself. I feel strongly that access to primary and preventative health care is a core foundation of a healthy individual and a healthy community. The most rewarding aspect of my current job as a home health case manager is assisting in creating and directing an individualized plan of care for my patients that addresses every aspect that may present as a barrier or support for their success, such as financial status, living environment, or social support, and working with providers and other disciplines to best achieve our goals. Becoming a FNP would allow me to continue this aspect of my career with an expanded scope of practice, advanced clinical skills, and a strong basis of leadership, advocacy and scientific inquiry. My hope is that with a FNP license I can better assist in expanding high quality primary care to areas and populations of STATE that experience difficulties with accessibility.

I feel what the DNP degree adds to advanced practice nursing is a strong core of leadership and advocacy for both our patients and profession. From general coursework to the final research project, the DNP degree seems to focus on the development of strong leaders in healthcare to assist in the promotion and advancement of quality patient care. Being the terminal clinical degree available, it allows nurses who pursue this avenue to function in the highest healthcare settings and assist in policy making, quality review and various other leadership roles which are much needed in the fast shifting area of healthcare today.

One of the central components of my personal practice as a Home Health RN is the incorporation of integrative health. My understanding of integrative health stems from my own cultural background and upbringing being Chinese-Taiwanese. Growing up my family practiced various different types of Eastern and Traditional medicine ranging from acupressure to herbal remedies in combination with seeing providers for traditional Western Medicine. I believe integrative health to be the recognition and use of all different types and modalities of health promotion with a patient centered approach. It is an expansive, inclusive and culturally sensitive practice and by recognizing and including these alternative practices we are better able to create comprehensive treatment plans with cohesive care. As nurses I feel we are always striving to provide holistic health, or health to the whole person, body and mind. By utilizing an integrative health framework as a nurse practitioner we would be adding tools to our toolkit for treating patients as a whole, fostering better outcomes and satisfaction.

Thank you for your consideration for my entrance into the DNP -FNP program at the SCHOOL. I would be honored to one day practice at the highest level of the nursing profession, bringing with me my skills, passion and knowledge as well as experience and leadership that will be gained during my schooling.

• + Add a Comment

Yes on both your questions! Concise, easy to understand, and well written. Best of luck! ?

kcheck5, MSN, APRN, NP

I think it answers all of the questions and flows well.

This is for U of P, yes? I pulled out my application and will be applying for next year. Timing isn’t right anymore for my little family. Good luck!!!

18 hours ago, kcheck5 said: I think it answers all of the questions and flows well. This is for U of P, yes? I pulled out my application and will be applying for next year. Timing isn’t right anymore for my little family. Good luck!!!

Thank you, and yes it is! I have 1 recommendation waiting before my app is complete. If I don't get in this year I will definitely be reapplying next year, so we very well may be in the same cohort. Best of luck when you apply! Hopefully it will be better timing

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How to Write the Perfect NP School Personal Statement

Apr 7, 2020 | Job Search Tips

Most nurse practitioner (NP) schools require their prospective students to compose a personal statement. Often, these elusive essays cause applicants to panic, but with just cause: personal statements are one of the most important components of NP school applications.

Having applied to a BSN, MSN, and DNP program in my past, I have written more personal statements than I can count. In this article, I offer general advice for preparing, writing, and editing your essay.

To help temper your anxiety, this post elaborates on the importance of:

• Following directions
• Being honest
• Writing passionately and professionally
• Making your case
• Starting with an outline
• Offering a story
• Speaking the nursing language
• Addressing your “red flags”
• Giving yourself plenty of time
• Using correct syntax and grammar
• Reading it out loud

Follow Directions

First and foremost, follow directions. Each school has different guidelines for their personal statements, and you do not want your application thrown out just because you fell under their required word count. Some schools provide explicit information on the length, format, and content of the personal statement while others leave the task more open-ended.

For example,  Vanderbilt University  provides an open-ended prompt for the admissions essay: “The Statement of Purpose should reflect your understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse and your interest in either a particular patient population, in healthcare leadership or in nursing informatics. Before writing your statement of purpose, please carefully review information about the specialty on our website so that you clearly indicate to the faculty that your career goals are a fit with the specialty.”

Drexel University  also offers specific guidelines for their personal statement requirement: “Personal statement (under 1,000 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of: (1) Why you are choosing this particular program of study; (2) Your plans upon completion of the graduate degree; and, (3) How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this MSN program.”

On the other hand, NP schools like  Duke University  and  University of California San Francisco  merely ask for a “personal statement” or “goal statement” with no further direction. Be aware that not every school calls your essay a personal statement. Allen College, for example, calls it a “biographical sketch,” and Johns Hopkins University calls it a “written expression of goals.”

Every application will be slightly different, so it is important to stay organized. Table 1 is an example of how I stayed organized during my NP school applications.

Make sure your answers line up with your resume or curriculum vitae. Do not exaggerate your skills or accomplishments. Instead, be proud of what you have achieved and speak enthusiastically about your desire to become an NP.

Never let someone else write your essay for you, and never plagiarize content from books, blogs, or journal articles. The admissions committee may scan your personal statement for plagiarism using an online program. Be sure to check your essay before you submit it using a website like  PlagTracker ,  Turn It In , or  Grammarly .

Write Passionately and Professionally

One of my favorite quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” If being an NP is your goal, pursue it with courage, determination, and passion. Become enthusiastic about all things nurse practitioning.

Writing professionally does not mean writing a bland, scientific paper. Be concise, be consistent, use clear examples, and make it sound like you. Make sure your personal statement succinctly and lucidly portrays your passion for becoming an NP. Do not use this essay as a means to criticize past professors or other NP programs.

Make Your Case

Think of your personal statement as your chance to convince the admissions committee to accept you. Why should they admit you? What makes you unique? Why will you succeed in graduate school? Why will you be an excellent nurse practitioner? Use your essay to make your case.

Make sure you tailor your answers to your chosen medical specialty. For example, if you are applying to become an emergency nurse practitioner, what characteristics do you have that will ensure your success? Are you quick on your feet, calm under pressure, and compassionate to all? Are you enthusiastic about this specialty? What have you done or what do you do that demonstrates your passion?

Start with an Outline

Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to begin. A mind map can help you start brainstorming. A mind map is a spidergram that offers a structured method for developing ideas.

When you are ready, use your mind map to create a topical outline. Typically, you will want to have an introduction and conclusion paragraph that sandwich a handful of body paragraphs. Your introduction and conclusion should include your thesis and summary of your subtopics. Each body paragraph should elaborate upon one subtopic. I use the following outline when beginning my articles.

Introduction Paragraph

• An attention-grabbing opening statement
• A thesis statement summarizing the theme and purpose of the paper
• Mention each subtopic covered in the body paragraphs

Body Paragraphs (one for each subtopic)

• Opening sentence that indicates subtopic to be discussed
• Multiple sentences that provide supporting details and examples
• A short explanation regarding how these details or examples relate to your thesis

Concluding Paragraph

• Begin with a restatement of your thesis
• Summarize your main topic and subtopics
• End with global statement

Offer a Story

You want the admissions team to remember you. You want to stand out. Try to incorporate a personal story that will make you memorable. The stories can usually be about anything you like: anything from a conversation with a mentor to a volunteer experience. Make the story interesting and use it to illustrate and emphasize your key points.

Choose a story that describes how you decided to become an NP or one that illustrates your personal values. You might also write about a particular challenge or experience that changed your perspective. Try to choose a story that gives the reader a clear impression of who you are and why you will be successful in NP school.

Consider beginning the story in your introduction, telling small pieces in each body paragraph, and ending the story in your conclusion paragraph. If you decide to tel a story in your personal statement, I suggest using the outline below.

• Open with a short vignette that introduces your story and the conflict or challenge
• With each new body paragraph, tell a little more of the story, relating each part of the anecdote to the subtopic
• Conclude the story with what you learned or by emphasizing the moral
• Restatement of your thesis and summarize your subtopics

Speak the Nursing Language

In your personal statement, speak the nursing language. This will give you credibility. For those new to the NP field, learn the language by reading as many books as you can.  A good place to start is Stewart and DeNisco’s  Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner . This text offers a broad overview of health policy, healthcare reform, mentoring, prescriptive authority, and the history of NPs. A newer book that I love is Carolyn Buppert’s  Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide . This book will give you more detailed information about the scope of practice laws in each state.

It never hurts to touch on these seminal publications from the  Institute of Medicine :

• The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health
• Assessing Progress on the IOM Report The Future of Nursing
• To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System
• Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century
• Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality

You might also consider citing these position papers published by the  American Association of Nurse Practitioners :

• Quality of Nurse Practitioner Practice
• Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners
• Use of Terms Such as Mid-Level Provider and Physician Extender
• Clinical Outcomes: The Yardstick of Educational Effectiveness
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Discussion Paper
• Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Address Your Red Flags

If you have a red flag in your application, explain it in your personal statement. Do you have a bad grade or low Graduate Record Exam score? Maybe you lack a full year of nursing experience. Rather than shying away from the topic, offer a clear, accurate explanation. Demonstrate humility, and write about how you have compensated for this mistake, challenge, setback, or flaw.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Do not procrastinate! Start your personal statement weeks in advance. Give yourself adequate time to brainstorm, write an outline, compose each paragraph, revise, and edit. A rushed essay might land your entire application in the rejected pile.

Use Correct Syntax and Grammar

Proofread, proofread, and proofread again! A clean, well-composed essay exemplifies your ability to succeed in a graduate program. My favorite website for checking grammar is  Grammarly . They offer a free and premium service. They advertise that their software catches 250 errors that Microsoft Word does not detect. I also find their free  Grammar Handbook  helpful.

Throughout my DNP program, I started a list of general writing tips. Here are some of the most important:

• Use  American Psychological Association  (APA) formating
• Avoid generalities, cliches, and psychobabble
• Do not use the verb “to get”
• Do not use “very” as an intensifier
• Data is plural, so use a plural verb
• Use active voice whenever possible
• “Compare with” points out differences between two similar things
• Affect is a verb and effect is a noun
• Keep the subject and the verb close together
• Omit needless prepositions
• Use that if what you are saying cannot be eliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence
• Use which if you can delete the clause and the sentence will still have the same meaning
• Avoid using negative statements
• Write out numbers under 10 (e.g. three, seven, 10, 45)
• Be consistent with abbreviations and titles
• Avoid contractions

In general, avoid adverbs. Instead, use stronger verbs that imply the adverb. Here is a list of strong verbs to consider:

• Exemplifies
• Corroborates
• Approximates

There are a variety of websites that can help you with APA formatting, grammar, syntax, and checking for plagiarism. Some good resources include:

• http://www.apastyle.org/
• http://www.thesaurus.com/
• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
• http://www.grammarbook.com/
• https://www.plagtracker.com

Read it Out Loud

After you have finished writing your essay, read it out loud. Most people have more experience listening and speaking than writing and editing. By reading your personal statement out loud, your brain will hear the information and new way and notice flaws you did not see before.

It helps to print a copy of your paper so that you can take notes as you read. Read at a slow to moderate pace. Try to be systematic about your reading: check for grammar the first time through, syntax the second time, and tone the third time.

As you listen to your paper, pay attention to the order of your ideas. Note any gaps in your explanations. Make sure you transition clearly from one main idea to the next. Do not be afraid to reorder sentences, paragraphs, or entire sections. Also, listen for grammatical and syntax errors. You will probably notice sentences that are awkward, too convoluted, and repetitive.

Finally, hearing your paper out loud will give you a sense of its tone. Does your paper sound too casual, too chatty, or too formal? This essay is the admission committee’s first impress of you. Consider reading your paper to a friend and asking them what impression they obtain from your answers.

Dr. Melissa DeCapua, DNP, PMHNP-BC

AuthorMelissa DeCapua is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who graduated from Vanderbilt University. She has a background in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as psychosomatic medicine. Uniquely, she also possesses a bachelor’s degree in studio arts, which she uses to enhance patient care, promote the nursing profession, and solve complex problems. Melissa currently works as the Healthcare Strategist at a Seattle-based health information technology company where she guides product development by combining her clinical background and creative thinking. She is a strong advocate for empowering nurses, and she fiercely believes that nurses should play a pivotal role in shaping modern health care. For more about Melissa, check out her blog  www.melissadecapua.com  and follow her on  Twitter @melissadecapua .

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9 Tips for Writing the Perfect NP Program Application Essay

While many NP program application deadlines are still months away, now is the perfect, stress-free time to start getting your application materials together.  Filling out endless amounts of personal information, gathering transcripts and requesting letters of recommendations is easy.  The application essay?  Not so much.

We all hate responding to the types of questions NP program applications typically ask.  “Why do you want to become a nurse practitioner?” and “Talk about a time you overcame a challenge” can be difficult questions to answer…eloquently at least.  Responding by saying you want to become an NP “so you can make decent money and aren’t sure what else to do with your life” isn’t going to cut it.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure your admissions essays are top notch.

• Get Specific – Most application essay questions are generic.  This doesn’t mean your response should follow suit.  Rather than describing how you feel about a topic, give details.  Outline a specific example from your own personal experience.  This makes your essay more interesting and memorable while highlighting your experience and personality.
• Keep it Simple – Admissions staff want to read an essay, not a novel.  Avoid verbosity keeping your essay simple and succinct but complete.  Make sure to stick to specified length guidelines.  They are there for a reason.
• Understand the Role of a Nurse Practitioner -NP program faculty want to know that you understand the role of nurse practitioners .  Make sure you accurately present the NP profession in your essay responses.  If you aren’t quite sure what an NP does, job shadow an NP or two for a day to learn more about the career before applying.
• Be Concrete -Even if you aren’t 100% sure what your future holds, explain your future plans and goals as if they are set in stone.  Saying you “might” do this or you “hope” to do that isn’t as powerful as saying you “will”.
• Keep Your Essay Appropriately Personal – Many essay topics ask you to explain a time you overcame an obstacle or hardship in life.  If your life’s major challenge has been extremely personal, choose something else to discuss in your essay. Don’t mention your marriage woes or your teen’s problems with the law to admissions staff.  Instead, choose something career or volunteer related (but not trivial) even if it isn’t actually your life’s most insurmountable obstacle.
• Follow Directions – Yes, you learned this in kindergarden but some of us still have trouble sticking to guidelines.  If a school asks for an essay written in APA format, for example, make sure you exhaustively research APA requirements and format your essay appropriately.
• Brag a Little -Application essays are your chance to shine .  Highlight your career, education and experience.  If you have volunteered extensively or worked in the medical field, share examples of your experiences and how they have helped shape your interest in becoming a nurse practitioner.
• Stick with Facts Over Characteristics -When describing yourself in your application essay, examples and facts speak louder than description.  Anyone can say, for example, they are hardworking.  If you can describe your involvement in multiple nursing organizations while raising a family and working full-time in the ICU, however, this proves your industrious character.
• Edit, Edit, Edit -Nothing ruins an application essay like typos and misspellings.  Look over your essay multiple times continuing to refine your work.  Then, share it with family, friends and colleagues asking for feedback.  The more eyes you have read your essays before submitting your application, the better.

NP program faculty are looking at your essays as samples of your writing ability.  Start your application essays early making sure you have enough time to review them thoroughly.  You wouldn’t want a poorly written writing sample to hurt your chances of admission.

Questions about your NP program application essay?  Ask other NP’s their opinions by commenting below.

You Might Also Like: A Sneak Peak Into the World of NP Program Admissions 

Sample of nurse practitioner’s entrance essay

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Educator, Research Writer. Masters Degree in Nursing

Sep. 20, 2023

Sample Question

Sample of nurse practitioner’s entrance essay

Question Explanation

In the report titled “ The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health ” the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in collaboration with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) developed four key recommendations.  One of the recommendations was that nurses should be empowered to practice to their full capacity of their educational and training achievements.  Secondly, nurses should attain higher levels of education and training in an enhanced education system, which encourages scholarly progress. The goal of the IOM recommendations is to build the capacity of the nursing profession to address   the emerging challenges and demands of the American healthcare system (IOM, 2011).

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Nurse Practitioner Program, Admission Essay Example

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It is, I must confess, virtually impossible for me to convey why I am pursuing the Nurse Practitioner program, simply because doing so would require a distancing of everything that I am. Identifying actual reasons and motivations is difficult when the matter in question goes to personal essence. Being a skilled Nurse Practitioner is more than a goal for me; it translates to my becoming the person I feel I must be. That said, I can offer a more pragmatic, and hopefully more useful, rationale: what you offer is the best in the field and, in committing to it, I will be nearer to attaining that state of being for myself. I am keenly aware of the demands of the profession, and this awareness compels me to pursue the highest degree of education available. Having done my homework, I then apply for this graduate course.

In regard to career goals, I am both optimistic and exceedingly open. In a sense, obtaining my degree will be a culmination of the most important goal, in that working as a Nurse Practitioner in any environment will fulfill my dream. I cannot even generally indicate at this point where I would seek to practice, simply because I believe that the education I receive will introduce me to new possibilities and avenues as yet unknown to me. Wherever my career takes me, I will be looking to be challenged, and encouraged to reach beyond my abilities. I am also committed to working in a situation in which my learning never ceases, as I believe that real learning for a nurse is not a process that is ever completed. Whether it lies ion technical proficiency or in developing talents in perception and caring for patients, there is always something to take in, and than translate into nursing.

If there is anything specific I would wish to communicate to the program director, it is the scope of my interest and the degree of my commitment. I am intelligent, dedicated, and my calling to the profession fuels my dedication. Very simply, there is no attribute of myself I am not eager to invest in the field, for only by giving so fully of myself can I hope to attain my dream, and be the Nurse Practitioner I so desire to be.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Why I Want To Be A Nurse — Why I Want to Be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Why I Want to Be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

• Categories: Why Did You Choose Nursing Why I Want To Be A Nurse

About this sample

Words: 693 |

Updated: 13 December, 2023

Words: 693 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Author.
• Brinkworth, M., & Watson, K. (2016). A comparative study of high and low achieving university students: motivation, study strategies and academic performance. Higher Education Research & Development, 35(1), 1-14.
• Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention. Harper Collins.
• Deci, E. L., Koestner, R., & Ryan, R. M. (1999). A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 125(6), 627-668.
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
• Johnson, W. (2009). Why I hate school but love education. Spoken Word Poem. Youtube.
• Paunesku, D., Walton, G. M., Romero, C., Smith, E. N., Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2015). Mind-set interventions are a scalable treatment for academic underachievement. Psychological Science, 26(6), 784-793.
• Pham, L. B., Taylor, S. E., & Seibert, P. S. (2012). Mindfulness and intellectual achievement: A moderated mediation model of academic self-efficacy. Mindfulness, 3(3), 212-222.
• Silverman, L. K. (1993). The highly gifted. ERIC Digest.
• Tough, P. (2012). How children succeed: Grit, curiosity, and the hidden power of character. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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LEAVITT SCHOOL OF HEALTH | ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Directions for Completing PMHNP Application Documents

Application essay.

The purpose of the application essay is to demonstrate to the Admissions Committee your understanding of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role, justifications for the PMHNP role in delivering high-quality and cost-effective mental health care, and how the WGU PMHNP programs might prepare you to meet the mental health care needs of your local community or population of interest. This is an opportunity for you to communicate directly with the admissions committee, highlighting how your life and professional experiences have prepared you for the transition from the role of registered nurse to psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.   

Select at least two (2) academic resources (articles/online literature) that describe the health, social, and economic benefits related to PMHNP practice in the United States. Note: All sources are critically reviewed, documented, and formatted following standard practices of the field (APA 7th Edition) and are within a 5-year time frame of the application date.

Use the information from your sources and your own personal and professional preparation to answer the following questions in your application essay for your WGU PMHNP program:  

• How have your life and professional experiences prepared you for this WGU PMHNP program? 
• How can this WGU PMHNP program prepare you to deliver mental health care to the community in which you live?  
• Please describe the type of clinical practice you will pursue upon graduation from this WGU PMHNP program (e.g. outpatient psychiatric practice, inpatient psychiatric practice, substance abuse treatment, etc).
• How can your future clinical practice as a PMHNP affect the quality and cost of care for patients and their families? 
• Please add this statement to the bottom of your Application Essay. You may include a typed signature.   I have reviewed and understand the scope of practice of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner role in my state of ____. Signature Line: __________________________

As you answer the questions above, we will examine your application essay to ensure your writing meets the following criteria: 

• Plagiarism will result in an automatic decline during the competitive selection process . 
• Originality and uniqueness are expected.  Writing is self-reflective, creative, innovative, and diverse.
• Writing directly addresses all four application essay questions.
• Writing is clear and appropriate for the purpose of the assignment. 
• All evidence and examples are used effectively and are specific and relevant. 
• Ideas are coherently and logically organized with well‐developed paragraphs and effective transitions. 
• All sentences are well written with varied sentence structure and are free of errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. 
• Maintains appropriate tone, diction, and vocabulary for various modes of writing. 
• Work demonstrates clear understanding of the target audience.  
• All sources are critically reviewed, documented, and formatted following standard practices of the field (APA 7th Edition) and are within a 5-year time frame of the application date.  Note:  Online blogs are not an acceptable source. 

Formatting: 

• Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References  
• Include header/page numbers  
• 3-4 pages (main body), double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font
• APA 7th Edition 

The purpose of the CV/résumé is to directly tie your previous and current life and professional experience, as noted in your résumé or CV, to the WGU PMHNP program.     

CV/Résumé Criteria

• Audience and purpose of the résumé are strong and clear.
• Format of the résumé is clear. Each major section includes required information (objective statement, names, dates, locations, etc.).
• Résumé shows a very professional appearance, tone, and style.
• Writer follows all guidelines for spelling, grammar, usage, mechanics, etc. Sentences are strong and have a varied structure.

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Overview

• BSN Specialties
• Admission Requirements
• Core Concepts
• What To Expect
• Should I Get A BSN

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

average BSN program length

Average credits required for a bsn, bsn average earning potential.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing , healthcare settings see a difference in nursing practice based on a nurse’s education level. Employers have a strong preference for bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)-prepared nurses, as they are linked to better patient outcomes. Hospitals seeking Magnet status also prefer to hire graduates of BSN programs.

Nurses benefit from BSN programs for the comprehensive curriculum that teaches more than clinical skills. Students learn critical thinking, decision making, leadership, evidence-based practice, and nursing informatics.

Although salaries depend on many factors, BSN-prepared nurses routinely average more per year than nurses from associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs. Additionally, a BSN prepares the nurse for graduate school and career advancement, factors that contribute to higher earning potential.

A BSN degree may soon become mandatory to practice . In December 2017, New York became the first state to mandate nurses earn a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure.

Earning a BSN increases your credibility with patients and administration. It can also open doors to greater opportunities outside of patient care, including working as an analyst, consultant, case manager, leader, or in sales.

Opportunities With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Good career mobility, path to advancement, job potential, skills learned.

Featured BSN Specialties

Beyond working in hospitals as RNs, individuals with a BSN degree find careers as geriatric nurses, OBGYN nurses, and neonatal nurses. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about these specialty occupations.

Registered Nurse

RNs lead teams of nurses to care for patients in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. They work the day or night shift to monitor and treat caseloads of patients, including infants, adults, and the elderly. In 16 states, RNs also prescribe medications. An ADN or BSN degree is required to become a registered nurse.

• Salary: $73,300
• Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29

Geriatric Nurse

Geriatric nurses work in nursing care facilities and hospitals to provide medical help to seniors. These professionals have worked as RN nurses and gained clinical experience working with elderly individuals. They have a unique understanding of diseases such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and dementia.

• Salary: $64,870
• Job Outlook: Positive growth in coming years

OBGYN Nurse

OBGYN nurses provide medical services to women and infants. Under the direction of obstetricians and gynecologists, they deliver care in clinics, private doctor’s offices, and hospitals. They may focus on helping women in various stages of reproduction, including pregnancy, labor, or postpartum.

• Salary: $60,000

Travel Nurse

Travel nurses work on a contract basis. High demand areas such as operating rooms, intensive care units (ICU), and emergency rooms need travel nurses across the country. Their assignments last for weeks or months. International work may run as long as two years.

• Salary: $79,000

Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal nurses administer care to sick or critically ill infants in the ICU or neonatal intensive care unit. The job includes working with pediatricians and nursing staff, while also providing instructions to parents. Most hold years of experience as RNs, and neonatal nursing certificates.

• Salary: $60,797

How Much Will I Make With a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

$32.64 Hourly Salary

$7,123 Monthly Salary

$85,539 Annual Salary

Source: PayScale

How to Get a BSN

1. decide type of bsn program.

There are several types of BSN programs, including traditional, bridge, and online. Figure out what works best for you.

2. Find BSN Program

After deciding which factors are important to you in a school, use our degree finder to find programs that fit your criteria.

3. Apply to BSN Programs

Common application requirements include GPA, essay, references, CV or resume, volunteer experience, and prior coursework.

4. Secure funding for BSN programs

There are many ways to finance your degree, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans .

5. Attend BSN classes

Complete the required courses and obtain clinical hours to get hands-on experience. Learn how to work independently with your own patients.

6. Graduate with a BSN

Congrats on earning your degree! Now you can take the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse (RN), or continue your education and get your MSN.

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

Admission requirements for a bsn program.

A BSN applicant’s admission requirements depend on their status as a student. Schools set different criteria and credit requirements for freshmen, transfer students, and international students. However, most BSN degree programs maintain the following common admissions requirements for all students:

• High school or college transcripts
• SAT or ACT scores
• A CV or resume
• A GPA of at least a 2.5 or 3.0

Schools often expect applicants to have completed classes in microbiology, physiology, chemistry, and anatomy. Some institutions may give preference to candidates with volunteer service experience.

Core Concepts in a BSN Program

Bachelor’s of science in nursing programs include two phases: a didactic portion, which is taught in classrooms, and a clinical learning experience. Through lectures and reading assignments, students learn to promote safe solutions and good health, prevent and manage disease, reduce risks, and improve patient outcomes. Candidates gain foundational knowledge through core courses such as:

• Community health nursing
• Pharmacology
• Leadership and management
• Nursing informatics
• Research and statistics
• Pathophysiology

Upper division courses explore speciality areas such as gerontology, global public health, maternal-child care, and pediatrics.

Clinical & Lab Components in a BSN Program

BSN programs may require students to spend time in a hospital, clinic, or lab stimulation setting in which they work an actual shift. During clinical experiences, candidates work under licensed RN mentors as they deliver medications, assess and diagnose patients, plan interventions, and monitor outcomes. By the end of the program, students can work independently with their own patients. Clinicals offer the opportunity to:

• Shadow working RNs
• Apply classroom skills on patients
• Network with future employers
• Build confidence

What to Expect From an Online RN-to-BSN Program

Students earning their RN-to-BSN or second degree BSN have the option of attending an online program instead of traditional face-to-face classes. Online RN-to-BSN degrees let students take core classes in anatomy, pharmacology, and psychology remotely. While distance learners do not have to meet on campus for their foundational courses, they must complete clinicals or labs in their local communities. During a program’s clinical component , students work in labs or at their local hospitals, clinics, or nursing care facilities. Students are often required to find their own clinical experiences.

Nothing, aside from the format, differentiates online degrees from traditional programs. Online learners receive the same degree and education, learning from professors who work on campus. Instructors use online learning platforms to meet live with students or assign online work.

Learn more on this page about how online programs work.

Should I Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

Your personal financial situation, time constraints, and family obligations may impact your decision to pursue a 4-year degree. Take a look at the pros and cons of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing:

Advantages to a BSN

Disadvantages to a bsn, explore bsn programs.

The Best Online BSN Programs

Pursuing a BSN online provides academic freedom and flexibility for aspiring nurses. Check out this guide for a list of the best online BSN programs.

The Best Online ABSN Programs

ABSN programs are a great option for aspiring nurses who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Learn more about fast-track BSN degrees and find the top online programs.

The Best Online RN-to-BSN Programs of 2024

Are you an RN interested in completing your undergraduate nursing education? These top RN-to-BSN programs can be completed in just 12-24 months.

Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs

The traditional route to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) spans four years and admits high school graduates. Read on for details about four-year BSN programs.

The Best Online LPN-to-BSN Programs

Are you an LPN ready to move up in your career? Explore our rankings of the best online LPN-to-BSN programs to find the best fit for your professional goals.

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

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