Ready to apply to nursing school and advance your career? There’s a good chance you’ll be asked to submit a personal statement as part of your nursing school application. While this is only one part of your formal application, it’s a key chance to highlight your passion, dedication, and unique strengths.
So, why does your nursing school personal statement matter so much, and what are some tips you can follow as you craft your own personal statement? We’ve got you covered!
The Importance of a Personal Statement in Nursing School Applications
Although a personal essay may seem like the least important part of your application, the reality is that writing a compelling personal statement can be one of the absolute best ways to make your application stand out among other candidates. A well crafted essay can truly capture the attention of your admission committee, increasing your likelihood of being accepted into your nursing program of choice. Additionally, understanding how to write a personal statement for nursing school can help you craft a compelling narrative that aligns with the program’s mission.
Even if writing isn’t your strongest skill, take the time to craft a thoughtful personal statement. Remember, this essay can have a significant positive impact on your nursing school journey.
Understand the Purpose of a Personal Statement
A personal statement is a crucial opportunity to stand out from other applicants. However, its main purpose may not be clear, especially if you’ve never written one before.
In simplest terms, the purpose of a personal statement for nursing school is to provide the program’s admissions committee with valuable insights into your character, motivations, and long-term career goals. Ideally, your personal essay will express your genuine motivation for a career in nursing while aligning this motivation with the school’s mission (or the program’s mission).
Key Elements to Include in a Personal Statement
What should you include in your personal statement, anyway? The most important thing to remember is that each school and program may set forth its own requirements for these essays. With this in mind, it’s always best to defer to your program’s application requirements and guidelines for a better idea of how your essay should be structured/formatted and what it should include.
In general, there are some key components that any personal essay should include:
- Background– An overview of your educational and professional background in nursing, including any previous degrees or certifications/licensure.
- Motivation– An explanation of why you want to get into this particular nursing program and what unique skills or strengths you may bring to the table.
- Relevant experiences – A summary of your past nursing experiences (including clinical rotations and direct work experience) that have prepared you for the rigor of this particular nursing program.
- Career goals – An overview of your professional goals, both short- and long-term, plus how those goals may align with the school’s mission and the overall mission of the nursing profession.
In addition to covering these basics in your nursing school personal statement, there are a few other tips you’ll want to keep in mind as you prepare to write.
Know Your Audience: Research the Nursing School’s Values and Goals
Start by taking the time to do your research on the specific school and nursing program for which you are applying. Researching the nursing program can be a great way to guide you in tailoring your personal statement to align with the school’s overall values and culture.
As you read into your school and program of choice more, look specifically for such details as the program’s mission statement, highlights of the curriculum itself, and any specializations that may be available. From there, you can incorporate mentions of these in your own essay to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and that you’re a good fit for the program.
Highlight Relevant Experiences and Skills
Another important tip to keep in mind when writing a personal statement for nursing school is to include details about your most relevant clinical experiences, volunteer work, certifications, and other skills that align with the responsibilities of a committed nurse. Before you even start writing, it can be helpful to write down a list of your relevant experiences and skills that you may want to incorporate into your essay.
By connecting your past experiences with your future goals, you can demonstrate to the admissions committee how your work has prepared you for nursing school and beyond.
Structure Your Statement for Clarity and Flow
As much as your ideas may seem to flow and make sense in your own mind, it’s important to remember that you’re writing this essay for a team of admissions professionals who have likely never seen or met you. With this in mind, it’s critical to ensure that your essay has a logical flow that allows your readers to follow your story easily from beginning to end.
Taking the time to outline your essay before you begin writing can be a great way to keep things flowing logically and clearly. By incorporating a strong and engaging opening before flowing into body paragraphs that focus on your experience and skills, you’ll be able to capture your reader’s attention and maintain clarity. Finally, be sure to close with a strong conclusion that wraps up your essay while restating your main points.
Showcase Your Passion and Commitment to Nursing
This is something that can be difficult to do on paper, but your nursing school personal statement should really convey your genuine passion for nursing and your commitment to patient care. After all, these are essential qualities that any admissions committee will look for evidence of in your application.
A good way to showcase your passion and commitment to nursing is to incorporate some personal anecdotes into your essay. By writing about the challenges you’ve overcome and what you’ve learned from your own experiences, you can add authenticity and depth to your essay.
Write With a Positive, Confident Tone
Last but not least, focus on sticking with a positive and assertive tone throughout your entire essay. One of the best ways to do this is to avoid using the passive voice whenever possible while also cutting out any expressions of doubt in your writing. Conveying confidence in your application and abilities can leave a strong impression on the admissions committee, shaping their perception of you in a positive way.
Avoid Common Mistakes in Nursing Personal Statements
Now that you know which tips to follow in your nursing writing, there are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid when writing your personal statement for nursing school. Specifically, some of the most common mistakes applicants make include:
- Overusing cliches in writing.
- Making the essay too long.
- Focusing too much on personal struggles without connecting to nursing.
To avoid these mistakes, there are a few proactive steps you can take as you craft your nursing school personal statement.
Seek Feedback and Revise for Improvement
First and foremost, take advantage of any and all opportunities for peer review and feedback. Don’t hesitate to ask mentors, peers, and other nursing professionals to read your personal statement and make recommendations or suggestions for improvement. From simple typos to major flaws in your essay’s overall flow and clarity, a little feedback from your peers can make all the difference.
Use Specific Examples and Avoid Vague Statements
Likewise, clarify key concepts and connections by using concrete examples in your writing. This can be a great way to illustrate your skills, dedication, or specific experiences while making your essay more memorable in the process. When writing is too vague and lacks examples, your admissions committee may have a hard time seeing what makes you stand out as a candidate for nursing school.
Ready to Advance Your Education?
Knowing how to write a personal statement for nursing school can make all the difference in helping your application stand out, which could increase your chances of being admitted into the program of your choice. With these practical tips and best practices in mind, you’ll be prepared to submit your nursing school application with confidence.
Still looking for the right nursing program to take your career to the next level? Nevada State University’s RN to BSN online program can be an excellent option for those who have already obtained their RN licenses and are ready to take their education to the next level. Plus, because this program is offered online, it’s an ideal option for busy nursing professionals who want to earn their BSN degrees without putting their careers on the back burner.
Learn more about our online RN to BSN program by getting in touch with our team today, or get started with your online application for admission.