Adult Nursing Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I have always been eager to pursue a career where it’s my job to care and fend for people that are unable to care for themselves efficiently. Nursing is very challenging and demanding, however, I believe that it is also very rewarding. I have also come to understand that a career in nursing is about compassion, courage, communication, competence, care and commitment. I believe I have all these values and skills and I believe I am ready to make a difference to people and assist them and their families through difficult times when they are feeling at their lowest. The role of nursing is ever-changing as nurses are now more involved in the welfare of patients. I believe I am ready to take on this challenge and I am hopeful that the opportunities I receive will help develop my skills which in time will help further my career. Every day as a nurse, I know I will learn something new from my colleagues and patients, which will inspire me to explore deeper knowledge of the techniques and procedures I use. I understand that nursing is not an easy route as there will be 24 hour care and on-call shifts as well as dealing with the deaths of patients, but I know that I am ready undertake this challenge and prove to myself that I can do anything I want to. The welfare of the patients is what will matter most to me, if they are happy I will be happy as well.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Nurses need to have high attention to detail as they need to be able to notice any changes in the condition of the patient. I developed this skill while doing work experience in a pharmacy. I had to help the chemists dispense medication to customers, this required speed and accuracy. I had to make sure that the customers were given the right medication at the right dosage. The results of a overdose could be devastating. The ability to keep calm under difficult, high pressure situations is an essential skill for a nurse to have. I developed this skill while taking part in the Hebe Foundation's Junior Apprentice, where we were presented with problems and provide a solution before the deadline. I learnt that you have to take initiative to resolve situations such as clients' needs and ensure the best possible outcome for each client. I understand that no day of work in a hospital is going to be exactly the same. Every day I will meet new people and I will have to work with different situations, sometimes things won’t go to plan and I have to be ready to ‘’think on my feet’’ in order to solve a unexpected situation quickly and calmly.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

To better explore a career in nursing, I took the initiative to undertake a week-long work experience placement in St Georges’ hospital, in the Intensive Care Unit. On my placement I was given the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses to see what they do in a typical day. I developed my communication skills as well as my empathetic skills. I was able to ‘’put myself in the patients shoes’’ in order to understand how they were feeling. I had to use this skill quite regularly as patients in the intensive care unit have life threatening illness/injuries and are in a large amount of pain. On a family holiday to Guyana, I was able to experience what healthcare was like in a developing country. The conditions were devastating; the nurses there were unable to attend to the patients’ needs and the general condition of the hospital was terrible. There was a shortage of beds many patients had to sleep on the floor even mothers with their new-borns. This broke my heart. My experience in there made me promise to myself that one day I will become a nurse and make sure that people that are ill are looked after in the best way possible. I've practiced Shotokan Karate for over 5 years and competed nationally, in karate I learnt determination, discipline and respect. These values will prove helpful in a career as a nurse.