Adult Nursing Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Growing up in Nigeria and watching my mother nurse patients from poor health and the development of her career in many ways given me a passion for nursing. This was further enhanced after my first visit to a care home; in 2006 I undertook the NCS challenge, during this time my group was taken to visit Cherry Orchard Care Home. Although it was for 4 days, I became eager to pursue a career in which I will be able to help and care for people, and I believe becoming a nurse will allow me to accomplish this ambition. Witnessing the nurses and carers provide a seamless healthcare service, personalised for each resident, was incredible. At the end of the week, having had such an effective experience, I was influenced to take on a challenge. Consequently, I organised to return and volunteer in the care home. This was very valuable to me as it enabled me to interact with the nurses and shadow them carry out their work.

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

During my time in the dermatology department at Guys Hospital, I began to investigate isolation RNA from whole blood using the tempus spin RNA isolation. This involved centrifuging lysate and purifying RNA in spin columns. Although this did not have a big impact on nursing specifically, I enjoyed the challenge of working under pressure, and it made me appreciate the importance of following instructions. Simply working in a hospital taught me how to work well in a team with other professionals.

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

During my time volunteering at the care home, I came to understand that nursing is a challenging career for dedicated and resolute people. One of the things that stood out during my time volunteering was the concept of the medication rounds, where a nurse gives each resident their medicated dose. This wasn’t always easy because every resident was different, and some didn’t want to take medication. The nurse would then have to add it to their meal or approach them in a composed, welcoming manner where they are more enthusiastic to accept the medication. Seeing the nurses deal with a resident by calming them down within a matter of minutes really emphasised the underlying importance of communication and confidence. Whilst volunteering at the home, I took the skills I had gained and put them towards other things. I made the decision to apply for In2science in order to get a work experience placement in Guys Hospital. Successfully, I was placed in the hospital during the summer of 2017, and I worked in the dermatology department. During my lunch times and breaks, I took the initiative to visit other departments, with permission of course. In doing so, I got the opportunity to shadow a nurse. Whilst doing so, I found another talent of nurses: providing reassurance to those feeling anxious or confused. I think this is another important skill to gain to be a nurse. During this placement, I witnessed an emergency situation, and it amazed me how the whole team came together to stabilise the patients. “My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” This quote was written by Maya Angelou and is what I believe to be my life quote.