Writing an essay on ‘Why I want to be a nurse’ is not like the ordinary everyday essay that we write. How can a choice so significant get vetted through hundreds of personal (and, in some ways, intimate?!) words? If you are anything like me, nursing is more than just a career; intuition led us to it. But how do you say that in a unique voice?
In this article, we will talk about how to speak out your passion and captivate the readers so that they want even more of where that came from. Once we are done, your essay game will be strong enough and you can confidently write an essay that not only meets prompts but also moves hearts.
Start with Your “Why”
The answer to the big question is the most crucial part of any “Why I Want to Be a Nurse” essay: Why choose nursing? This is not about using fancy words to impress your reader. It’s about showing how the profession has influenced you personally. Did someone in your family inspire you to become a nurse? Did a personal encounter with healthcare pique your interest in assisting others?
Begin by recalling a specific instance or event that sparked your interest in nursing. You might have been inspired, for instance, by watching a nurse care for a loved one. Or perhaps your volunteer work at a hospital made you realize how much you enjoy comforting and assisting people who are going through difficult times.
In my case, when I saw how a nurse helped my father fight cancer, I realized I wanted to be a nurse. I have never been able to shake the impression that her kindness, patience, and strength left on me. I knew then that nursing was my path.
Which is your “why?” Make it personal and share it right away. What will make your essay stand out is that connection.
Show Your Understanding of Nursing
After you explain what inspires you, it is important to also show that you understand the demands of nursing. Nursing is about more than patient care. It is empathy, tenacity, and collaboration all at the same time. It is a lot of learning, tearful moments, and hours.
Explain why you are prepared to encounter these adversities. Maybe you enjoy working in highly competitive spaces, or maybe you are interested in roles that require physical presence.
For example, you could say something like, “I have always enjoyed working with people to help them through challenging times…” I was already aware that nursing practice is a difficult profession, but I am ready to face the adversities of caring for others as long as it means touching their hearts in a way.
You can also discuss any experiences that you have had that indicate to them how much experience you have of nursing. Have you worked as a nurse volunteer? Have you taken any classes? Nurse aide volunteer work? These specifics will show that you have thought carefully about what it means to be a nurse and what your future might bring.
Highlight Your Compassion
Compassion is one of the most important skills in nursing. When others are at their most vulnerable, nurses frequently comfort them. Highlight your compassion and desire to assist others in your essay. You might say something along the lines of, “I want to be a nurse because I have a deep desire to care for people and provide support when they need it the most.”
This point will be strengthened by giving specific examples of how you have shown compassion in the past. You might have assisted a friend through a difficult time or worked with elderly patients in a nursing home. These examples give your essay a personal touch, demonstrating that you not only talk about compassion but actually practice it.
Focus on Your Goals
Every nursing student comes to the field with goals. How about yours? Dream of your future wishlist. Are you interested in nursing as a field of work (mental health, pediatrics, geriatrics…)? Do you want to learn more about nurse practitioners and nurse educators?
Include these goals in your essay. “My long-term goal is to become a pediatric nurse because I am passionate about helping children and supporting their families,” for instance. Or, “I intend to further my education and become a nurse practitioner to provide primary care in communities that are underserved.”
You demonstrate your long-term commitment to the nursing profession by including your goals. It also shows that you have thought about your future in nursing and how you intend to make a difference, which adds depth to your essay.
Wrap It Up with Enthusiasm
Finish your essay by ending it with a sense of excitement to study nursing to the reader. This is your opportunity to explicate what you know and why you are applying.
Some examples might include: “Nursing to me is a profession that goes beyond a career, my way of giving to others;” Excited and ready to begin this journey of providing the best care we can offer for our future patients.
Stay assured, yet real. It should help the reader understand why you are a good nurse and why it is important to you.
Final Tips for Your Essay
Before we conclude this post, there are still a couple of more easy tips that will be helpful when writing your “Why I Want to Be a Nurse” essay.
- Be personal: This essay is all about you and your walk. The more individual it is, the far better!
- Mind your narrative: It is always easy to be captivated by our ideas; make sure you stick to the core of — how you felt, why it appealed to you, what was happening then and there, as well as what led you from that encounter to wanting to do something.
- Keep it brief: Try not to be too long-winded. Conversational language is effective for engaging the reader.
- Proofread: A typo or bad grammar can make your essay lose its taste. Read through it a few times or get someone else to look at it.
Crafting an essay on why I want to be a nurse is no easy task. Be unapologetically passionate and unique. What drove you to nursing? What do you hope to change about the healthcare industry? Allow your responses to these questions to be your guide and you are on your way to writing a powerful essay from the heart.
Ready to start? Take out your pen (or keyboard), and start with why nursing is important to you. Your story is worth telling!