Admission Essay
There are many things that have made me want to pursue nursing as a career, though none are more vivid in my mind than when I realized nursing was not just “a job,” as it is so often referred to by my peers, and even those who have overseen my care for colds and sore throats. To me, nursing is not simply a job, but my purpose in life. The ability to help heal those who are sick, comfort those who are ailing, and educate those who are in need is a gift that I am able to give myself as well as others. That I am able to support myself from it is only more reason to pursue it as a career. There is also the added bonus that the field is always evolving and expanding. I will essentially be able to guide me own career throughout the years if I see a new problem that I feel deserves special attention.
Past experiences have influenced my choice to pursue graduate nursing studies, as well. Working in healthcare for fourteen years has had a significant impact on my choice. I have worked as a patient care technician, as well as a licensed practical nurse. Both of these fields and my jobs therein have been satisfying, but have also only increased my desire to do as much good as possible in the medical field. In short, I know I am capable of more. I want to do more and live up to my full potential, especially when that potential involves helping others. The previous work experience also gave me the drive to advance my skills to deliver better healthcare. I want to challenge myself while giving patients the best care possible, allowing them to leave my services healthier than they were when they entered. Previous experience tells me I am still at an educational level where some of these goals are lofty, at best. Gaining a Master’s level education would allow me to become a leader in the nursing field, as well as a healthcare innovator. My goal is to use my education to implement change in the field of medicine, as I have seen many things that could be done better.
My desire to implement change in the field of nursing and my desire to continue my education to do so makes me a perfect fit for UIC College of Nursing. UIC has a goal to transform healthcare for everybody, through every avenue including knowledge. They understand diversity is an asset, not a hindrance, and it should be used to show change is a good thing that we should accept and adapt to. I am also of this frame of mind and not only want to accept it, but want to foster it in the workplace. Using my education and my role as a healthcare provider, I want to implement changes in health, healthcare, and policy through the mentioned means in an effort to improve the standard of care for all patients, regardless of background.
A commitment to diversity would mean many things. To begin, it would mean understanding diversity is beautiful, and a part of the change that needs to be established. Some are offered and given better care simply based on income and race; this must end. Secondly, a commitment to diversity would mean delivering the same standard of care to all patients, regardless of background, and expecting the same level of competence from all healthcare professionals regardless of background. It does not mean one must be colorblind, as the idea of colorblindness is equally as damaging as the idea of racism. Essentially, the commitment to diversity would a commitment to acceptance, as it should have been from the beginning. This acceptance will foster a better working environment, which will allow new implementations to flourish and patients to receive better care.
I look forward to working with you and making your institution proud. Thank you for your time.
