Example Nursing Personal Statement
Coming from Eritrea, I grew up witnessing the effects of devastating diseases, from malaria to pneumonia: Third World healthcare daily faces the challenges of some of the most deadly illnesses known to man. My brother is the most influential person in my life and it was observing his nursing career over 7 years that convinced me to pursue this profession myself. The chance to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of others would be the most rewarding career I could imagine, and studying Nursing would allow me to fulfil my dream by building on my existing skills and knowledge under the auspices of the UK health system.
After completing high school in Eritrea I studied for an Assistant Nursing Course at the College of Health Science, Asmara for a year and a half, and the auxiliary placements I undertook gave me my first insight into the daily environment of a hospital, including the unglamorous reality of improving the patients’ comfort through duties such as toileting and feeding. Yet this only deepened my desire to qualify: in working as part of a multidisciplinary team I discovered the unique rewards of problem-solving and supporting physicians in their demanding work. I went on to work as an assistant nurse for 3 years and my happiest moments were in giving emotional support to patients and observing their healing process. My experiences confirmed to me my desire to become a fully qualified nurse and I sought to extend my education in the UK, where I am currently completing a Science Access Course including modules in Biology, Health, Biopsychology and Chemistry. The broad base of knowledge I have gained from this course has been illuminating: in learning about the workings of the kidneys, I gained a detailed understanding of the functions and malfunctions they may experience, and in learning basic atomic structure I observed the underlying atomic structure of all living organisms which allows medical scientists to make breakthroughs in intervening with healthcare. I am very interested in Biopsychology, having gained experience of patients’ psychological issues, and I read avidly around the chemical processes behind neurological symptoms, including “The Happiness Trap” by Dr Russ Harris and “The Child and The Book” by Nicholas Tucker. I am also currently volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Society to improve my ability to communicate sensitively, and feel a unique sense of pride in helping patients retain their sense of identity and self-worth. This has interested me in specialising in care of the elderly, as I have discovered a strong sense of empathy for those suffering with degenerative neurological conditions that can be improved through promoting mental as well as physical health. Deepening my general knowledge to improve my prospects in a medical support role is something I am very much looking forward to, as well as undertaking placements to understand the differences in healthcare provision in practice in this country. I feel strongly that my multilingualism will be an additional asset to my nursing career: I am fluent in Tigrinya, English and Arabic, and have found this essential in breaking down barriers to communication particularly in urgent care environments where efficient interactions between staff and patients are essential.
In my spare time I am a keen football fan and play twice a week with a local squad. I also attend church every Sunday and am an active member of the parish community, taking every opportunity to volunteer on charity events and meet new people.
I have always thrived in support roles: my desire to help others underlies everything I do, and in gaining knowledge and experience of nursing I am driven to utilise this quality to make a worthwhile contribution to the lives of others on a daily basis. I am ready for the challenges of study, and the rewards of making a difference to the vulnerable through my natural sensitivity and enthusiasm for healthcare.
We hope that this example Nursing personal statement is a helpful guide to writing your own personal statement for universities.