Grad's guide to graduate admissions essays - Colleen Reding 2015
Georgetown university - School of nursing and health studies
Medicine/nursing/health
Cura Personalis, care for the whole person, will forever be embedded in my nursing practices, every day, with every patient. Nursing is both innate abilities and learned knowledge. As an undergraduate, Georgetown University channeled my passion for healthcare and laid the foundation to think critically as a nurse. When I began my career as a new graduate, I realized I was exceptionally well prepared and appreciated how amazing my nursing curriculum was. In hindsight, attending Georgetown’s School of Nursing & Health Studies was the best decision I ever made. I am proud to be a Hoya, RN.
I want to be a Family Nurse Practitioner, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge, nursing abilities, and scope of practice to serve others: “Men and Women for others.” As an RN I demonstrate the characteristics needed to be a successful APRN. Each night I begin my shift with contagious energy and optimism. Before clocking out each morning, I ask my coworkers if I can help them with anything. I am known by the L&D team for wanting the challenging patient assignments: drug addicts, teenagers, the homeless, prostitutes, “frequent flyers.” I proceed without judgment, and I proudly advocate for their fair and thorough care. I am an efficient communicator. As a kid on the soccer field, I was always very verbal and communicated with my teammates. “Pass to midfield … I’m open … We need more defense … You take the shot … I need help …” I find myself in a similar position as part of our “Special Deliveries” team. I am neither timid nor boastful; I am not afraid to delegate, collaborate, prioritize, or strategize. Following one of my most complex and tragic emergencies in labor and delivery, resulting in an imminent maternal death, my coworker said, “Now, Liz is someone you want when your ship is sinking.”
My range of clinical experiences and interests motivates me every day to work toward my dream of opening a clinic. I am drawn toward specialties of public health, adolescents, mental health, dermatology, international health, and women’s health. I am intrigued by vulnerable patient populations and aspire to work in communities to make a difference. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I consider Gandhi’s words as my own mantra to live by. Working with migrant families, caring for foster children, providing care at Planned Parenthood, and advocating and caring for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, or the homeless are just the beginning of how I hope to make an impact as an FNP.
Adolescents are the vulnerable population I would like to dedicate my career to and establish a practice with care catered toward the young adult. The age-specific care for teens and young adults is often overlooked and is lacking. These patients are stranded between levels of health care: pediatric versus adult practices. I will become a primary care provider to help these teens grow into healthy adults, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.
My plan is to create a primary care center for teens and young adults, ages 13 to 23, offering primary and preventive care, gynecology, mental health, nutrition, and dermatology. There would also be an immunization promotion office, targeting patients traveling abroad, precollege vaccines, or learning more about the benefits of Gardasil. Realistic access to healthcare is crucial in providing care for vulnerable populations. Creating a nonjudgmental environment helps minimize the patient’s fears of seeking medical attention, and enables practitioners to create a trusting relationship with the patient. Personally, as a teenager my mom switched pediatric offices multiple times because of difficulty getting appointments or being disappointed in the care provided as my sister and I got older. I delayed going to the gynecologist due to fear of asking my parents to take me. I also struggled with mental health conditions, which ultimately warranted attention years earlier because I didn’t know who to go to or what to do, nor did I know if those emotions and behaviors were just normal. In my proposed clinic, young girls would be getting the gynecologic care and knowledge they need, instead of avoiding the health responsibilities. This age group especially needs access to counseling and behavioral health, probably more than any other patient population. I strongly believe that health is composed of the mind, body, and spirit, and an imbalance hinders overall health.
I am searching for the right graduate program that continues to fuel my passion. Nursing@Georgetown and I are a perfect match. I am dedicated to our profession, and I know this MSN program will prepare me for my career endeavors. I would be overjoyed to continue my graduate studies at Georgetown University. I look forward to reaching my curriculum goals: mastering assessment; identifying diagnoses; providing patient education; collaborating with practitioners; and conducting scholarly research. As I review the “Student Spotlights” on the program’s website, I see dreamers, students, and nurses just like myself. Their motivation and passions are tangible. The environment makes a significant difference in any experience, especially school. I recognized this after completing three semesters of an MSN/FNP program at Barry University in Miami, FL. I missed the enthusiasm of classmates and professors that I once felt at Georgetown as a BSN student. I want to be on a team with more individuals like myself, students who choose to learn and prosper together; students and teachers who are equally motivated, professional, and eager to take on this challenge. I desire a program where students enhance each other’s learning experience, sharing our various backgrounds and specialties, as we embark on this journey together in becoming Family Nurse Practitioners.
