Aspen University, Essay Example

The nursing profession has been extraordinarily rewarding for me. It is not something that I view as merely an occupation; instead, it is a part of my identity. I began my nursing career nearly 25 years ago, working as a staff nurse at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Massachusetts. Since then I have worked hard to develop my professional skills and to cultivate a specialization as a lactation consultant. This career path has at times been difficult, as I have worked to further my educational achievements, acquire specialized certifications, and meet the challenges of the dynamic and demanding health care field. It has long been my goal to acquire my BSN, and I have reached a point in my personal and professional lives where I feel I am ready to take on this new challenge.

In addition to my responsibilities as a nurse, I have also spent the better part of the last 20 years as a wife and mother.  My children are now grown, and I am both proud and grateful that they have become responsible and accomplished adults. While it was often difficult to balance the demands of a career with those of parenthood, I did my best to serve as a strong role model for my family. Among the many challenges involved with working as a nurse are the shifting schedules and long hours, which often made it difficult to maintain a regular routine as a parent. This meant having to raise my children to be independent and self-sufficient, and it also meant that what free time I did have was more often than not devoted to helping them with their homework, shuttling them to after-school activities, and enjoying family leisure time whenever possible.

Now that my children are grown, I feel it is time to complete my BSN. I have acquired some credits in the past that will be applied towards this goal, and I have also amassed a history of real-world experience that I believe makes me well-suited for the task ahead. I have maintained my IBCLC certification, which has been integral to the development of my career, but I now wish to accomplish the long-standing goal of pursuing my degree. Aspen University is a well-regarded institution, with strong offers accreditation support, and as such it is my first choice of schools. By acquiring my degree online from Aspen University I will be able to return to the academic environment without sacrificing my personal and professional development.  In my experience as a nurse and mother I have long since cultivated the capacity to handle a rigorous and demanding schedule, which will prepare me for the challenges of juggling my professional and academic demands. Because I am not in a place in life where full-time classes and campus attendance are practical, I recognize that acquiring my online degree presents the best possible scenario for achieving my goals. With the skills and experience I bring to bear, and the excellent educational opportunities offered by Aspen University, I am confident that I will be able to successfully move forward in this next phase of my career and my life.