Corps Scholarship Program, Essay Example

How will you contribute to the mission of the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program in providing care to underserved communities?

As an experienced nurse, I am aware of the health care disparity in low income communities and wish to bridge this gap with my knowledge and concern for the health of all people. During my undergraduate career, I noticed that the quality of care and resources available at hospitals in wealthy areas provide significantly better care than those elsewhere. However, since health is a basic right, it is painful to see the discrepancy between the health care services provided to the rich and the poor. Therefore, it is reasonable to fix this problem by increasing the ability of nurses in these underserved areas so that all people can gain the health care that they deserve.

I will personally contribute to the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program to acquire new medical knowledge that will help me assist members of the underserved population. I will support this learning by exploring methods to achieve cultural competency and by building an understanding of the demographic spread of the populations I wish to serve. Ultimately, I believe that I will be able to help these patients through my knowledge and dedication.

What defines an underserved community? What experiences have you had that have prepared you to work with underserved populations?

Medically underserved communities are those that have limited access to health care as a consequence of its affordability, proximity to the area, or due to the availability of qualified medical professionals. I have worked with many patients from economically deprived backgrounds and have found that there are many ways to help these individuals, both in terms of medical care and resources. My hospital worked closely with these individuals to provide them with knowledge of available payment options and have recruited social workers to help them determine their eligibility for federal care. In addition, cultural competency and equality have been emphasized in my experiences, and I have learned how to meet the needs of each of my patients based on cultural context and medical need.

Please discuss your commitment to pursue a career in nursing.

I entered the field of nursing because I wish to help those in need. Historically underserved communities have demonstrated the most significant need of all groups that I have encountered, as this population typically avoids receiving preventative care due to the expense, which results in the development of many health problems when these symptoms go unchecked. As a consequence, obesity, diabetes, and teen pregnancies are prevalent in these communities. Ultimately, these health states could be prevented if nurses become more committed to the education of individuals living in these areas. Obesity and diabetes could be prevented by promoting active lifestyles and good food habits, while teen pregnancies can be prevented by advocating for the use of birth control rather than abstinence only education.

Overall, my goal as a nurse is to bridge the health care gap in a manner that allows historically underserved communities to have the same health care access as individuals in wealthier areas with more resources. Preventative care is an important component of this process, although it is also necessary to ensure that these patients are being treated with fair standards. Therefore, it is necessary to advocate for the health of all people, and it is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure that this equality is carried out in practice.