George Mason University, Admission Essay Example

“Nursing is an art:  and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s spirit?  It is one of the Fine Arts:  I had almost said, the finest of the Fine Arts.” —– Florence Nightingale.  This quote represents my sentiment for nursing – a career I love!

During my nursing career of five years, I have often been described as “hard working, determined, and motivated.”  In this industry, those qualities are an absolute necessity.  In 2005, I obtained my first nursing position at Cumberland County Hospital’s Emergency Room.  As a licensed practical nurse (LPN), I worked the day shift from (9:00 am to 5:00 pm).  I helped patients in need of critical care.  The injuries ranged from minor contusions to life-threatening gun shot wounds.  My supervisor was Sylvia Hubbard, a nurse with a PhD from John Hopkins University and 17 years’ experience.  She taught me that nursing was an art as well as a science; a good nurse knew how to handle people and injuries.

In 2008, I worked at the Sam Kennedy Veteran’s Hospital which was a 200-bed unit covering two floors.  This facility was established in 1972 and has a comprehensive program (mental illness, outpatient services, disease management, Intensive Care Unit, critical care, and a nursing home for patients needing long-term care (assisted living) and palliative care (terminal illnesses).

My experience with the veteran’s hospital was a turning point because I enjoyed working with a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and nutritionists.  Our goal was to treat the patient holistically, i.e. – understand all of the interconnected facets (spiritual, mental, and physical) of patient care, especially for geriatric patients whose needs represent chronic conditions related to age and/or gradual atrophy.  It prompted me to return to school to obtain further advancement in pathology.

When my search began, I only considered colleges in Virginia that had progressive, forward-thinking programs.  As a result, I learned about George Mason University (GMU).  Their flexible (transfer of credit and online courses) programs would allow me to continue working while I completed my bachelor’s degree.

The Strategic Plan 2010 – 2014 states performance indicators that monitor the implementation and growth of programs entailing research and education.  For example, the goal of faculty researchers is “Percent of faculty members on research workloads who publish annually in high quality, respectable peer review journals at 100% by 2014.”   Additionally, the recruitment, retention, and advancement of minority groups are distinguishing factor.   Not only do students from the United States and the world attend GMU, but the faculty and staff represent an impressive mix of gender, race, and ethnicity.

The College of Health and Human Services has a nursing program with an outstanding curriculum.  Courses such as NURS 349 Pediatric Pathophysiology and Nursing Care and

NURS 357 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Medical/Surgical Nursing will give me a solid foundation of pathology.  The faculty is comprised of practicing or retired physicians with outstanding credentials.  Dr. Harriet Jones was a cardiac surgeon at Harvard Medical Center for 15 years.  She was the first African American female to head a cardiac unit in 1982.

Dr. Maxwell Carter is a distinguished researcher who is credited for groundbreaking findings from his work with molecular biology.

When I graduate, I plan to work at The Smith Clinic, which is a federally funded clinic serving low-income and Medicaid patients located in my hometown of Cartersville, GA.  Their primary need is nurses with a background in geriatrics and emergency medicine.  My academic background and experience will prepare me to handle elderly patients with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Another option would be to join the United States Air Force. I learned that the Air Force has a world class medical unit.  Ideally, I would be stationed at Canterbury Air Force base located in Chicago, Illinois.  This military base is the home of the Sinclair Veteran’s Hospital, a 350-bed facility specializing in post traumatic stress syndrome and trauma.

There are 2,909,357 licensed registered nurses in the United States.  GMU “prepares students to be leaders in their professions, organizations, and community.”  Leadership is a major component to a successful nursing career.  I’m confident that my dedication, education, and experience will equip me with the superior skills necessary to make a difference, not only in my community, but in the world.