MSN Personal Statement Example

A career as a PMHNP is a natural extension of my research, educational and personal experiences. Though my journey toward nursing is barely a straight line, every experience in the journey has shaped my dedication and passion for psychiatric practice. I am lucky to work in a progressive healthcare age and believe that mental care relies on openness and acceptance. Healthcare practitioners must strive to provide a safe environment for every patient. Moreover, I think that PMHNP advanced practice MSN-prepared nurses have a unique role in offering holistic care to patients. In this role, such nurses can bridge the common gap between mental and physical health care. For instance, I believe that a PMHNP nurse working in a community psychiatric hospital must deliver targeted care while recognizing, screening, and controlling co-morbid health issues, including diabetes and hypertension. 

I bring with me a set of nursing knowledge and skills gained through my professional experience to assist me in completing the MSN program successfully. For instance, during my forensic psychiatric units, I experienced the adverse effects of inaccurate preconceptions concerning mental health. As such, some diagnoses regarding a specific stigmatized disorder cause subpar care. For instance, I have had several experiences where a client’s physical wounds or pain are wrongly questioned because of their mental health status. Moreover, I have worked in a nursing home, where I learned practical applications of psychiatric care. Further, I have encountered mental illness since I was young. My mother suffered from mental illness, and I spent my days looking out for her as a child. Living with my mentally challenged mom taught me a lot about handling a wide array of issues with such patients. I tend to use m practical experience and apply it to the program to achieve my full potential as a psychiatric nurse.

    The primary motivation for pursuing an advanced practice degree in PMHNP involves my experiences with my mentally ill mom. As a child, I experienced many traumatic events with my mom that motivated me to help people going through the same. For instance, I often saw my mom squatting and crying alone for hours. She remained undiagnosed for a long time, motivating me to assist mentally ill patients in rural areas without proper healthcare. Further, my experiences in psychiatric care, including wrongly perceiving a patient’s wounds or pain due to their mental status, motivated me to advance my education and improve my practice.

This program is the right one for me because of its rigorous and thoroughgoing nature. Moreover, the program also suits me because it combines online classes with minimal but vigorous experiences at the university. Because of my dedication and desire to enroll and complete this program, I have made plans for life modifications to meet the program’s requirements. For instance, I have made arrangements with the organizations where I work to minimize my workload and ensure I have enough time to cover the program. Additionally, I have plans to reschedule my duties to best fit in with the school schedule. I also have plans to set aside weekends for my clinical practice. I currently do not have family commitments, thus in a position to dedicate myself fully to classes and clinical. Completing the programs will afford me the skills and knowledge to assist the community, particularly those in lower stratifications.