To Become a Family Nurse Practitioner, Essay Example

Nursing practice implies care for people in need. Thus, pursuing advanced nursing practice is not only valuable to me because of the personal knowledge I will gain from this experience, but also because through this training I know that I will be better prepared to help others. There are a million reasons why I want to further my education in the health field, all which stem from my passion for health and the ability to nurse my patients to recovery. I plan to incorporate a broad understanding of the sciences, such as health science, healthcare services, health and fitness, and physical and mental health science into my advanced nursing practice. There is only one reason why I want to work in the health field, and that is because I want to help people. However, I believe that my diverse wealth of knowledge and experiences can meaningfully contribute to quality improvement in the health care field in a manner that will allow me to effectively assist a greater number of people. Thus, my individual caveat to that reasoning is such; I want to work one-on-one with patents in a hands-on career to evaluate their health on a direct and personal level in addition to emphasizing a professional, medical standpoint. This means helping to alleviate the symptoms of my patients via treatment or diagnosis, but also continuing to personally comfort, support, and educate them to ensure quality care. In my opinion, the only career that truly encompasses this wide range of knowledge, temperament, and skill is advanced practicing nursing.

Prior to attending my first undergraduate institution, I had quite the naïve perspective on my anticipated future in healthcare. I believed the best way to utilize my academic strength and craving for education would be to pursue a career at the highest level of healthcare by following an educational track in pre-medicine studies. I supposed that only a practicing physician could truly make a successful impact on the lives of those they treated, unintentionally ignorant to the multitude of other healthcare professionals and increasing variety of ways one may provide healthcare. I had volunteered in my community for Meals on Wheels, providing adequate nutrition and friendly visits to seniors whose family support, mobility, and other resources are scarce. Later at Cardinal Cushing, I helped to serve students with a wide range of developmental and cognitive disabilities. While I enjoyed these small instances of patient care, expanding upon my prior customer service experience, I felt I had only made a fleeting impact on the improvement of anyone’s well-being. I loved spending time with the people I met volunteering, relishing the stories that the seniors provided and working closely with the Cardinal Cushing students, occasionally making them laugh. However, I wanted more responsibility than the prescribed role dispensed to me in such work. I wanted to expand my knowledge and support for these individuals, which only further solidified my plans to become an experienced healthcare leader.

It was my experience learning about an orthopedic condition, unbeknownst to me, causing significant damage and pain to my right hip that inspired new curiosity and appeal. My genetic hip dysplasia, termed for the unusual development of the hip joint, initiated a considerable tear to the labrum within my right hip socket. Exacerbated by lengthy walks, the condition prompted an immediate end to any physical activity during my first two years of undergraduate study. Surgery to fix the tear, and other damage it caused, increased my appreciation for physical activity, especially since I was unable to enjoy it for a full year. This newfound awareness turned me on to a different area of interest and study: exercise science. Refocusing my studies for completion of my bachelor’s degree at Bridgewater State University, I was enveloped once again by my enthusiasm for health related topics. The degree cultivated my knowledge of human anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system, biomechanics, nutrition, exercise physiology, metabolism, prescription, and more. As a student in the physical education department, I am also well acquainted with many types of fitness and wellness-oriented programs to promote healthy and active lifestyles and want to learn even more about the relationship between fitness and wellness in the professional setting.

In addition to majoring in the Science of Exercise and Health Fitness, Bridgewater allowed me the occasion and funding to acquire an incredible internship opportunity during my last undergraduate year. My internship at Bay State Physical Therapy was a tremendous learning experience through which I explored many aspects of a noteworthy career within another division of healthcare. My involvement as an intern began as merely observing patient care and reading through patient charts. My responsibilities, however, gradually increased to assisting in the development of therapeutic resistance programs for patients with varying orthopedic, neurological, and cardiac conditions. I was able to implement such programs with patients under the supervision of another physical therapist, by demonstrating exercises and teaching patients correct alignment and technique. Growing familiar with common diagnoses and their associated exercises enabled me to predict subsequent routines for each patient and correctly demonstrate or supervise them, by myself, when necessary. I was encouraged to add my own observation and feedback into patient progress notes. I was highly praised for my work ethic, aptitude for quick learning, and easy rapport and connection with patients. Some patients would even ask to switch their therapy session schedules to match my internship hours. Noticing my versatility and energy level, my preceptor suggested I do some reception work during my internship, to understand the role of patient services. I was prompted to schedule patient therapy sessions, contact referring physicians, and verify patient insurance information. By the end of my internship I gained more than the patient care observation I had anticipated, from treatment to informatics, referrals, and customer service, I can now sincerely appreciate all the facets of a physical therapist’s duties in a private practice.

Around the same time as my internship, I began my new educational track. My sister had transferred to MCPHS in Boston where she would complete an accelerated program to obtain a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She informed me that the program was rigorous and her classes were tough, but when she relayed her experience outside of the classroom, I was captivated. The program required this clinical experience, consisting of many hours of clinical rotation working in hospitals, nursing homes, and other types of clinics where she got hands on experience working with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals. From her I learned the importance of nurses in healthcare and began to hone in on my desire to further my education not only in the field of healthcare, but now more specifically, in nursing. Nursing is more than just a discipline of study or vocation; nursing is also a service. The nurses I admire, and with whom I have had personal experience, are usually smart, compassionate, personable, and remembered for their exceptional care.

To broaden my knowledge and education in the healthcare field, I want to pursue advanced practice nursing not only to work as a registered nurse, but also to acquire the clinical experience and skills beyond that of basic nursing education and to become a leader in healthcare. I am choosing a specialty that enables me to work with younger and older adults, from adolescence to geriatrics, with whom I’ve had the most experience. It has been my understanding that advanced practice nurses embody the personal skill and patient affinity of a nurse and the experience and capability of many practicing physicians. The increasing need for healthcare professionals in our nation right now is directly affected by the successful education, experience, and graduation of advanced practicing nurses. To improve the health care system, it is necessary to increase the number of trained clinical leaders who can aid in providing quality healthcare for all individuals and populations and who can collaborate with other healthcare professionals working towards a joint objective for innovative advancements in the provision of medical services, health promotion, prevention, and treatment. Thus, I wish to train to become an advanced practice nurse because I have the skills necessary to make these goals a reality.

In accordance with the values and principles of nursing excellence at the Simmons Foundation, I have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. I believe that my involvement as a nurse practitioner will allow me to obtain a superior education, to become an exceptional nurse practitioner, and ultimately provide better healthcare to all people. I can visualize a connection among the many other nursing students with different backgrounds, knowledge, and experience that only such a unique program can bring together as an interdisciplinary health care team. The potential prospect is undeniable. I thank you for your consideration. Together, we will be able to contribute to the nursing field in a manner that will help improve the quality of patient care in urban neighborhoods, creating a lasting effect on this population.