Graduate / This is another step; Pediatric nurse practitioner admissions [2]

Why are you choosing graduate school at this time?
Elaborate on your motivation to pursue a University of Pennsylvania graduate degree.

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. THANKS!!

When I began my undergraduate studies in nursing, I was eager for the four years of classroom learning to end so I could begin a hands-on nursing career. However, shortly after completing my Bachelor's degree and beginning work as an RN, I have already realized that the learning aspect of my career is not over; in fact, it seems that I am just ready for it to begin.

While some people argue that new graduate RN's should have several years of experience before going back to school, I tend to disagree. I am currently working full time as a registered nurse, and feel that I would benefit from attending graduate school part time concurrently. If I followed such a plan, I could be keeping up with the newest bedside nursing practice as an RN, while enhancing and broadening my knowledge base as a graduate student. Within two to three years, I will have gained experience as an RN and also feel confident in beginning the role of an advanced practiced nurse.

My passion has always been working with children. My extensive background in being a camp counselor, teaching Sunday school, babysitting, working as a youth group advisor, and volunteering with sick children through the Adopt-A-Family Foundation are a few of the ways that I have helped to make an impact on children's lives within the past five years. During high school I also helped change a child's life by donating fourteen inches of my hair to Locks of Love, a volunteer organization who used my hair to make a wig for a child inflicted with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. It is very apparent that I enjoy helping those in need. While I currently enjoy working as an RN on an adult medical/surgical floor, I know that my real passion lies in the pediatric field.

Pursuing a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner would allow me to continue helping the population that I most enjoy working with. Although no one in my family is in the health care field, my mom is an elementary school teacher. When I was younger I often imagined myself as a teacher, until I began to gain interest in the medical field as well. I then began considering a profession as a doctor. At some point it became clear to me that I was interested in a medical profession based around teaching which involved the pediatric population. It became very clear to me that the answer was a pediatric nurse practitioner.

I am eager and excited to begin the career that I have been dreaming about since I was younger. I am confident that I will bring knowledge, warmth and security, comfort and care to those children who are sick and in need of care. This is another step I am ready to take to further my education and extend a hand to those who need help the most.