Essay Question: What defines an underserved community? What experiences have you had that have prepared you to work with underserved populations?
The mission of the Nurse Corps states the goals to be health equity, quality services, and improved health workplace. In an underserved community you can expect to see these qualities neglected. To be more specific, underserved communities are occupied with families earning incomes at the poverty level. Often times, patients in these vulnerable areas are victim to chronic illness or disabilities. What we are finding in these areas is that the healthcare standards are often not up to par. Reasons vary for healthcare disparities but the highest factor is due to maldistribution of professionals. As a result, often times quality of care plummets in these areas. An alternative situation includes scarcity of access to primary care services. This could result from populations living in more rural areas that are limited in healthcare options. By committing to work as a nurse in an underserved community, I can personally contribute to the mission of the nurse corps. Through my work as a nurse, and the support of teamwork of professionals whom surround me, we can improve the health of the patients by providing quality care in order to build a healthy community.
As an active member of society, I have been fortunate enough to work with people from numerous cultural backgrounds. As a participant of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) I was able to volunteer with the elderly, the needy, and the sick in various instances. Through participation, I was able to gain experience that will prepare me for my commitment in the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, and ultimately as a registered nurse. For illustration, members of HOSA and I volunteered in an underprivileged community to assist in building a park for their community. In addition, we provided hot meals for the needy, and the most memorable event of my volunteer work was cooking for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald house; a company that relieves the stress of child illness by providing housing for family that is near the hospitalized child. In addition to preparation that I have acquired through community involvement, I have gained extensive experience through my employment as a nursing assistant in a hospital.
By working as a tech in a hospital I have been fortunate to gain knowledge on working with patients from underserved communities. Either through hands-on care by being a tech or by observing associated patient care professionals such as case managers. My actions in life thus far have all been in training for my dream job of nursing. From my actions I have gained hands-on knowledge with working with patients, communication skills, understanding and respect of cultural backgrounds. I feel as if I will be skilled in managing any emotional issue that my client demonstrations, and with continued education, any medical issue as well.
Although I already feel confident in my abilities, I will continue to fully prepare for my career. Early preparation brings more experiences, and experiences bring knowledge. Through these actions we can pave the way to a rise in quality of care. By excelling in educational goals, hospital encounters, and service learning, I can advocate what's best for my patient's and with support encourage our community to be a healthy one. My dreams have surfaced from my own actions, and my passions have resided the home inside my heart.
I have realized that through broad tourism I have uncovered the greatest motivation that has guide my heart in caring for underserved communities. Shortly after one of the natural disasters that struck Haiti in early 2000, I was able to travel to the country with family and provide small acts of relief. This experience is the biggest memory of all my travels, and the sights have impacted my life by encouraging my nursing passions to flourish in the future. I desire to give full-hearted support and nurturing care to the lives that I encounter in my nursing career simply because everyone deserves it.
I hope that I will be selected to contribute to the mission of the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program because I have so much knowledge, and passion to offer to the lives of my patients. My deeply rooted passion goes far beyond my own material needs and into the needs of the individuals that I am lucky enough to serve.
In my view you can improve your essay by elaborating a bit more about "small acts of relief" in your Haiti experience. You can start from what were you doing there? What kind of collaboration you made and how this experience influence you going forward ?
In overall, your essay is already good in explaining your motivation and background. That's why I think my advice is not really big things toward your essay improvement.
By working as a tech in a hospitalI have been fortunate to gain knowledge on working with patients from underserved communities.
.... You repeat that phrase " I have been fortunate to gain" again in this para (the same had been said in the previous one too). Better you present the idea a bit differently;
By working as a tech in a hospital I had the opportunity to work with patients from the under served communities.Either through hands-on care by being a tech or by observing associated patient care professionals such as case managers.
... this sentence sounds incomplete, you need to combine another idea here !
