I started my college career 20 years ago; Nursing application essay

I started my college career 20 years ago, at the time I was undecided on what I wanted to do after I'm done with college. For 20 years, I have been in and out of schools while working and raising a family. All this time, I was still searching to find myself. In May of 2011, my family moved to central IL. For the first time in 20 years, I didn't have to work a full time job so I decided to enroll in a nursing assistants program. During my training as a CNA I realized nursing was my true calling, the one degree that will allow me to help others and challenge me mentally and physically. I enjoyed nursing so much I started to volunteer at the local hospital shortly after completing my CNA.

I'm the oldest of four children and I took care of my siblings when my parents had to work. When my father was undergoing quadruple bypass in 2008, I was the one to work with the doctors and nurses in the hospital during pre-opt and post opt to help my family understand the process and helped with recovery. In 2010 when my mother was hospitalized for a gallbladder surgery, again I was the one to work with the doctors and nurses to make sure she gets the best care.

Looking back now, nursing has always been the logical choice for me. I've always been the caregiver in my family. I've respected people who studied nursing more so than any other degrees. I was blessed to have some of the best nurses when I had my children. I want to give back and provide the same care I was given. I think I'll be a great nurse because I'm attentive, and have a strong desire learn and to help others. I have not always done well in school was when I was younger, because I lack the passion for other degrees. I finally realized my passion is in nursing, knowing that I will be a nurse once I finish college is a drive for me to do well. In the last year, I have taken on a full time school schedule while maintaining a 30 hours work schedule and made the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. I will bring maturity, life experiences and focus to your school. I see these skills that I bring as an asset to your school and other nursing students. I will work hard in nursing school so I can better my life and lives of others.

At that time I did not have a direction as to what I would do after college.


.... strong sentence. Very good!


All this time, I was struggling to find myself . ... is it the career that you mean? If so you can say;
All this time, I was struggling to find my real passion.
It's a very good response. You've done a good job! Also, wish you good luck!

Thank you for your suggestion - I like the "struggling to find my real passion" - That's how I felt, but didn't know how to put it on paper.

I'm also asked by one of the school why I chose them. Where should put that statement? In the beginning, middle or end of my essay?

I think at the end would be best.

Okay - Hopefully this is my final revision. I've gotten a lot helpful input from here and family. Can someone please check my grammer. Thank you!!!

This year, 2013, is a bitter sweet year for me. As I get ready to celebrate a milestone birthday coming up this fall, I have been reflecting on my life and what I've accomplished. Although, by most standards, my friends and family will tell you that I've accomplished a lot and am very successful. I set out on my own at nineteen and move across country and for the last 20 years, develop some great real world experiences in different industries, while raising a wonderful family. However, in my own heart of hearts, I always felt there is something that is missing. There is something more that I need to do for me. For the last twenty years, going back to college and obtaining that bachelor's degree has always been a goal I've not been able to accomplish.

I can come up with a number of excuses or reasons on why I would start the program, take a few classes and then put it on hold again; life got in the way, lack of time, kids, job, money, etc...In retrospect, the lack of motivation and drive to cross the finish line is due to the fact that I have not found my true passion. This all changed in 2008 when my father underwent a quadruple bypass. Being the oldest of their children, I had the responsibility of working with the doctors and nurses in the hospital before and after the operation to help my family understand the process and assist with his recovery. In 2010, my mother was hospitalized for a gallbladder surgery, which I also had the opportunity to interact with the hospital staff to ensure sure she received the best care. In talking to the medical staff that took care of my parents and seeing the passion they have for the work they do and how they help people, I realized that this was the path for me.

In May of 2011, my family moved to central Illinois. For the first time in twenty years, I know what I wanted to do and am ready to fulfill my dream. I took the first step and enrolled in a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program. The CNA program confirmed my passion in the field of nursing and the possibilities of a career that would allow me to help other and would challenge me mentally and physically. Shortly after completing my CNA, in addition to a thirty hours a week job, I started volunteering at the local hospital, and taking full time classes to complete my Associate of Science degree by this December, which would complete all pre-requisites towards applying to a nursing program in the spring; while making the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

It has taken me twenty years to find this path. In my younger days, I lacked passion in the fields I was studying which attributed to my less than stellar performance in school. Now that I found my passion, nothing is going to get in my way to achieving my goal. The life experience, the dedication, and the passion, I can bring to Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing program, as a mature student, hopefully, will serve as an asset to help motivate my fellow classmates in the nursing program to help them achieve their goals.

I truly believe that, what I have learned through my journey in finding my true passion in nursing aligns well with OSF college's philosophy and my personal values aligns well with the Core Values of the College: Personal and Professional Development, Service Quality, and Agility. This is the main reason why OSF Saint Francis School of Nursing is my top school of choice to complete my goal of getting a Bachelor's degree in Nursing.