A GUIDE TO WRITING A NURSING ESSAY

Table of contents

• Writing a Nursing Essay
• Nursing School Admissions Essay Topic Ideas
• Preparing to Write Your Nursing Essay
• The Parts of Your Nursing Essay
• Sample Essay Nursing
• Nursing Career Essay Examples and Help

Writing a Nursing Essay

Nursing schools have stringent admissions programs, and this is a good thing. In order to be a successful nurse, you must be able to follow proper procedures and protocols, provide treatment accurately and appropriately, show empathy at all times, employ problem-solving skills, and work as a team player. Not only that, but a good nurse is flexible and able to perform their duties in some very emotionally trying circumstances. Admissions committees at nursing schools know this, so they set the bar high.

One of the ways that schools determine whether or not you are a good fit for their nursing problem is to have you write an admissions essay. Your ‘Why I Want to be a Nurse’ essay admission paper will be evaluated to determine whether or not your application should move forward. This guide will help you with that.

Keep reading for some ideas on nursing school essay topics, writing tips, and a very brief sample titled ‘Why I want to be a Nurse’.

Nursing School Admissions Essay Topic Ideas

When you write your essay, there are a few goals that you want to accomplish. These include:

• Communicating why you want to become a nurse.
• Showing that you have the character and personality type that is appropriate for a job in the caring professions.
• Demonstrating that you will be a good fit at the specific nursing school to which you are applying.
• Proving that your written communication skills are at an appropriate level.

When you select the best possible topic, it’s much easier to achieve your objectives. 

In some cases, you will be given a topic. In others, you will have more leeway. For the most part, what you write will be some version of a ‘why I want to be a nurse essay’, admission paper.

Ideally, your essay will be based on personal experience. Here are some ideas to consider:

• What event persuaded you to become a nurse.
• A time you had to stay in the hospital.
• A nurse who cared for or influenced you.
• An experience you had as a caregiver.

One thing that you can do for additional ideas and inspiration is to search online for ‘Essay For Nursing School Admission Examples’.

Preparing to Write Your Nursing Essay

Once you pick your topic, you’ll need to do a bit of research. Yes, it’s true you should do a bit of research before you write an essay about your own experiences. This means:

• Brainstorming the experience you want to write about.
• Taking notes of the specific character traits and skills you want to showcase.
• Talking to people that know you for their insights into why you would be great nursing students.
• Organizing your thoughts to ensure that your essay is well-written and complete.

The Parts of Your Nursing Essay

Break your nursing essay down into three segments as follows:

• Nursing Essay Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion

Sample Essay Nursing

Here we have provided a short essay sample. Be aware that the essay you write will likely be longer. Your word count should comply with the instructions provided to you.

Nursing: A Caring Field

I was very lucky to grow up in a family, and a larger church family that believed in serving others. We regularly spent time volunteering as a family. We did yard work for elderly people and the disabled. Then, when I was a junior in high school, I was given a task that was truly life-changing. It is what led me to pursue a career as a caregiver, as a nurse.

Our pastor contacted me to inform me that I was needed to care for an elderly church member who had broken her hip. She couldn’t afford in-home nursing care, and I would be helping her with her daily tasks. I agreed, but I was hesitant. I’d never done anything like this. Fortunately, a nurse aide was able to spend a day training me in helping Ms. Warren with tasks such as moving to her wheelchair and going to the bathroom.

As I feared, it was hard work. Sometimes, it was unpleasant. In spite of that, I loved the job. I looked forward to spending time with Ms. Warren. It made me feel proud to help her be as comfortable as possible. Even better, with her basic needs taken care of, Ms. Warren was able to focus on her hobby of knitting, attending PT, and playing games with her grandchildren.

I only cared for Ms. Warren for a short time, but it helped me to understand how important healthcare is, and how a nurturing caregiver can truly make a difference. That is why I decided to pursue a career as a nurse.

Nursing Career Essay Examples and Help

Hopefully, this guide and the example above will help you when it’s time to write your own essay. If you still need additional help, we are available 24/7. Click below or contact us for help or to view a writing sample.