Nursing Personal Statement Examples in 2023

In this article, we look at the best nursing personal statement examples in 2023 along with tips and advice for writing a great personal statement for a nursing program.

nursing personal statement examples

Table of Contents

Keep reading for 3 examples of nursing personal statements and the 7 things you should include in your statement. Also, find out how taking care of her grandmother at home inspired one student to go into nursing.

What is a nursing personal statement?

A nursing personal statement is an essay or statement that is usually part of a list of requirements for admittance to a nursing program.

The purpose of a nursing personal statement is to give the selection committee information about your character and qualities so they can see you will be a good fit for the program.

What should you include in your nursing personal statement?

1. Goals

The goals that should be included in a nursing personal statement are:

  • Passing all of your exams and receiving an honours degree in general nursing.
  • Becoming a registered nurse and securing a job as a nurse.
  • Helping a certain group of people (for example children, the elderly, and vulnerable youth)

2. Professional Experience

Any professional experience related to nursing should be included in a nursing personal statement. This could include:

  • Hospital, clinic and GP practice experience
  • Any other relevant work with people such as volunteering or mentoring roles
  • Any paid work that has given you administrative or client-facing experience
  • Previous work experience in healthcare settings such as residential care demonstrates your ability to handle complex situations and care for patients.

For example, one student wrote about how working in a dental clinic helped her to start to consider nursing as a career.

3. Interests and motivation

When writing a nursing personal statement, it is important to explain your motivation for pursuing a career in nursing. Possible interests to include in your statement include:

  • Your desire to help others and make a difference in people’s lives
  • You were inspired by a family member, teacher or neighbour who was a nurse
  • Your interest in providing care and support to those who need it most when they are at their most vulnerable
  • The positive impact that nurses have on their patients’ lives, both physically and mentally
  • Your desire to work as part of a team with other healthcare professionals
  • Your commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care for all patients, regardless of their background or lifestyle choices.

One of the students profiled below wrote I have a particular interest in pain management and the non-traditional methods of holistic care to support patients, such as hypnosis.

4. Qualifications

When writing a nursing personal statement, it is important to include details of the qualifications you have earned or are currently working towards. These should include:

  • A degree in nursing or a related field.
  • Certification in CPR, advanced life support techniques, and other relevant skill sets.
  • Strong scores in High School science, math and related subjects.

5. Personal Traits

When writing a personal statement for nursing programmes, it is important to include personal qualities such as:

  • Honesty and integrity – you should be honest about your abilities and experience, as well as your intentions for pursuing a career in nursing.
  • Empathy – being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand their perspective is an essential trait of a good nurse.
  • Compassion – having compassion for others will help you provide them with the best possible care.
  • Initiative – taking the initiative when needed shows that you are capable of taking on responsibilities without being told what to do.
  • Maturity – having maturity means being able to think rationally in stressful situations, even if emotions may be running high around you.

6. Skills

When writing your nursing personal statement, you should include the following skills:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare systems
  • Knowledge of various treatments, protocols, policies, and procedures related to nursing practice.

Make it clear that you know you have a lot to learn and that you are looking forward to a steep learning curve!

7. Achievements

Achievements that could be included in a nursing personal statement include, but are not limited to:

  • Awards and honours received for academic or other achievements
  • Volunteer work or community service activity awards related to nursing
  • Extra-curricular activities that have helped you develop the necessary skills for nursing school, such as tutoring or mentoring programs
  • Accomplishments related to previous jobs or internships related to healthcare professions (e.g., certifications)

How to write an outstanding nursing personal statement?

Step 1: Research the Schools

Researching the schools you are applying to can help with writing an outstanding nursing personal statement because it gives you an idea of what each school is looking for and what their requirements are.

This process will help you rank the programs in order of preference, determine which schools are reach schools and which institutions should be your ‘safety schools’, if you are not selected by your number one choice.

You could identify any specific topics or themes that each school tends to favor in their applications.

This knowledge will allow you to craft an effective personal statement that stands out from the rest.

Step 2: Get Ready to Talk about Yourself

  • Start by brainstorming: Read the prompt carefully. If it asks you to talk about anything other than your motivation for nursing school (for example, a time when you helped someone) highlight it and brainstorm it separately.
  • Write down any experiences, traits, or qualities that make you an outstanding candidate for the nursing program.
  • Select the best stories and anecdotes: Choose those that demonstrate your strengths and show why you are an ideal fit for the program.
  • Edit thoroughly: Go through each section multiple times to ensure it is relevant and well-written, then reread it with a critical eye to catch any mistakes or typos that may have slipped through in the editing stages.

Step 3: Write the Essay in free-form

  • Sometimes getting started is the hardest part! If you know the examples you are going to talk about and have a rough plan for your essay, write the example that’s most important to you first.
  • To begin, don’t worry about grammar or making it sound perfect. Say what you want to say, and let your passion for nursing shine through.
  • Then, refine your ideas by shaping them and going back in to shape them further if needed. Sometimes, taking a break overnight will give you time to subconsciously improve your ideas.
  • Ensure that your essay is captivating by giving yourself adequate time to go through this process thoroughly before starting on the final draft of your essay.

Step 4: Revise and Revise Some More

  • Read through the entire essay carefully and make notes of any areas that need improvement.
  • Make corrections to grammar and sentence structure issues, as well as any other minor mistakes or typos you find along the way.
  • Re-read your essay multiple times to make sure it flows smoothly from start to finish without any awkward transitions or sections that need further clarification or expansion. Ask trusted guidance counsellors, teachers or study partners to read it and give you some feedback.
  • Read it through again after making changes if necessary, double-check that you have completed the whole application and attached your supporting documents, then submit your application when it’s ready.

Nursing Personal Statement Example #1

In 2023, an example of a successful nursing school personal statement might look something like this:

“The week after I turned 16, I was walking backwards down a hill, my arms supporting the weight of the wheelchair as its wheels rolled slowly in reverse.

Sunlight danced through the trees around us and shone in my grandmother’s hair as she sat inside the wheelchair.

I couldn’t see my grandmother’s face from that angle, but I could hear her laughing with joy as she enjoyed the outdoors for the first time in weeks. My exhausted parents were finally trusting me as a caregiver and it changed my life.

My grandmother came to live with my family two years ago after breaking her hip. She completed much of her recovery at our home, but Nurse George came by every day to perform personal care tasks, monitor vital signs and assist with physical therapy exercises.

George also taught me some basic patient care practices such as how to support a wheelchair correctly while going downhill and emphasised the importance of positive mental health in patient recovery.

I am excited by this opportunity to apply to Seaton’s College of Nursing because I appreciate your program’s specialization in rehabilitation nursing; it is exactly what inspired me pursue a career helping people recover from injuries or medical surgery!

Additionally, your focus on assisting patients to regain their independent skills will help me achieve these professional aspirations I have set for myself.

Nursing Personal Statement Example #2

“I grew up close to a hospital, where I watched patients go through the double doors for a variety of ailments. From a young age, this drove me to develop a strong interest in the field of medicine. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the future that would allow me to take care of those in need.

Through my courses in the natural sciences as well as social studies, I have continued to develop my knowledge in the field and prepare for my future education.

Listening to my mother talk about her patients and their families at Jackson Pediatrics Center has taught me the value of empathy and communication.

Frequently, they simply want someone to listen; I do my best to give them a judgment-free space where they can share their stories.

Whether it’s an emotional or physical issue they’re facing, patients appreciate working with flexible and considerate people like myself who understand how important it is for them feel comfortable talking about their struggles or concerns without fear of judgement or criticism from others around them. I want to be that kind of nurse in the future.

Additionally, being able to help young people overcome their challenges and navigate their way back towards recovery is something that excites me about pursuing this career path.”

Nursing Personal Statement Example #3

“I first thought of nursing and a career in health when I started a part-time job at a local dental practice. My job was secretarial but almost immediately I was spending some time interacting with patients and became interested in working in the healthcare industry.

I have a particular interest in pain management and the non-traditional methods of holistic care to support patients, such as hypnosis which was used successfully at the practice to help patients with phobias and extreme anxiety prepare for treatment.

This experience helped inspire me to apply for nursing school with the goal of becoming an RN someday because it showed me how rewarding it could be helping people access healthcare.

Since then I have volunteered at our local drop-in health clinic at the community centre; there is no feeling comparable when they offer you their sincere thank yous! Furthermore, these experiences have taught me the value of community support when trying to encourage members of minority communities to access healthcare.

If they know someone who has had a positive experience at the clinic they are much more likely to attend. Going forward, I would like to focus on pain management in the community because I think there is huge scope for development in this field.”

FAQ

What should be included in a nursing personal statement?

When writing your nursing personal statement, make sure to include:

  • Why you want to become a nurse
  • What inspires you about nursing
  • The experiences you’ve had that have taught you about nursing
  • Program-specific reasons for your interest in the school
  • How you intend to contribute to the program and field of nursing

What format should be used for a nursing personal statement?

The outline of the format should include:

  • Half-inch indentations for each paragraph
  • Left-align or justify your essay
  • Double spacing between sentences and paragraphs
  • One-inch margins all around
  • Times New Roman font style (12 points) with no title or headings.

Note – the nursing school may provide more specific guidance. Use the above if they do not include formatting advice.

What topics can be discussed in a nursing personal statement?

Topics that can be discussed in a nursing personal statement include:

  • Why you want to study nursing and what sparked your interest in the field.
  • Your skill sets, such as patience, empathy, teamwork and communication.
  • Any experiences that have shaped who you are today or influenced your decision to become a nurse (e.g., an unwell family member).
  • Any personal details that are relevant to why you should be accepted into the program (e.g., life experiences).
  • Any personal challenges that may impact your ability to access the course, like severe financial hardship or a disability and the specific suppport you would need.

How do I write a great nursing personal statement?

  • Determine your purpose
  • Research the school
  • Brainstorm ideas
  • Write down key points

What is the difference between a nursing program and a nursing school?

The difference between a nursing program and a nursing school is Nursing programs are the courses that individuals take to earn their nursing degree. Nursing schools are institutions that offer these programs and provide education and training for students.

Nursing schools typically require applicants to submit a personal statement as part of the application process.

Additionally, nursing schools often have a broader focus than just providing education in the field of nursing, such as offering classes in related subjects like biology or chemistry.

How do I find admission requirements for nursing school?

Research the different nursing schools you are interested in, and find their website. All the information you need about admissions should be on the university website

Once you have decided that nursing is for you, you can also schedule an appointment (in-person or online) with an admissions counsellor for each nursing school you are considering to get a better understanding of their personal statement requirements and other criteria they look for in applicants.

What are the different types of nursing careers?

There are many types of nursing careers, including:

  • Registered Nurse (RN): Registered nurses are licensed professionals who provide direct patient care, educate patients about their conditions, and administer medications.
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Licensed practical nurses are also licensed professionals who provide direct patient care but do not have the same level of education as registered nurses.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Certified nursing assistants assist registered nurses and licensed practical nurses with basic patient care tasks such as feeding, bathing and dressing patients in addition to other duties related to the healthcare facility they work in such as cleaning rooms or providing transportation services for patients/family members visiting the facility/homecare settings etc.