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College personal statement examples and writing tips.

A crucial step in your nursing journey is learning how to write a personal statement that resonates with admissions committees and vividly portrays your passion for healthcare. This collection of amazing personal statement examples is curated to guide and inspire you as you articulate your aspirations, experiences, and motivation to pursue nursing.

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a written narrative that typically forms a significant part of an application to universities, colleges, or professional programs, particularly in fields like nursing. It’s an opportunity for junior year applicants to present themselves beyond test scores and grades, offering insights into their personalities, experiences, goals, and motivations.

In a personal statement, applicants explain why they are interested in a specific field of study or profession, what they hope to achieve through the program, and how their background and experiences have prepared them for this path. It’s a chance to highlight unique attributes, significant life experiences, challenges overcome, or special achievements that make them an ideal candidate for the program.

Why Read Personal Statement Examples?

Reading personal statement essay examples is immensely beneficial for several reasons, especially when preparing your own statement for applications to nursing programs:

• Inspiration and Ideas: Examples can inspire you and provide ideas on structuring your statement, what kind of content to include in your application essay, and how to convey your story and passion effectively.
• Understanding Expectations: They offer insight into what admissions committees look for, helping you understand the level of detail, tone, and approach that resonates successfully in such applications.
• Learning from Others: Seeing how others have articulated their experiences, challenges, and aspirations can guide you in reflecting upon and articulating your own journey and motivations.
• Avoiding Common Mistakes: By examining a range of examples, you can identify common pitfalls and clichés to avoid, ensuring your statement stands out and feels genuine.
• Gaining Confidence: Reading successful common app essays can boost your confidence, showing you that crafting a compelling narrative that combines personal experiences with professional aspirations is possible.
• Diverse Perspectives: Examples offer a glimpse into the diversity of paths and motivations that lead people to nursing, potentially broadening your perspective and enriching your own approach to writing your statement.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement should ideally align with the guidelines provided by the institution or program you are applying to. Personal statements are expected to be concise yet comprehensive, often ranging around 500 to 650 words , translating to about one to two pages. 

This word count allows enough space to clearly articulate your experiences, motivations, and aspirations without overloading the reader with information. It’s important to always adhere to the program’s specific word or character limits to demonstrate your ability to follow instructions and present your thoughts.

What Should a Personal Statement Include?

A well-written college admissions essay should include several key elements to effectively communicate your suitability for the program or position you are applying for. Here’s what to typically include:

Introduction

Your personal statement should begin with an engaging introductory paragraph that captures the essence of your motivation for pursuing your chosen field. This could be a brief narrative of a defining moment, an experience that ignited your passion, or a clear articulation of your interest and enthusiasm.

The introduction sets the tone and should intrigue the reader, providing a glimpse into your unique journey and motivation. It’s important that this section hooks the reader’s attention and provides a compelling reason to continue reading your statement.

Academic and Professional Background

In this section, brainstorm and detail your relevant academic and professional experiences that have prepared you for this next step. Highlight key academic achievements, coursework, research, or projects that align with the field you are pursuing.

Also, include any relevant work experience, internships, or positions that have given you practical skills and insights. This part of the statement is crucial for showcasing your foundational knowledge and preparedness for advanced study or professional development and gaining a scholarship in your chosen area.

Extracurricular Activities and Volunteering

Your involvement in extracurricular activities and volunteering can significantly enrich your personal statement. This section should reflect how these activities have contributed to your personal growth, skills development, or understanding of your field.

Whether it’s a hobby, leadership roles in clubs, participation in sports teams, or volunteer work in community organizations, these experiences demonstrate your broader interests, commitment, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities. It’s an opportunity to show aspects of your character and values that academic achievements alone might not convey.

Personal Qualities and Skills

Reflect on and draft the personal qualities and skills that make you suited for your chosen path. This might include traits like resilience, empathy, critical thinking, or effective communication. Use specific examples or experiences to demonstrate how you have developed and applied these traits.

This personal reflection not only provides depth to your statement but also gives the admissions committee a clearer picture of who you are as an individual, beyond academic and professional achievements.

Career Goals and Aspirations

Discuss your career aspirations and how the program or position you are applying for aligns with these goals. This section should convey a clear vision of where you see yourself in the future and how the specific program or role will be a stepping stone toward that vision.

It’s important to show that you have a direction and purpose and that you see this opportunity as integral to your career journey. This not only demonstrates foresight and planning but also shows your commitment and seriousness about the path you are choosing.

Reasons for Choosing the Specific Program or Institution

Clearly articulate why you are applying to this particular program or institution. Discuss what specific aspects of the program, faculty, institution’s philosophy, or opportunities available are particularly attractive to you and why they resonate with your goals and preferences.

This shows that you have done your research and are making a well-informed decision. It also indicates that you have a genuine interest in what the program or institution uniquely offers, rather than a generic application.

Conclude your statement with a strong, memorable closing that encapsulates your main points and reaffirms your enthusiasm and suitability for the program or career. This is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression, summarizing why you believe you are an ideal candidate.

The conclusion should tie back to your opening, creating a cohesive narrative that leaves the reader with a clear understanding of your passion, commitment, and readiness for the next step in your academic or professional journey.

What Does an Admissions Officer Look for in a Personal Statement?

When reviewing a personal statement, admission officers are looking for several key elements to assess the suitability of a candidate for their program:

• Clarity of Purpose: Admissions officers want to see a clear understanding of why the applicant wants to pursue a particular field or program. The statement should convincingly articulate the candidate’s passion, motivation, and how the program aligns with their career goals.
• Personal Insight and Self-Reflection: A strong personal essay offers insight into the applicant’s personality, experiences, and the factors that have shaped their decision to pursue a specific path. Admissions officers look for depth of reflection and a sense of how past experiences have driven the candidate’s current ambitions.
• Relevant Experience and Skills: It’s important for the statement to highlight any relevant academic, professional, or volunteer experiences that demonstrate preparedness for the program. Admissions officers are interested in how these experiences have contributed to the development of skills and knowledge pertinent to the field.
• Writing Quality and Structure: The ability to communicate effectively and coherently through writing is crucial. Admissions officers pay attention to the overall quality of writing, including grammar, clarity, coherence, and the ability to organize thoughts logically.
• Individuality and Authenticity: They seek to understand what makes each applicant unique. A personal statement should reflect the individual’s authentic self, showcasing unique perspectives, diverse experiences, and personal growth.
• Commitment and Passion: Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the field is essential. Admissions officers look for candidates who are likely to thrive in the program and contribute positively to their field.
• Alignment with Program Values and Goals: Candidates who show that their personal and professional values align with those of the program or institution often stand out. Admissions officers look for indications that the candidate has researched the program and understands how it fits into their broader aspirations.
• Future Potential: Finally, they are interested in the applicant’s potential for future success and contribution to the field. A compelling statement should give a sense of the candidate’s ambition to go to college and how they intend to utilize the education and opportunities provided by the program to achieve their long-term goals.

The Best Personal Statement Examples

Here are some examples that illustrate effective writing styles, clear articulation of goals, and the ability to connect personal experiences to broader career or academic aspirations:

Personal Statement Example #1 

Personal statement example #2, college essay example #3, personal statement example #4, application essay example #5, personal statement example #6, personal statement example #7, personal statement example #8, personal statement example #9, personal statement example #10, personal statement example #11, personal statement example #12, personal statement example #13, personal statement example #14, personal statement example #15, key takeaways for writing a great personal statement.

When reflecting on the nursing personal statement examples provided, several key takeaways emerge that are crucial for anyone crafting their statement. These insights are vital for effectively conveying your passion, commitment, and suitability for a career in nursing:

• Clearly articulate your personal motivation for choosing nursing.
• Highlight your relevant healthcare experiences and achievements.
• Specify your interest in any particular nursing specialty.
• Showcase qualities and skills that make you suitable for nursing.
• Outline your long-term professional aspirations in nursing.
• Acknowledge the challenges and rewards in the nursing profession.
• Express dedication to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Ensure clarity, structure, and coherence in your statement.
• Customize your statement for each specific nursing program.
• Maintain authenticity and genuineness throughout your statement.

Final Thoughts: Personal Statement Essay Examples

These nursing personal statement examples and key takeaways provide valuable insights for anyone aspiring to enter the nursing freshman year. They demonstrate the importance of a well-crafted statement that blends personal motivation, relevant experiences, and a clear understanding of the nursing profession’s demands and rewards. 

An effective personal statement is not only a reflection of your qualifications and aspirations but also a testament to your passion, empathy, and commitment to the field of nursing. It’s a unique opportunity to showcase your individuality and suitability for a career that is as challenging as it is rewarding. 

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Nursing Personal Statement Examples

What is a nursing personal statement?

Your nursing personal statement should tell the universities you are applying to all about your strengths and where you see yourself in the future as a nurse.

It should give nursing admissions tutors a good picture of who you are and why you would make a valuable candidate for their course.

If you are applying for a job as a nurse , it's possible you’ll need to provide a nursing personal statement for this, too.

To show that you’ve met the minimum requirements for promotion, you may need to write a band 6 or 7 nursing personal statement.

This piece of writing tells an employer all about your hands-on patient contact experience and why you are a good fit for the job.

How do I become a nurse?

Most people become a nurse by applying to study for a degree at university.

However, there are alternative routes available, such as Nursing Degree Apprenticeships , and starting out as an Associate Nurse .

You will also need to hold the correct entry requirements to secure a place on a degree course, and will also be expected to have some level of work experience.

Take a look at our blog post for more in-depth information on how to become a nurse .

How do I write a nursing personal statement for university?

If you're applying for a nursing degree to set youself on a nursing career path, we always recommend starting your personal statement by brainstorming ideas. Your notes should cover the following:

• achievements
• academic results
• part-time or Saturday jobs
• volunteering
• wider reading
• extracurricular activities

as well as anything else you can think of.

Take a look through our nursing personal statement examples above to give yourself an idea of what a successful nursing statement looks like.

Once you have put together an initial draft, it's a good idea to ask for feedback from family, friends and tutors. They will be able to look at your statement objectively and suggest ways it could be improved.

Incorporate their comments, and ask for further feedback. Don't worry if you have to do this three or four times - it's important you get your statement as perfect as possible before sending it off on your UCAS form.

How do I structure my nursing personal statement?

Your nursing personal statement should be structured with a clear beginning, middle and end, with the opening telling an anecdote or explaining why you are passionate about nursing.

The middle should generally focus on your work experience and current/past academic studies, and how these have helped you to develop skills that are useful and relevant to a career in nursing.

For example, you might talk about how your experience working in a care home helped you build and offer empathy to elderly people.

You should then write a memorable conclusion that mentions your plans for the future, and how you hope your nursing degree will help you achieve these.

What should I include in my nursing personal statement?

• Look at the content of the course and make sure your statement addresses the specific branch of nursing you are applying for, i.e. mental health , adult or child nursing . 
• Demonstrate important skillls that are required for a nursing degree , e.g. patience, empathy, teamwork and communication. Talk about how you have developed these, either at school/college, at your job or during hobbies or other activities.
• Most applicants spend the opening of their personal statement talking about why they want to study nursing , e.g. an unwell family member, or a friend who was in a car accident. Think carefully about whether there was one particular incident that sparked your interest in nursing.
• Don’t include any over-used phrases or quotes in your statement that university admissions tutors will have seen and heard before.
• Now is also not the time for jokes or humour - it often doesn't work well and admissions tutors might not be impressed!

For more help and advice on what to write in your nursing personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

How do I write an introduction to my nursing personal statement?

Like with any type of personal statement for university, we recommend you open with a paragraph on what you enjoy most about nursing, and why you want to study it at university. Again, an anecdote that inspired you to learn more about nursing will work well here, as long as you have a relevant story to tell.

For example, this applicant chose to talk about how their mother's illness inspired them to go into nursing:

"There has been many occasions during my life that I have spent hours sitting at a hospital bedside.

My mother battled a long term illness and as I sat with her trying to keep her spirits up, the Nurses who cared for her always drew my admiration. I feel there are a handful of truly inspirational professions and Nursing is without doubt one of them.

Along with doctors and other medical staff, nurses provide an invaluable service to society and to be part of that group has long been an ambition of mine."

Another applicant chose to talk about how their experience with mental health services as a teenager made them want to help others and make a difference in the world as an adult:

"I have wanted to work in Mental Health since I was 15 years old. When in crisis, I received a level of care which changed my life and I aspire to do the same for others. I also received care that was detrimental at times so I want to be a part of making a difference. I have seen a wide range of nursing approaches and I have learnt so much from my colleagues since working within the NHS, I now know what kind of nurse I want to be when I complete my training."

However you choose to open your nursing personal statement, make sure it's engaging and explains why you want to pursue nursing at degree level. You can see more examples of introductions over at our nursing personal statements section.

How do I write a conclusion for my nursing personal statement?

Try to round off your nursing personal statement with something memorable. This often includes talking about your extracurricular activities, hobbies and/or your ambitions for the future. For example:

" I am confident in my ability to communicate with people from any cultural background and an example of this would be during my time volunteering in a dog sanctuary in Paraguay. This was difficult due to the language barrier, and a virus outbreak between the dogs. I had to organize my time efficiently, an important skill for a nurse, communicate with vets and host families, in often very distressing times.

I acted effectively, thinking on my feet, all whilst remaining calm and treating the animals with compassion. This was a very challenging time for me but it was also very rewarding. I feel a career as a nurse, whilst challenging at times would also be very rewarding, educational, and encourage personal growth."

This applicant demonstrates that as well as communicating what you do currently, or have done in the past, it's also a good idea to try to include how these experiences have helped to shape you as a person, and how they make you a better candidate for a nursing course.

For more inspiration on how to write your conclusion, please see our nursing personal statement examples section.

Further information

• UCAS Nursing Advice
• Indeed.com - How To Write A Nursing Personal Statement
• Nursing Times - How To Write An Effective Personal Statement
• University of Cumbria - How To Write A Good Nursing Personal Statement For University
• Nurses.co.uk - How To Write A Personal Statement For A Nursing Course
• University of South Wales - How To Write A Personal Statement For Nursing & Midwifery

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Sample Supporting Statements

For Students and Newly Registered Nurses, Nursing Support Workers, and Nurses and Midwives.

The supporting statement is the most important part of your job application. This is effectively where you convince the employer that you're the right person for the job and explain why they should hire you.

This page offers sample supporting statements and a tutorial to help you. we can also offer feedback on your supporting statement via email..

Different employers will have different instructions or expectations with regards to supporting statements, but generally they'll be looking to see if you're applying for the right reasons and that you meet the essential criteria. If you haven't already done so, read the general advice on writing job applications first. To help give you an idea, have a look at our sample supporting statements which have been written to correlate to a sample Person Specification. In particular, pay attention to the way the sample supporting statements:

• Cover all the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification
• Use examples or evidence to demonstrate how the criteria is met
• Follow the order of the Person Specification as much as possible.

The samples should be used as a guide only. Your own supporting statement should be structured around the job and person specification you're applying for. You may also want to watch the Supporting Statements tutorial below.

• Apply for jobs that are right for you
• Never write a 'one size fits all' supporting statement
• Explain why you want the job, showing your passion/interest and motivation
• Demonstrate how you meet all the essential criteria from the person specification using examples or evidence
• Demonstrate how you meet any organisational/trust values if there are any
• Imagine you're being asked the question, "Why should we hire you?"
• Run a spelling and grammar check

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• Nursing School

Nursing School Personal Statement: 5 Best Examples

Read our top 5 sample statements.

These outstanding nursing school personal statement examples have been approved by our admission experts who have helped countless students get into their top choice nursing programs. Whether you are at the beginning stages of a nursing career looking to apply to nursing school or wanting to further your career by becoming a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist, you will probably have to write a nursing school personal statement to gain admission to your program of choice. Your nursing school personal statement is one of the best ways to stand out in a nursing school application . In this blog, we are going to guide you in the process of crafting a strong personal statement that highlights your skills as well as the characteristics you possess that make you a good fit for the program.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 20 min read

Nursing school personal statement examples, nursing school personal statement sample 1.

I stood there not knowing what to do and being completely sure I had made the biggest mistake of my life. My decision to travel to a remote area of the Amazon jungle in Colombia to work as an elementary school tutor felt like the right one at first, but as soon as I got there, I regretted it. Being faced with the harsh reality of a struggling community made me feel completely out of place. It was heart breaking to witness such a palpable scarcity of resources and realize that there was not much that I could do. It took a lot of determination and adaptability to overcome the shock. Eventually, I learned to navigate this new world and embrace my role in the community. I planned lessons for the children and used all my free time to teach their parents to read and write. I developed teaching materials adapting them to my students’ context in order to make them meaningful. In the end, I realized I had become part of their lives, and I was humbled to have met such an amazing group of people. This experience taught me the true meaning of altruism and the value of hard work. This, alongside the cultural sensitivity that I developed, is what I am bringing with me to this new step in my life.

Becoming a nurse has been my goal for a long time. As a child, due to an unfortunate kitchen accident, I burned my arms with hot water and had to stay in the hospital for serval days. I remember being very scared and in pain, but there was a lady in a white uniform who would come to visit me every afternoon. I always enjoyed seeing her because she spoke to me in a way that almost seemed like she was telling me a story, and that put me at ease. One day, I asked her why she always wore white, and she said she was a nurse. ‘A nurse’, I said to myself, thinking that was exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. She was kind and compassionate, and she knew how to explain things. Those traits that I learned from her are the same skills that I have been honing ever since, as I know they will be essential in my future profession.

I could see my breath crystalize in the air as I exhaled, dribbling and dodging the opposing players on my way to the goal. “I’m open,” shouted my teammate, poised right in front of the penalty box, waving his arms. Two more players stood between me and the goal. I hesitated, wondering if I should trust my teammate or try to score the winning point. Turning, I launched the ball into the air with a swift kick, and watched nervously as my teammate stopped it and sent it soaring above the goalie’s head. As the crowd erupted in celebratory cheers, the game time buzzer rang out across the field and I knew I had done the right thing. Every team victory that season was a personal victory, sparking a feeling of elation that I seek to replicate as a member of whichever health care team I have the privilege of joining.

My biggest soccer fan was always my grandmother, who even brought orange slices for the team to practices, claiming, “The little things are the most important!” Several winters ago, my grandmother unknowingly exposed me to nursing when she was hospitalized with pneumonia so severe that we were unsure if she would survive. Though her whole care team was dedicated, her nurse, Jackie, always went above and beyond to make sure my grandmother was comfortable and happy. Every day, Jackie would pop her head into the room and say “How’s my girl today?” or stop what she was doing to run a cool cloth over my grandmother’s feverish forehead. Each time I had to leave the hospital was gut-wrenching, but I felt better knowing that nurse Jackie treated my grandmother with such empathy. I remember being in awe of her kindness when I found out she left my grandmother sticky notes filled with encouraging messages while she was sleeping. When my grandmother asked her why she spent so much time on such little things when she had so many patients to attend to, Jackie winked and whispered, “The little things are the most important!” While I did not know I wanted to be a nurse in that moment, observing the profound impact Jackie made on my grandmother sparked a strong desire to explore the medical field.

Inspired by Jackie’s compassion for patients like my grandmother, I aimed to make the same difference when I signed up to volunteer at Riverview Hospital. With lofty goals of becoming a physician, I threw myself into my volunteering efforts, often coming in early or staying late to help stock supplies. Whenever I had a spare moment, I would chat with a patient, rearrange their pillows, or a myriad of other small things. One of the most striking aspects of my volunteering experience was how little time Riverview doctors were able to spend with their patients due to the sheer number of people to whom they had to attend. Nurses, on the other hand, had near constant interaction with longer-term patients: assisting them to the bathroom, administering medications, or changing IV fluid bags while chatting with them about how they were feeling. I was reminded of Jackie when I watched how tenderly one of the nurses changed their wincing patient’s bandages, all while trying to distract them with friendly conversation. Even aside from the comforting gestures I witnessed so frequently, it was the little things that made such a huge difference in patients’ wellbeing. Without nurses there to help execute the game play, the team would never score! Always a team-player, I knew I wanted to be a nurse.

Though my time spent on the soccer field is less and less these days, I am thrilled about the possibility of joining a new team and working hard to bring us to victory. My introduction to nursing through nurse Jackie could not have been better. Seeing the relief she brought to my grandmother in her most vulnerable state inspired me to do the same for others. Watching the nurses at Riverview Hospital expertly fulfill their duties while treating each patient as an individual cemented my desire to become a nurse who remembers that the little things are the most important. I want to be there with the assist right before the buzzer, helping my patients win, because every victory on a care team will be personal. (Word count: 719)

Nursing School Personal Statement Sample 3

“Help!” my friend Jack screamed as his faced swelled up due to an extreme allergic reaction to a candy bar he had just eaten. At the time, I did not know what to do, except to call for an ambulance. As we arrived at the hospital, I stayed by my friend’s side to offer my support. I saw the physicians and nurses swarmed around him, ready to take action. After my friend’s condition had been stabilized, he was left with the fear of another anaphylactic episode. It was his nurse that was able to calm his fears as she educated him on anaphylaxis and how to make the appropriate dietary changes. While I did not know how to respond with medical attention when my friend needed me, I gained a new purpose. I was inspired to become a nurse and to guide patients in times of uncertainty through compassion and education.  

To build my understanding of the nursing profession, I pursued experiences that would allow me to gain first-hand experience in the healthcare field. I secured a volunteer position at a children’s hospital where I was responsible for checking patients in and ensuring they were comfortable as they waited for their appointments. I was eager to practice helping calm patient nerves, just as the nurse had done for my friend Jack. Through consoling a memorable patient, named ‘Ryan,’ I learned the importance of working in a team of professionals. ‘Ryan’ was crying as he waited for his appointment since he was experiencing pain due to a broken leg. I talked to Ryan in an attempt to calm him down, but I was initially unsuccessful. To hone my approach, I asked a nurse on staff at the hospital how she approached children that are in pain. She shared with me that it is helpful to try to get their mind off the pain, for example by distracting them with an entertaining story. The next time I saw a patient crying like ‘Ryan’ had been, I was armed with funny jokes and engaging stories from my own childhood that I could share to take their mind off of the pain they were experiencing. From my time as a hospital volunteer, I learned that feedback from a team is critical to advancing professionally and providing optimal patient care. I look forward to becoming a nurse myself and working with my team of healthcare professionals to achieve this common goal. 

In my final year of university, I became involved with clinical research; as a research assistant, I approached patients in the same children’s hospital in which I had earlier been a volunteer, but now I worked to enroll patients in our research study. My purpose was to explain the goal of the study to families in the hospital, educating them on its potential impact and answering any questions they had about enrolling. This task was challenging because I was approaching families that I had not yet built a rapport with, and I needed to establish trust before asking if they wanted to enroll their child in our study. This required empathy for the hardship they were experiencing with a sick child, as well as an understanding of how to relay complex information in a way that was approachable to a variety of audiences. I learned that it is best to first ask the patient, or their family, what their understanding of a topic is to establish a baseline from which to build a conversation. In the future, as a nurse, I hope to apply what I have learned to build rapport with patients and their families for greater healthcare outcomes while ensuring that my patients are comfortable under my care. 

Since my friend Jack’s anaphylactic episode, I have taken the initiative to explore the field of nursing and to build the teamwork and communication skills needed to be a successful future nurse. I look forward to my first day of nursing school where I will be surrounded by peers that share the same vision for the future as me: to train as a nurse in order to provide outstanding care to those in distress alongside a team of dedicated professionals. (696 words)

Nursing School Personal Statement Sample 4

Nursing school personal statement sample 5.

The process of creating a strong nursing personal statement starts even before you begin writing. There is a certain amount of preparation that should take place to identify the specific information you want to include in your essay. So, make sure you take all the necessary steps before you are faced with the daunting, but fun, task of writing your first draft. Remember to give yourself between 6 to 8 weeks to write your statement. Be prepared to write several drafts as you edit and change your essay!

The Brainstorming Stage

The first step is what we call the brainstorming stage. You will need to do some soul searching and write many ideas as they come to you. Working on this step can take you anywhere between a couple of hours to a whole week. It really depends on you and how much you can actually remember from your personal history. There are two types of information that you will need to focus on at this stage: 

#1 Personal experiences

The goal behind this step is to start gathering information about your personal story and about any experiences that you have had from which you learned something valuable. The lessons you learned should relate directly to nursing or have contributed to your decision to become a nurse . You want to answer the question: “ Why do you want to be a nurse? ”

In order to do this, think about your life as a child, the characteristics of the place where you were born and raised, any meaningful experiences that may have sparked your interest in the nursing field, any contact that you had with the healthcare world, or any healthcare workers in your family that had some influence on you. Then consider your high school and teenage years and any events that may have increased your interest in becoming a nurse. How did you finalize your decision to apply to nursing school? Did you have an ‘a-ha’ moment, or was it a more gradual process? Whatever the answers to these questions may be, be sure to identify these key moments because they will be useful for addressing the thesis of your essay, which is why you decided to devote your life to a career in nursing.

Here are some examples of meaningful experiences that can potentially spark, or validate, an individual’s interest to become a nurse or what nursing means to you :

• Being raised in a rural area with limited access to health care and wanting to do something about it in the future;
• Growing up in an urban setting where great social disparity is evident and identifying opportunities to contribute to levelling up these differences;
• Experiencing a personal injury or diagnosis that created opportunities to interact with nurses in a clinical setting;
• Watching the illness of a loved one and seeing the impact that nurses have on a patient’s journey;
• Volunteering at something related to the health sciences or an unrelated field with plenty of opportunities for helping others and interacting with them;
• Conducting research in something related to the field;
• Being involved in extracurricular activities that can lead to reaching a high level of compassion or maturity

Remember to always follow show, don’t tell in any personal statement you write:

#2 Nursing school research

Gather as much information as you can about the program so you can identify the specific things you like about it. It is very important to know the reason, or reasons, why you want to apply to a specific program.

In order to do this, you can look at the program’s website and pinpoint two or three specific aspects that interest you. Do you like the program’s curriculum? If so, what do you like about it? Do you like the research lab? Why do you like it? Have you done research in the past? Has this prepared you to make good use of this lab and contribute to whatever research they do here? Do you like the extracurricular initiatives the program offers? Do these align with any extracurricular activities you did in the past? Do you like the opportunities for patient interaction that the program provides? Why? Have you had patient interactions before? What did you learn from them that you can use moving forward? Knowing the specific reasons why you have chosen this program in particular is essential to write a strong essay later on.

Remember that besides telling universities what you hope to get from them, you will also need to show how you can complement their program. Showing what you can bring to the table, by referencing specific experiences you have had in these areas of interest, is the best way for programs to know that you will be successful if you are admitted. 

Look at these skills that are essential in the nursing field, and which are highly valued by nursing schools. You have probably already developed many of these throughout your life and through your experiences. Try to match these values and traits directly to your personal experiences in your essay.

As previously mentioned, the main goal of the brainstorming stage is to identify your reason for wanting to become a nurse as well as the relevant personal experiences that you can reference to support this decision. We suggest you make a list of five to seven experiences that you could potentially include in your essay. This list is going to be significantly reduced later to one or two, but it is good to have a good amount to start with.

As soon as you identify these meaningful experiences, be sure to also identify what you learned from them; that is, the skills you developed, the characteristics you refined, or any learning that resulted from going through these events in your life. Think about this carefully and select those skills that align with the ones your program of choice values. The information collected here is going to be essential later on when you start writing your essay.

Like any other academic essay, your nursing school personal statement should follow an academic structure and be organized in three major sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. See below for information on what each of these sections should include:

1. Introduction

This is your opening paragraph and, as such, it is the first impression you are going to cause on your readers; that is, the members of the admission committee. The purpose of an introduction is to act as a road map that allows the reader to understand where your story is going.

Important to remember here is the fact that an introduction can make or break your essay, so you need to come up with a very good opening sentence. This is the one that will draw the reader in and make them want to keep reading. Your opening sentence can be a quote, an anecdote, an event, or any idea that is captivating and enticing.

For example:

• “It was three in the morning, and I was sitting in an empty room trying to think how my life had come to this.”
• “He did not need to say anything; I knew something was wrong just by looking at him.”

Sentences such as these ones will leave the reader wanting to know more. There is a reason opening sentences are also called ‘hook’ sentences. Can you think of a good hook sentence to open your essay with? 

2. Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay is where you elaborate on the ideas introduced in your opening by providing personal examples. Remember all the brainstorming we asked you to do? This is where that information comes in handy. Your body paragraphs should include information about those meaningful experiences that you have gone through that have sparked and solidified you interest in pursuing a career in nursing.

Depending on the word limit required by your program, you will decide how many of these experiences to include. We asked you to come up with five to seven during the brainstorming stage of the writing process. Now, since our recommendation is quality over quantity, you should plan to include maximum two or three experiences and present one experience in each paragraph. Of course, one experience per paragraph is not all it takes. Besides presenting the experience, you need to include what skills or characteristics you developed because of this event and how you will be able to apply these skills moving forward in your nursing profession.

In case the program provided a specific question or prompt to be addressed, add a fourth paragraph where you answer this question. It is important to tell the program what they want to know, so do not forget to include this information as part of your body paragraphs.

Mention how your skills can be drawn upon in the future in order to give the admissions committee a glimpse of the type of nurse and professional you are going to be. Remember some of the essential skills in the nursing profession that we mentioned above and see how they connect to your past experiences. 

3. Conclusion

The same way we place great importance on the introduction of a nursing school personal statement, we also want to emphasize the big role that your concluding paragraph has on your entire text. The most important thing we can tell you is that a conclusion should not be a summary. It should, instead, be a place to emphasize some of the major ideas you previously discussed and, when possible, it should circle back to the introduction.

Conclusions have to be insightful and captivating. They should convey a sense of closure and an invitation to keep reflecting on the ideas that were presented in the essay. Think that this is the very last thing that the admissions committee will read from you. What is the last impression that you want to leave on these people? Be creative! 

Here are some more nursing school personal statement examples to help you!

Here are some other aspects about drafting your personal statement to be considered:

Besides all the information that you brainstormed from your own personal history and from the programs\u2019 websites regarding the areas that interest you, there is something else that should be part of the content of your essay, and that is the prompt. You need to be aware of the prompt of the essay provided to you by the program, and you always want to address it. Some programs will ask for a general essay describing your motivations to become a nurse, in which case the information you gathered during the brainstorming stage will suffice, while others will give you a specific question to answer, in which case one paragraph of your essay should be devoted to answering said question.  ","label":"Content","title":"Content"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

No matter how much effort and time you put in writing your personal statement, there is a high probability that the committee members will not spend too much time reading it. Do not take this personally. They go through many application documents from many applicants like you and do not want to waste too much time reading one single essay, especially if it is not interesting enough. They want, instead, to be able to identify in a few minutes whether you are the person they are looking for.

This, of course, creates the need for applicants to write essays that have great content, great structure, and that have that ‘it’ factor that will make them stand out in a nursing school application . Your essay should be easy to read and have a great narrative. It should not read like a nursing school application resume or list every single experience you have had in chronological order. As we mentioned before, quality is better than quantity, and your nursing school personal essay should have precisely that: quality.

What experiences should end up in your body paragraphs? That is up to you. What we can suggest is that you diversify the content by highlighting experiences from different dimensions of your life. Having one of the paragraphs address a personal experience, the second address a research or academic experience, and the third address a volunteering or extracurricular activity is much better than including three experiences related to only research, for instance. Be strategic in how you showcase your skills!

Follow these steps to start drafting you essay: 

• Remember all the information you brainstormed earlier? The first thing you need to do is identify the top three experiences from your life that you want to include. 
• Once you have them, write them in bullet points. Create one bullet point for each that mentions what the experience is. 
• Then, expand each bullet point into sentences and these sentences into paragraphs. 
• As we mentioned above, each paragraph should have three essential elements: what the experience was (i.e., the meaningful experience), the main takeaways you got from it (i.e., skills you developed, characteristics you enhanced, etc.), and future applications (i.e., how you can apply this learning moving forward). 
• Once you have your paragraphs ready to go, make sure you start each one of them with a good opening sentence. Each paragraph should follow the same structure of the general essay. This will create flow and cohesion between ideas.
• You can look at sample medical school personal statements and think how these medical school essays could be applied to the nursing field.

Ok, so you finished writing your first draft. Good job! However, this is only the beginning. Once you are happy with your first draft, you will need to receive expert feedback on it. Having a professional like a nursing school admissions consulting service look at your essay and suggest changes to enhance what you have written is vital to create a strong product. You will see that, more often than not, these experts will be able to identify weak areas and ineffective ideas that you will not perceive.

Once someone else looks at your essay, be sure to incorporate their suggestions, work on editing and polishing up your document, and do another revision. Crafting the perfect essay that will grant you admission to your dream program is a process that should be done carefully and conscientiously. That means multiple revisions and edits are essential. In general, writing a strong competitive essay does not happen overnight. The whole process can take several weeks. So, be prepared to put in the effort and remember to do some happy writing!

The nursing school personal statement should highlight some of your most meaningful personal experiences and the skills you gained through them that will make you a great nursing professional. It should provide a good narrative that will help the admissions committee know more about you as a person and about your chance to be successful in their program. By showing that you possess certain skills that are important in the nursing profession, the committee members will see that you are a good fit.

Writing your personal essay is not an easy task and should not be taken lightly, but when you finally finish writing and look at the amazing essay you have created, you will feel satisfied with the job you did and will be able to show your program of choice why they need to have you.

No. Essays may or may not be required, depending on the program. You can check this portal and this portal to learn more.

No. There are a few steps that you wan to follow before you actually start writing. One of those is the brainstorming stage, and it will help you come up with all the ideas and information that you will need to write a good essay.

Personal information and information about the program or the areas that interest you.

Personal experiences that have been meaningful enough and that have allowed you to develop different skills that are important in the nursing field.

You need to identify the two or three areas of the program that attract you the most and see how those relate to your own experiences.

To identify the reasons that have led you to pursue a career in nursing.

It should have an academic structure and include an introduction, three or four body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Yes, it is! You need to stay within the limit in order to show that you can be concise and also follow instructions.

Then you make sure you address it. Do not leave this information out, as it is essential to provide the program with the information they want to know.

Because it is the first impression that you are going to have on your readers.

It should begin with a captivating opening sentence in the introduction. A statement, quote, or anecdote that is creative and that sparks curiosity on the reader.

You want to describe one meaningful experience per paragraph (i.e., personal example), include the main takeaways from this experience, and how this learning can be applied in the future.

You need to have an expert give you feedback on it. You may think it is already perfect, but personal essays usually require lots of revisions before they can be at the competitive stage.

It depends on the writer, but it is usually something that does not happen overnight. It usually takes several weeks. It depends on how much access you have to professionals who can provide good feedback and how much time you devote to incorporating their suggestions.

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How to Write a Nursing Personal Statement

28th May 2024

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Writing a nursing personal statement is a critical step in your journey to becoming a nurse. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate why you are passionate about nursing and how your experiences and aspirations align with the goals of the nursing school you are applying to. This article will guide you through crafting a compelling personal statement for nursing school, ensuring that your application stands out in a competitive field.

Understanding the Purpose of Your Nursing Personal Statement

The primary goal of a nursing personal statement is to highlight your dedication to nursing as a career and to show admissions committees why you would be a valuable addition to their school. This document should reflect both your academic achievements and the personal qualities that make you suited to nursing, such as empathy, resilience, and a strong desire to help others.

Preparing to Write

Before you start writing your nursing personal statement, it’s essential to understand what nursing programmes are looking for. Nursing schools want candidates with strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to healthcare, and a clear understanding of nursing. Start by reflecting on your experiences that relate to nursing, including any volunteer work, previous coursework, or personal experiences in medical settings.

How to Start a Personal Statement for Nursing

Opening your nursing personal statement is your first chance to make an impression. Begin with a strong hook—an anecdote, a compelling fact, or a poignant experience directly related to nursing. It could be a personal experience that inspired your choice to pursue nursing or an observation from your experiences that shaped your understanding of what makes a good nurse.

Example : “The moment I handed the newborn to her mother, feeling the tangible impact of care and compassion in the maternity ward, I knew my career had to be in nursing.”

Structuring Your Personal Statement

A well-structured personal statement for nursing school should flow logically and cover several key areas:

1. Introduction: This section should include your initial hook and a brief overview of why you are drawn to nursing.

2. Body Paragraphs:

• Motivation for Nursing: Discuss what drives your interest in nursing. Incorporate personal narratives or experiences that demonstrate your passion and commitment.
• Academic Preparedness: Highlight any academic achievements or specific coursework relevant to nursing. It might include sciences like biology or psychology, which are pertinent to the nursing field.
• Relevant Skills and Qualities: Outline the qualities that make you a good fit for nursing, such as empathy, patience, and the ability to work under pressure. Use examples from your experiences to highlight these traits.
• Professional Experience: Include any healthcare-related work or volunteer work that has prepared you for a nursing career. Describe what these experiences taught you about the profession and how they have shaped your career aspirations.

3. Conclusion: Summarise your vital points and restate your enthusiasm for becoming a nurse. Make a compelling case for why the school should choose you over other candidates.

Crafting the Perfect Nursing Personal Statement

To create a perfect personal statement in nursing, consider these five crucial points:

• Personal Reflection: Begin with a deep introspection of your unique experiences. Identify moments in your life that have distinctly influenced your decision to pursue nursing—whether it was an inspiring encounter with a healthcare professional or a personal experience caring for a loved one.
• Specific Examples: Instead of broad descriptions, detail specific scenarios highlighting your skills and determination. For example, discuss a particular instance when you managed a stressful medical situation or contributed to a team during a critical event. These stories add authenticity and depth to your statement.
• Professional Tone: A formal yet approachable tone throughout your nursing personal statement is essential. It demonstrates your professionalism and respect for the nursing profession. A serious tone underscores the sincerity of your commitment to healthcare.
• Structural Integrity: Logically organise your statement. Each paragraph should flow naturally into the next, with clear transitions and structured development of ideas. This coherence shows that you can communicate effectively, a vital skill for any nurse.
• Focus on the Future: While reflecting on past experiences is essential, articulate your future aspirations in nursing. Include details of how your previous experiences have prepared you for the challenges of a nursing career and how they’ve motivated you to advance within the field.

Editing and Refining

To effectively edit and refine your nursing personal statement follow these five steps:

• Take a Break: After completing your draft, take a few days. You’ll return to your text with a fresh perspective, thus making it easier to spot areas for improvement.
• Seek Feedback: Review your statement with mentors, educators, or peers with nursing or admissions experience. Their expert insights can offer valuable perspectives on enhancing the clarity and impact of your narrative.
• Focus on Motivation and Persuasiveness: During the review process, consider how your motivations for pursuing nursing are articulated. Ensure your reasons are compelling and that your experiences robustly support your aspirations.
• Smooth Transitions: Carefully review the transitions between paragraphs, ensuring they are smooth and logical. Good transitions help maintain the flow of your narrative, making your statement more readable and engaging.
• Grammar and Style Checks: Lastly, thoroughly check grammatical errors and style consistency. Consider using professional editing tools or services to polish your statement to perfection. A well-edited personal statement for nursing school reflects your attention to detail and commitment to presenting your best self.

The Value of Professional Assistance

As you finalise your nursing personal statement, consider the value of professional personal statement writing services. Crafting a statement that genuinely stands out requires introspection, technical writing skills, and an understanding of what admissions committees prioritise. Professional editors or experienced mentors in the field of nursing can offer substantial improvements to both the content and structure of your statement.

These experts can help refine your narrative, ensuring that it meets the high standards of nursing schools and showcases your unique qualifications and passion for nursing. Taking professional help can be a decisive step towards ensuring that your personal statement is polished, persuasive, and poised to make a memorable impact.

Oxbridge Personal Statements: Your Pathway to Success

Elevate your nursing application with the unparalleled expertise of  Oxbridge Personal Statements . Our team of skilled experts, who bring years of experience from top universities, specialise in crafting perfect nursing personal statements that resonate with admissions panels. Whether you are just starting to learn how to write a nursing personal statement or looking to refine an existing draft, our services are designed to meet your needs.

Reach your potential with a personal statement highlighting your dedication, skills, and readiness for nursing. At Oxbridge Personal Statements, we provide personalised guidance and strategic insights that transform your personal experiences into compelling stories of passion and purpose. Tell us your requirements and let us help you make a solid and positive impression that will make the way for your success in nursing school.

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Writing a Band 5 Personal Statement, With Examples

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A Band 5 personal statement example is a great way to understand what is expected in your nursing application. A band 5 nurse is generally proficient and has the ability to work autonomously. When writing your personal statement, include specific examples demonstrating how you have exceeded expectations in nursing roles.

Make sure to highlight your unique skills and abilities and what distinguishes you from other applicants. Above all, ensure that your statement reflects who you are as a nurse and why you would be an excellent addition to any team.

This article outlines tips to write a high-quality band 5 personal statement and help you write one effectively.

What Is a Band 5 Nursing Personal Statement?

A band 5 nursing personal statement is an important document that showcases a potential nurse’s skills and qualifications. It is often used as a reference or application requirement by hospitals , care homes, or other health-related organizations.

The document provides additional information about the applicant, such as their education, work history, achievements, and goals related to their career in nursing. Having a well-crafted band 5 personal statement can often play a critical role in securing employment opportunities within the field of nursing.

What Is Unique About Band 5 Nurses?

Band 5 nurses are responsible for providing basic nursing care to patients. This includes tasks such as taking patient vitals, administering medication and treatments, and assisting with other medical procedures.

They also provide emotional support to patients and their families and help maintain a positive environment in the hospital or clinic setting. To be successful in this role, you need strong communication skills, compassion for others, and a dedication to providing high-quality care.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Personal Statement

Below are some valuable tips for writing a nursing personal statement:

• Ensure your personal statement is well-written and error-free. A sloppy or poorly written personal statement will likely count against you, no matter how good your qualifications otherwise may be.
• Start early and allow yourself time to write a strong essay. Don’t wait until the last minute to start writing; it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to produce your best work under pressure.
• Tailor your statement specifically for the nursing program(s) you are applying to. Research the requirements of each program carefully so that you can highlight relevant experience and skills in your essay.
• Finally, make sure your personal statement is authentic and representative of who you are. Avoid generic statements or clichés, and let the admissions committee see what makes YOU unique.

Band 5 Personal Statement Example

A nursing band 5 personal statement example is a way of understanding what is expected of you. It also shows what it will take to be competitive for a nursing job. Here’s a strong nursing personal statement example generated by the Hey INK tool.

I have always been passionate about nursing and working with children. I first discovered my interest in child nursing when I worked as a volunteer at a pediatric ward during my undergraduate degree. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career in child nursing.

Since then, I have gained valuable experience working in various pediatric wards across the UK. In addition, I have also completed numerous modules related to child health care which has helped me develop strong core skills in this area. My educational qualifications further confirm that I am fully equipped to work as a nurse with children.

What drives me most is the desire to help children who are unwell or injured get better quickly and return to their families. Working as a nurse for children fills me with immense satisfaction. It makes me happy knowing through our efforts, we impact their life journey – no matter how small it may be!

My interest in nursing has always been quite strong. I have wanted to be a nurse since childhood because nurses are the backbone of any hospital setting. They provide essential medical care and support to patients who need it most. This is why I decided early on in my academic career that nursing would be the perfect career for me. This is a field where I could make a real difference in people’s lives.

I pursued this dream by studying Nursing at University. And during this time worked as an intern at St George’s Hospital in the intensive unit care ward. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed me to develop hands-on skills which will be vital in my future nursing career. I also gained qualifications such as First Aid certificates and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. It stands me in good stead for working as a nurse.

My work experience at St George’s Hospital has taught me many valuable lessons about success in this profession. Integrity, empathy, and dedication top that list! As someone with strong ethical values, these are precisely the qualities that drew me towards nursing. And nursing is a field where upholding patient dignity is paramount above everything else. It is clear to see then why nursing holds so much value to me and my dedication to pursuing a career as a nurse.

Nurturing patients back to health is a rewarding but challenging role. If you’re dedicated to pursuing a career as a nurse, make sure to write a compelling personal statement for the position.

This article provides practical tips to help you write a Band 5 nursing personal statement with examples to use as guidance.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Band 6 Nurse Personal Statement Examples & Tips | Get Helpful Advice from CVLocum

Get a Head Start on Writing Your Nurse Personal Statement with our Band 5, 6, and 7 Examples.

A nursing personal statement is one of the essential elements of a successful nursing application. It is a chance to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experiences that make you the best possible candidate for the course and the profession.

For a band 6 nursing personal statement, you need to provide detailed evidence of your abilities, including communication skills, multi disciplinary working, and evidence-based practice. In this blog post, we will explore some successful examples of band 6 nurse personal statements, highlighting what you should include and how you can make your statement unique.

What to Include in a Nursing Personal Statement

Writing an effective personal statement is important because it serves as a reflection of one’s passion, commitment, and suitability for a career in nursing.

It provides an opportunity to showcase relevant experiences, skills, and qualities that make an individual a strong candidate for nursing school or a nursing position. A well-crafted personal statement allows applicants to convey their understanding of the nursing profession, their motivation for choosing this path, and their potential to contribute to the field.

It helps admissions committees and employers gain insight into an applicant’s character, values, and potential for success as a registered nurse. A compelling personal statement can set an applicant apart from others and demonstrate their genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of patients and the healthcare community as a whole.

Related: Crafting the Perfect CV Nurse Writing Tips, Templates and examples included.

Related: 11 Example Nurse Safeguarding Questions for Interview + Answers | CVLocum

It is worth mentioning these important points when writing your nursing personal statement:

– Introduce yourself and explain your passion for nursing.

– Highlight any relevant experiences, such as clinical placements or healthcare volunteering, and describe how they have shaped your desire to pursue nursing as a career.

– Discuss your understanding of the nursing profession, including the challenges and rewards it entails.

– Demonstrate your knowledge of and commitment to providing compassionate and patient-centred care.

– Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and a multi disciplinary team.

– Showcase your dedication to lifelong learning and medical profession development in the field of nursing.

– Discuss any specific areas of nursing that you are particularly interested in or have experience in, such as adult nursing, mental health nursing, or paediatric nursing.

– Highlight any relevant skills and qualities, such as empathy, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

– Reflect on any personal qualities or experiences that have prepared you for a career in nursing, such as being a good listener, working well under pressure, or being able to adapt to changing situations.

– Conclude by summarising your commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of patients and your enthusiasm for embarking on a nursing career.

Example of Band 6 Personal Statement:

A Band 6 person statement may differ from other bands as it represents a higher level of experience, expertise, and responsibility. As a Band 6 Registered nurse, you are expected to demonstrate advanced clinical skills, leadership abilities, and the capacity to work autonomously.

Additionally, showcasing your ability to adapt to changing healthcare environments and your dedication to delivering person-centred care will set you apart as a strong candidate for a Band 6 nursing role.

Band 6 Personal Statement Example 1:

”As a dedicated and compassionate nurse, I am excited to apply for the Band 6 position in your hospital. With several years of experience working in various healthcare settings, I have developed a deep understanding of patient care and a passion for delivering high-quality services.

My clinical expertise extends across different specialties, including medical-surgical, paediatric, and geriatric nursing. I pride myself on my ability to establish therapeutic relationships with patients and their families, providing empathetic and patient-centred care.

My goal is to contribute to the enhancement of healthcare delivery, advocate for patient rights, and promote evidence-based practice. I believe that my experience, skills, and passion make me a strong candidate for the Band 6 role, and I am eager to contribute to the team and make a positive difference in the lives of patients”

Band 6 Personal Statement Example 2:

”As an experienced nurse with a strong passion for patient care since a young age, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the your team. With a solid foundation in various healthcare settings, I possess the skills and knowledge necessary to provide compassionate and evidence-based care.

My commitment to continuous professional development ensures that I stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in nursing practice. I thrive in collaborative environments and am dedicated to working alongside interdisciplinary teams to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

With a patient-centred approach and a focus on delivering high-quality care, I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact as a Band 6 nurse.”

Adult Nursing Personal Statement Example:

Your adult nursing personal statement should highlight your knowledge and skills related to adult care. Additionally, showcasing your understanding of the unique challenges and needs of adult patients.

Your personal statement should also highlight your commitment to continuing professional development and your dedication to staying updated with evidence-based practices in adult nursing.

Adult Nursing Personal Statement Example 1:

”I have always been passionate about providing high-quality care to individuals during their most vulnerable moments. As an aspiring adult nurse in the UK, I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of adult patients and their families in your nursing home.

I possess excellent communication skills, enabling me to establish trusting relationships with patients and effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. My empathetic nature and ability to remain calm under pressure allow me to provide compassionate support to patients facing challenging health conditions.

With a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to continuously enhance my skills, I am eager to embark on the next step of my career as an adult nurse, contributing to the well-being of individuals in need.”

Adult Nursing Example 2:

”I am a dedicated and compassionate nurse and particularly a nurse for elderly patients. Through my experience as a healthcare assistant, I have developed essential skills in administering medications, providing personal care, and supporting patients with diverse needs.

I possess excellent communication and teamwork abilities, which enable me to establish rapport with patients and collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals. With a focus on delivering patient-centred care, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of nursing practice.

I am excited to embark on the next chapter of my career as an adult nurse in your nursing home and make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need.”

Example of Band 5 Personal Statement:

Band 5 personal statement example 1:.

”As an enthusiastic and dedicated nurse, I am excited to start my career as a Band 5 nurse after completing my nursing degree. With extensive experience in various healthcare settings, including medical-surgical units and mental health facilities, I possess strong assessment and medication administration skills.

I excel in building rapport with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams, prioritising effective communication. Committed to lifelong learning, I stay updated with evidence-based practices to provide high-quality care.

With my passion for nursing and drive for continuous improvement, I am ready to make a positive impact as part of a healthcare team as that is where my own personal fulfilment lies.”

Band 5 Example 2:

”As a passionate and caring individual, I am thrilled to embark on my journey as a Band 5 nurse. With a solid foundation in nursing education and hands-on clinical experience, I have honed my skills.

I am adept at fostering therapeutic relationships with patients and their families, providing emotional support, and promoting their well-being. Collaborating effectively with healthcare teams is a priority for me, as I believe in the power of multidisciplinary care to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Through ongoing professional development and a commitment to evidence-based practice, I strive to deliver compassionate and patient-centred care. With a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for nursing, I am eager to contribute to the healthcare profession.”

Example of Band 7 Personal Statement:

Band 7 personal statement example 1:.

”As an experienced Band 7 nurse, I am dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care, leading quality improvement initiatives, and mentoring junior staff.

With advanced clinical expertise and a commitment to ongoing professional development, I strive to enhance patient outcomes through evidence-based practices. By fostering collaborative relationships and prioritising patient well-being, I create a supportive and innovative healthcare environment.

I am eager to utilise my skills and passion for nursing to make a positive impact.”

Band 7 Example 2:

”As a Band 7 nurse, I want to feel a high level of job satisfaction in a rewarding field of healthcare, I possess extensive clinical knowledge and leadership skills that enable me to deliver high-quality care and drive positive change in healthcare settings.

With a focus on evidence-based practice, I continuously seek opportunities for professional development and stay abreast of advancements in nursing. Through effective communication, teamwork, and a patient-centred approach, I strive to provide personalised care and create a supportive environment for both patients and colleagues.

With a strong commitment to excellence and a passion for nursing, I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field.”

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a nursing personal statement is a chance to showcase your skill sets, knowledge, and nursing experience that make you the best possible candidate for the profession. Emphasise your passion, commitment, and desire to provide the best possible care for patients.

Good luck in your journey towards becoming a great nurse!

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Showcasing Your Strengths: Writing an Effective Nursing Personal Statement

• Tristram Lewis-Stempel
• June 2, 2023

Nursing Personal Statement Overview

The nursing personal statement is a crucial component of your application to nursing school . It serves a dual purpose: it provides a platform to express your interest in the field of nursing and it offers an opportunity for admissions committees to get to know you on a personal level. In other words, it is your opportunity to tell your story, to shine a light on your experiences, and to showcase your passion for nursing.

The structure of the nursing personal statement can be broken down into several key components, although these can be tailored to your individual experiences and the specific prompts provided by different nursing schools.

• Introduction: The introduction is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention. Start with an engaging anecdote, question, or statement that gives insight into your motivation to pursue nursing. This should lead seamlessly into your thesis or main argument: why you are passionate about nursing and what you will bring to the profession.
• Body: In the body of your personal statement, illustrate your interest and commitment to nursing through your experiences and reflections. You can discuss relevant coursework, clinical experiences, research, volunteer work, or personal experiences. Remember to show rather than tell; use specific examples to bring your experiences to life and to demonstrate your ability to reflect on your experiences. This reflection shows maturity and a deep understanding of the nursing profession.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion should reiterate your commitment to nursing and highlight your main points. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of your unique perspective on nursing and why you are a strong candidate for their program.

There are a few key points to keep in mind while crafting your nursing personal statement. First, be authentic and personal. The statement is not just about stating facts about your experiences, but about showing who you are. Second, be reflective, not just descriptive. Reflection on your experiences, growth, and learning shows your capacity for critical thinking, a crucial skill in nursing. Lastly, make sure your statement is well-organised and free of grammar or spelling errors. A clear, well-written statement shows that you can communicate effectively, another essential skill for nurses.

Nursing School Admissions Overview

Securing a place in a UK nursing programme can be an arduous yet fulfilling journey, requiring a mix of academic credentials, relevant experience, and personal commitment to the profession.

Firstly, let’s focus on academic qualifications. Most nursing programmes in the UK require a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C), including English, Mathematics, and a Science subject. At the A-level, you’ll usually need at least two A-levels, preferably in related subjects. However, entry requirements vary among universities, so it’s advisable to check the specific requirements of your preferred institutions.

Degree courses in nursing fall into four primary categories: adult nursing, children’s nursing, mental health nursing, and learning disability nursing. Some universities also offer dual field courses, allowing you to specialise in two of the aforementioned fields. Choosing the right course will depend on your areas of interest and career aspirations.

Application to nursing schools in the UK is streamlined through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Your UCAS application will include your academic record, a personal statement, and a reference. It’s important to remember that places are limited, and competition can be fierce, which places significant weight on the quality of your personal statement.

Work experience in healthcare is highly valued during the admissions process. This could include volunteering at a local hospital, care home, or community service. The aim is to demonstrate your commitment to and understanding of the nursing profession. Additionally, it allows you to develop and showcase skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork, which are essential in nursing.

Lastly, if your application is successful, you’ll be invited for an interview . This could be a one-on-one, group, or Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. Some schools have also incorporated situational judgement tests (SJTs) or numeracy tests into their selection process. These interviews and tests assess your understanding of the nursing role, ethical judgement, communication skills, and your motivation for choosing nursing.

Patient Care Experience

In the nursing profession, patient care experience is not just desirable – it’s essential. Within your nursing personal statement, your ability to showcase your experience with patient care can significantly enhance your application.

Patient care experience is about more than just time spent in a healthcare setting. It’s about what you’ve learned from interacting with patients, their families, and healthcare professionals. It’s about your understanding of the patient experience and your ability to empathise and connect with people during their most vulnerable moments.

Perhaps you have volunteered at a local care home or hospital, providing support to patients and aiding their recovery. Or maybe you’ve spent time working in a hospice, delivering end-of-life care with compassion and respect. These experiences help demonstrate your ability to provide emotional support, communicate effectively, and work as part of a healthcare team.

In your medicine personal statement , be sure to discuss specific examples of patient interactions that influenced your perspective or affirmed your decision to pursue a career in nursing. Reflect on the skills you gained or honed, whether it be patience, resilience, empathy, or communication skills.

Passion for Healthcare

Additionally, conveying your passion for healthcare is crucial. The nursing profession is not just a job; it’s a vocation that demands dedication and a deep-rooted desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Your passion for healthcare could be inspired by a personal experience or a long-held aspiration to contribute positively to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. It might have been kindled by an influential role model, or perhaps it’s the intellectual challenge of healthcare that captivates you.

Regardless of its origin, you should articulate your passion in a compelling and heartfelt manner in your personal statement. Describe the experiences, encounters, or insights that have nurtured your passion for healthcare. Discuss how this passion motivates you to navigate the challenges and rewards of a nursing career.

Passion, when combined with knowledge and experience, makes for a potent mix that nursing admissions panels are looking for. Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, keeping up-to-date with advancements in healthcare and nursing best practices. Above all, show your enthusiasm for providing compassionate care to patients and making a meaningful impact on their lives.

In both the ‘patient care experience’ and ‘passion for healthcare’ sections of your nursing personal statement, authenticity is key. Be honest, be reflective, and let your true dedication to the nursing profession shine through.

Teamwork & Leadership

In as dynamic and demanding a field as nursing, teamwork and leadership skills are of the utmost importance. These traits enable nurses to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams and play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. When crafting your nursing personal statement, it’s essential to highlight your strengths in teamwork and leadership.

Start with your experiences in teamwork. You could talk about your role in a group project at university, your part-time job in a collaborative environment, or your experiences volunteering with a team. Discuss the specific roles you played, the challenges you faced, and how you helped your team overcome those challenges. Reflect on what you learned from those experiences and how they have honed your ability to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate effectively within a team.

Then, shift your focus to your leadership experiences. Leadership in nursing doesn’t necessarily mean being in a managerial role; it can mean taking the initiative, showing resilience in the face of adversity, and influencing positive change in your environment. Reflect on times when you have demonstrated leadership, whether it was leading a study group, spearheading a community initiative, or stepping up during a critical situation in a healthcare setting.

While discussing your leadership experiences, highlight traits such as decisiveness, integrity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. Talk about instances when you’ve had to make tough decisions, how you managed conflicts, or led by example. Remember to showcase how you’ve used these teamwork and leadership skills within a healthcare setting, if possible. For instance, working within a team during a hospital work experience, or leading a health promotion campaign in your community. These examples will demonstrate your understanding of the collaborative nature of healthcare and your potential as a future nurse leader.

Finally, explain how you aim to further develop these skills during your nursing degree and beyond. Highlight your commitment to continuous personal and professional development and your aspiration to utilise these skills to improve patient care and health outcomes.

In essence, your nursing personal statement should tell the story of who you are, your journey towards nursing, and your potential to excel in the field. By weaving in your teamwork and leadership skills within that narrative, you not only showcase your capabilities but also illustrate your understanding of the critical role these skills play in nursing practice.

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How to write an effective personal statement

Some nursing jobs may require you to write a personal statement. Here’s how to show how well you can nurse in a few hundred words …

Your personal statement is your first opportunity to impress a possible future employer. You only have a few hundred words, but get these right and you’ll be sat in the interview room before you know it.

Why are you applying?

Employers are looking for someone who is passionate about their specific job, not someone who wants any job they can find. Your personal statement is an opportunity to tell your future employer how enthusiastic you are about the unique position they are offering.

Why should they hire you?

You’ve probably already listed your qualifications in other sections of your application, so don’t waste words repeating yourself. Your personal statement is all about setting you apart from everyone else and is a chance to show what a perfect candidate you are.

Use their job description to your advantage

An employer’s job description tells you exactly what they are looking for in an ideal world. You need to let them know how well you match it.

Run through their job description and list, with examples, why and how you could fulfil each requirement.

If they haven’t given you a detailed guide, although every job will be different, there are certain areas that all nursing jobs want you to be competent in and are definitely worth mentioning:

• Communication skills : being able to talk clearly and convey messages with people in different types of job positions and also being able to empathise with patients
• Multi-professional working : working effectively with different members of the team, knowing who to refer to and building a good relationship with other professionals
• Assessment skills : knowledge and experience of different assessment tools and techniques
• Record keeping : showing accuracy and clarity in your documentation
• Administering medication safely : how you ensure you do not make any drug errors
• Using research-based practice : using the current evidence base to ensure your practice is up-to-date
• Have you checked your spelling?
• Have you given examples?
• Have you shown how you meet all the essential competencies in the job description?
• Have you said why you want the job?
• Have you read it back and made sure it makes sense?
• Have you asked someone else to check it makes sense?

Keep it simple

Although written skills are important, employers are not expecting an essay.

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Keep your points concise and remember that they are looking for someone who shows enthusiasm and professionalism.

As long as you link back to the job description to show you really know what they want, you can’t go far wrong.

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One comment

Thank you for your post, it is really informative! I also think that indicating your ambitions is key. It is better to show admissions tutors that you have a plan, and that your education plans fit with this plan and it is better to mention in your personal statement. You can also read more tips here http://residencypersonalstatements.net/blog/2016/09/02/eras-personal-statement-word-count/

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How to Write a Nursing School Personal Statement: What to Include, Examples, and Mistakes to Avoid

So, you have decided to go to nursing school, or advance your nursing career by furthering your education. Now is the time to become familiar with the application process, get your transcripts and letters of recommendation in order and compose the, in some cases dreaded personal statement. Writing a personal statement is a common part of the application process when working to advance your education. However, the term "Personal Statement" is a bit of a misnomer. The universities and colleges asking for this essay are not looking for your life story. Instead, they want you to demonstrate what makes you uniquely qualified as a candidate for their program. In this post you will find the information necessary to make you stand out among hundreds of other applicants, create a personal statement tailored to your personal goals as well as to your potential institutions, and find out what common mistakes are made and how to avoid them.

Although some institutions will give you a specific prompt to discuss when applying to the program, many will request a general personal statement (aka a statement of purpose). There are some commonalities among all of these essays for which you will find appropriate advice here, to different degrees, depending on the program application requirements. Each of these essays should be written for the specific program you are applying to, so be wary of differences not only in essay type or topic but also appropriate formatting and length. Above all, be aware that you are writing to present yourself as a professional capable of caring for the lives of others; following their provided guidelines and avoiding familiar language (such as contractions and common word abbreviations) will allow you to present yourself in the best possible light.

General guidelines

The personal statement.

Although you want to refrain from telling the story of your life, you still want to make it personal. Be sure to illustrate with specific and unique examples why you are cut out for this career and the specific program you are applying to. There are many things that can be included in this category, not all of them will be right for each applicant to discuss or appropriate for the prompts that each individual provides. However, this list should give you an idea of what the evaluators are looking for in a strong candidate:

Educational background

• Did you take advanced biology classes in high school? If so, you may want to highlight this background and how it demonstrates your devotion to health care.
• Have you gone out of your way to learn relevant skills? Perhaps you can discuss your CPR certification training.
• Have you been administering insulin to a diabetic cat for years? This demonstrates a devotion to health care and the ability to learn transferable skills. In fact, my long history of doing this has come up in highly successful interviews in the past, which was the inspiration for this particular example. Although I was medicating a different species than I would be working with, this history demonstrates the ability to regulate insulin levels, properly store medication, fill a syringe safely, and correctly administer a subcutaneous injection.

Volunteer work

• Volunteer work at a hospital is likely a common point of discussion for aspiring nurses. e sure to tell a story about a situation that makes you stand out which solidified your certainty that this is the right field for you.
• Assisted living facilities, caring for special needs children, working at animal shelters, or volunteering at homeless shelters (among other things) may also be sources of inspiration that allow you to highlight why you should be accepted into the program.
• Supervisors in these types of positions may also be great resources for recommendation letters or potential proofreaders for the initial draft of your personal statement.

Work experience

• If you have worked in a related field in a paid position, this should definitely be not only included in your essay, but considered a potential source of a particularly persuasive letter of recommendation.
• Your employer may also be an excellent resource to ask for feedback regarding rough drafts of your personal statement.

Personal motivation

• Do you have a unique story that has compelled you to want to pursue the field of nursing; perhaps you helped care for a family member? These personal motivations are also excellent ways to set yourself apart.

Relevant acquired skills

• Have you acquired a particular skill set relevant to nursing outside of traditional means? This is the time to highlight that achievement. Perhaps you have experience working in a pharmacy or have proven yourself in high-stress situations; these characteristics translate well into the field of nursing.
• Another asset that you might find to be in your favor is fluency in a foreign language, or ASL. This unique skill set might make you a valuable candidate as well as a more highly sought after employee once you graduate.

Unique traits that make you stand out

• Thousands of applicants to nursing programs write that they have "always wanted to go into nursing", sometimes even in their opening line. Find a way to stand out.
• For example, in my personal statement, I wrote about how I actually did not have a traditional story that culminated in my pursuit of higher education. I found my way from grill cook and karate instructor to medical research science. Embrace the fact that you may not be conventional. Letting your personality, background and voice come through in your personal statement will help the admissions committee determine if you are a great fit for their program.

The right fit

As with any educational program, fit is important when looking into pursuing a nursing degree. Demonstrating that you have researched the program, and illustrating in your essay why it is the place for you, will set you apart from other applicants. Additionally, if your long term goal is to be an ER nurse, for example, and you are applying to a program known for a different type of nursing, application reviewers will see this in a negative light.

Essay topics

In some cases, colleges and universities will give you a specific prompt for this essay or ask for a series of short essays addressing particular questions. In these cases, be sure to answer their questions thoroughly and be aware of formatting guidelines and word count limitations. Equally important, be sure to demonstrate ways in which you are a good fit for not only the program, but also the nursing profession. This is a position that is both incredibly personal and physically demanding, but also a situation where you need to be cool under fire and fastidious with your work. Use any opportunity you can to demonstrate that you possess these characteristics in a way that makes you a highly competitive candidate and a potential star in your chosen field.

If you have applied for continued education in the past and have written this kind of essay before, you may have noticed that applying to nursing programs is a bit unique. Particularly, there is a more empathic slant to writing these essays. As personal statements go, writing one for a nursing program is much more 'personal' than preparing one for academic study. To put this all in context, below are some sample essay prompts used by nursing schools in the past. Following this, some advice from successful career nurses will lend an additional perspective from professionals directly working in the field you aspire to join.

Sample prompts

The Vanderbilt University website currently gives the following information regarding the personal statement portion of the application process:

Your Statement of Purpose should reflect your understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse and your interest in a particular patient population. Before writing your statement of purpose, please carefully review information about the specialty on our web site so that you clearly indicate to the faculty that your career goals are a fit with the specialty. If you are applying to a dual specialty, be sure to address the scope of practice in each specialty area. Students are offered admission to their selected specialty; it is not possible to enter the program undecided about your specialty area. Vanderbilt University

As you can see, this program focuses on your understanding of what it takes to work in the nursing field and puts a particular emphasis on the patient population you want to work with and the reason behind this decision. They also focus on familiarity with the program, as discussed above. These are points that likely generalize to numerous programs and to personal statements for this field in general.

Yale University has the following requirements, according to a website which generates advice specific to nursing personal statements. This site offers the following advice, which echoes the focal points found here, and may offer further information as you pursue your continued education and refine your personal statement. As you can see, Yale differs in its requirements and constrains the length of the personal statement considerably.

Yale University nursing requires you to write a 250-word essay with free choice of your subject. In writing your essay, it is important that this provides you the advantage to stay ahead of your competition. You should be able to include intellectual development, skills, interests, potential contribution to the progress of National University nursing and among many others. It is important to note that Yale University school of nursing utilizes strict admission process so you should be able to comply with top-notch standards. Do not compromise your admission simply by sending out a poorly written personal statement. To improve your chances in Yale University school of nursing, your essay should be able to reflect your dedication, excellence, commitment, and genuine interest to belong to Yale. In your Yale University nursing personal statement, you should also be able to highlight components of your background from academic to personal that will provide the admissions committee an overview of who you are and what you can deliver. To guarantee your admission in National University Nursing, you should be able to provide your readers with information that is unique and interesting that is not shown in any part of your application. Yale University

The essay requested in this case is considerably short, however, it allows you to write about the topic of your choice. This gives you the opportunity to present yourself as a unique candidate. In this personal statement, it is still important to choose a topic that allows you to address all of their listed points of concern to the best of your ability within the constraints of the allotted space. This excerpt also stresses the focus on compliance to high standards necessary to successfully complete the nursing program. Although this is a very short essay, it is emphasized how important it is to ensure that this work is well composed. Writing a rushed essay will be obvious to those reviewing applications and reflects poorly on your ability to perform at a high level, both academically and as a potential future nurse. Additionally, it is re-emphasized in this piece that it is important to understand the program to which you are applying. As they state, it is important to demonstrate a "genuine interest in belonging to Yale"; this is true of all program applications. Always focus a portion of your essay on demonstrating why this particular program is right for you and what unique skills you bring to the table that other applicants do not. Finally, always remember not to simply reiterate information that already has been included elsewhere in your application; be sure to tell the committee something new and interesting that gives you a competitive edge.

This differs from Fairfield University's DNP program , which requires that the applicant:

• Discuss a practice problem in your field that, in your experience, has a broad impact on patient care outcomes.
• State professional goals for the next 5-10 years.
• Explain how a DNP will help you reach your goals.

As you can see, depending on the institution and level of degree program that you are interested in, the requirements for application can vary greatly. In the case of the Doctor of Nursing Program offered at this university, the personal statement is more focused on the background of the applicant directly relating to their previous experience in their nursing careers. There is also a focus on the ability to think critically about the field, its shortcomings, and how they can be amended. This institution also has an interest in your long-term career development and plans for up to the next 10 years. Remember that reflecting on this in your personal statement allows you to demonstrate your potential to raise the reputation of the university in the long term, a topic that they have a demonstrated interest in learning about you as an applicant. Planning your long term career goals will also assist you in deciding which programs are the best fit for you and will allow you to gain the appropriate background to reach these goals over your career.

What degree program is right for you?

It is important to know that there are a variety of nursing degrees that can be applied for, even within a single university. Each of these offers a different career path, and potential for further education or future job promotion. Before you decide which program you want to attend, you should research the many options available within the nursing field. An example of the options that should be considered can be found at the University of Rochester website :

• Accelerated Programs for Non-Nurses (BS & MS) for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree and want to become a nurse in just 12 months.
• RN to BS program: for students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in as little as 16 months with part-time coursework.
• Clinical Nurse Leader (MS) for licensed registered nurses who already hold a bachelor's degree in nursing.
• Health Care Organization Management and Leadership (MS) for all applicants with a bachelor's degree.
• Nursing Education (MS) for nurses who aspire to teach at either a college of nursing or within a clinical setting.
• Nurse Practitioner program (MS) for nurses who want to provide another level of care for their patients.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nurses entering at the post-baccalaureate or post-master's level.
• PhD in Nursing & Health Practice program for all licensed health professionals who already hold a master's degree.
• Legal Nurse Consultant Course for registered nurses or advanced practice nurses.
• Care Manager Education program for nurses or other health professionals currently working in a care manager capacity, or entering this growing field.
• RN First Assistant program for CNOR or APRN's.

This may not be a comprehensive list, but it gives you an idea of the level of diversity available to you. Become familiar with the programs at each institution you apply to and ensure that they will give you the appropriate foundation to achieve your long-term goals, both in your career and in potentially continuing your education further.

What do nurses say?

Discussions with successful nurses who have completed this process have revealed that, unlike personal statements for academic programs, this essay has a more personal bent. Revealing your altruism and desire to help people, as well as your motivation toward expanding your knowledge and personal growth are appropriate in these essays. You should also highlight how your increased knowledge and growth will allow you to help your patients and become a more effective practitioner. Emphasizing these things while telling an anecdotal story about volunteer work, an aid job, or other experiences will allow you the ability to express these things while demonstrating your unique skills and understanding of the field. Another point often made by individuals who have been successful in furthering their education, and therefore in writing these letters, is that it is sometimes appropriate to discuss your background disadvantages; perhaps you did not achieve top grades because you also had to work full time, for example. Communicating this to reviewers demonstrates that you can persevere in times of hardship and remained committed to your education.

Recapitulation of key points:

• Emphasize what makes you a unique applicant.
• Discuss why you want to be a nurse, and in what field, in a way that conveys your personality and sets you apart.
• Remember that this is a professional document; use formal language, not contractions.
• Do not start your personal statement essay with "I have always wanted to be a nurse." or "I have always wanted to help people." These, and similar sentiments, are common in these essays. An intriguing opening statement will get the attention of the application review committee and make you more memorable. Remember, the reviewers are reading hundreds of these a day, if not more.
• Refrain from reiterating the information that can be found in your application. Not only is this redundant, but you will be forfeiting the opportunity to demonstrate to the review panel how you stand apart from the other applicants.
• Research each program and write a letter that demonstrates why the program is a good fit for you.
• Remember to showcase any skills you have developed that will make you a successful student as well as a long-term asset to the program.

These techniques will allow you to compose a more competitive personal statement for any program you choose. A well-researched and written essay will give you an edge during the application process. Make yourself stand out from the rather large crowd of applicants with a compelling introductory statement and remember to be your (professional) self. This will help to ensure that you get accepted into a program that is a good fit for you, your education, and your career goals. Apply to multiple programs at a variety of levels of competitiveness, you will not get admitted into every program you apply to, but hopefully you will get into the right one.

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12 Complete Templates of Nursing Personal Statement for A Job and Tips To Make The Employers Interested

Do you wish to become a nurse? If you’re applying to the hospital, you’ll need a nursing personal statement for a job . The “personal statement” term is generally used in the educational field, though. However, if a hospital asks you to make one, you can’t deny this chance. Because it might be interested with you and want to know more about you through the personal statement. Here are some tips you can apply to make it.

The nursing personal statement is an important part of a nurse’s application process. It demonstrates their knowledge and skills of the profession, which helps the recruiter make a hiring decision.

The personal statement provides insight into your personality, work ethic and qualities that will contribute to the success of a nursing position.

How to Write a Nursing Personal Statement for a Job

Nursing personal statements are a set of documents that are required for the application process. Therefore, it is important to know how to write these documents so you can land the job.

It is often said that writing a nursing personal statement for a job is not easy. This is because it requires an explanation of your personal experience and qualifications related to this field. If you’re having trouble writing these documents, then you’ll want to find an expert who can help you with this task.

A nursing personal statement should be written in first person so the reader understands what it’s like to work with you as a nurse and your ability and willingness to care for patients while attending medical situations. It should also include your education, professional experiences, and certifications related to this field

Tips To Make The Employers Interested

Explain your educational history.

First and foremost, explain what educations you’ve through so far. You could be a polytechnic graduate or having special training as a nurse. Whatever it is, mention it as clearly. It’s better if you have more than one certificate. Because it means you’re trained more than anyone does. At last, the chance for your acceptance is bigger.

Add Your Experience as A Healthcare

When writing a nursing personal statement for a job, you need to show your experience. Especially if you choose to apply to a reputable hospital. Hence, it’s good for you to collect more experiences you can get. Far before you decide to apply for a nursing job.

What kind of experience can be included? Must it be a professional one? The answer is no. If you have experience as a nurse at a refuge, for example. You can include this as your nursing experience on the personal statement you’re applying.

Write The Special Qualifications You Have

When people want to be recruited for a job, they must explain if they have suitable qualifications. This rule is also used in the nursing job. If you want to be a nurse at a hospital, you have to show your exceptional quality. You can highlight some achievements or awards you’ve gotten during school. If you haven’t, you can tell simple stories like your family, how you interact with neighbors, or what dreams you’re pursuing.

Show Your Specific Goals of Applying

In the nursing personal statement for a job, you also need to write your specific goals. Explain how the nursing job could help you to reach what you aim for. Such as, if you have a life goal to help as many people as you want. This is the typical goal of nursing, though. Nevertheless, this goal is relevant to the job you’re applying to. And mostly, the more you’re relatable to the job, the more your chance to be accepted.

Include The Personality Test Results

Nursing isn’t only a technical job. Furthermore, it includes the logical and emotional work. You need to use logic when helping the patients, especially if they lead a critical condition. Aside with this, you need to have good emotional management as well. Since you’ll often face patients (or their family) in a panic situation.

When you’re making a nursing personal statement for a job, you can include your personality test results. It can’t be the best reference to see your character, though. But it can give a glance look at it.

Tell What You’ve Done for Society

This tip doesn’t mean to make you look boastful. You probably aren’t people who think it’s good to mention the good things you’ve done. However, telling the hospital if you have any volunteering activity is essential.

The hospitals generally seek nurses who’ve been accustomed to handling people wholeheartedly. Because it’ll help them when it comes to nursing training. Recruiting socially caring people will ease them to do emotional management training.

Check The Nursing Personal Statement References

If you still feel confused, it’s recommended for you to search for the nursing personal statement for job references. You can find it anywhere. Below this, we’ll just provide some most ideal nursing personal statement template you can use. You can download the nursing personal statement printable as well. Writing a nursing personal statement is quite hard, though. But if you believe it’ll help you to reach your dream job – as a nurse, of course -, the tips mentioned is worth trying.

Nursing Personal Statement for A Job

The personal statement for a job is a document that provides an extensive overview of the applicant’s work experience and leadership qualities. It should be engaging, articulate, and succinct. This document is meant to be read by human members of the committee who will be evaluating the application for employment.

The purpose of this essay is to introduce nurses to companies at which they may want to apply for employment in order to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities when applying for a position in nursing or healthcare (Nursing Personal Statement). There are many different types of Nursing Personal Statements:

– Nursing personal statements written specifically for specific organizations (e.g., Mission Hospitals)

– Writing multiple versions

Nursing Personal Statement Example

Nursing as a profession is becoming more and more competitive. Prospective nurses must make sure their personal statement does not make mistakes that jeopardize their chances of admission. The personal statement is the most important marketing tool for any nurse, so it is crucial that it be written well and accurately.

Sample Nursing Personal Statement for A Job

A nursing personal statement is a paragraph or two sentence that can be written in response to an inquiry, typically on the subject of

Do you have any experience as a nursing personal statement for an A job. A sample nursing personal statement for an A job might feature who you are and why you want to pursue this career.

Example Nursing Personal Statement for A Job

Printable Nursing Personal Statement for A Job

Nursing personal statement is a type of essay that is written by nurses to show their skills and experience. In some cases, this may be the first time they have written something in an essay format.

Nurses should prepare for job interviews by writing a personal statement based on their experiences and skills. It will help them to get prepared for the interview because it will give them more insight about what the company is looking for and how it would fit into the company’s culture.

We believe that this article will be helpful not just to aspiring nurses but also to those who are already working as nurses in order to help prepare themselves for interviews and provide tips on how they should write their personal statements.

Printable nurses personal statement for a job application

Child Nursing Personal Statement

The Child Nursing Personal Statement is a personal statement used by health professionals to determine if a child is eligible for admission into their pediatric nursing program. It must contain specific information such as the child’s age, grade level, and health status.

The Child Nursing Personal Statement must answer the following questions:

– What are your strengths and weaknesses?

– What are your goals?

– What leadership or volunteering experience have you had?

– What academic and extracurricular experience do you have?

– How would you describe yourself as a student?

Nursing Personal Statement Example for A Job

Nursing Practitioner Personal Statement for A Job

Nursing Critical Care Personal Statement Sample

Nursing is a very demanding profession. When it comes to critical care, personal statement plays an important role in the nursing job search process.

Nursing personal statement is a professional resume for nurses. It consists of your educational background and professional experiences that are relevant to nursing care delivery. It also explores your career goals and how you will work with patients who have complex medical needs.

The following are some of the most common types of personal statements used in the The Nursing Critical Care Personal Statement:

– Current Status/Professional Experience – Describe your current position and work experiences relevant to critical care, such as acute care nursing experience, long-term care experience, etc.

– Professional Goals – What are your career goals? Why do you want to be

The purpose of this essay is to explain your interest in pursuing nursing as a career, your commitment to providing care and support for patients in the critical care unit, and why you believe you are qualified for this position.

The personal statement is seen as a highly subjective document where an applicant can make the best case for themselves. It is important that you present yourself in an honest manner without embellishments or falsehoods.

The art of writing a personal statement is no easy task and it requires practice and patience.

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7 Essential Topics To Include In Your Personal Statement

Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs often ask for a personal statement with your application. So, what exactly is a personal statement, and why does it matter so much?

A personal statement is an essay where you talk about yourself – your background, work experiences, why you want to become a nurse practitioner, and your goals for your career. 

Here’s why it’s key to your application:

It shows who you are.  Beyond grades and test scores, this essay lets you share your unique story. You can show the admissions team your personality, values, and what makes you a great candidate for their NP program.

It proves you can communicate well.  Being able to clearly express yourself is crucial for nurse practitioners. Your personal statement lets you show that you can organize your thoughts and explain things well, skills you’ll need for both your studies and your career.

It explains your motivation.  This is your chance to talk about why you want to be a nurse practitioner and how the program you’re applying to fits with your career plans. It’s your moment to share your passion for nursing and healthcare.

It highlights your experience.  You can use the essay to shine a light on the healthcare work you’ve done, like nursing roles, volunteering, or research. This helps show you’re ready for the challenge of an NP program and a career in advanced nursing.

It sets you apart.  When many applicants have similar backgrounds, a well-written personal statement can help you stand out. Sharing your unique experiences and viewpoints can leave a lasting impression on the admissions team.

7 Topics To Include In Your Personal Statement With Examples:

1. Your Motivation for Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Start with a strong introduction that captures your passion for nursing and your reason for pursuing an advanced practice role. This could be a personal anecdote that illustrates your dedication to healthcare, patient care experiences that motivated you, or an encounter with a Nurse Practitioner who inspired you.

• Example 1: “Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the impact of health disparities in my community, which ignited my passion for nursing. A pivotal moment came when a nurse practitioner in our local clinic went above and beyond to care for my family. Her dedication inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a significant difference in people’s lives, especially in underserved areas.”
• Example 2: “My motivation to become a nurse practitioner was solidified during my work in a pediatric unit. Seeing children’s resilience in the face of illness, and realizing the profound difference that personalized, compassionate care can make in their recovery, drove me to seek a role where I could offer such care on a deeper, more autonomous level.”

2. Educational and Professional Background

Outline your academic achievements, especially those relevant to nursing and healthcare. Include any honors, awards, or scholarships. Also, detail your work experience, particularly in healthcare settings, emphasizing roles that have prepared you for advanced practice nursing. This could include leadership positions, special projects, or initiatives you were part of.

• Example 1:  “ Earning my BSN with a focus on pediatrics, I graduated with honors and worked at a children’s hospital for over five years. This role deepened my skills in managing diverse pediatric conditions and honed my ability to communicate with young patients and their families effectively. My passion for child health care drives me to specialize further through a Nurse Practitioner program, aiming to enhance my impact on pediatric well-being.”  
• Example 2:  “I graduated summa cum laude with my BSN and actively contributed to research on geriatric care management. Working as a nurse in a community health center, I spearheaded a project to improve patient education for managing chronic conditions, which fueled my desire to advance my practice through an NP program.”
• Example 3:  “After achieving my BSN, where I specialized in emergency care and graduated at the top of my class, I embarked on a career in a Level I Trauma Center. This fast-paced environment honed my decision-making skills and my ability to quickly adapt to changing situations, traits essential for the dynamic role of a Nurse Practitioner. My leadership capabilities were recognized when I was appointed as the head of the unit’s mentoring program for new nurses, a role in which I thrived by guiding others towards excellence in patient care.”

3. Clinical Skills and Experience

Highlight your clinical experiences and the skills you’ve developed. Be specific about the types of healthcare settings you’ve worked in (e.g., hospitals, clinics, community health), the medical specialities and patient populations you’ve served (e.g. pediatric, oncology, cardiology, surgery), and any specialized skills or certifications you have (e.g., ACLS, PALS).

• Example 1: “In my role as an RN in a cardiac care unit, I developed proficient skills in managing acute cardiac episodes and providing post-operative care. This experience, complemented by my ACLS certification, has prepared me for the acute care challenges I will face as a Nurse Practitioner.”
• Example 2: “My clinical rotation in a rural health clinic exposed me to a wide range of primary care issues, from managing chronic illnesses to delivering preventive care. This experience honed my ability to adapt to diverse healthcare settings and solidified my commitment to primary care as a Nurse Practitioner.”

4. Professionalism and Leadership

Demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and leadership in nursing. This could include involvement in professional organizations, volunteer work, leadership roles you’ve held, and how you’ve contributed to improving patient care or healthcare delivery.

• Example 1: “As a member of the Nursing Professional Development Committee at my hospital, I led initiatives to enhance ongoing education and training for nurses, demonstrating my commitment to professional growth and quality patient care.”
• Example 2: “Volunteering as a nurse in a local shelter, I organized health screening events and educated the community on disease prevention. This leadership experience reinforced the importance of community health and advocacy in nursing practice.”
• Example 3: “As a charge nurse in a busy medical surgical unit, I’ve honed leadership skills that are directly transferable to a Nurse Practitioner role. Managing a team of nurses, I’ve learned the importance of clear communication, teamwork, and quick decision-making to ensure efficient patient care and safety. My experience in delegating tasks, mentoring new staff, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams has prepared me to take on the advanced responsibilities of a Nurse Practitioner. I believe these skills will enable me to effectively lead patient care initiatives, contribute to team-based healthcare delivery, and ensure positive outcomes for my patients.”

5. Your Understanding of the Nurse Practitioner Role

Show that you have a clear understanding of what Nurse Practitioners do, the challenges they face, and the impact they have on healthcare. Discuss how you see yourself fitting into this role and contributing to the profession.

• Example 1: “I recognize that Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in expanding access to healthcare, especially in primary care shortage areas. My aspiration is to contribute to this effort by combining my clinical skills with a holistic approach to patient care.”
• Example 2: “Understanding the Nurse Practitioner’s role in leading patient-centered care teams, I am eager to leverage my experience in interdisciplinary collaboration to improve healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.”
• Example 3: “Shadowing and working alongside Nurse Practitioners in a primary care setting provided me with invaluable insights into the multifaceted role of NPs in healthcare. Observing their holistic approach to patient care, from conducting thorough assessments and developing personalized care plans to educating patients on disease prevention and health maintenance, reinforced my understanding of the critical impact NPs have on improving healthcare outcomes. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the NP’s role in bridging gaps in healthcare accessibility and has motivated me to contribute to this vital field. My firsthand observations of NPs in action have equipped me with a clear vision of the collaborative, patient-centered care I aspire to provide as a Nurse Practitioner.”

6. Personal Qualities and Strengths

Share personal qualities and strengths that make you a good fit for the Nurse Practitioner role. This could include empathy, resilience, excellent communication skills, ability to work well under pressure, and a strong commitment to lifelong learning.

• Example 1: “My colleagues commend my empathy and ability to communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds, strengths I believe are essential for a successful Nurse Practitioner. My resilience, developed through handling challenging patient care situations, has prepared me to face the complexities of advanced practice nursing.”
• Example 2: “Known for my meticulous attention to detail and analytical skills, I am adept at assessing patient needs and developing comprehensive care plans. These strengths, coupled with my commitment to continuous learning, will enable me to excel in the dynamic environment of advanced nursing practice.”

7. Your Goals and Aspirations

Conclude with your professional goals and aspirations. Explain how the NP program will help you achieve these goals, the areas of practice you are particularly interested in (e.g., family health, pediatrics, geriatrics), and how you plan to contribute to the field and to improving patient care.

• Example 1: “Upon completing the Nurse Practitioner program, my goal is to work in a rural health clinic, addressing the gap in primary care access. I aspire to advocate for preventive care measures and manage chronic conditions, improving the overall health of rural communities.”
• Example 2: “After completing the Nurse Practitioner program, I aim to specialize in mental health, addressing the urgent need for accessible psychiatric care. My goal is to integrate holistic and evidence-based approaches to support individuals with mental health challenges, fostering resilience and well-being in my community.”
• Example 3: “My long-term aspiration is to specialize in oncology as a Nurse Practitioner, contributing to both patient care and cancer research. I aim to use my skills and knowledge to improve treatment protocols and support services for patients undergoing cancer treatment, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.”

Each example is crafted to showcase not only the candidate’s qualifications and experiences but also their personal connection to the field, their understanding of the NP role, and their future aspirations. Tailoring your statement to reflect your unique story will make it compelling and memorable.

Remember, your personal statement should be a reflection of who you are. It should be well-organized, concise, and clearly written, free from grammatical and spelling errors. Tailor it to each program you apply to, ensuring it aligns with their values and expectations. Showcasing your unique experiences and aspirations will make your application stand out.

Don’t forget to check out the other helpful articles on this website!

• How to Prepare for NP School While Still in College
• How to Prepare for NP School- Advice From Current Students
• The Top 9 Things Most Nurses Don’t Know When Applying to NP School
• A Detailed Guide to the Nurse Practitioner School Interview
• Can You Go to NP School Right After BSN With No Experience?
• Stethoscope Recommendations for Nurse Practitioners

Impactful Personal Statement Examples Nursing

Impactful Personal Statement Examples Nursing: A Guide For Aspiring Nurses

The personal statement is a crucial component of your nursing school application. It allows you to showcase your passion for nursing, convey your unique qualities, and demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate. 

Crafting an effective nursing personal statement requires careful thought, reflection, and attention to detail.

In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide on writing a compelling statement with personal statement nursing examples that will help you stand out from the competition.

Do you need professional help with writing your Nursing Personal Statement?

If you require extensive editing and need help creating the content for your nursing personal statement, order my personal statement editing service . I will use my years of experience in the healthcare admissions field to create a compelling story based on your unique experiences. I will directly edit your draft until it is perfect and ready to submit.

Table of Contents

• Personal Statement Examples Nursing (Example 1)
• Personal Statement Keywords for Nursing
• Step-by-step Personal Statement Guide
• Nursing Personal Statement (Example 2)

Nursing Personal Statement Keywords

Reading the above personal statement for nursing will highlight the themes that you must include in your statement:

Compassion                    

These are known as the 6Cs, which are a set of core values required in nursing. The NHS drew up these values and need to be met by those working in a caring environment.

Another key theme is REFLECTION

The nursing applicant focuses their personal statement around what they have learned from the experiences they have had. S/he mentioned the positive and negative aspects of the role, the challenges and how these would be overcome. Being able to manage stress and emotionally demanding situations is very important within nursing. 

Step-by-step - Nursing Personal Statement Guide

Introduction.

Your motivation & purpose.

Begin by reflecting on your personal and professional journey that led you to pursue a career in nursing.

What experiences or encounters have shaped your desire to become a nurse?

Was it a personal illness , a family member’s health struggle , or a transformative encounter with a healthcare professional ?

Identify and articulate the driving force behind your decision to pursue nursing as a profession. This will form the foundation of your personal statement and help you convey your genuine passion.

Starting your personal statement for nursing can be the most difficult part, so I recommend writing the introduction last.

Get the Full Nursing Personal Statement Guide & Template

Body of the personal statement.

Next, identify and highlight experiences that have influenced your decision to become a nurse. These can include volunteering , work experience, or even personal caregiving experiences. Discuss how these experiences have contributed to your growth, shaped your values, and reinforced your commitment to the field of nursing. Be specific and provide concrete examples to demonstrate your engagement and dedication.

Body – Paragraph 1

Work experience or shadowing

Describe the setting you were in. Who were you helping? Did you work independently or in a team?

Were you just observing? What did you see? Which skills did you see being used? How have you developed these skills and how do you hope to further enhance them?

Mention any challenges you encountered or positive aspects of the role that really appeal to you.

Volunteering/ charity work

Nursing requires a unique set of skills and qualities. Your nursing personal statement should identify the ones you possess and illustrate how they align with the demands of the nursing profession. Compassion, empathy, problem-solving , and effective communication are just a few examples of essential nursing skills. Share stories or experiences highlighting how you have demonstrated these through volunteering or a job you worked in.

Body – Paragraph 3

Extracurriculars / hobbies/ values

In today’s diverse healthcare landscape, cultural competence is highly valued in nursing. Showcasing your understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity is essential. Highlight experiences that have exposed you to diverse populations through volunteer work, community engagement, or international experiences.

Discuss how these experiences have broadened your perspective and shaped your ability to provide patient-centred care to individuals from different backgrounds. Show your understanding of the NHS values- respect for dignity, cultural differences and choices.

Body – Paragraph 4

Here you can discuss more of your experiences and/or mention your goals.

Admissions committees are interested in understanding your aspirations and future goals as a nurse. Share your vision for your nursing career and the impact you hope to make in the field. Discuss specific areas of interest, such as paediatric nursing, geriatric care, or mental health nursing, and explain why these areas resonate with you.

Your nursing personal statement should demonstrate that you have a clear direction and are committed to lifelong learning.

Summarise your top experiences and reiterate your motivation & commitment. 

Keep this short and sweet. 2 – 3 sentences is usually enough!

Personal Statement Nursing Examples - 2

Shadowing at an NHS GP clinic rooted my fascination for the healthcare field. I spent many hours shadowing various members of the team, including the nurses, doctors and physician associates. Nursing sparked my interest as it combined science with compassion and problem-solving. The ability to work in a close-knit team to provide quality care to a diverse patient base solidified my enthusiasm for nursing. What really surprised me was the progression there is within nursing, from specialising to advancing your competencies in areas that interest you. I found that there would always be challenges within the role and continual changes to adapt to. This did not deter me. In fact, it heightened my motivation. There was one case that transformed my view of healthcare. It was a young man who attended and shared his concerns regarding his mental health. This hit close to home as my brother previously opened up about his negative thoughts, as he had felt lost and unable to share his emotions due to social stigmas. I felt the power that the doctor had in allowing him to open up and direct him to the relevant services, which immediately gave him hope and comfort. This compassionate care was evident throughout my time at the clinic. I additionally saw how crucial it was to have excellent written and verbal communication, as the team were constantly in touch with other services, hospitals and clinics. To develop my skillset and better prepare for nursing, I became a listening volunteer for the Samaritans. I regularly listen to the concerns of those who are suffering from a mental health crisis or require a listening ear. This requires sensitivity, empathy and active listening. I have learned a lot about communication and how to approach delicate situations, which has given me the confidence to work with patients and someday care for their mental health. Mental health nursing would be an avenue that aligns with my interest and I hope to progress my career in this direction someday. To further my experiences, I studied biology and chemistry to better understand the impact of medication, as well as learn the biological components that make up the human body. I read beyond my school syllabus and learned that medical interactions and drugs could cause side effects that vary between individuals. This tied in with what I learned about anti-depressants at the GP clinic. Learning about new medication and research taught me that a career in nursing will always require continuous learning and reading to keep up-to-date. Healthcare is constantly changing, and the recent pandemic proved that there may be new viruses that will change the way we practice. The pandemic also highlighted the role that nurses have on the frontline. A considerable commitment is required to put the patients first and have the courage to prioritise the patient’s safety. I have built my courage and mental strength while dealing with my family’s healthcare issues; as my dad suffers from sarcoidosis, I regularly see how the fatigue impacts him. Chronic pains and aches require my siblings and me to make an extra effort at home to help financially and care for him. Aside from my education and caring for my dad, I spend time carrying out my hobbies of reading and dancing. Dancing involves a lot of choreography, coordination and teamwork to be synchronised. I often teach others in the group and am open to learning new dance styles. Reading fiction helps me to zone out and de-stress. I hope to join a dance society while at university, as this will help me to keep fit and manage any stresses that nursing can bring. Volunteering, shadowing and my extracurricular research have led me to this application. It would be an honour to provide quality and compassionate care to the diverse patients within the NHS. Therefore, I plan to commit myself to learning to provide the best possible care to the patients I will someday care for.

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NHS England. NHS long term workforce plan. 2023. https://tinyurl.com/muw8c9aw (accessed 3 October 2023)

Nursing and Midwifery Council. Standards of proficiency for nursing associates. 2018. https://tinyurl.com/45pc95ve (accessed 3 October 2023)

Creating an effective personal statement for RNAs

Director of Nurse Education, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton

View articles · Email Jo

Organisations are starting to redesign services to meet the changing health needs of the local community and align with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan ( NHS England, 2023 ). These changes are creating new roles within a variety of settings, opening up the job market for the registered nursing associate (RNA). Applying for a new job can be a daunting and competitive process; standing out from the crowd is an essential criterion for success. When marketing yourself to potential employers, it is important to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and attributes they require, to convince them that you are the best person for the job.

Do your research

In the first instance when considering a new job, it is important to be sure it is what you want and where you want to work. If it is with a new employer, do your research: find out about its values and culture. As a health or social care provider, review its most recent Care Quality Commission report; review the latest news and developments shared on both its website and social media platforms. This will not only give an insight into it as a potential employer but also help with tailoring your personal statement and preparing for interview. More specifically, when considering the role, consider the job description and the person specification – is it clear what the role involves and what skills are required to undertake the role?

Adverts often include a contact person for an informal discussion; this is a great opportunity to interview them as a potential employer and get answers to questions about the organisation or the role. As an RNA, enquire about RNA roles in other departments and see how the role is being used across the organisation; it may even be possible to speak with an RNA already in post.

Applying for a role

The application form will consist of standard questions on previous employment and education. It is the personal statement section that provides the opportunity to showcase your skills and experience and to explain why you are the best candidate for the role. It is important to keep it concise and focused on the requirements of the role and to highlight how your skills and experience match these requirements.

Throughout the personal statement, reference should be made to the requirements of the job description and the personal specification. Take words and phrases from these to make it easier for the employer to see clearly how you are demonstrating the requirements of the role. Highlight your achievements and provide examples of how you have added value to previous roles. Use specific, measurable examples that demonstrate your skills and experience.

When looking to demonstrate performance in relation to professional practice, reflect on your previous studies, current and previous practice and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates ( NMC, 2018 ). By taking the time to reflect, you will naturally start to realise the skills and qualities you possess and identify examples that can be quoted to support a claim that you have the experience or skills required.

‘Examples of how you have used your teamwork and collaborative skills could include taking the lead in a project or activity, resolving conflicts, or encouraging others to achieve a common goal’

Demonstrate your skills

Some of the skills you will identify will be specific; for example, recording 12-lead ECGs if working in a cardiology department. However, other skills will be non-specific; these are equally important and often referred to as transferable skills.

Transferable skills are identified within the NMC standards for RNAs ( NMC, 2018 ) but can often be overlooked by people focusing on practical skills. The modern job market values individuals who can adapt to changing circumstances and continuously learn and develop. The journey from health or social care support worker to RNA will have supported this development. As an RNA, the journey through academia will have exposed you to various subjects, teaching methods, and learning environments, developing your ability to adapt and acquire transferable skills.

Whether through considering case studies, research projects or practical assignments, you will have encountered and resolved various challenges, therefore developing strong problem-solving abilities. Providing examples will demonstrate analytical thinking and the ability to consider creative solutions. These could include an instance where you identified a problem, developed a strategy, and implemented it effectively within your practice or your studies. Linked to this may be how you have honed your teamwork and collaborative skills through completing group projects on your academic journey.

Many job roles within health and social care require employees to work effectively in teams. Examples of how you have developed and used your teamwork and collaborative skills could include taking the lead in a project or activity, resolving conflicts, or encouraging others to achieve a common goal.

Demonstrating excellent organisational and time management skills will strengthen the examples of transferable skills already identified. During your studies, you would have balanced multiple assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities simultaneously. In addition, if you completed your Nursing Associate Foundation Degree as an apprentice you would have been working at the same time as studying. Ensure you identify instances where you have effectively managed your time and prioritised tasks to achieve desired outcomes. These examples will demonstrate your ability to meet deadlines and handle the demands of a professional role.

Underpinning all of this is demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively and professionally. Communication skills will clearly be shown through the personal statement, not only via the examples used for all the other transferable skills but also in the presentation of the personal statement. Ensure that what has been written is presented in a professional manner in the chosen writing style and terminology used, that there is clarity of thought and proofreading has been employed.

Submitting your application

The last stage in the application process is the submission of the application. Different organisations use different approaches to this, so ensure you have checked the closing date and time and that you have left yourself sufficient time to make the application. Make sure you keep a copy of what you have written; this will be useful when preparing for interview. Interviewers may want to explore the examples you have given with you, and it is helpful if you can remember what you wrote.

A strategic approach

Selling yourself via your application and, more specifically, your personal statement involves strategically highlighting the skills you have acquired through your academic and professional journey. Research the organisation and the role, communicate clearly, demonstrate problem-solving abilities, emphasise adaptability, showcase teamwork skills, discuss time management, and express your passion.

By effectively communicating how your values and skills align with the department's needs, you can leave a lasting impression and increase your chances of securing the job. Box 1 provides some top tips on writing your personal statement. Remember, an application is not just an assessment of your qualifications, it is also an opportunity to showcase your unique strengths and potential contribution.

Box 1.Personal statement top tips

• Tailor your personal statement to the job description
• Think about transferable skills, not just practical ones
• Use active words to give impact
• Give examples, not just sweeping statements
• Highlight positive things that only you can bring
• Proofread for errors, clarity and fluency

• UB Directory
• School of Nursing >
• News & Events >
• The Nurses Report >
• Application Thursday: Personal Statements

Personal Statements for Graduate Nursing Applications: 4 Tips

A personal statement is required for almost any nursing application. Here are some tips to consider to strengthen your application. 

While your resume and transcripts provide the admission committee an overview of your academic and work history, your personal statement is an opportunity to describe what drives you to become an advanced practice nurse. You should also demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the school or program. While this application component is a good opportunity to be creative and showcase your personality, there are a few things you can do to ensure your statement is as strong as it can be. 

Answer the questions.

While we want students to write creative statements that represent themselves, we also are asking you answer specific questions. Before you write your personal statement, you should read through the questions and then formulate your answer. Once you write your statement, reread the questions, and make sure that you answered them fully. Not answering the questions is detrimental to your application. 

Be professional.

This is a professional program, and your documents should have a professional look.

Make sure your statement is properly labeled. Use traditional formatting and fonts  , and ensure fonts are consistent across your documents. Be concise and remember to adhere to the word count specified in the instructions.

An example of traditional formatting is double-spaced with 12 point Times New Roman font.

Revise your document. Look for grammar and punctuation errors, repetition and passive voice [SG1] . Also, if you’re able, ask a someone to proofread your document. A second set of eyes can help you identify gaps and things that are unclear to other readers.

Active voice means the subject (the writer in this instance) performs the action.

• Passive voice: The personal statement was written by me.
• Active voice: I wrote the personal statement.

Tailor your statement to the program.

If you are applying to multiple programs, you need to use different statements for each application. Even though you are applying to graduate programs in the same discipline or field, each program has different requirements. You should also tailor your application to each institution or program to demonstrate why you would be a good fit.

By writing new statements for each application, you’ll ensure that you are answering the correct questions. There’s nothing worse for your application by uploading a statement with a different institution’s name on it.  

Don’t write your statement too far in advance. Nurses like to prepare, which is a good thing. However, when it comes to writing your personal statement, writing too far in advance of applying could mean you are potentially answering the wrong questions. The main reason is that the questions we ask could change for different application cycles. If you write your statement months before the application opens, there is a chance that you’ll be answering the wrong questions. Additionally, your personal statement should to be as up to date as possible. 

Need more information?

If you have any questions about personal statements, feel free to email me at [email protected] or watch our video about personal statements below! 

-Tanner Gelatt, Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment 

Published February 18, 2023

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Nursing Personal Statement - avoid these 3 common mistakes

• Claire Carmichael Registered Nurse
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• Priscilla Ateji
• Melody Claydon

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‘How do you write a nursing personal statement?’

This is such a common question I get asked.

I’m going to go through this for you along with how to avoid some of the mistakes I have made when applying for my nursing posts.

Firstly, always go by what the job specification, job description and person specification say.

If this is for university then you need to read the university website and what the course entails to help you write this.

Reason being, this is what they are looking for.

They want to see you can meet the demands of the job role and this is also a great way to sell yourself and show your capabilities.

Secondly, use the essential and desirable criteria on the job application to structure your statements - Use these key areas and build upon them.

I tend to use each one as a subheading and then write different examples underneath to show how I meet each one of these.

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It’s really easy to ‘waffle’ to try and fit the word count in to bulk your statement out.

A lot of people add things they don’t need such as; previous job roles or what qualification they have.

But this is already covered in your application and not needed in the personal statement section.

Or if it was a personal statement for university, some students have gone on to talk about the NMC standards, which again, can be narrowed down.

This is about selling yourself and showing you meet the requirements along with showing you understand the demands of the role.

As above, having the subheadings and keeping good structure will help with this.

A lot of people have poor structure when they don’t know how to write a personal statement or haven’t written an assignment before.

Poor structure can confuse the reader and make it hard to follow if you’re jumping back and forth from various points.

You want a nice flow to your words and something that’s going to draw the person in and make them want to hire you.

I would write your personal statement onto word document first, add those subheadings, use linking words for flow (if you take a look at Manchester Phrase bank this is brilliant for linking words).

Get someone to spell check / proofread for you and then when you’re ready you can copy and paste this onto the application page.

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My last tips for you here; add something unique about yourself to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

You want to add something a little bit different, which kind of goes against what I was saying above about not adding things that aren’t relevant haha.

But this is different, this is going to separate you from another applicant if there’s a decision to be made between you both.

Everyone who applies will have the same qualifications and more than likely the same experience.

So, add something a little extra that shows who you are as a person as well as making them think ‘wow, we need to meet this person.’

You could pick an award you may have won, volunteering you do, or something I add to mine is how I used to save pigeons with broken wings when I was 9 years old.

I link this in with my nursing and how it shows I want to save the world one pigeon at a time haha!

Next, if you aren’t from a healthcare background, think about transferable skills you can use in nursing such as; different types of communication skills, team working, autonomy, look up the 6Cs of nursing and transfer the skills you have to nursing.

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How to Write a Nursing Resume (With Expert Advice!)

Putting together a nursing resume can be tough—it's a competitive field, and you need to make your skills and qualifications stand out from the crowd. While some elements are consistent across the board (e.g. having your name, contact info, and education listed, for instance), it’s easy to underestimate the power of nuance and individuality in resume writing .

Below, we’ve outlined how to create (and update) an effective nursing resume, thanks to expertise from Nursing Professional Development & Education Specialist, Damion K. Jenkins, MSN, RN .

Get your amazing resume out there—apply now to these amazing nurse jobs on The Muse »

How to write a nursing resume in 5 steps

When crafting a nursing resume, Jenkins emphasizes the importance of following a structured approach to ensure that yours makes an impression with the hiring manager. Above all, you want your resume to be organized, easy to read, and succinct.

Step 1: Start with a strong summary statement

“Begin with a strong summary that highlights your qualifications and career goals,” Jenkins says. “Make sure to use keywords from the job description and qualifications required.” (Here's how to read a job description the right way .)

Your summary statement will speak to your past, present, and future as a nurse, while also making it easy for a recruiter to draw clear connections between your professional life and the job in question.

Need specific ideas? Read this next: 20 Resume Summary Examples to Make Writing Your Own Easier

Step 2: Include non-negotiable sections

Next, make sure you’ve accounted for the non-negotiable sections that every nursing resume needs. According to Jenkins, these include: your contact information, a professional summary of your achievements, your nursing education, licensure and certifications, clinical experience, and relevant role-specific skills.

On top of that, list any professional affiliations, volunteer work, and professional references. Together, these sections will make up the bulk of your resume.

Step 3: Highlight your most valuable skills

A good nursing resume includes hard and soft skills , both of which are necessary for patient care. Jenkins suggests highlighting specific clinical and interpersonal skills that are considered very valuable in the nursing world, including patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, critical thinking, conflict resolution, customer service, and effective communication.

Certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, or a specialty-specific certification should also be prominently featured.

Step 4: Do a thorough check for mistakes

As a nurse career coach and mentor, Jenkins has come face-to-face with countless nursing resume mistakes. To make your resume shine, he urges you to check their resumes for the following:

• Grammatical errors and typos
• An unprofessional email address (e.g. anything besides your first and last name, with a number, if necessary)
• Irrelevant information that doesn’t pertain to the role
• Dense blocks of text

Using this list to clean up your resume will improve your chances of getting noticed during your job search . Consider this your list of “don’t dos.”

Step 5: Follow nursing resume best practices

In terms of what you should do, Jenkins endorses the use of bullet points for better readability (vs. long text blocks), using keywords from the job description to help your resume pass through application tracking systems (ATS) , tailoring your resume for each job application, and proofreading vigorously.

Your nursing resume format should be clean and professional, and up to date with any new skills, certifications and experiences.

“Remember, keeping your resume concise and relevant matters,” he says. “If you are including a detailed summary about the dog-sitting job you had as a teenager for a charge nurse position, chances are that your resume won’t make it through the initial screening process.”

Nursing resumes FAQs

How often should you update your nursing resume.

Nurses should update their resume at least every six months, or immediately after acquiring a new skill, certification, or job experience. “Regular updates ensure that your resume is always current and ready for new opportunities, reflecting your most recent and relevant qualifications,” Jenkins says.

How should nurses describe their nursing experience and clinical skills?

To make your experience and clinical skills stand out, use action verbs and quantify your achievements , says Jenkins.

For example, a solid resume bullet point could be:

Provided care for a 30-bed unit, reducing patient falls by 20% through the

implementation of a new safety protocol and interprofessional collaboration with hourly rounding.

“Highlight specific clinical skills and procedures you’re proficient in, and showcase any leadership roles or special projects you’ve undertaken,” he says. “Be proud of your positive outcomes, and include stories that highlight how you’ve grown professionally through some failures and unanticipated setbacks. Hiring managers don’t want robots—they want to know that they have people who are resilient and willing to adapt to the needs of the organization.”

What are the essentials for a new grad nurse resume, versus a nursing student or experienced nurse resume?

For a new grad nurse…

• Emphasize your clinical rotations, relevant coursework, and any nursing-related internships or volunteer work. Include a strong objective statement tailored to the role you’re applying for

For a nursing student resume…

• Focus on your education, clinical placements, and any healthcare-related work experience.

And for an experienced nurse…

• Prioritize your professional experience, listing roles in reverse chronological order (most recent experience first) with detailed descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements.

How should a nursing assistant, travel nurse, or nurse practitioner tailor their resume?

Per Jenkins’ advice, a nursing assistant resume should…

• Highlight your direct patient care experience and any specialized skills like phlebotomy or EKG administration, as well as team work, interdisciplinary collaboration and ability to follow instructions & escalation of abnormal findings.

A travel nurse resume should…

• Emphasize your adaptability, diverse clinical experiences, and ability to quickly integrate into new teams.

And a nurse practitioner resume should…

• Detail your advanced practice skills, patient caseload, and any specialized areas of practice, as well as leadership or teaching roles.

What are the essentials for a critical care nurse or emergency room nurse resume?

As for critical care nurses and ER nurses, Jenkins recommends emphasizing your ability to handle high-stress environments, proficiency in advanced life support, and experience with critical interventions such as intubation and other bedside emergency procedures.

Be sure to mention the diverse populations you’ve worked with, such as pediatric or trauma patients, and highlight your experience with critical care monitoring equipment and protocols.

What about nurses re-entering the workforce or changing specialties?

“For nurses re-entering the workforce or changing specialties, consider taking refresher courses or obtaining new certifications relevant to your desired role,” Jenkins says. “Note any continuing education or recent volunteer work to demonstrate your commitment to maintaining your skills. Finally, tailor your resume to showcase transferable skills and experiences that are applicable to the new specialty.”

Resume writing doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but you can still put together a standout nursing resume by using this guide. Good luck out there!

Once you get that interview, read this: 16 Nursing Interview Questions You Might Get Asked (and How to Answer Them)

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• Resume & CV

20+ Free Nursing Resume Templates (Examples to Download for 2024)

A successful job search strategy helps you find and land your dream nursing job. You'll need to create a resume and cover letter that gets you interviews. Let's look at some nursing resume examples that you can download and use.

Clean Nurse Resume Pro (premium nursing template) from Envato Elements

Work smart by using a pre-built resume template. You have options between free and premium templates to pick from. Browse through all available options and download one that fits your needs. 

We'll start by checking out 2024's collection of top sample nursing resume templates from Envato Elements. Then we'll explore 20 free nursing resume templates found online. 

Find the Best Nursing Resume Templates on Envato Elements for 2024 (Unlimited Use)

Thanks to Envato Elements, lack of time or skill is no longer an obstacle for many. Active membership is an investment that enables you to improve your creative projects effortlessly. Download a premium nursing template and other files without limits.

Unlock access to millions of creative assets on Envato Elements—all for a low fixed monthly fee. 

Use any premium resume templates from Envato Elements for your job application

Get access to premium files like:

• print, graphics, web, and presentation templates,
• video, music, audio, and photo files,
• 3D objects, fonts, codes, and so much more.

Premium resume templates are modern, creative, well-layered, and most importantly, impressive. Customization is minimal, and in most cases, all you have to do is add your content. Free nursing resume templates fall short and make it risky to use. 

5 Best Premium Nursing Resume Templates for 2024 

Here are five best nursing resume examples from Envato Elements: 

1. Registered Nurses CV Resume Template

This file comes with a single-page resume and cover letter template. It's professionally designed and is a modern minimalistic document. Easily edit the content, add your photo, and you're all set to send out your application. 

2. Nurse Resume & Cover Letter Template

This professional document is well-layered and clearly labeled. This premium template is convenient to work with and provides the best possible results. Download and edit this template in Adobe Illustrator today.

3. Nursing CV Template

Here's a black and white template. The sections on the resume are divided creatively and have a modern feel. The design is simple yet uses typographic hierarchy to direct readers to relevant information. 

4. CV Resume Word Template

The CV Resume Word Template can be used for any job that you want to apply to. It comes with a matching cover letter that looks professional. In addition, this nurse resume download can be edited in Microsoft Word and Adobe Illustrator. The design is modern and minimal, which makes it versatile.

5. Minimalist Resume

This minimal nurse resume download comes with Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word versions. It features an achievements and skills section where you can show your accomplishments. Plus, there's a QR code in the contact section to link to a website or social media.

20 Top Free Nursing Resume CV Template Examples to Download (2024)

Before we explore the 20 best free nursing resume templates found on the internet, let's look at Envato's free offerings. Download and use any of these premium files for free. It's an opportunity for you to experience premium before signing up.

Envato Elements offers free monthly files . 

The file you want to try isn't in this month's collection? As these selections are refreshed monthly, you may be in luck next month. 

Here's the offer:

• Twelve unique monthly files from Envato Elements are on offer: audio, graphics, video, web, etc. To get your hands on these monthly premium freebies, all you have to do is create a free account. 

Let's move on and check out 20 top free sample nursing resume templates found online. These files are available for anyone to use. 

1. Free Nurse Resume Template

This is an MS Word sample nursing resume template. The layout is simple and is in black and white. 

2. Free Dental Assistant Resume Template

This template was designed for a clerical position at a clinic or hospital. A nurse can easily customize this template to apply for registered nurse positions. 

3. Free Nursing Resume Example

This nurse resume template free download includes all important sections a nurse's resume should. But the layout is simple and may not grab attention.

4. Free RN Resume Template

This resume is simple and easy to use. It comes in PDF but can be edited in MS Word.

5. New Grad Nursing Resume Template

This template is designed for a newly graduated nurse with a few years of clinical experience done during studies. It comes in black and white. 

6. Nursing Resume Objective Template

There is a clear division between each section in this template. But the design does look a bit dated and not creative. 

7. Free RN Resume Template for Microsoft Word

This resume template includes career objectives, skills and achievements, education and qualifications, project work, computer skills, work experience, other achievements, interests, and references. 

8. Free Registered Nurse Resume Template

This single-page MS Word resume template is free for anyone to use. It's a simple text-only layout.

9. Amy - Free Sample Nursing Resume Template

This resume is divided into four sections: career objective, experience, education, and licenses. Work within the provided sections to keep the resume as a single-page document. 

10. Free Nursing Resume Example

This resume example is very wordy. This document serves well as a content example for a nursing resume. 

11. Gray - Free RN Resume Template

This free RN resume template has a dark gray header and footer section. The body of the page is also split into two sections. This color sectioning is neat and a step up from other free sample nursing resume templates.

12. Red - Free Nursing Resume Example

The text on this template is black, but critical information like contact details are in red. You can highlight other texts by turning them red too. 

13. Blue - Free Nursing Resume Template

In this template, sections are divided by blue lines. Section headers are in blue too. 

14. Free RN Resume Template - Google Docs

This is a free resume and cover letter set template for any registered nurse to use. You can edit or customize these templates of Google Docs.

15. Free Medical CV Template

Here's a Google Docs template you can use to apply for any medical-related jobs. Highlights are in blue. 

16. Amazing - Free Medical Resume Template

This is a two-paged resume Google Docs template. Texts are in light blue, and highlights are in red.

17. Free Nurse Resume Modern Template

Here's a two-paged, black and white resume template. Sections are divided by lines. 

18. Free Nurse Resume Traditional

This template comes in PDF but can be edited on MS Word. It's a traditional format that can come off looking dated. 

19. RN - Free Nursing Resume Template

This is a single-page registered nurse resume template for free. Easily edit this template on MS Word or Google Docs. 

20. Free Registered Nurse Resume Template

Here's a four-page resume template that thoroughly covers all sections with a few examples. Bold texts are used to highlight titles and essential information. 

How to Customize a Nurse Resume in Microsoft Word

After you’ve chosen a free resume template for nurses or a premium template, you’ll want to customize it.

In this tutorial, the Resume Word from Envato Elements is used. Because this template has a simple design, you can use it for any job you apply to.

Let's get started:

1. Add Your Information

When you open your nurse resume download template, you’ll notice that it's already filled out. This is to show you where information is supposed to go.

To replace the text that comes with your template, first highlight the text you want to replace. Next, press the Delete button on your keyboard.

2. Customize the Font

If you don’t like the font on your template, you can change it easily.

• Highlight the text that you want to change the font of.
• Click on the Home tab above the toolbar. You’ll see a font field with the current font in the home tab.
• Click on the arrow in this field. When you click on this arrow, a menu drops down. From this menu, choose the font that you want to use.

To change the font size, there's a Font Size field next to the Font menu field. Click on the arrow in the field to access the font size menu. Then, choose the right font for you from the menu.

3. Customize the Colors

Some companies require a plain resume, while others want you to show your creativity or personality. If you want to show your personality in a fun way without going over the top, then adding color by changing the background is the easiest way.

• Click on the white space in your resume.
• Click on the Design tab.
• You'll see a Page Color button in the toolbar under the design tab. Click the arrow next to that button.
• When you click on this button, a color menu appears. Choose the color of your choice.

4. Add an Image

Some resumes require a headshot. If you’re applying to a job that does require one, you need to know how to add the image to your resume.

After choosing your image and knowing where the file is located, click on the Insert tab.

Next, click on the Pictures button in the toolbar. When you click on this button, a menu appears. Choose the right option depending on where your image file is located. Adjust the image as needed.

5. Save as a PDF

Some companies would prefer if you sent them a PDF version of your resume. This is also good information if you need to email your resume.

• To save your resume as a PDF, click on the File option on the toolbar at the top of your screen. When you click on this option, a menu appears.
• Choose the Save As… option. When you click Save As , a window appears. In that window, there's a File Format: field. Click on the arrow in that field.
• When you click on the arrow, a menu drops down. Click the PDF option.
• Once the option is selected, click on the blue Save button at the bottom of the window.

5 Quick Tips To Make Great Nursing Resumes in 2024

Do you need to create an impressive nursing resume, and are you unsure how to go about it? Here are five quick tips for setting you on the right path for this job application: 

1. Add Better Keywords and Phrases

Increase the chances of getting called for an interview by adding relevant keywords and phrases to your CV. Recruiters use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software or manually screen applications to assess applicants' compatibility to the position. Learn more about the importance of keywords for resumes with this guide:

2. Highlights and Section Dividers

There are many ways to highlight and show clear division of sections. But some approaches like lines and bold fonts can look dated. While dividing by background colors can look clean and modern.

Medical-Themed Resume (premium template) from Envato Elements, uses colors to creatively divide sections

Keep this in mind while selecting your template and be sure to go with a template that creatively separates sections. A well-designed resume grabs attention, is easy to read, and directs your eyes to vital information. 

3. Provide References Upon Request

Licenses and Certification is included instead of References on the premium Medical CV Resume & Cover Letter (Envato Elements)

Leave out the references from your resume. You've got limited space to work with, and you can provide the references upon request. The goal, for now, is to include as much information (with keywords) to get an interview. 

4. Go Visual With Infographics

Medical Resume (premium example) uses simple graphics and icons to visualize some texts

Visuals grab attention more than texts. Turn timelines, skills, or software knowledge into graphics. Icons are also a great way to add more color to your resume.  

5. Stand Out With a Personal Brand Statement

Consider adding a personal brand statement to your CV. It summarizes your current position in your career and what you can bring to the company. Check out this article to find out how you can write a great personal brand statement:

5 Resume Design Trends

It'll help your job search if your resume looks current. Here are some top resume design trends to incorporate into your resume:

1. List Your Skills

Skills are an essential section that shows your potential employer what you have that they need at a glance. There are two different skills that you can add to your resume. They are:

• Hard skills . These are gained through education or work experiences.
• Soft skills . These are skills that relate to how you work and interact with others. (For example, communication, teamwork, and Problem-solving.)

Listing your skills is a great way to show your potential employer what makes you stand out among the other applicants.

2. Choose the Right Format

There are several different types of resume formats. Not every format is best for the job that you’re applying to. Here are the three top resume formats:

• Reverse Chronological Format . This format is the most common among traditional career paths. The format lists your work history in reverse chronological order, with your current job first and ending with your first job.
• Functional Format . This is a great choice for someone applying to a niche career, looking to change careers, or without work experience. In this format, you list skills and experience relevant to the job you’re applying to rather than your work history.
• Combination Format . This format will work well for you if you have a diverse work history. This format combines reverse chronological and functional formats.

When choosing which format works for you, consider the job you're applying for and your career field.

3. Include Your Social Media

Your online presence can help your job hunt. Most employers would prefer if you at least have a LinkedIn profile that you can link to on your resume. LinkedIn is a great tool where you can expand your resume. It’s created specifically for job hunters. If you have a creative job, you should link to your website with your portfolio. Before applying for a job, make sure to check all of your social media. Make sure it doesn’t have anything you don’t want potential employers to see.

4. List Your Accomplishments

Instead of just listing job titles, it's more impressive to list your accomplishments. Did you win an award in your career? Add it to the resume.

Did you finish a high number of projects? Add it to your resume. This shows your future employer that you don’t just know how to do your job but that you’re good at your job. Adding your accomplishments can impress the hiring manager and lead to a higher chance of being hired.

Subtle pops of color can make your resume stand out among boring black-and-white resumes. Before adding a pop of color, consider the job you’re applying for. For example, a resume with a hot pink background can look unprofessional if you are applying to be a lawyer. Instead, some resumes have colorful objects that highlight essential information on your resume. This is a great way to add color because you highlight important information without distracting the reader.

Discover More Top Resume Template Designs

Are you interested in exploring some top multipurpose resume templates? Here are three top collections for you to start with. 

Learn More About Making Great Resumes in 2024

Put your best foot forward with the help of an impressive registered nurse resume. Are you new at creating resumes and could use some guidance?

Pin this Ultimate Guide to Building a Resume to your browser. It serves as a quick reference with loads of tips to help you land that dream job. 

Here are three sample how-to tutorials: 

Download a Premium Top Registered Nurse Resume Template Today!

A job application process can feel daunting at times. And not getting called for an interview you wanted is highly frustrating too. Increase your chances of getting interviews by submitting a well-prepared resume that best represents you. 

Envato Elements' premium nursing resume templates get you on the right path to creating an impressive resume that'll stand out from the competition. With an active Envato Elements subscription, you'll take all your other creative projects to new heights too. It's time to work smart! 

Get the best nurse resume templates from Envato Elements! Subscribe to download now!

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Sarah Joy . Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+.

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The statement of purpose is very important to programs when deciding whether to admit a candidate. Your statement should be focused, informative, and convey your research interests and qualifications. You should describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen degree program, noting the experiences that shaped your research ambitions, indicating briefly your career objectives, and concisely stating your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Your degree program of interest may have specific guidance or requirements for the statement of purpose, so be sure to review the degree program page for more information. Unless otherwise noted, your statement should not exceed 1,000 words. 

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Please describe the personal experiences that led you to pursue graduate education and how these experiences will contribute to the academic environment and/or community in your program or Harvard Griffin GSAS. These may include social and cultural experiences, leadership positions, community engagement, equity and inclusion efforts, other opportunities, or challenges. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

Please note that there is no expectation to share detailed sensitive information and you should refrain from including anything that you would not feel at ease sharing. Please also note that the Personal Statement should complement rather than duplicate the content provided in the Statement of Purpose. 

Visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a Personal Statement is required. The degree program pages will be updated by early September indicating if the Personal Statement is required for your program.

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Please visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a writing sample is required. When preparing your writing sample, be sure to follow program requirements, which may include format, topic, or length. 

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UK election latest: Keir Starmer hits out at 'mess' left by Tories and says he's 'restless for change'

The new prime minister chaired his first cabinet meeting this morning after Labour's landslide election victory. Later on, in a sober speech before taking media questions, Sir Keir said "tough decisions" are to come - and that he would embark on a victory tour of the UK tomorrow.

Saturday 6 July 2024 16:02, UK

• General Election 2024

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Need to know

• Starmer hits out at 'mess' left by Tories | PM announces UK tour
• PM asked what he will deliver in first 100 days
• Labour cabinet pictured for first time
• Hunt rules out Tory leadership bid | Braverman: 'No announcements today'
• Starmer's challenges: Tackling exhausted NHS | Looming chaos abroad | Defence to dominate early days | Small boats plan? | Rift with scientists needs healing
• Listen: Politics at Jack and Sam's - what's in Starmer's in-tray?
• Jon Craig: Who will become next Tory leader?
• Ed Conway : The new political geography
• Meet the country's youngest MP - he's 22
• How election night unfolded in eight videos - from exit poll to defeated Rees-Mogg's film quote
• Results in every constituency

Live reporting by Ollie Cooper and (earlier) Tim Baker and Brad Young

Sir Keir Starmer has entered 10 Downing Street as the first Labour leader to become prime minister after an election since Sir Tony Blair in 1997.

While it is Sir Keir who has the top job, credit for his rise to power has also been given to the tight-knit team that surrounds him.

In the below article, our political reporter Alexandra Rogers  takes a look at the figures in the prime minister's inner circle who are likely to play a crucial role in the running of Downing Street.

Read more here . 

Sir Keir Starmer has been photographed walking up the famous No 10 staircase, past portraits of his predecessors. 

Lord Cameron, Gordon Brown, Theresa May and Tony Blair are among the portraits of past prime ministers he passes in the first image.

The new prime minister is quickly being thrown in at the deep end of his new job - as he's expected to represent the UK on the world stage just days after his appointment.

Sir Keir Starmer will debut on the international stage as Britain's leader when he flies to Washington DC for the NATO summit on Tuesday.

We'll get an early indication on his stance on the conflict in Ukraine - with discussion in the US set to be dominated by Russia's continuing war - although he had said throughout his time as leader of the opposition that any government he formed would continue to support Kyiv.

Sir Keir was a strong supporter of the Tory government's substantial financial and military contributions to Ukraine - and has pledged that his government would do the same. 

He said earlier: "It is for me to be absolutely clear that the first duty of my government is security and defence, to make clear our unshakable support of NATO.

"And of course to reiterate, as I did to President Zelenskyy yesterday, the support that we will have in this country and with our allies towards Ukraine."

That's not where it ends for Sir Keir on the international stage either, as he'll then host the European Political Community summit on 18 July.

That comes just a day after the state opening of parliament and the King's Speech - which sets out the new government's agenda.

From the cost of living crisis and small boat crossings to the drive for green energy and the war in Ukraine, the Labour government has its work cut out.

To get a sense of the challenges facing Sir Keir Starmer, we spoke to our specialist correspondents about their patches.

By  Jason Farrell , home editor

When she was home secretary, Priti Patel made a concerted investment in tackling county lines drug dealing and was often seen out on dawn raids with the police, her focus on disrupting the gangs.

Labour, it seems, will put a greater emphasis on crime prevention, keeping children out of gangs by launching a "Young Futures programme".

New Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has spoken about the "tough love" plan to tackle knife crime, which would see youth workers placed in A&E units, custody centres and pupil referral units.

Ms Cooper also promises a police reform plan to bring in mandatory standards in policing so that vetting, training and dealing with misconduct doesn't vary across forces.

The youngest MP is likely 22-year-old Sam Carling in North West Cambridgeshire.

Born in 2002, he was a toddler when his opponent, Conservative Shailesh Vara, first won North West Cambridgeshire in 2005.

He beat the veteran MP by a razor-thin 39 votes.

"Thank you so much to everyone in North West Cambridgeshire that came out to vote for me yesterday. I am beyond honoured to have been elected as your MP," he said.

He previously said he entered politics to "fight the continuing decline in public services" under the Conservatives.

Mr Carling will be nicknamed "baby of the House" when he enters the Commons, taking over the traditional moniker from Labour MP Keir Mather.

He graduated from the University of Cambridge last year and has been a councillor at Cambridge City Council since 2022, according to his LinkedIn.

Nigel Farage says he will provide "opposition in the country" - not necessarily parliament.

Reform UK underperformed exit poll expectations, winning five out of a forecast 13.

"Everyone thinks about opposition as being what happens in parliament. We will do what we can with five in parliament," he said.

"What I will do for certain is provide real opposition in the country."

Mr Farage continued: "We are not downhearted, we know the system really, really hard. We know it is very unfair on us. But you know what, we're a new party, we've built the bridgehead into parliament."

By Tom Clarke , science and technology editor

Labour has made some big promises on clean energy. If they deliver on them, it could bring meaningful long-term reductions in energy bills, as well as improve energy security and help reduce the dangers from climate change.

There are companies waiting to invest if Labour can ease the current planning and supply-chain constraints. But how they plan to deliver on other less investment-friendly pledges, like improving energy efficiency of homes and installing heat-pumps in social housing, without spending a lot more public money isn't clear.

Like their predecessors, Labour wants the UK to become a "science superpower". They want to start by healing rifts between researchers and the last government, caused first by Brexit which severed funding sources from the EU, then by the Tories' "war on woke" that seriously undermined trust among universities and saw academics unfairly targeted for their views.

A first test will be the details on a 10-year budget for key research institutions which Labour claims will elevate UK biosciences to "superpower" status. But so far there's been no detail on what those budgets might be.

One interesting area to watch is Labour's stance on AI. The UK's close relationship with big tech firms such as Google has helped us become a heavyweight in AI research and deployment, bringing real economic benefit. Maintaining Labour's commitment to protecting workers from an AI takeover without capitulating to Silicon Valley will be a tightrope walk.

While the last seat of the election has not been officially declared, the SNP candidate has conceded the two-horse race.

Drew Hendry said he would not win and will not attend the second recount in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire - which is technically still ongoing - due to prior commitments.

The Liberal Democrats have claimed victory for their candidate Angus MacDonald in the constituency, which would be their 72nd seat.

Mr Hendry said: "It has been an absolute joy to serve the people of Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey for the past nine years.

"I am obviously disappointed not to be continuing that representation under the new Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire boundary and wish the new MP every success in his new role.

"People need an MP who will fight for their needs both local and at UK level and during this cost-of-living crisis, they have never needed help and assistance more."

Our  political correspondent Rob Powell was listening in to Sir Keir Starmer's first news conference as prime minister.

He says that, from what he heard, "this wasn't a politician who was trying to sell his own brand or party.

"It wasn't a politician trying to make waves, make news.

"It wasn't a politician trying to use flowery language or soaring rhetoric. 

"This was Keir Starmer, the public administrator. Keir Starmer, in charge of the levers of power, methodically going through what he's been doing since he got into office, and then methodically laying out what he wants to do and what practically he will be doing."

The trips to the four nations of the UK and subsequent visit to Nato shows Sir Keir wants to get "straight into the business of meeting the people that he will be working with to achieve his aims".

On policy, Rob says there was a hint that taxes may need to be raised or spending cut, and "in these first hundred days, we may well be getting something that maybe wasn't set out before in the campaign and in the manifesto, but that does address some of the serious problems that are going on at the moment".

Rob says his overall takeaway is that the news conference showed the kind of PM Sir Keir would be.

He says this was "not someone that wants to be flashy" but rather "someone that wants to solve problems methodically".

But Rob cautions that Sir Keir will need to bring his party and the public with him, which can involve "flowery language" and "rhetoric" to get people on board.

"But then again, when you've got a majority the size of Keir Starmer, maybe he feels that he doesn't need to be a salesman anymore," Rob concludes.

The Sunday Mirror asks Sir Keir Starmer how important diversity in the cabinet is for him.

The PM says he is "really proud of the fact" that his cabinet reflects the aspiration that lies "at the heart of the country".

He is also asked about whether he will appoint more peers to make them ministers.

Sir Keir says he doesn't want to get ahead of himself, but more ministers will be appointed in general.

That concludes the prime minister's first news conference

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