Why I Want To Become A Registered Nurse

While at times emotionally and physically challenging, being a registered nurse has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. We are not just caregivers, but also role models for the community we serve and I am proud to be a part of this noble profession. Seeing first-hand the positive impact nurses can have on patients and their family members makes all of the stress and long hours worth it.
I started my career four years ago on an adult medical/surgical unit. There, I was able to put in to practice my nursing school education and enhance basic nursing skills such as time management, talking to patients and families and working together with the interdisciplinary team to provide the best care possible. It was evident that many of the patients I cared for did not have access to preventative health care or the resources necessary for follow up care once they were discharged. Many were soon readmitted to the hospital. I quickly realized that dedicating time to provide education to my patients would be just as important as the medications and treatments I administered. While I was able to grow as a nurse during my time working with the adult population, I always had a
strong desire to work with our tiniest patients, the babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Making the switch to the NICU has been a challenging yet amazing experience. The advances that have been made in medicine which allow a premature baby born at 23 weeks gestation to survive and go home to his or her parents fascinates me. Having a premature infant can be hard on the parents as many spend months in the NICU and need specialized and attentive care at home upon discharge. As a nurse in the NICU you are responsible for the well-being of the parents and families as well as the babies. The patient population I serve has a large need for resources, education and support after discharge.
Seeing the struggles that these newborns and families will face once they leave the NICU has inspired me to take my career a step further and broaden my scope of practice. I have known for a while that I wanted to play a larger role in the holistic care of patients and families. By becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner I will be able to provide more individualized and attentive care to the whole person. As a nurse practitioner I can step in to the role of primary care provider with the same compassion and understanding I had as a bedside nurse. I understand and look forward to the increased responsibility that comes with being a nurse practitioner as you determine and manage the care of your patients. I hope to provide the resources necessary to children and their parents that will allow them to lead a healthy physical and mental lifestyle.
I believe that Drexel University’s program is the perfect fit for me.
With distance learning I feel as though you are getting the best of both worlds. On-campus visits allow for face to face interaction and clinical simulations while the online portion of the program allows me to continue to work and gain more experience at the bedside while maintaining a flexible yet rigorous class schedule. The dual acute and primary care degree allows me to explore a number of options after graduation. This program gives me the ability to practice both in the hospital and primary care setting, enhancing my decision making and clinical skills. I believe this program will prepare me for any opportunity that comes my way. I am hardworking and committed to making the most of my educational
experiences.
After graduation and passing my boards I will work in a Pediatric ICU. I enjoy the critical thinking and fast pace that comes with working in an ICU and I believe it is a great setting for enhancing your clinical skills. After a few years of practicing in a large hospital setting I plan on working as a primary care provider for underserved communities. The need for well-educated and compassionate primary care providers is greatest in the underserved population, whether that be in an inner city or rural area. There I will help further preventative health care in the community and be able to give my patients and their families the individualized care they need. I will serve as a leader and role model for parents while providing excellent care and support. My experiences in the NICU have led me to discover that my goal as a nurse practitioner is to ensure that children are provided with the proper health care and education needed to continue a healthy life style into adulthood.
As a pediatric nurse practitioner I will be able to combine all of the wonderful qualities of nursing with the ability and autonomy to diagnose and treat patients holistically. I believe that Drexel University will provide me with the skills and education I need to be successful in my career and reach the goals I have set for myself.