why i want to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner essay

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Why I Want to Be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

• Categories: Why Did You Choose Nursing Why I Want To Be A Nurse

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Words: 693 |

Updated: 13 December, 2023

Words: 693 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

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• Brinkworth, M., & Watson, K. (2016). A comparative study of high and low achieving university students: motivation, study strategies and academic performance. Higher Education Research & Development, 35(1), 1-14.
• Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention. Harper Collins.
• Deci, E. L., Koestner, R., & Ryan, R. M. (1999). A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 125(6), 627-668.
• Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
• Johnson, W. (2009). Why I hate school but love education. Spoken Word Poem. Youtube.
• Paunesku, D., Walton, G. M., Romero, C., Smith, E. N., Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2015). Mind-set interventions are a scalable treatment for academic underachievement. Psychological Science, 26(6), 784-793.
• Pham, L. B., Taylor, S. E., & Seibert, P. S. (2012). Mindfulness and intellectual achievement: A moderated mediation model of academic self-efficacy. Mindfulness, 3(3), 212-222.
• Silverman, L. K. (1993). The highly gifted. ERIC Digest.
• Tough, P. (2012). How children succeed: Grit, curiosity, and the hidden power of character. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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12 Most Common Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Interview Questions + Answers

Interviews can be incredibly intimidating for psychiatric nurse practitioner jobs, for both new graduates and experienced NPs. Recent graduates may have increased stress because it is their first job after completing and obtaining their certification to practice as a psychiatric mental health NP. But, it can also be intimidating for experienced psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) because they know the type of job they want and only apply to jobs that meet that criterion. Regardless of experience, interviews tend to include similar questions—a huge plus! So, what are the most common psychiatric nurse practitioner interview questions? Below, you will find a list of the 12 most common psychiatric nurse practitioner interview questions and sample answers that will help prepare you to land your dream PMHNP job!

WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS?

Are psychiatric nurse practitioner job interview questions hard to answer, what are the most common psychiatric nurse practitioner interview questions, question #1: tell me about yourself, what the interviewer really wants to know:, sample answer:, question #2: why did you want to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, question #3: in your opinion, what are the three most important qualities of a pmhnp, question #4: what are your short-term goals as a pmhnp, question #5: where do you see yourself in 5 years, question #6: can you tell me about a time you disagreed or experienced conflict with a co-worker how did you handle the situation and what was the overall outcome, question #7: due to the complexity of many of the patients you will be caring for, family is often involved in the treatment plan. how do you plan on keeping the family informed of the treatment plan and progress made, question #8: tell me about your strengths., question #9: tell me about your weaknesses., question #10: tell me about your experience as a psychiatric mental health np., question #11: many appointments are now conducted via telehealth—do you have experience with telemedicine, question #12: why do you want to join and what will you bring to this clinic as a psychiatric mental health np, my final thoughts.

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How to Write the Perfect NP School Personal Statement

Apr 7, 2020 | Job Search Tips

Most nurse practitioner (NP) schools require their prospective students to compose a personal statement. Often, these elusive essays cause applicants to panic, but with just cause: personal statements are one of the most important components of NP school applications.

Having applied to a BSN, MSN, and DNP program in my past, I have written more personal statements than I can count. In this article, I offer general advice for preparing, writing, and editing your essay.

To help temper your anxiety, this post elaborates on the importance of:

• Following directions
• Being honest
• Writing passionately and professionally
• Making your case
• Starting with an outline
• Offering a story
• Speaking the nursing language
• Addressing your “red flags”
• Giving yourself plenty of time
• Using correct syntax and grammar
• Reading it out loud

Follow Directions

First and foremost, follow directions. Each school has different guidelines for their personal statements, and you do not want your application thrown out just because you fell under their required word count. Some schools provide explicit information on the length, format, and content of the personal statement while others leave the task more open-ended.

For example,  Vanderbilt University  provides an open-ended prompt for the admissions essay: “The Statement of Purpose should reflect your understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse and your interest in either a particular patient population, in healthcare leadership or in nursing informatics. Before writing your statement of purpose, please carefully review information about the specialty on our website so that you clearly indicate to the faculty that your career goals are a fit with the specialty.”

Drexel University  also offers specific guidelines for their personal statement requirement: “Personal statement (under 1,000 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of: (1) Why you are choosing this particular program of study; (2) Your plans upon completion of the graduate degree; and, (3) How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this MSN program.”

On the other hand, NP schools like  Duke University  and  University of California San Francisco  merely ask for a “personal statement” or “goal statement” with no further direction. Be aware that not every school calls your essay a personal statement. Allen College, for example, calls it a “biographical sketch,” and Johns Hopkins University calls it a “written expression of goals.”

Every application will be slightly different, so it is important to stay organized. Table 1 is an example of how I stayed organized during my NP school applications.

Make sure your answers line up with your resume or curriculum vitae. Do not exaggerate your skills or accomplishments. Instead, be proud of what you have achieved and speak enthusiastically about your desire to become an NP.

Never let someone else write your essay for you, and never plagiarize content from books, blogs, or journal articles. The admissions committee may scan your personal statement for plagiarism using an online program. Be sure to check your essay before you submit it using a website like  PlagTracker ,  Turn It In , or  Grammarly .

Write Passionately and Professionally

One of my favorite quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” If being an NP is your goal, pursue it with courage, determination, and passion. Become enthusiastic about all things nurse practitioning.

Writing professionally does not mean writing a bland, scientific paper. Be concise, be consistent, use clear examples, and make it sound like you. Make sure your personal statement succinctly and lucidly portrays your passion for becoming an NP. Do not use this essay as a means to criticize past professors or other NP programs.

Make Your Case

Think of your personal statement as your chance to convince the admissions committee to accept you. Why should they admit you? What makes you unique? Why will you succeed in graduate school? Why will you be an excellent nurse practitioner? Use your essay to make your case.

Make sure you tailor your answers to your chosen medical specialty. For example, if you are applying to become an emergency nurse practitioner, what characteristics do you have that will ensure your success? Are you quick on your feet, calm under pressure, and compassionate to all? Are you enthusiastic about this specialty? What have you done or what do you do that demonstrates your passion?

Start with an Outline

Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to begin. A mind map can help you start brainstorming. A mind map is a spidergram that offers a structured method for developing ideas.

When you are ready, use your mind map to create a topical outline. Typically, you will want to have an introduction and conclusion paragraph that sandwich a handful of body paragraphs. Your introduction and conclusion should include your thesis and summary of your subtopics. Each body paragraph should elaborate upon one subtopic. I use the following outline when beginning my articles.

Introduction Paragraph

• An attention-grabbing opening statement
• A thesis statement summarizing the theme and purpose of the paper
• Mention each subtopic covered in the body paragraphs

Body Paragraphs (one for each subtopic)

• Opening sentence that indicates subtopic to be discussed
• Multiple sentences that provide supporting details and examples
• A short explanation regarding how these details or examples relate to your thesis

Concluding Paragraph

• Begin with a restatement of your thesis
• Summarize your main topic and subtopics
• End with global statement

Offer a Story

You want the admissions team to remember you. You want to stand out. Try to incorporate a personal story that will make you memorable. The stories can usually be about anything you like: anything from a conversation with a mentor to a volunteer experience. Make the story interesting and use it to illustrate and emphasize your key points.

Choose a story that describes how you decided to become an NP or one that illustrates your personal values. You might also write about a particular challenge or experience that changed your perspective. Try to choose a story that gives the reader a clear impression of who you are and why you will be successful in NP school.

Consider beginning the story in your introduction, telling small pieces in each body paragraph, and ending the story in your conclusion paragraph. If you decide to tel a story in your personal statement, I suggest using the outline below.

• Open with a short vignette that introduces your story and the conflict or challenge
• With each new body paragraph, tell a little more of the story, relating each part of the anecdote to the subtopic
• Conclude the story with what you learned or by emphasizing the moral
• Restatement of your thesis and summarize your subtopics

Speak the Nursing Language

In your personal statement, speak the nursing language. This will give you credibility. For those new to the NP field, learn the language by reading as many books as you can.  A good place to start is Stewart and DeNisco’s  Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner . This text offers a broad overview of health policy, healthcare reform, mentoring, prescriptive authority, and the history of NPs. A newer book that I love is Carolyn Buppert’s  Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide . This book will give you more detailed information about the scope of practice laws in each state.

It never hurts to touch on these seminal publications from the  Institute of Medicine :

• The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health
• Assessing Progress on the IOM Report The Future of Nursing
• To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System
• Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century
• Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality

You might also consider citing these position papers published by the  American Association of Nurse Practitioners :

• Quality of Nurse Practitioner Practice
• Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners
• Use of Terms Such as Mid-Level Provider and Physician Extender
• Clinical Outcomes: The Yardstick of Educational Effectiveness
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Discussion Paper
• Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

Address Your Red Flags

If you have a red flag in your application, explain it in your personal statement. Do you have a bad grade or low Graduate Record Exam score? Maybe you lack a full year of nursing experience. Rather than shying away from the topic, offer a clear, accurate explanation. Demonstrate humility, and write about how you have compensated for this mistake, challenge, setback, or flaw.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Do not procrastinate! Start your personal statement weeks in advance. Give yourself adequate time to brainstorm, write an outline, compose each paragraph, revise, and edit. A rushed essay might land your entire application in the rejected pile.

Use Correct Syntax and Grammar

Proofread, proofread, and proofread again! A clean, well-composed essay exemplifies your ability to succeed in a graduate program. My favorite website for checking grammar is  Grammarly . They offer a free and premium service. They advertise that their software catches 250 errors that Microsoft Word does not detect. I also find their free  Grammar Handbook  helpful.

Throughout my DNP program, I started a list of general writing tips. Here are some of the most important:

• Use  American Psychological Association  (APA) formating
• Avoid generalities, cliches, and psychobabble
• Do not use the verb “to get”
• Do not use “very” as an intensifier
• Data is plural, so use a plural verb
• Use active voice whenever possible
• “Compare with” points out differences between two similar things
• Affect is a verb and effect is a noun
• Keep the subject and the verb close together
• Omit needless prepositions
• Use that if what you are saying cannot be eliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence
• Use which if you can delete the clause and the sentence will still have the same meaning
• Avoid using negative statements
• Write out numbers under 10 (e.g. three, seven, 10, 45)
• Be consistent with abbreviations and titles
• Avoid contractions

In general, avoid adverbs. Instead, use stronger verbs that imply the adverb. Here is a list of strong verbs to consider:

• Exemplifies
• Corroborates
• Approximates

There are a variety of websites that can help you with APA formatting, grammar, syntax, and checking for plagiarism. Some good resources include:

• http://www.apastyle.org/
• http://www.thesaurus.com/
• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
• http://www.grammarbook.com/
• https://www.plagtracker.com

Read it Out Loud

After you have finished writing your essay, read it out loud. Most people have more experience listening and speaking than writing and editing. By reading your personal statement out loud, your brain will hear the information and new way and notice flaws you did not see before.

It helps to print a copy of your paper so that you can take notes as you read. Read at a slow to moderate pace. Try to be systematic about your reading: check for grammar the first time through, syntax the second time, and tone the third time.

As you listen to your paper, pay attention to the order of your ideas. Note any gaps in your explanations. Make sure you transition clearly from one main idea to the next. Do not be afraid to reorder sentences, paragraphs, or entire sections. Also, listen for grammatical and syntax errors. You will probably notice sentences that are awkward, too convoluted, and repetitive.

Finally, hearing your paper out loud will give you a sense of its tone. Does your paper sound too casual, too chatty, or too formal? This essay is the admission committee’s first impress of you. Consider reading your paper to a friend and asking them what impression they obtain from your answers.

Dr. Melissa DeCapua, DNP, PMHNP-BC

AuthorMelissa DeCapua is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who graduated from Vanderbilt University. She has a background in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as psychosomatic medicine. Uniquely, she also possesses a bachelor’s degree in studio arts, which she uses to enhance patient care, promote the nursing profession, and solve complex problems. Melissa currently works as the Healthcare Strategist at a Seattle-based health information technology company where she guides product development by combining her clinical background and creative thinking. She is a strong advocate for empowering nurses, and she fiercely believes that nurses should play a pivotal role in shaping modern health care. For more about Melissa, check out her blog  www.melissadecapua.com  and follow her on  Twitter @melissadecapua .

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How to Write an Excellent NP School Personal Statement

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“Try not to rush this statement. We recommend taking some time to reflect on your nursing career accomplishments, as well as situations that perhaps were learning situations that did not end favorably. Use these to reflect on your motivation and priorities and how they apply to the topic that the school has provided.”

Dr. Doreen Rogers, DNS, RN, CCRN, CNE, Assistant Professor of Nursing & Graduate Nursing Program Director at Utica University

Anyone who’s ever applied to a nurse practitioner program knows two things: careers in nursing are in high demand and graduate school admissions are competitive. Nurse practitioner careers are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States; in fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) predicts that 118,600 new NP jobs will be added to the economy between 2022 and 2032—a 45 percent increase.

So why are nurse practitioner admissions so competitive? A shortage of qualified nursing teaching faculty and an increasing number of retiring nurses are some possible reasons, according to CNN . 

Despite these admissions barriers, a nationwide shortage of doctors is poised to restrict patients’ access to care. To address this problem, states are beginning to expand the scope of practice laws for nurse practitioners. The U.S. News & World Report shows that 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the Veterans Health Administration removed practice authority limitations for NPs, which resulted in expanded healthcare and decreased costs. 

One thing is sure: applicants for nursing practitioner programs must put together flawless applications to rank high with an admissions committee. In addition, an aspiring nurse practitioner who wants to stand out and make a solid first impression needs to write an excellent nurse practitioner (NP) school personal statement.  

To help out hard-working nurses who spend more time seeing patients than practicing academic writing skills, here are some tips for writing an excellent nurse practitioner (NP) school personal statement.

Follow the Five-Paragraph Essay Format

Drexel University has a video featuring several tips for writing a personal essay for admissions committees. The video recommends applicants organize their statements in a five-paragraph essay format and write no more than 500 words. 

• First paragraph: Make an immediate impact in your introduction
• Second paragraph: Explain what attracted you to the program and field
• Third paragraph: Compare your short- and long-term goals with the program goals
• Fourth paragraph: Share your skills, experiences, and characteristics
• Fifth paragraph: Conclude by summarizing your five-paragraph essay

Drexel University also offers a downloadable infographic to illustrate what admissions committees are looking for in an applicant’s essay.

Write an Impactful Introduction

Pretty Nurse Ashley , a registered nurse who documented her experience getting into Vanderbilt University’s top-ranked nurse practitioner program, emphasizes the importance of an impactful introduction in a personal statement in her YouTube video:

That first sentence needs to be something spectacular, something that’s going to pull them in, so it needs to be very creative and something that’s going to get their attention. With your personal statement, you want to stand out from the other applicants. You want to create a story, create a vivid picture of who you are.

At a time when nursing schools are sending thousands of rejection letters to qualified applicants, Pretty Nurse Ashley’s advice to make a strong introduction is solid advice to help an applicant open their statement with what makes them unique.

Do Your Homework: Advice From an NP Career Coach

Renee Dahring is a nurse practitioner career coach , past president of the Minnesota chapter of the APRN Coalition, and a nursing university instructor with extensive experience in recruitment and admissions for nurse practitioner programs. When applying to NP schools, Ms. Dahring recommends that nurse practitioner applicants do their homework in three areas.

Show Your Commitment to Finish

Dahring said, “Every university wants its students to finish, especially in a nurse practitioner program. If you drop out, your spot in the NP cohort is empty. Mostly we like to know: ‘Have people thought this decision through?’” 

In other words, when an NP program admission committee decides to admit a student, they are investing in that person to finish the program. Therefore, if it seems like a risky investment, they will not want to admit that individual.

Connect Your Career Goals to the NP Program’s Mission

“Understand what the program’s goals and missions are and align your personal statement with them. . .Also, consider the mission of the educational institution; most have a dedication to the underserved, but that will vary from place to place,” Dahring advised.

Addressing a program’s or an institution’s mission statement directly in a personal essay can catch the attention of an admission committee. They want to ensure that a person is a strong fit for their specific program. It’s also a benefit for applicants to be familiar with a school’s objectives and guiding philosophy, as it can help ensure that a program is the right fit for them.

Demonstrate Your Understanding of NP Scope of Practice Laws 

Dahring also stated, “The other important thing is to have a really good understanding of the NP Scope of Practice Laws. . .You should have a clear idea of what you are allowed and not allowed to do in the states where you apply for NP school and intend to work as a nurse practitioner.” 

NPs can practice more independently in some states than others—and a solid understanding of these regional nuances can inform one’s essay.

Take Time to Communicate Clearly

Above all, take the time to write and edit well. Admissions committees read through hundreds of personal statements, so communicating concisely and clearly can increase an applicant’s chances of admission to an NP program.

Dr. Doreen Rogers is an assistant professor of nursing and the graduate nursing program director at Utica University in New York. She advises applicants to use their best writing skills:

Remember, your personal statement is an opportunity for you to convey what motivates you and discuss your priorities as a healthcare professional while extending them to your future career as a nurse practitioner. Some aspects that are exceptionally important are the use of appropriate grammar, spelling, word selection, and sentence structure (including an introductory paragraph, transition sentences in between paragraphs, and a conclusion that ties everything together).

Dr. Rogers also recommended taking the time to communicate clearly: “Try not to rush this statement. Instead, we recommend taking some time to reflect on your nursing career accomplishments, as well as situations that perhaps were learning situations that did not end favorably. Use these to reflect on your motivation and priorities and how they apply to the topic that the school has provided.”

Rachel Drummond, MEd

On NPschools.com, Rachel Drummond has leveraged her extensive background in education and mindfulness to provide valuable insights to nursing professionals since 2020. She explores how mindfulness and movement can be incorporated into the demanding routines of nurses, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical well-being for increased resilience and effectiveness in the challenging field of nursing.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog , inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

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4 Reasons to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are on the front lines of identifying and treating mental health issues in the United States. The National Alliance of Mental Illness ( NAMI ) reported that 21% of American adults experienced mental health challenges in 2020. Undiagnosed and untreated mental health illnesses lead to serious mental health issues in 5.6% of American adults.

All nurses help their patients heal from pain and manage chronic conditions, but advanced psychiatric nurse education bestows nurses with the tools to also provide effective mental health interventions. This nursing career path is highly in demand, but it may not be right for everyone; it is helpful to understand what psychiatric nurse practitioners do before exploring why this career path is right for you.

The Daily Work of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners

Practicing nurses looking into careers as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) may wonder about day-to-day responsibilities . This subset of advanced practice registered nurses works with patients on individualized approaches to mental health. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association ( APNA ) lists the following activities overseen by psychiatric nurse practitioners:

• Facilitating individual and group psychotherapy sessions
• Practicing case management and crisis intervention
• Completing intake screening and comprehensive assessments
• Coordinating care with physicians and specialists
• Providing input on policies and programs related to patient care

In the Minority Nurse article, psychiatric nurse practitioner Dr. Jonathan V. Llamas, DNP, RN-BC, PMHNP-BC, PHN, describes why he ultimately made the decision to transition from RN to PMHNP: “After graduation, I worked briefly in the ER and ICU settings, which taught me invaluable lessons such as time management and prioritization, but it never fully gave me the satisfaction I was yearning for. It was at this moment that I decided to pursue a career in psychiatry in hopes of better understanding not only mental illness but also the psychological, emotional, and spiritual ailments that patients experience on a daily basis.”

Psychiatric nurse practitioners draw on their clinical experiences and graduate education to best serve their patients. Dr. Kathleen McCoy , DNSc, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP says that a PMHNP “considers all that a patient is as well as [their potential]… PMHNPs use biological interventions, psychotherapies, traditional approaches and more, as all nurse practitioners do, by partnering with people, penetrating conditions and making a difference in lives… There are few psychiatrists and fewer pediatric, geriatric and addiction psychiatrists; these trends indicate the U.S. needs PMHNPs.”

If all of this sounds appealing to you so far, continue on to our breakdown of four reasons this career path may be right for you .

1. Serving Diverse Patients in a Variety of Settings

PMHNPs provide advanced care in a wide range of settings where mental health needs are treated. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) annual survey of members in 2020 found the most common PMHNP settings were:

• Behavioral health clinics
• Psychiatric mental health facilities
• Private NP practices

PMHNPs have significant impacts on patients facing long-standing disparities in mental health care. Psychiatric nurse education expands beyond clinical experiences to the policy and social trends affecting communities. For example, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA ) found the following service usage rates by race and ethnicity:

• White (70.5%)
• Black (57.9%)
• Hispanic (52.8%)

NAMI determined that 11% of adults with mental illness were not covered by insurance. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) concluded that 39% of adults with moderate to severe mental health symptoms do not receive treatment. Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with their patients to overcome reluctance, inability to pay, and other challenges on the path to better health.

2. Filling Demand for Mental Health Practitioners

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the mental health needs of millions of Americans. Psychologists and psychiatrists experienced significant surges in workloads that have been difficult to maintain. The American Psychological Association ( APA ) surveyed telehealth psychologists one year into the pandemic and found:

• 68% of respondents reported longer waitlists in 2021 than in 2020
• 65% of respondents reported no capacity for new patients
• 62% of respondents saw increased patient referrals

These trends made finding mental health services more difficult for patients. The APA survey also found that 41% of psychologists felt that they were unable to meet patient demands. Forty-six percent of respondents reported burnout due to increased workloads and 56% sought peer support for job-related stress.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are poised to relieve the capacity limitations facing patients. The PMHNP certification area only represents 4.7% of all nurse practitioners in the United States in 2022. Newly graduated practitioners are needed to provide compassionate and cost-effective care for mental health disorders.

3. Expanding Access to Psychiatric Services

Supply-and-demand issues in the mental health professions create ripple effects from practitioners to health systems. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing found that 52% of behavioral health organizations faced an increasing demand for their services. This report also determined that 65% of organizations had to turn away or reschedule patients due to limited staffing.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners can ease these stresses after completing their graduate programs. In most states, PMHNPs are licensed to provide the same diagnostic and treatment services as psychologists and psychiatrists. You can keep much-needed organizations from turning away patients with your practitioner experience and education.

You can also open a private practice to help underserved communities. AANP notes that the District of Columbia and 26 states provide full-practice authority for nurse practitioners. New practices - especially those aimed at low-income and rural areas - create a richer community of mental health providers.

4. Combining a Fulfilling Career with Strong Earning Potential

Limited service capacity and talent pools make psychiatric nurse practitioner positions attractive to experienced nurses. PMHNP graduates find numerous opportunities to immediately impact communities with their compassionate approach to care. High demand for specialized nursing skills also translates into higher potential earnings for practitioners.

AANP’s 2020 survey calculated an average compensation package of $137,000 per year for PMHNPs. This figure compares favorably to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) averages for nurse practitioners ($120,680) and registered nurses ($77,600). Psychiatric nurse practitioners can improve their financial security while providing invaluable mental health care to patients of all ages.

Start Your Nursing Career at Marymount University

The entry-level option for students with non-nursing undergraduate degrees is the Online ABSN . In just 16 months, Online ABSN students complete the following requirements in preparation for RN careers:

• An on-campus residency
• Clinical placements in Virginia
• 100% online courses on topics like Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Marymount’s ABSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Nursing courses at Marymount are taught by practicing APRNs who can speak with authority about the profession. The university’s stellar reputation is confirmed by top U.S. News & World Report rankings in its National Universities and Nursing categories. 

If you want to become an RN, contact one of our student advisors to discuss if this program is right for you.

Request My Free Marymount Accelerated BSN Program Guide

Out-of-State Students

Clinical placement requirements are unique for each state. Please see our list of program offerings by state or contact us to determine whether our programs fulfill your state requirements.

CCNE Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Marymount University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Requirements Not Met

To proceed with either the BSN to MSN FNP or the BSN to DNP FNP or the BSN to DNP PMHNP or the MSN PMHNP, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree and hold your RN license.

To proceed with either the PMC-FNP or the PMC-DNP or the PMC-PMHNP, you are required to have a master's degree and hold your RN license.

To proceed with the ABSN, you are required to have a bachelor's degree.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us .

To proceed with the EdD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership degree, you are required to have a master’s degree.

If you don’t meet this requirement but would still like further information, please contact us .

To proceed with the Doctor of Business Administration - Business Intelligence degree, you are required to have a master’s degree.

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April 2, 2020

What Is the Role of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?

Learn how real students navigate their way through the graduate school admissions process and grad school itself with our What is Graduate School Really Like? series.

Meet Javier, a DNP student on a mission to increase mental health awareness in his community.

Javier, thank you for sharing your story with us!

What inspired you to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner?

Javier: I always knew I wanted to work in mental health as some sort of therapist. As such, I applied to social work school with the idea of becoming a licensed clinical social worker. However, while I absolutely think the social work curriculum is outstanding, I felt as if it did not place an emphasis on neurophysiology as much as I would have liked it to. 

I withdrew my application and thought to myself, What now? 

At this time, I was working for an after-school program which utilized nursing students as volunteers. One of the nursing students suggested that I become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. At the time, I was not familiar with the role of a nurse practitioner. After looking more into what the role of the psychiatric nurse practitioner entailed, I found it aligned perfectly with what I saw myself developing a career out of. 

LISTEN: Wake Up to Your Amazing Career Possibilities: How to Discover Which Job You Will Love >>

The fact that PMHNPs (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners) are trained to provide both medication management and psychotherapy would allow me to enjoy the best of both worlds. This specialized role would allow me to treat patients holistically, both through medical management and therapy. 

With this in mind, I knew that I had to become a nurse first before becoming a nurse practitioner. I did consider staying a nurse and working in a psychiatric unit. However the role of an RN in psychiatry is different from the purpose and interest that I have: which was to be able to provide psychotherapy to clients and gain a deeper understanding of neuroanatomy and psychopharmacology. More importantly, I wanted to be able to have more autonomy over the treatment plan of the patient, which as a nurse practitioner, I would be able to have. 

Did you work at all as an RN or go straight on to begin your PMHNP training?  

Javier: I did not work as an RN prior to starting NP school. The PMHNP program at Columbia School of Nursing is a unique program. They are considered a Masters Entry into Nursing Program (MENP) program, which is designed for professionals who already possess a bachelor’s degree in an area of study other than nursing. For example, I had a bachelor of science in psychology with a focus on marriage and family therapy. As such, the program at Columbia School of nursing does not require RN experience. Our first year is considered the Master Direct Entry year. Throughout this time we take traditional BSN courses. However, given that it is a Masters program, we take additional courses that BSN nurses do not take. These courses include advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, and care coordination. Completing this program allows us to sit for our RN licensing exam (NCLEX), before seamlessly transitioning into our NP specialty program. 

Is it common for students to work as nurses before NP school? How about during NP school?

Javier: As a very academically demanding full-time program, it is very difficult to work throughout our DNP, but there are a few folks that do work as an RN while in the DNP portion, especially those in the Acute Care specialty, as that specialty requires students to work during their program in order to gain experience. 

All in all, though it is common for students to work as RNs first and then move toward the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role, it is no longer a requirement. 

To this point, there have been times where I have received negative attention for taking this route. I have heard things like, “You’re going to become an NP without working as an RN first?” or “You can’t be a good NP without bedside experience.” I disagree. I think in the case of the PMHNP specialty, bedside nursing experience does not necessarily equate to developing the skills necessary for excellent patient-centered holistic care. 

In my case, while I do not have any bedside RN experience in psych, my previous academic background in psychology has given me a foundation in psychiatry. More importantly, working as a case manager also provided me with invaluable experience, given that most of my clients had some sort of DSM-5 diagnosis. 

Additionally, throughout my RN curriculum, I was able to secure a preceptorship inside a high acuity inpatient psychiatric unit here in the City of New York. This added experience was in addition to the psychiatric rotation that all nurses have to complete. 

How does your program divide students’ time between classroom learning and clinical encounters? Are you happy with the breakdown?

Javier: Our program currently has us taking didactic courses such as individual psychotherapy theory, group psychotherapy theory, and family psychotherapy theory. In addition, we complete hundreds of hours of clinical time focusing on these three modalities. We have classes three days out of the week and clinicals on the other days. At times it can feel overwhelming, however it does make it easier to apply what we are learning in the classroom to our clients. 

Did you ever consider becoming a physician assistant? How are the fields different?

Javier: I did not consider becoming a physician assistant (PA) for a few reasons. One of these reasons is the fact that PAs get trained broadly in medicine, similar to the education of a medical doctor (MD, DO) and do not really specialize until they have graduated and found an area they would like to work in. In contrast, the training that NPs receive is very specialized with the exception of a few specialties that focus on primary care health. 

I really wanted to focus in psychiatry and decided that having a focused education would be a better fit for me. In addition, as of now in all 50 states, PAs are required to have physician oversight or some sort of collaborating agreement with a physician at all times. However, for nurse practitioners, depending on the legislation of the state, there are different scopes of practice. In other words, some states require NPs to have physician oversight, while others do not require physician oversight at all. This depends on the state and the type of organization you work for. 

Lastly, the biggest differences are the educational models that we are trained under. PAs are trained closely using the medical model of care while nurse practitioners are trained under the nursing model of care, which stresses patient-centered care and places a huge emphasis on holistic care as well as culturally competent care.

What is the gender breakdown of your NP class? Have you encountered gender bias as a male NP student?

Javier: Throughout my experience in nursing school, males are definitely the minority when it comes to gender representation. However there are currently six men and twenty women in my NP cohort. That said, there is definitely gender bias in nursing. For example, there have been times where I have walked into a patient’s room and been called a physician- while my female peers have been confused with nurses. This is interesting given that we all have the same role and give similar introductions when we walk into a patient’s room. 

At what point does an NP student select their specialty track? Is it common to choose more than one track? Is it possible to switch tracks, either as a student or later as a practicing professional?

Javier: In order to apply to NP school, you must select a specialty track from the very beginning. For example, I applied to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty. In general, it is uncommon for students to pick more than one track unless they are in a program that simultaneously satisfies the requirements for more than one track. For example, some programs have a combined nurse midwifery (CNMW) and women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) track or a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) track. 

Once you sit for your boards and become certified as an NP, if you wanted to switch specialties you would be required to apply to the additional specialty. Luckily, you do not have to start from scratch again. Most of your credits from your previous NP training will transfer, such as advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment. However, you would be responsible for the specialty courses and clinical hours within that specialty, and of course you would be required to sit for your boards in the specialty.

What sparked your interest in psychiatry as a specialty?

Javier: I absolutely love psychiatry, I think most of my interest came from having personal experience with close family members having psychiatric conditions. Additionally, I do remember taking a high school psychology course and absolutely falling in love with it. In fact, I ended up majoring in psychology in college. 

it was really my abnormal psychology class which covered DSM-5 disorders that really sold me on it. I remember just being in complete awe when I learned about personality disorders and the role of trauma in our lives. After taking that course and other courses throughout college I was able to understand people from a different perspective. 

The following year I took neuropharmacology and neurophysiology. Understanding the physiology of the brain was so complex and intriguing, it kept me engaged even outside of the classroom. Even more so, learning how different medications interact in different areas of the brain with different receptors was beyond fascinating. 

Outside of the classroom I began to notice that there was truly a huge need for psychiatric services. It was during this time that my classmates began emerging with complaints of anxiety and depression and I was able to provide support using the skills I had learned. I was able to support friends who needed help, and provided them with resources for them to utilize should they find themselves in crisis. 

I also noticed in them a common theme and complaint. That is, many of them were blamed for their current symptoms or told to be stronger by another individual. As a result, I realized that mental health was a topic that was not prioritized in families, let alone the community around us. For this reason, I knew my purpose was to increase awareness in our community regarding mental health. 

Do you see yourself focusing more on psychopharmacology or psychotherapy as a practicing NP?

Javier: As a practicing NP, I will most likely be focusing on medication management, as psychotherapy is often left to other mental health professionals who focus solely on therapy. However, we do receive training in psychotherapy while in school. It is often standard practice to incorporate psychotherapy interventions in your sessions regardless. This may involve asking the client to track negative thoughts throughout the day (CBT), or to focus on their senses when feeling overwhelmed (mindfulness). Another approach would be to perhaps ask the client to hold ice cubes in their hand when they feel like engaging in self harming behaviors. However, if I am able to find a job that allows me to do both, I would definitely prioritize that over a job that only allows me to do medication management. 

Ultimately I would like to own a private practice where I can do both medication management and psychotherapy. I am particularly interested in cluster-B personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Clients with this diagnosis require intensive therapy and at times benefit from medication therapy.

Do you have questions for Javier? Questions for us? Do you want to be featured in our next  What is Graduate School Really Like?  post? Know someone else who you’d love to see featured? Are there questions you’d like us to ask our students in this series?  LET US KNOW!

You can learn more about Javier by  following him on Instagram .

Are you setting out on your own grad school journey? We can help you reach the finish line! Check out our  Graduate School Admissions Consulting Services  to team up with an admissions expert who will help you join the ranks of thousands of Accepted clients who get accepted to their dream schools.

Related Resources:

• Fitting In and Standing Out: The Paradox at the Heart of Admissions , a free guide
• Why Should I Consider Allied Health Careers
• Which One is Right for Me? PA vs. NP vs. Medical School

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Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, Admission Essay Example

Pages: 6

Words: 1634

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My career aspirations in nursing practice are indicative of my passion for providing patient care and treatment to all persons, regardless of their health status. Many people face significant health challenges that they are unable to overcome; therefore, require quality healthcare from nurses at all times. My passion for nursing encompasses a number of different perspectives because I aspire to develop my skills and abilities on a continuous basis to expand my knowledge and inspiration in providing support to patients. I am confident that my core strengths and abilities as a nurse are reflective of my values and beliefs that will guide me throughout my nursing career. The experiences that I have acquired to date will provide me with a basis for a role as an advanced nurse practitioner in order to provide my patients with opportunities for recovery that support their primary objectives. My career aspirations in an advanced nursing role will be achieved through a comprehensive education program that will advance my knowledge and sharpen my skills effectively to achieve greater outcomes within the profession.

In expanding my nursing knowledge to date, I have discovered that there are significant factors associated with advanced nursing roles and expectations that I have yet to explore. I am seeking an advanced nursing practice specialization because this type of experience will enable me to make effective decisions regarding patient care and treatment under specific conditions. Many patients struggle for survival in different ways; therefore, I must recognize my role as a student in order to offer my patients an opportunity to achieve greater recovery and strength throughout the clinical process. I am also interested in an advanced nursing career path because this option will enable me to explore my potential in this type of role in order to achieve success and greater fulfillment in this capacity. I am confident that my talents and my passion for nursing will represent me well in my future endeavors as an advanced nursing professional.

My pursuit of an advanced degree in nursing will also provide me with the tools that are necessary to support my patients as they struggle with a variety of issues that contribute to difficult circumstances and limited outcomes. I believe that with an advanced level of education, I will be inspired to commit myself to my patients in a manner that is consistent with their ability to recover and to adapt to change as necessary. I am confident that with an advanced doctoral degree in nursing, I will accomplish my goals and objectives in a manner that is consistent with the issues that are most relevant to nursing practice. It is evident that there must be an opportunity to convey the challenges of nursing practice through expanded protocols to promote success and achievement in all areas of practice.

From a nursing perspective, doctoral education within this field represents an opportunity to convey the importance of patient-centered care and treatment that is based upon advanced practice knowledge and an understanding of new strategies to promote patient care and treatment in an effective manner. I believe that it is necessary to develop an understanding of the challenges of advanced practice nursing because this is an emerging area that also encourages the creation of evidence-based objectives and opportunities to improve nursing practice at a consistent level. My role as a doctoral student will enable me to develop new approaches to provide my patients with successful outcomes to manage their issues as best as possible. In addition, it is important in my role as a doctoral student to address the challenges that I face in my efforts to be effective in communicating with patients and in providing them with viable outcomes to achieve greater health and wellbeing during the recovery process.

I am committed to a career as a doctoral level nursing professional because this level supports my knowledge and understanding of the needs of patients and the role of advanced nursing practice in these endeavors. I am confident that with the appropriate level of advanced training, I will possess the ability to guide patients and support their needs consistently and to put their needs above all others. My professional goals are indicative of my passion for nursing and the patient-related experiences that I have encountered in the past. I strive to develop new approaches to nursing and to become effective in demonstrating my skills to my patients and to my colleagues. I am particularly interested in such areas as quality of nursing care leadership in order to accomplish the objectives that advanced practice nurses offer to their patients.

I am interested in developing new strategies and approaches to patient care and treatment that will provide my patients with opportunities to recover and/or manage a wide variety of conditions. The needs of my patients are comprehensive and diverse; therefore, I must explore these alternatives and present new ideas within my advanced doctoral education to promote greater outcomes for my patients. I am interested in developing new and specialized approaches to both common and unique problems that affect my patients. A significant component of my practice objectives includes patient safety, which is best satisfied through the creation of an environment that supports new outcomes and approaches to patient care and treatment that are deemed safe and effective for patients. In my role as an advanced practitioner, I am confident that I will achieve new opportunities for personal and professional growth that will have a positive impact on my patients and their wellbeing.

It is important to identify the different areas where I might make a valuable contribution to advanced nursing practice. This will be achieved through my professional growth and development to ensure that my role as an advanced practitioner is successful. In the modern era, patient care requires new approaches to problems that are efficient and that utilize technology to satisfy patient needs. This process is necessary because technology ensures that many procedures and methods are performed with greater ease and with an improved focus on patient safety and satisfaction. These efforts will ensure that favorable patient outcomes are met so that their quality of life is preserved using these tools.

I anticipate that with an advanced practice nursing degree, I will possess the ability to care for and treat my patients using a variety of strategies that have been proven effective in addressing the concerns that my patients have in regards to their health. Each and every patient must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect in order to accomplish the objectives sought with the chosen treatment plan. These efforts will also support a greater understanding of the primary issues that patients face during their care and treatment, along with the issues that are relevant in supporting patient outcomes. The issues that patients face require a strong level of attention and understanding, and my role as an advanced practitioner will be explored as a means of solving problems and developing new perspectives in order to ensure that patient outcomes are met as best as possible.

The challenges of patient care in the modern era represent a new set of alternatives for advanced nurse practitioners. With advanced education, it is important to identify the issues that are relevant to nurses and to patients in a variety of healthcare settings and to address how to address those issues in a timely manner. I am interested in an advanced practitioner program because I believe that I have much more to provide to the nursing field than what I have experienced to date. It is important to me to offer my patients advanced solutions that will influence practice settings in a positive manner, and to also consider the alternatives that are available in supporting the needs of my patients in advanced practice settings. I am confident that my education and skills will improve the quality of care for the patients that I serve and will provide me with a level of personal and professional satisfaction in the nursing work environment in a positive manner.

Finally, I am pursuing doctoral education in the nursing field because I possess the strength, courage, and empathy that is required to assist my patients with a variety of complex problems. These efforts are instrumental in shaping outcomes and in providing patients with a level of support and guidance that will contribute to effective outcomes in the nursing environment. I believe that these skills are transferable to many different settings and should be considered in the context of their ability to impact many patients in a positive manner. Patients must be provided with healthcare services in many forms, including physical care, emotional and psychological support, and mental healing as required. Each of these contributions plays a significant role in shaping patient outcomes and in reflecting upon the challenges that nurses face in modern healthcare settings where stress levels are high and there is much diversity and complexity within the nursing unit. I believe that these opportunities will play an important role in shaping patient care outcomes and in ensuring that patients are provided with effective tools in supporting their recovery.

I am in pursuit of advanced doctoral education in nursing so that the practice and the patients that I serve will be provided with a well-rounded and successful approach to the provision of person-centered care and treatment in the nursing environment. The care that I provide will demonstrate a comprehensive strategy that encompasses many different approaches, such as physical, mental, emotional, and psychological concerns that are common for many patients. These efforts are instrumental in advancing practice objectives and in providing a greater level of support and encouragement to patients in order to preserve their health and wellbeing in positive ways. These contributions are critical to the success of the advanced practitioner role and the continued expansion of new ideas and contributions to the nursing practice setting.

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Why Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide mental health services to patients. After testing and evaluation, a psychiatric nurse will administer a mental health healing plan that might include therapy and medication. Consider the broad impact of the work of psychiatric nurses. They directly improve the lives of people with acute and chronic mental health disorders like depression, PTSD, behavioral disorders, and anxiety. Their work also reaches patients’ communities by increasing awareness and providing education on managing and treating these common mental health problems. Why become a psychiatric mental health nurse? About one in five adult Americans need you.

Why is the demand for psychiatric mental health nurses so high?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes all types of nurse practitioners in data findings, which show that the employment rate for this career is growing at a rate of 45% from 2020 to 2030 , or 5.6x faster than the national average. For mental health services, the 51.5 million Americans (as of 2019) affected by a mental health issue represents the enormity of the demand, specifically for PMHNPs. Furthermore, over half of adults struggling with a mental health disorder do not receive treatment, a deficit that has been growing annually since 2011.

Finally, some researchers believe the tide is shifting towards greater acceptance of mental health issues amongst Americans. Mainstream media and popular T.V. series are publishing more stories and weaving more complex narratives around previously taboo issues such as suicide, addiction, depression, and personality disorders. While shows and reporting on this subject underscore the unfortunate national problem of the pervasiveness of mental health challenges, they also raise consciousness and promote destigmatization. It seems that talking about mental health makes people more comfortable with taking action to address it, than we’ve seen in previous years and decades.

Our collective experience of the traumatic COVID-19 pandemic is one more reason why mental health has taken center stage as a top health concern. In a CDC survey on mental health taken in June 2020, 41% of respondents reported significant depression and stress related to the pandemic, about double from pre-pandemic levels. People suffering from a new or increased mental health challenge who decide to take charge and seek treatment might first discuss their problem with family or loved ones, before making an appointment to visit their primary care physician in-person or via tele-health. An acute episode resulting from an unwell mental state might require a visit to the emergency room at a clinic, hospital, or inpatient center. Whether a person addresses their mental health needs proactively or reactively, psychiatric mental health nurses are there to meet them in a variety of settings and at any stage.

What are the benefits of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

Becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner is a fantastic choice, whether you are early on in your nursing studies and thinking about the future, or you’ve already achieved a bachelor’s degree and are looking for the next advancement step. Helping people improve their psychiatric state is fulfilling, and contributes to bettering the global culture around mental health jobs. While the BLS shows that nurse practitioners (all disciplines) make on average, $111,680 annually, Indeed found that PMHNPs specifically make a base salary of $145,154 annually, calculated from an average of 1.8k reported salaries. Not to mention, becoming a PMHNP offers job stability due to the continuously increasing demand for mental health services.

To become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, you’ll need to complete an advanced nursing practice program such as Goodwin University’s PMHNP-APRN degree. Our relevant curriculum , offered at the master’s level, will support your daily work with patients. Best of all, you can complete this 50-credit curriculum almost exclusively from the comfort of your home, with an online education. Increased flexibility means that you can multi-task and prioritize in ways that work best for you! Log on to these engaging classes:

• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders : Study psychopathology across the lifespan in relation to social and cultural conditions, developmental milestones, and family history in order to practice making diagnoses and treatment plans.
• Neuropsychopharmacology : Learn about all kinds of psychiatric drugs, their side effects, and how to use them for positive intervention.
• Current Concepts and Professional Roles in Advance Nursing Practice : Population health studies will help you unlock a greater understanding of mental health nursing in the context of contemporary advanced nursing practice.

Making a true difference in peoples’ lives can begin with you. Develop your skills and passions for nursing to attack the problem of lack of professional mental health services for so many. Find more information by visiting Goodwin University online , and discover how this career-oriented master’s degree program can change your life too.

Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.

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Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay

Applying for nursing school is an exciting step towards a rewarding career helping others. The nursing school essay, also known as a personal statement, is a critical part of the application. This is your chance to showcase your passion for the nursing profession and explain why you want to become a nurse.

This guide will show you exactly what admission committees are looking for in a strong nursing school application essay. Let’s walk through how to plan, write, and polish your “why I want to be a nurse” personal statement so it stands out from the competition.

What To Include In Your Nursing Essay

Writing a compelling nursing school essay requires advanced planning and preparation. Follow these tips to create an effective personal statement:

Plan Your Nurse Essay

The first step is to carefully conceptualize your nursing school admissions essay. Jot down some notes answering these key questions:

• Why do you want to go into nursing?
• What personal experiences or traits draw you to the field of nursing?
• How have you demonstrated commitment to caring for others?
• What are your academic and professional qualifications for nursing?

From here, you can start mapping out a logical flow of key points to cover in your nursing school application essay.

Show an Emotional Connection to the Profession

Admission committees want to see that you have genuine passion and empathy for the nursing career choice. Dedicate part of your personal statement to describing your intrinsic motivations and positive impacts for desiring to become a nurse.

Avoid cliché reasons like “I want to help people.” Instead, get specific by sharing a personal anecdote that emotionally moved you towards nursing.

Here’s an example of how you could open your nursing school entrance essay by highlighting a meaningful patient-care interaction:

“Holding Mrs. Wilson’s trembling hand, I watched her fearful eyes relax as I reassured her that the medical team would take excellent care of her. At that moment, providing empathetic comfort to calm her nerves despite the clinical chaos around us, I knew deep down that nursing was my calling.”

This introduction immediately establishes an emotional pull towards the human side of healthcare. From here, explain how this or similar experiences instilled a drive in you to become a nurse.

Show That You Care

Much of nursing is providing compassionate, person-centered care. Therefore, your “why I want to be a nurse” essay should emphasize your ability to be caring, empathetic, patient, and comforting to others.

Share examples that showcase your natural inclination for caregiving:

“Volunteering at the Red Cross shelter after the wildfires by comforting displaced families demonstrated my patience and attentiveness to those suffering. Even as some evacuees grew frustrated by the chaos, I calmly reassured them that we would do everything possible to assist with their recoveries and ensure they felt cared for.”

This example highlights key soft skills needed in nursing as a career, like compassion, active listening, the desire to help, and providing a calming presence under pressure.

Share Your Aspirations

A strong application essay will also articulate your goals and vision for contributing to the nursing field. What are you hoping to achieve through a career in nursing?

Here is an example of discussing aspirations in a nursing school personal statement:

“My long-term aspiration is to become a nurse leader by earning an advanced degree and management experience. I aim to leverage my organizational, communication and critical thinking skills to mentor junior staff, improve operational workflows, and advocate for policies that enhance quality of care. In nursing, I’ve found my true calling – to provide critical care, and help others by being a source of compassion and driving excellence in healthcare delivery.”

This type of self-motivated, forward-looking vision demonstrates maturity, strong goals, and natural leadership qualities.

Describe Your Nursing Skills and Qualifications

Finally, your nursing school entrance essay should summarize the skills; profession offers, and experience that makes you an excellent candidate for the nursing program. Highlight relevant strengths like:

• Academic achievements (science/healthcare courses, GPA, etc.)
• Extracurricular activities (volunteering, internships, etc.)
• Relevant work experience (patient care roles like CNA, medical assistant, etc.)
• Other transferable skills (communication, leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, etc.)

For example:

“My passion for science, healthcare experience as a CNA, and volunteering at a community health fair have prepared me to thrive in the intellectually stimulating and collaborative nursing curriculum. I bring dedication, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic as demonstrated by my 3.8 GPA studying Biology at the University of Michigan.”

With application essays, it’s all about showcasing why you would make an outstanding addition to the nursing program, making a difference through your qualifications and intangible traits.

How Do You Write an Introduction to a Nurse Essay?

Now that you’ve brainstormed content ideas, it’s time to turn them into a polished personal statement. Here are some tips for crafting an attention-grabbing introduction to your nursing school essay:

Hook the Reader with a Personal Story

One of the most engaging ways to start writing your essay is by recounting a brief personal story that illuminates your drive to become a nurse. This can immediately immerse the reader in your intrinsic motivations.

For example , you could open with an anecdote describing a meaningful instance of care and comfort you provided to someone in need:

“Tears streamed down Mrs. Hernandez’s face as she told me about losing her husband to cancer last year. As a hospice volunteer, I held her hand, listening intently to her painful story of grief and loss…”

This type of vivid introduction pulls the reader into the narrative straight away. From here, you can continue sharing details about the scenario and its influence on your desire to pursue nursing.

Illustrate the Human Impact of Nursing

Another compelling way to begin your nursing personal statement is by painting a picture of nursing’s profound impact on patients and their families. This highlights your understanding of the profession’s vital role.

For instance:

“Looking a trembling new mother in the eyes as she first held her newborn, relieved knowing both were safe and healthy after a complicated delivery – that is the human difference nurses make each and every day.”

This type of introduction emphasizes nursing’s profound emotional impact on patients during vulnerable yet joyful moments. It activates the reader’s empathy by bringing them into the vivid scene while showing your own insight into the medical field.

Articulate Passion for Helping Others

Finally, you can start your nursing application essay by asserting your resounding passion for caring for others. This clear expression allows you to succinctly introduce central values like empathy and compassion.

“Ever since I was a young volunteer candy striper in my local hospital, I’ve held an unwavering passion for helping those suffering through the profound act of nursing. I was born to care for others.”

This authoritative opening clearly states your emotional connection to nursing in a compelling yet concise way. You can then build on this assertion of passion through personal examples and further explanation.

No matter how you start your nursing school essay, the introduction should vividly showcase your motivation and why you chose nursing. Set the tone early with your authorship and emotion.

Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay Examples 

Now let’s analyze some complete sample nursing personal statements for inspiration on crafting your own:

Why I Want to Be a Nurse at a Hospital: Essay

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To craft a standout nursing school application essay, prospective students should engage the reader with an emotional opening that illuminates their calling to the profession, whether through a compelling personal anecdote or vivid imagery expressing the profound impact of nursing. 

The conclusion should be resolved by painting an inspiring vision of how the writer’s skills, values, and determination will be channeled into excellence as a nursing student and future registered nurse, making an empathetic difference in patients’ lives.

With focused, mature writing that radiates passion and preparedness, a “why I want to become a registered nurse” personal statement can stand out amidst the competition as a window into a promising applicant’s commitment to this vital healthcare profession.

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Why Do You Want to be a Nurse Practitioner? Carson-Newman MSN-FNP Students Answer

Learn more about Carson-Newman's online family nurse practitioner program .

“Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?” is a question many nurses hear and consider before taking the next step in their career. Each answer is personal and an important part of your professional journey.

At Carson-Newman University, we’ve interviewed six students in our online MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. We asked, “why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?” and our students’ responses are below. If you aspire to have greater influence and autonomy in your nursing practice as an FNP, read on to gain perspective as you consider your own path.

Earn Your MSN-FNP Part-Time For Less than $30k

Lauren crowe: why do you want to be a nurse practitioner.

When did you decide that you wanted to be a nurse practitioner?

I always knew I wanted to continue education [as a nurse]. Nursing is a constant field of learning, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a higher level. Nurse practitioner appealed to me because I wanted to care for my patients on a different level and give the whole perspective, already having the experience as a nurse, and to give provider care as well.

What's your favorite part about being a nurse?

My patients are my favorite part of being a nurse. I enjoy going to work every day to get to care for and love people spiritually, emotionally, and physically . So that's my favorite part.

What kind of impact would you like to have on the nursing profession?

I just want my patients to feel loved, heard, and cared about. I see a lot in the world that we have—we expect patients to come to us when we should go to them. Medical missions have always been a part of my heart, too, so I hope to be able to help in that aspect as well.

Mary Catherine Hefner: Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

Why did you decide you wanted to become a nurse practitioner?

It's been my goal for 20 years to be a nurse practitioner, and life happens. It just so happened that life fell into place and it worked out through Carson-Newman for me to join their first cohort of the online [FNP] program.

My favorite part about being a nurse is helping others improve their quality of life and in doing that, I try to leave patients in a better frame of mind or a better state of health than I find them in.

I certainly hope [with] my little piece of the puzzle that I can contribute to the big picture and will be impactful—not only on the side of patient care but also in representing family nurse practitioners positively... so we can practice at the upper end of our license and be a voice for patients and the profession .

“I certainly hope to be... a voice for patients and the profession.”

Miranda Kerley: Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

I actually started a program, but due to clinical placement , I stopped because I couldn't find anywhere to do clinicals. Then my husband pushed me to get my master's because he thought I’d be good at it. I agreed and... that was probably four years ago.

I work in the ER, so I get to deal with anything and everything. Every patient's different. Every experience is different. I just love the variety of what I get to deal with every day I go to work. [It’s] never the same.

What attracted you to the program at Carson-Newman and how did you know it was a good fit for you?

One of the big attractions was an advertisement for clinical placement. The area that I'm from -- Charleston, South Carolina -- we have probably five to seven different nursing programs, so there are students everywhere.

We have the Medical University also, so we're just jam-packed. Finding clinical placements is super hard. You could wait six months before you get in somewhere, so it really slows down your progress. When I saw Carson-Newman was willing to find placement for me, I jumped on board very quickly.

“Finding clinical placements is super hard… When I saw Carson-Newman was willing to find placement for me, I jumped on board very quickly.”

Amanda Lane: Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

I have my master's already in Nursing Administration, but I want to do more with patient care. I work in a free clinic one day a week in my hometown and I really enjoy providing that care . I want to do what nurse practitioners can [do]— provide mid-level care .

I love interacting with my patients and establishing a rapport with them.

It's close [to me]. I knew if there were any issues that I'd be only an hour and a half away.

I like the fact that it's online and only one class a semester , so it's doable with being able to be focused on my family and work. Family is the most important thing to me, so it's important to still be able to go to their games and concerts.

Nichole Luckshis: Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

I have wanted to be a nurse practitioner ever since I started nursing. Early on, I knew I'd love to teach… and I’d love to educate patients . In our field, I feel like education kind of lacks, especially with health care with patients—they're not given the education that they need [for] medicines or why they have disease processes.

I would love to be that person, especially as a nurse practitioner—to not only provide care and manage that care for them but to be able to educate and tell them why .

What is your favorite part about being a nurse?

There are so many parts that I love about being a nurse. Generally, [it’s] the relationships we gather with patients . You get to be there at special parts of their life—whether they're sick, whether they're happy. I'm an emergency room nurse, so it's just being there when patients are sick. You can comfort family members, you can comfort the patients, and just take care of them.

I'm huge on education—I love to teach other nurses and I love to educate patients. I want to, first, just provide good care, and second, just be able to make an impact with patients on the education of disease processes and everything that they're going through.

Rhonda McAnally: Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

When did you decide you wanted to be a nurse practitioner?

I’ve been away from bedside nursing for about 10 years and am in more of an education and administrator role at a hospital. The reason I wanted to become a nurse practitioner is [that] I really miss the patient interaction ... I have been looking for a flexible program where I could fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse practitioner.

My favorite part of being a nurse is the patient interaction and the variety of patients that you see [each] day. Every day is a new challenge, a new expectation, a potential diagnosis or something to learn. Being a nurse is just continually learning and trying to improve your skill set and knowledge.

An impact that I want to make...is to show that individuals can get exceptional care and holistic care . I also [want to] be an adjunct to the physicians, or surgeons, in providing... more of a holistic approach to nursing . Also, to [be a mentor to] other nurses to fulfill their dreams— it's never too late to learn something new and acquire knowledge to help another individual. I believe that some of that is missing with the healthcare profession today.

People do not need to be treated like a number. They need to be treated with compassion; they need to be treated with respect.

I feel like the nurse practitioner role [expands] to where you're spending more time with your patients and truly educating them about their conditions.

“People do not need to be treated like a number. They need to be treated with compassion; they need to be treated with respect.”

It’s Your Turn: Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?

There isn't just one answer to the question “Why do you want to be a nurse practitioner?” Still, here are several reasons to consider becoming one:

• Employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow 28% through 2028 , almost six times the average growth rate of all other occupations.
• FNPs can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and community health centers.
• In some states, FNPs can practice independently and open their own practice.
• FNPs can also pursue subspecialties including medical-surgical, cardiac, endocrine/diabetes, and more.
• In many states, nurse practitioners have what’s referred to as “full practice authority” , meaning they do not have to work under the supervision of a doctor and can provide complete patient care. This includes full exams, prescribing medicine, and more.
• The average annual income for FNPs is $110,030, substantially higher than RN positions. Even though pay varies by state, even in the lowest paying states, FNPs make $40,000 more than the national average for all other occupations.

It’s no wonder that U.S. News & World Report ranks nurse practitioner as #4 among “Best Healthcare Jobs” (one place ahead of physician) and among the top seven for “100 Best Jobs.”

Learn more about the benefits of becoming a nurse practitioner and broaden your impact in healthcare as a nurse practitioner.

Advance your nursing career with Carson-Newman's online MSN-FNP program or online post-master's FNP Certificate program .

Request Your Free Program Brochure

About carson-newman’s online fnp programs.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a nationally ranked Christian liberal arts university. An online, yet personal, learning environment connects you with fellow students, faculty, and staff. Faith and learning are combined to create evidence-based online graduate nursing programs designed to transform you into a more autonomous caregiver.

Through its online program and student-centric curriculum, Carson-Newman provides a life-changing education where students come first. Designed for working nurses, Carson-Newman’s affordable FNP programs feature 100% online coursework with no mandatory log-in times, clinical placement service, and exceptional individualized support that prepare graduates to pass the FNP licensure exam.

If you’re ready for the next step in your nursing career, consider the online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner offered by Carson-Newman University and accredited by the CCNE.

For those who already hold an MSN degree, consider pursuing a Post-Master’s FNP Certificate to enjoy all the leadership opportunities, job satisfaction and autonomy of a family primary care provider. For more information, visit onlinenursing.cn.edu.

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7 Tips for Writing the Perfect Family Nurse Practitioner Essay

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree.

If you are pursuing a career as a family nurse practitioner, you will likely be required to submit a personal essay. Your nurse practitioner personal statement explains why you want to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and is an important step in the graduate nursing program application process.

What you say in your nurse practitioner essay should tell the admissions committee who you are as a person and why you will make an effective and ethical nurse practitioner.

When answering the section on “why I want to be a nurse practitioner,” your response may come easily. Others might struggle with putting their reasons into words in an original and clear way. This guide will show you how to convey who you are and why you make an excellent candidate.

1. Be Specific

When you receive your essay questions, you will notice that they are reasonably generic. What the university is looking for, however, is how you turn that into something specific.

Don’t just outline your overall feelings about a full topic. Instead, go into detail and use specific examples from your personal experience that truly demonstrate your capabilities. Not only is this a better way of answering the question, but it also means your essay will be far more interesting. It will properly showcase your personality, which is a very important part of nursing.

2. Be Concise

Always remember that you are writing an essay and not the next great saga. Oftentimes, there will be a word count limit. However, if there isn’t, you shouldn’t write every little detail you come up with. What matters is that the information is complete and doesn’t go off-topic. Stick to the guidelines provided, as they have been given for a good reason (one of them is to test you on how well you can follow instructions). You must be concrete in your answers.

Admissions committees must get through dozens or hundreds of applications. If your nurse practitioner essay is too long, they’ll likely lose focus. In addition, nursing requires concise communication in daily work. If you come across as taking a long time to get to the point, this may leave an unprofessional impression.

3. Demonstrate Your Passion and Commitment

When you describe why you want to be a nurse practitioner, your passion and commitment should leap off the page and make the admissions committee excited to offer you a place. They should see you as the kind of student and colleague that they want to represent their school. You can do this by making sure that your nurse practitioner essay:

• Shows how your experience and education motivate you
• Describes specific motivators, such as mentors, experiences with nurses, or even experiences as a patient
• Shows that you are committed to all aspects of nursing, including patient care, collaboration, cultural competence , and continual learning and improvement
• Clearly summarizes these elements to match your background and passion to the school’s culture, as well as to nursing

Avoid clichés or general statements about why nursing is important. They already know that. What they don’t know — what you have to tell them — is why your passion will make you an excellent FNP.

4. Tell a Story

Storytelling is the most powerful and memorable form of communication. The stories we’ve lived shape who we are. Leverage the power of storytelling in your nurse practitioner essay.

• Choose the right story and apply it to nursing. It doesn’t have to be about nursing specifically, but it needs to apply to nursing. Talk about instances where you’ve demonstrated teamwork, perseverance, crisis response skills, or communication successes.
• Start with a vivid hook that makes the reader want to know what happens next.
• Use clear language that helps the reader understand and identify with the choices you made.
• Make stories about more than just yourself. Nursing is a team practice, and if you write as though you’re the only important character in the story, it can seem arrogant or self-involved.
• Show empathy. Empathy doesn’t mean having a lot of feelings or dwelling on them. It means understanding others and meeting them where they are.
• Customize your nurse practitioner essay to the program. What values does the school hold? How does the school site describe learning, teachers, and current students? Make these values and priorities stand out in your writing.

5. Highlight Your Strengths

Your essay is an opportunity for you to show what you are made of. Highlight all the things that are good about you, such as your education, your career, your background, and other experiences. Perhaps you have done volunteer work, or you have already been employed in the medical field. It is always a good idea to give some examples of the experiences you have had to demonstrate why you are good at what you do and why you want to become an FNP.

When highlighting these strengths, it is best to be specific and include examples. For instance, saying you are hardworking may sound like a good trait to focus on, but it could be more impactful to provide a specific example of how you have worked hard during your career. This will add credibility to your essay and reinforce your claims.

6. Keep it Professional

You want your nurse practitioner personal statement to be memorable, but only in the right way. Keep your tone professional and individual. Think of your essay as though you were a stranger reading it. Would you want the person who wrote this essay to be in charge of your or a loved one’s care?

Never make a colleague or patient look bad in your nurse practitioner essay. This is a surefire way to get rejected, as it comes across as unprofessional, unfair, and potentially unethical. While a sense of humor is invaluable for a nurse practitioner, humor is very difficult to convey to an audience you don’t know.

Avoid exaggerating, even for dramatic effect. While exaggerating might improve the story, obvious exaggeration will cast doubt on your professional judgment.

Lastly, don’t use foul language in your nurse practitioner essay. Just like humor, while many nurses use it as a coping method, they are careful about their intended audience.

7. Edit Again and Again

Finally, once you have completed your essay, proofread it. After that, give it to someone else to proofread and then edit it once more yourself. Spelling errors, typos, and layout problems are certain to have your application denied because they show a lack of attention to detail. Share your essay with as many people as possible and ask for their suggestions and edits before you finally submit it.

Remember that the faculty members of the FNP program you are applying for also look at how well you can write. Clear communication will be an important skill for successful FNPs. Hence, you must make sure that your essay is well-reviewed and well-written. This is also why you should start developing your essay as early as possible, as this is not a job that can be rushed.

Putting Pen to Paper

Think of your nurse practitioner essay as a way to show who you are, to reflect what is most important to you, and why you will be an excellent FNP.

If you’re not sure where to start, try having a conversation with a friend who is a good listener and have them ask you questions about why you want to be a nurse practitioner. Ask them to probe into what you say and tell you when something comes across as especially meaningful or significant.

Begin by writing anything at all about “why I want to be a nurse practitioner.” Turn your inner editor off. For this first step, the goal is quantity, not quality. Either as you keep writing or when you review it later, you’ll usually find something valuable you can use.

A few final tips:

• Start early. Even if you’re not sure when you’ll want to earn your MSN, you can start keeping notes now. Once you know when you want to apply, outlining your nurse practitioner essay months ahead will pay off.
• Ask a variety of people to review your writing. Different people bring different perspectives.
• Think of it not just as an essay but as a chance for reflection. This is another reason to start early, since this kind of reflection can bring new insights that you’ll want to use.
• Remember that the better your nurse practitioner personal statement reflects you, the better the decision the committee can make. Be your best self, but be yourself.

Related Pages

Graduate Application Guide for Nurses

After finding the right graduate program, prospective students can begin the application process. Learn how to successfully apply to graduate nursing programs.

Writing Tips for Nursing School Students

This guide offers writing tips for nursing students and covers the diverse writing styles aspiring nurses should master during their studies.

Preparing For Your Nursing Program Interview

Most people experience anxiety or nervousness before an important interview, but we hope the following tips and advice from nursing professionals can help you feel confident and prepared for the process.

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

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