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How to Write a Standout Nursing Personal Statement

According to recent data, nursing schools receive thousands of applications yearly, and admission rates are increasingly competitive. But fear not! We’ve got your back. 

This blog equips you with insider tips and expert advice to craft a standout nursing personal statement that captivates admissions committees. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or the thought of putting pen to paper sends shivers down your spine, we’ve simplified the process to make it a breeze. 

So, let’s dive in and discover how to showcase your passion for nursing, highlight your unique experiences, and create an impressive statement that makes you stand tall among the crowd. 

Let’s get you one step closer to your dream nursing programme ! 

What Is a Nursing School Personal Statement?

When applying to nursing schools, one crucial document can make or break your chances of acceptance: the nursing school personal statement. This short essay, typically limited to two pages, serves as your introduction to the admissions committee, giving them insight into your passion for nursing and what drives you to pursue this career.

Unlike your resume or CV, a personal statement allows you to delve into your journey toward nursing. Share the experiences and encounters that shaped your decision, whether it was a family member’s influence, personal health struggles, or a deep-rooted desire to help others.

Each nursing school may have specific prompts or requirements , so tailor your statement accordingly. The goal is to showcase your unique traits and demonstrate how you align with the programme’s values and mission.

Nursing School Personal Statement Format

A well-structured nursing school personal statement is key to making a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Follow this tried-and-true format to ensure your statement stands out from the crowd.

1. Engaging Introduction: 

Capture the reader’s attention from the start. Share a compelling story, an impactful quote, or a personal anecdote that reflects your passion for nursing. Clearly state your motivations for choosing this career path and why you are applying to their programme.

2. Informative Body: 

Use the body paragraphs to showcase your experiences and achievements that align with nursing. Avoid a simple list of accomplishments ; provide context for each one. Highlight any healthcare-related work, volunteer experiences, or academic achievements demonstrating your nursing dedication and suitability.

3. Relevant Connections: 

Establish a strong connection between your experiences and the nursing program’s values. Research the programme thoroughly and mention specific courses, faculty, or opportunities that excite you and align with your goals. This demonstrates your genuine interest and commitment.

4. Showcase Skills: 

Showcase essential nursing skills such as empathy, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your past experiences and explain how they will contribute to your success as a nurse.

5. Powerful Conclusion: 

End with a memorable conclusion reinforcing your passion for nursing and commitment to making a difference in healthcare. Reiterate why you are an ideal candidate for their programme and express your eagerness to contribute to nursing.

6. Proofreading and Editing: 

Once you’ve written your statement, carefully proofread it for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Seek feedback from trusted friends, family, or mentors to ensure your statement is clear, concise, and error-free.

Tips for Writing a Stellar Nursing Personal Statement

Writing a stellar nursing personal statement requires careful thought and attention to detail. Follow these expert tips to create a compelling and authentic statement that sets you apart from other applicants:

1) Be Genuine: 

Share your authentic self in your statement. Admissions committees value honesty and want to know the real you . Reflect on your motivations for pursuing nursing and draw from personal experiences that have shaped your passion for the field.

2) Focus on Your Journey: 

Use a storytelling approach to take the reader on a journey that led you to choose nursing as your career path. Discuss significant experiences, challenges, and moments of inspiration that ignited your interest in nursing. Avoid generic statements and, instead, emphasise what makes your journey unique.

3) Showcase Your Strengths: 

Highlight your key strengths, skills, and qualities that make you a great fit for nursing. Whether it’s empathy, leadership, adaptability, or problem-solving, provide concrete example s of how you’ve demonstrated these attributes in various situations.

4) Keep it Concise: 

Adhere to the specified word limit and keep your statement concise and focused. Admissions committees read numerous applications, so a clear and well-structured personal statement will make a lasting impression.

5) Avoid Clichés: 

Steer clear of overused clichés and generalisations. Instead, provide specific and meaningful examples illustrating your unique qualities and experiences.

6) Show, Don’t Tell: 

Instead of making broad claims, back up your statements with concrete evidence and specific instances. This approach adds credibility and depth to your statement.

7) Stay Positive: 

Maintain a positive tone throughout your statement. Focus on your aspirations, accomplishments, and enthusiasm for nursing rather than dwelling on negative experiences or setbacks.

Now equipped with expert tips and a clear roadmap, it’s time to seize the opportunity and create your standout nursing personal statement. Showcase your passion, experiences, and genuine motivations for nursing. Tailor each statement to your dream nursing programmes, highlighting your unique strengths. 

Make every word count , and remember, authenticity is key. With a captivating and well-crafted personal statement, you’ll open doors to the nursing career of your dreams. Start writing now and secure your spot in your desired nursing school!

Need help and expert advice? Contact Medic Mind !

→ Q: How long should my nursing personal statement be?

A: Most nursing schools have specific word limits for personal statements, typically 500 to 1000 words. Make sure to follow the guidelines provided by each school to stay within the desired length.

→ Q: Can I use the same personal statement for multiple nursing schools?

A: While you can use a general template, you must tailor your personal statement for each nursing programme. Highlight specific reasons why you’re interested in each school and demonstrate how you align with their values.

→ Q: Should I mention my grades and academic achievements in my personal statement?

A: Your academic achievements are already listed in your application. Instead, focus on sharing experiences, skills, and personal qualities that make you a strong candidate for nursing.

→ Q: Can I use humour in my nursing personal statement?

A: While a touch of humour can be engaging, use it judiciously and ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your statement. Remember, professionalism and sincerity are essential in a nursing personal statement.

→ Q: What if I don’t have direct healthcare experience for my personal statement?

A: Even without direct healthcare experience, focus on transferable skills gained from other experiences, such as volunteer work, leadership roles, or communication abilities that can be valuable in a nursing career.

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How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement [With Examples]

James is senior content marketing manager at BridgeU. He writes and directs content for BridgeU's university partners and our community of international schools

What are the big challenges students should be aware of before writing their UCAS Personal Statement?

• The essential ingredients for writing a great Personal Statement
• How to write the UCAS Personal Statement [with examples]

Final hints & tips to help your students

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The UCAS Personal Statement can sometimes be a student’s only chance to impress a UK university. Read our in-depth guide to helping your students plan & write a winning application.

There are hundreds of articles out there on how to write a UCAS Personal Statement that will grab the attention of a UK university admissions officer.  

But if you’re working with students to help them perfect their Personal Statement in time for the  relevant UCAS deadlines , we can sum up the secret to success in three words.

Planning, structure and story. 

The UCAS Personal Statement is a student’s chance to talk about why they want to study for a particular degree, course or subject discipline at a UK university. 

As they set about writing a personal statement, students need to demonstrate the drive, ambition, relevant skills and notable achievements that make them a  suitable candidate for the universities they have chosen to apply to . 

But the UCAS Personal Statement requires students to write a lot about themselves in a relatively short space of time. That’s why lots of planning, a tight structure and a compelling story are essential if a student’s Personal Statement is to truly excel. 

As important deadlines for UK university applications grow closer, we at BridgeU have put together a guide, outlining some of the strategies and techniques to help your students to write a personal statement which is both engaging and truly individual.

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Discover the simple steps that will boost the confidence of your native English speaking & ESL students alike in  University Application Essays: The 5 Secrets of Successful Writing .

As they begin to plan their Personal Statement, students may feel intimidated. It’s not easy to summarise your academic interests and personal ambitions, especially when you’re competing for a place on a course which is popular or has demanding entry requirements. In particular, students will likely come up against the following challenges.

Time pressure

Unfortunately, the Personal Statement (and other aspects of university preparation) comes during the busiest year of the student’s academic life so far.

Students, and indeed teachers and counsellors, must undertake the planning and writing of the personal statement whilst juggling other commitments, classes and deadlines, not to mention revision and open day visits!

Because there is already a lot of academic pressure on students in their final year of secondary school, finding the time and headspace for the personal statement can be hard, and can mean it gets pushed to the last minute. The risks of leaving it to the last minute are fairly obvious – the application will seem rushed and the necessary thought and planning won’t go into  making the personal statement the best it can be . 

Sticking closely to the Personal Statement format

The character limit which UCAS sets for the personal statement is very strict – up to 4,000 characters of text. This means that students have to express themselves in a clear and concise way; it’s also important that they don’t feel the need to fill the available space needlessly.  Planning and redrafting of a personal statement is essential .

Making it stand out

This is arguably the greatest challenge facing students – making sure that their statement sets them apart from everyone else who is competing for a place on any given course; in 2022 alone, UCAS received applications from 683,650 applicants (+1.6k on 2021) students. In addition, UCAS uses its own dedicated team and purpose built software to check every application for plagiarism, so it’s crucial that students craft a truly  original personal statement which is entirely their own work .

The essential ingredients for writing a great UCAS Personal Statement 

We’ve already mentioned our three watch words for writing a high quality Personal Statement.

Planning. Structure. Story. 

Let’s dig deeper into these three essential components in more detail.

Watch: How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement with University of Essex

Planning a ucas personal statement.

It might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s vital that students plan their Personal Statement before they start writing it. Specifically, the planning phase could include: 

• Students thoroughly researching the UK university courses they plan on applying to. 
• Deciding on what relevant material to include in their Personal Statement (we’ll cover this in more detail later on). 
• Writing an unedited first draft where they just get their thoughts and ideas down on paper. 

Structuring a UCAS Personal Statement

As we’ve discussed, the UCAS Personal Statement requires students to be extremely disciplined – they will be required to condense a lot of information into a relatively short written statement. This means that, after they’ve written a rough first draft, they need to think carefully about how they structure the final statement. 

A stand out Personal Statement will need a tight structure, with an introduction and a conclusion that make an impact and really help to tell a story about who your student is, and why they are drawn to studying this particular degree. 

This brings us nicely to our third and final ingredient…

Telling a story with a Personal Statement

The UCAS Personal Statement is a student’s opportunity to show a university who they are and how their life experiences have shaped their academic interests and goals. 

So a good Personal Statement needs to offer a compelling narrative, and that means making sure that a student’s writing is well-structured, and that every sentence and paragraph is serving the statement’s ultimate purpose –  to convince a university that your student deserves a place on their subject of choice. 

How to help your students start their UCAS Personal Statement

In order to ensure that a personal statement is delivered on time and to an appropriate standard, it’s essential to plan thoroughly before writing it. Here are some questions you can ask your students before they start writing:

How can you demonstrate a formative interest in your subject?

It may sound obvious but, in order for any UCAS personal statement to have the necessary structure and clarity, students need to think hard about why they want to study their chosen subject. Ask them to think about their responses to the following questions:

What inspired you to study your chosen subject?

Example answer:  My desire to understand the nature of reality has inspired me to apply for Physics and Philosophy

Was there a formative moment when your perspective on this subject changed, or when you decided you wanted to study this subject in more detail?

Example answer:  My interest in philosophy was awakened when I questioned my childhood religious beliefs; reading Blackburn’s “Think”, convinced me to scrutinise my assumptions about the world, and to ensure I could justify my beliefs.

Can you point to any role models, leading thinkers, or notable literature which has in turn affected your thinking and/or inspired you?

Example answer :  The search for a theory of everything currently being conducted by physicists is of particular interest to me and in “The Grand Design” Hawking proposes a collection of string theories, dubbed M-theory, as the explanation of why the universe is the way it is.

Asking your students to think about the “why” behind their chosen subject discipline is a useful first step in helping them to organise their overall statement. Next, they need to be able to demonstrate evidence of their suitability for a course or degree. 

How have you demonstrated the skills and aptitudes necessary for your chosen course?

Encourage students to think about times where they have demonstrated the necessary skills to really stand out. It’s helpful to think about times when they have utilised these skills both inside and outside the classroom. Ask students to consider their responses to the following questions. 

Can you demonstrate critical and independent thinking around your chosen subject discipline?

Example answer :  Currently I am studying Maths and Economics in addition to Geography. Economics has been a valuable tool, providing the nuts and bolts to economic processes, and my geography has provided a spatial and temporal element.

Are you able to demonstrate skills and competencies which will be necessary for university study?

These include qualities such as teamwork, time management and the ability to organise workload responsibly.

Example answer:  This year I was selected to be captain of the 1st XV rugby team and Captain of Swimming which will allow me to further develop my leadership, teamwork and organisational skills.

How have your extracurricular activities helped prepare you for university?

Students may believe that their interests outside the classroom aren’t relevant to their university application. So encourage them to think about how their other interests can demonstrate the subject-related skills that universities are looking for in an application. Ask students to think about any of the following activities, and how they might be related back to the subject they are applying for.

• Clubs/societies, or volunteering work which they can use to illustrate attributes such as teamwork, an interest in community service and the ability to manage their time proactively.
• Have they been elected/nominated as a team captain, or the head of a particular club or society, which highlights leadership skills and an ability to project manage?
• Can they point to any awards or prizes they may have won, whether it’s taking up a musical instrument, playing a sport, or participating in theatre/performing arts?
• Have they achieved grades or qualifications as part of their extracurricular activities? These can only help to demonstrate aptitude and hard work. 

How to write the UCAS Personal Statement [with examples] 

If sufficient planning has gone into the personal statement, then your students should be ready to go!

In this next section, we’ll break down the individual components of the UCAS Personal Statement and share some useful examples.

These examples come from a Personal Statement in support of an application to study Environmental Science at a UK university. 

Watch: King’s College London explain what they’re looking for in a UCAS Personal Statement

Introduction.

This is the chance for an applying student to really grab an admission tutor’s attention. Students need to demonstrate both a personal passion for their subject, and explain why they have an aptitude for it .  This section is where students should begin to discuss any major influences or inspirations that have led them to this subject choice. 

Example :  My passion for the environment has perhaps come from the fact that I have lived in five different countries: France, England, Spain, Sweden and Costa Rica. Moving at the age of 15 from Sweden, a calm and organized country, to Costa Rica, a more diverse and slightly chaotic country, was a shock for me at first and took me out of my comfort zone […] Also, living in Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, definitely helped me realize how vulnerable the world is and how we need to take care of it in a sustainable manner. 

This opening paragraph immediately grabs the reader’s attention by giving the reader an insight into this student’s background and links their academic interests with something specific from the student’s personal backstory. 

Discussing Academic Achievements 

The next paragraph in this Personal Statement discusses the student’s academic achievements. Because this student has had an international education, they frame their academic achievements in the context of their personal background. They also cite useful examples of other curricula they have studied and the grades they have achieved. 

Example : 

Throughout my academic life I have shown myself to be a responsible student as well as a hard working one, despite the fact that I have had to move around a lot. I have achieved several other accomplishments such as a high A (286/300) in AS Spanish at age 15, and also completed a Spanish course of secondary studies for ‘MEP’(Ministerio de Educacion Publica), which is a system from Costa Rica.   

You’ll notice that this student doesn’t just list their achievements – their strong academic performance is always linked back to a wider discussion of their personal experiences. 

Showcasing Extracurricular Activities

As well as discussing academic achievements, a good Personal Statement should also discuss the student’s extracurricular activities, and how they relate back to the student’s overall university aspirations. 

By the third/fourth paragraph of the Personal Statement, students should think about incorporating their extracurricular experiences, 

Another valuable experience was when my class spent a week at a beach called ‘Pacuare’ in order to help prevent the eggs of the endangered leatherback turtle from being stolen by poachers who go on to sell them like chicken eggs. We all gained teamwork experience, which was needed in order to hide the eggs silently without scaring the mother turtles, as well as making it more difficult for the poachers to find them. 

When the poachers set fire to one of the sustainable huts where we were staying, not only did I gain self-awareness about the critical situation of the world and its ecosystems, I also matured and became even more motivated to study environmental sciences at university.

This is a particularly striking example of using extracurricular activities to showcase a student’s wider passion for the degree subject they want to study. 

Not only does this Personal Statement have a story about volunteering to save an endangered species, it also illustrates this applicants’ wider worldview, and helps to explain their motivation for wanting to study Environmental Science. 

Concluding the UCAS Personal Statement

The conclusion to a UCAS Personal Statement will have to be concise, and will need to tie all of a student’s academic and extracurricular achievements. After all, a compelling story will need a great ending. 

Remember that students need to be mindful of the character limit of a Personal Statement, so a conclusion need only be the length of a small paragraph, or even a couple of sentences. 

“ After having many varied experiences, I truly think I can contribute to university in a positive way, and would love to study in England where I believe I would gain more skills and education doing a first degree than in any other country.  “

A good Personal Statement conclusion will end with an affirmation of how the student thinks they can contribute to university life, and why they believe the institution in question should accept them. Because the student in this example has a such a rich and varied international background, they also discuss the appeal of studying at university in England. 

It’s worth taking a quick look at a few other examples of how other students have chosen to conclude their Personal Statement. 

Medicine (Imperial College, London) 

Interest in Medicine aside, other enthusiasms of mine include languages, philosophy, and mythology. It is curiously fitting that in ancient Greek lore, healing was but one of the many arts Apollo presided over, alongside archery and music.   I firmly believe that a doctor should explore the world outside the field of  Medicine, and it is with such experiences that I hope to better empathise and connect with the patients I will care for in my medical career. 

You’ll notice that this example very specifically ties the students’ academic and extracurricular activities together, and ties the Personal Statement back to their values and beliefs. 

Economic History with Economics (London School of Economics)

The highlight of my extra-curricular activities has been my visit to Shanghai with the Lord Mayor’s trade delegation in September 2012. I was selected to give a speech at this world trade conference due to my interest in economic and social history. […] I particularly enjoyed the seminar format, and look forward to experiencing more of this at university. My keen interest and desire to further my knowledge of history and economics, I believe, would make the course ideal for me.

By contrast, this conclusion ties a memorable experience back to the specifics of how the student will be taught at the London School of Economics – specifically, the appeal of learning in seminar format! 

There’s no magic formula for concluding a Personal Statement. But you’ll see that what all of these examples have in common is that they tie a student’s personal and academic experiences together – and tell a university something about their aspirations for the future.

Watch: Bournemouth University explain how to structure a UCAS Personal Statement

Know the audience

It can be easy for students to forget that the person reading a personal statement is invariably an expert in their field. This is why an ability to convey passion and think critically about their chosen subject is essential for a personal statement to stand out. Admissions tutors will also look for students who can structure their writing (more on this below). 

Students should be themselves

Remember that many students are competing for places on a university degree against fierce competition. And don’t forget that UCAS has the means to spot plagiarism. So students need to create a truly honest and individual account of who they are, what they have achieved and, perhaps most importantly, why they are driven to study this particular subject.

Proof-read (then proof-read again!)

Time pressures mean that students can easily make mistakes with their Personal Statements. As the deadline grows closer, it’s vital that they are constantly checking and rechecking their writing and to ensure that shows them in the best possible light. 

Meanwhile, when it comes to giving feedback to students writing their Personal Statements, make sure you’re as honest and positive as possible in the days and weeks leading up to submission day. 

And make sure they remember the three key ingredients of writing a successful Personal Statement. 

Planning, structure and story! 

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How To Write A Personal Statement For A Nursing Course Application

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Writing your personal statement will take time, effort and several revisions before you can submit it, so don’t leave it right up until the deadline to start work on it.

Putting together a high quality nursing personal statement can be difficult, but we’ve broken it down into manageable sections below to give you some ideas of how to get started., start with who you are.

Your personal statement is your chance to talk directly to the course admissions officer about who you are, what motivates you, and why you should be chosen for a place in the branch of nursing you’ve applied for.

If you've worked in healthcare previously, you can definitely give details of your experiences to back up your reasons for applying.

Be specific about how your work has affected your decision to apply and why you feel suited to progressing your career in nursing .

Give practical examples of your interactions with nurses, and how they may have influenced your decision to apply.

Check out Eniola's advice on applying to university for a student nursing degree course  - she talks about applying through UCAS and interviews!

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Relevant experience and skills

Everyone has skills and experience that can be applied in a nursing environment, even if they weren’t acquired in a healthcare setting.

Here are some examples of skills and qualities that can be applied in nursing:

1. Communication - it is a vital skill that every nurse must possess. The ability to convey information in a concise and clear manner with both colleagues, patients and their family.

You could use examples from previous work to demonstrate this; maybe a difficult situation with a customer while working in a retail job that you managed to diffuse and resolve.

2. Organisation - another essential skill is to maintain an organised routine in a very busy environment, and often under pressure. Think of another situation where you worked under pressure in a logical fashion.

Here you could maybe talk about your time management of juggling a-levels with a part-time job, or your access to nursing course with a family.

• Applying to university for a student nursing degree course

• How to get into nursing schools in the UK

• How to get into Nursing at University

3. Advocacy - this is the active support of those in your care. It’s a specific point in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code and you should address how you will be an advocate for your patients when you become a nurse in your personal statement.

Your ambitions and career goals in nursing

The competition for nursing course places in every branch at every university is fierce, and consequently they want to ensure the places go to candidates who genuinely want to become a nurse, and are motivated to pursue their career in nursing.

Even if you don’t have a specific nursing role you would like to attain in your career, you should go into some detail about what sort of environment you could see yourself working in.

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Things to watch out for

Check any documentation from the university to see if there is a word limit set for a personal statement.

You don’t want to risk your application not being considered because your personal statement is too long.

If you’re applying through UCAS, they set their own character limit, so make sure you stick to it.

Send your application in before the deadline; the earlier the better. This means you need to start work on your personal statement as soon as you decide to apply.

Some courses will close applications before the given deadline if they’ve filled all their places, so you don’t want to miss out because you procrastinated.

It’s by far the most time consuming part of the application process, and it will undoubtedly require revisions prior to submission.

Don’t feel you have to write in a ‘forced’ way. It’s easy to feel insecure if you don’t feel you can write well, but it’s worse if you feel you have to write in an unfamiliar way just to sound more academic.

It’s important it comes from you and your experiences, and if you can get the reader interested in you as a person from the very beginning, you’ll be in with a better chance of getting an interview.

A personal statement should be just that - personal.

Any employer, or university in particular, could check your statement using specialist plagiarism software that detects whether or not you’ve directly lifted text from someone else.

If they discover you have copied someone else’s work, you could be rejected by that university or employer for this or any future place.

So, the message is, make it personal to you.

About the author

I qualified as a Mental Health Nurse (RMN) in August of 2018 and started as a newly qualified nurse shortly after. On top of nursing I juggle creating content for both my YouTube channel and blog.

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Personal statements for nursing and midwifery applicants

Introduction.

Your personal statement is an important part of your application for a pre-registration Nursing course . Here is some information about what we look for in a statement and where you can find out more.

Personal statements for nursing applicants

Finding advice on writing your statement

UCAS has a wealth of information and guidance on preparing your personal statement which you need to look at as well as this specific advice on applying for nursing courses at University of West London .

The UCAS advice covers, key points, what to include, dos and don'ts and size and presentation .

UCAS also alerts you to the use of 'similarity detection' to ensure your personal statement include:

• your personal account in approximately 600 words
• why you want to become a nurse
• why University of West London should invite you to a selection day to be considered for entry to the course.

Why your statement matters

The statement is your only chance to speak to us directly about the reasons why you have chosen your course, whether this is Adult, Child, Learning Disability or Mental Health Nursing.

You may be tempted to put all of these options down but this could be seen as you not being focussed and committed to one area of nursing.

So choose one branch of nursing and give a clear account of why you have chosen that branch.

All this will help us to decide on whether to offer you a place on a selection day.

Personal experience

It is helpful if in addition to general statements about wanting to help people if you could identify some previous personal experience that has influenced your choice.

For example you would need to say more than 'I was cared for when ill' or that you have 'worked as health care assistant'.

The account of your experience can be helpful to your application only if you can say in what ways it has influenced your choice.

Understanding care and compassion

In healthcare generally and specifically in nursing there is an emphasis on being both technically skilled, being able to do the technical and physical tasks required in providing treatment but also to show that you are able to care and be compassionate in your work with patients.

Caring and compassion are easy words to say but very hard to translate into actions that show an ability to understand and respond to the suffering experienced by people and make a difference.

This is something you may want to think carefully about and how you can convey your ability to be caring and compassionate.

Understanding the demands of your nursing course

Your personal experience also offers you the chance to establish that you understand what the demands of the course are for you in terms of theory, practical work and study, and what you will do to ensure you will be able to meet the challenge you have identified.

Writing within limits

The personal statement is an opportunity to show us how well you communicate your thoughts and ideas in writing within limits. This is a skill you will need on the programme.

The list of UCAS dos and don'ts are really helpful for this , we would encourage you to follow it so that we can see that you are able to communicate your ideas and experience.

You will help yourself by careful preparation of the personal statement, making sure it is relevant to the course you have chosen and rehearsing what you will write.

UCAS recommend you to prepare the statement offline in advance and then copy and paste your work into the application system.

This helps you to communicate with us and tell us why we should choose to interview you.

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Always write in a way that's true to yourself, but remember there’s someone on the other side of the paper reading what you’ve got to say.

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Organise your choices in the UCAS Hub.

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Writing a personal statement takes practice. You’re putting yourself out there in a way that you’ve probably not had to do before. It’s both an art and a science, and the topic is YOU. With a bit of planning, it’s not just doable but a really good experience in learning about yourself.

So, how do you begin to sell yourself to someone you’ve never even met?

The short answer: With confidence and a bit of structure.

The longer answer: An admissions officer or hiring manager is looking to see what kind of person you are and why you want to do something. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it, why you think it’s important, and what you’ve done to show it. Don’t be afraid to share those ambitions and interests. Let them out!

My advice is to always think carefully about the course you want to study and if it’s something you find interesting.

Start with who you are as a person, your skills and interests, and why a subject or apprenticeship matches you. End it with how you hope this will influence the future, small or big, it’s the beginning step of something great.

Be authentic

No one knows you better than you know yourself, so show your interests, achievements, goals and personality.

Don’t get stuck in cliches like “I’ve always wanted to…” It’s not about the goal — your ambition is real and important. Tell them the why and why it matters to you.

Talk about your experiences and what they’ve meant to you. No two people have lived the same life and that makes your perspective unique.

You’ve 4,000 characters, which seems like a lot until it’s not enough. Before you start, set out the points you want to make, and work out what you need to say in order to land your point.

There’s no way like just starting, and once you get into it, the less awkward it is.

Your first draft won’t be your final draft, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t immediately come together.

“You are you.

Now, isn’t that pleasant?”

If you’re stuck, talk to someone. Friends, parents, teachers — they all see you in a different light.

Speaking to them can help you get an idea of some of your best qualities and how much you’ve grown.

It’s easier to write about yourself when you’re talking about things you’re passionate about.

If you love reading, building things, understanding why things are — then let it show.

Give yourself time

Explain the why

Don’t be shy

Talk about the future

Walk away from your computer for a day or two. Come back and ask yourself, “Can I say this in a more direct way?” If you can, then change it.

Do you love reading? Interested in sustainability? Ask yourself why you’re drawn to something and share it.

In or out of school. Climbed mountains? Part of a local climate change group? Chief recycler in the house? Think about including these — they say a lot about who you are.

Even if you’re still figuring things out, how you want to be contributing to the world or what you want from it is great to share.

Oh, and remember: you won’t be able to submit your personal statement if it’s over the word limit — the system literally won’t let you. Happy writing.

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Writing a personal statement for a nursing course application

This is your chance to set yourself apart from the competition - sell yourself..

Your UCAS personal statement is your chance to set yourself apart from the competition.

First of all, remember your personal statement should be personal . This is your chance to sell yourself and explain to the university why you are a potential Nurse or Midwife of the future.

You should avoid plagiarising content from another applicant’s personal statement – even if you have their permission. UCAS uses similarity detection software to highlight any duplication to universities and it could lead to your application being rejected.

Treat it like an essay. Before you start writing, take the time to make bullet points of everything you want to include and order them in terms of importance – those 4000 characters are quickly consumed.

Make sure you have done your research – look at the admissions criteria and read through the professional standards that are set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Your personal statement should flow and have a clear introduction and ending.

Be honest! Exaggerating or including fictional situations in your application could catch you out at a later point.

This is a formal piece of writing. While we encourage you to be open and honest, you should try to avoid writing in a casual style.

Play to your strengths.

Tell them who you are.

Discuss the personal values and qualities you hold that are needed to become a good nurse or midwife and show evidence of these.

There is likely to be some emphasis on a values-based selection process demonstrate how your own values and behaviors align with the seven core values of the  NHS Constitution .

Only mention interests or hobbies that reveal something relevant about you.

Avoid being too generic – “I am a caring person” or “I like caring for people” doesn’t offer the admissions tutor any insight.

Why do you want to be a Nurse or Midwife?

Speak with passion but try to avoid clichés.

There is so much more to nursing and midwifery than giving our medications or delivering a baby – show you understand the reality of being a registered healthcare professional in the twenty-first century.

Demonstrate you understand the demands the course will have – placements with a mixture of shifts alongside academic writing and practical learning.

Speak about any existing care experience you might have that gives you an insight into the role.

If you have attended an open day or recruitment event – mention it.

Relevant interests, skill and experience.

Don’t simply list things you have done – you need to relate it to the course or profession.

Transferable skills are key. Take any relevant interests, skills and experience you have and demonstrate how they are transferable to your chosen career.

Discuss and evidence your communication, organisational, and time management skills.

Mention key professional issues.

Taking a look at one of the many nursing or midwifery professional magazines or speak to a registered nurse or midwife who can help you identify any current professional issues – but try to stay away from politics.

Ensure you relate any relevant content to the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct alongside professional values such as the ‘SIx C’s’ .

Talk about your ambitions.

The competition for nursing and midwifery courses is fierce, and consequently, they want to ensure only candidates who genuinely want to become a nurse are successful.

You don’t have to have a dedicated ‘five-year plan’ but having an idea of what interests you about the profession is a good start.

Make it clear you would strike to provide good quality and evidence-based care.

Avoid getting caught up in the moment and submitting your application without checking it.

Correct spelling and grammar is absolutely vital and demonstrates you have taken care and attention on your application.

Try to include in-line citations if you refer to a study, document, policy or procedure.

Government takes first steps toward separate pay scale for NHS nurses

Nursing staff jailed for drugging patients to ‘keep them quiet’

Lucy Letby to be finally struck off the nursing register

‘The NHS workforce plan is a good start – but a lot of detail is missing’

‘Flexible working can work in the NHS’

Why you should vote to reject the NHS pay offer in England

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How To Write A Nursing Personal Statement: An E-Book Guide

Posted by Sue | Oct 8, 2015 | | 0 -->

This month we have completed and published another superb, one of a kind e-book guide, to writing your UCAS nursing personal statement , which is now available on Amazon.

Studential’s personal statement e-books for UCAS courses are highly regarded across the country as the best, expert guides around and the Nursing one is no exception.

Written by Naomi Lofts, a UK leading expert with more than 15 years’ experience on writing personal statements , you know you’re in safe hands. Reading this e-book will give you a head start on gaining a place on your Nursing course.

Nursing is an immensely popular course choice with UK university students and is often very over-subscribed for the limited number of places available.

Studential wants to give students a competitive edge to help them secure a place on one of these esteemed nursing courses at their chosen university. 

A highly sought after and standout feature in this e-book is Studential’s unique ‘Admission Tutors Say’ boxes throughout each chapter of the guide.

These are invaluable and if followed can really make a huge positive difference to your personal statement.

University nursing admissions tutors from:

• Southampton
• South Wales

universities contribute their comments on every aspect of your personal statement from the first words you write and the detail in each paragraph, to the finishing touches at the end.

One of the most popular aspects of the e-book is the section on examples of nursing personal statements .

These have been written by students who’ve successfully gained places on nursing courses in the last few years. These statements are a must-read and will give you real life examples as templates you can work from.

Each of these personal statements are analysed in detail, paragraph by paragraph providing you with reasons why key sentences and phrases are important. This analysis also comments on what not to include, which is just as important.

You can also read nursing personal statements which are weak. Studential’s analysis will explain why, so you know what to avoid as well. You can even test your own abilities by taking an exercise to edit a weak statement yourself, before reading Studential’s own answer. 

Don’t miss in-depth advice and guidance on exactly what you should include in your personal statement and why it’s mega important to demonstrate your outlook on the 6C’s (care, compassion, courage, commitment, competence and communication). 

Studential’s guide features advice on all 4 specialised areas of nursing: adult, children, learning disabilities and mental health as well as information you can’t afford to miss on the key nursing schools in the UK. 

Our e-book leads you through every paragraph of your 4,000 character UCAS personal statement, from where to start with your blank piece of paper to layout, language, structure, drafting, proof-checking and wider reading, not to mention what to write in the content itself.

To top it off, the book also offers you a free style guide on how to write your personal statement with do’s and don’ts, hints and tips, great written examples and how to avoid plagiarism.

A FAQ section completes the e-book with the answer to every question you’ve ever wanted to know. 

Grab your copy today , so you really can stand out from the crowd with your nursing personal statement.

Your inspiration is here. Why read anything else! 

Further information

For more tips and advice on writing your personal statement, please see:

• Nursing personal statement examples
• Nursing interview questions
• Applying for Nursing guide
• Getting into Nursing: Madam Pomfrey's Ultimate Guide

About The Author

Naomi Lofts

Going through school and applying to university myself in 2002, I know how difficult it can be to make the right choices regarding your academic journey, especially when you're uncertain of where you want to be in the future.

Student Underground was created to provide reassurance to those students currently going through this period, as well as an outlet for sharing extra, up-to-date advice on a range of further and higher education topics.

These include choosing GCSEs and A levels, filling out the UCAS application form, taking a gap year, postgraduate study options, starting a business and more.

We hope you find it useful, and if you have any feedback, please leave a comment or email us directly at: [email protected]. Thank you,

Naomi Lofts,

Managing Director

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Nursing Personal Statement

Sample Nursing Personal Statement

My ambition to become a nurse has its origins in my father’s final illness, where I observed the sort of nursing care he received in hospital and was immensely moved and inspired by the professionalism and skill of those who tended him. When I was young my elder sister was a nurse, and I had the utmost respect for her and her work. These early impressions led me to volunteer as an assistant at the hospital where my father was treated, partly out of gratitude for the care he had received, and partly out of a growing conviction that nursing is one of the finest and most important occupations in the human world. My working career has only confirmed this belief, and has given me a good grounding in basic nursing procedure and medical knowledge. I am happy in my present role as a health care assistant, but I should now like to formalise my training and go on to become a fully qualified nurse and embrace the great variety of possible nursing roles then open to me.

As an assistant in the hospital I worked alongside doctors and nurses dealing with seriously ill patients. I carried out personal care duties, bathing, helping with mobility and use of the toilet. It was challenging and sometimes harrowing work, but immensely fulfilling. I felt that I was doing something of the first importance, and the medical team were very appreciative of my work. When I came to England in 2003 I immediately sought work as a health care assistant and now work with vulnerable adults suffering from various debilitating health problems in their own homes. My work involves personal care, such as dressing, shaving, bathing and so on, arranging and escorting hospital visits, and administering medication. I liaise with other professionals, such as doctors, district nurses, police, physiotherapists and pharmacists. I have received basic training in nursing procedure, such as taking temperatures, measuring blood pressure, washing out catheters, moving patients, and advising on diet and hygiene. There is a degree of administrative work too, including writing reports and treatment plans, taking minutes in team meetings, contacting social workers and making risk assessments. All of these duties have given me a useful preparation for my planned career, and served to reaffirm my commitment to the profession.

My college course covered human biology, including the skeletal system, the lymphatic system and physiology. This knowledge has helped me to understand the diseases of the patients I care for, such as diabetes, arthritis and heart problems. I enjoyed the practical aspects of the curriculum in the laboratory, where I gained many skills which will be important in a university course. I am also fully aware of the need to work in a professional team in dealing with such problems, and very much enjoy being a part of a wide-ranging, efficient and powerful system of health care. Even at school I was made a health prefect, helping the school nurse in the sick bay, working to maintain a hygienic environment, checking the first-aid kit and even performing simple procedures such as dressing wounds. My reliability and maturity of attitude were recognised in my appointment as head prefect of my high school, involving numerous administrative duties, directing others and working in teams.

I am fully aware that my chosen career can be very challenging, and I have already encountered many of the emotional and physical problems it can involve. But I am driven by a real determination to care for others and to try to make a difference to people’s lives. A nurse deals with people at their most vulnerable, at a time when their needs are at their greatest. A proper notion of human dignity, an urgent desire to alleviate pain and an ability to remain calm in the face of human suffering are the essentials qualities of the successful carer. My dedication to these values is absolute, and I hope you will consider my application.

We hope this sample Nursing personal statement has helped give you some ideas for your own.

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