why i would like to be a nurse essay

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How To Answer “Why Do You Want To Be A Nurse?” (With Examples)

• Cover Letter
• Registered Nurse Interview Questions
• Registered Nurse Job Description
• Why Did You Choose Nursing?

When you’re in a nursing interview, you’ll hear the common question “Why do you want to be a nurse ?”, so it’s essential to know how to answer it. Your answer should reflect on what it was that drew you to nursing and tell a story about it, such as the moment it was clear that you wanted to be a nurse.

Whether you want to be a pediatric nurse , emergency department nurse, or travel nurse, we’ll go over how to answer “Why did you choose nursing as a career?”, why interviewers ask this question, as well as some common mistakes to avoid.

Key Takeaways:

Try to think of a story or a moment that made it clear that a nursing career was right for you.

Interviewers ask “Why do you want to become a nurse?” so you can highlight your passion for nursing and what got you interested in the field.

Avoid saying anything negative because it can often be a red flag for interviewers.

How to answer “Why do you want to be a nurse?”

Example answers to “why do you want to be a nurse”, why interviewers ask this interview question, common mistakes to avoid when answering, interview tips for answering this question, possible follow-up questions:, nurse career path faq, final thoughts.

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To answer “Why do you want to be a nurse?” you should first ask yourself questions as to why you want to be a nurse, start at the root, and tell your interviewer a story. Below is a more detailed list of how to answer this interview question .

As yourself questions. Before the interview, ask yourself, putting money and career goals aside, why do YOU want to be a nurse? Consider the following questions to better understand your reasoning:

Do you want to help people?

Does the medical field excite you?

Do you have certain skills, such as communication or concentration under duress, that naturally fit the position?

Do you thrive when you get to build relationships with people?

Do you love both science and working with people?

Focus on these aspects of yourself when you are asked why you are choosing nursing as a career.

Start at the root. If you’ve wanted to be a nurse since you were a kid, start there. If you got into medicine thanks to an impactful college professor , make that your starting point.

Tell a story. Most interviewers prefer narratives over bullet point facts — especially with a personal question like this. Don’t feel like you have to make up some great tale about how a nurse saved the day when you were a child, but bring in real moments when it became clear that nursing was the career for you.

Talk about people and experiences. Nursing is all about building relationships, so your answer should touch on your empathy and ability to form bonds with the people you work with and serve. In this way, your answer will show that you want to be a nurse because you truly enjoy the process of nursing.

Bring it to the future. Close your answer with a nod to the future and what you’d like to accomplish in your brilliant new nursing career. Bringing your answer from the past to the future shows that you’re forward-thinking and determined enough to make your dreams a reality.

Below are example answers to “Why do you want to be a nurse?” for different scenarios such as pediatric or emergency room nursing. Remember to tailor your answers to your specific needs when you answer in your interview.

Pediatric nurse example answer

“I have wanted to get into nursing since I was very young. One of my earliest memories is of a nurse taking care of me when I had to go to the hospital for stitches. She was so kind and gentle with me that I didn’t even cry or panic. I remember leaving thinking that was the kind of person I wanted to be when I grew up. Ever since then, everything I have done has been working towards becoming a nurse.”

Emergency room nurse example answer

“When I was in college I took a course on basic first aid and found it super interesting. I started signing up for volunteer first aid positions and some of my fellow volunteers were nurses. I was curious about their job and the more I learned about what they did the more I found myself excited by the prospect of helping people in medical situations. I made friends with these nurses and they helped guide me through the application process.”

Travel nurse example answer

“Medicine is such an exciting field, and one of the biggest joys of nursing is that I’m always learning new things. I know people who dread getting their necessary CEUs every year, but for me, it’s a perk of the career. “For instance, just last year I completed my certification from the Wilderness Medical Society and can now serve as medical staff on the Appalachian Trail. But from Diabetes for APRNs to Nursing for Infertility courses, I’m always able to maintain my passion for nursing through continuous discovery and wonder at the medical field.”

Critical care nurse example answer

“I believe in helping people, especially in times of extreme need. When I worked as an EMT I was always the one asked to facilitate information between any involved party. I want to expand this skill and I think nursing is a good fit for me. My interests and experience with medical professionals are good for this job.”

Nurse midwife example answer

“I want to be a nurse because I am deeply committed to providing compassionate healthcare to women during one of the most significant and transformative moments of their life. Being a nurse midwife will allow me to empower women by advocating their choices and preferences during childbirth. “Being a nurse midwife will also allow me to make a positive impact on the lives of women and their families. I will be able to provide personalized care, emotional support , and educational resources to help ensure a smooth and empowering birthing experience for my patients.”

Oncology nurse example answer

“I want to be an oncology nurse because this field is driven by a profound desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those fighting cancer. I am committed to providing compassionate care to patients during their cancer journey. “Working as an oncology nurse also has the opportunities to be part of cutting-edge research and advancements in cancer treatments. I want to be at the forefront of innovation and help contribute to the improvement of cancer care outcomes.”

The interviewer will ask why you want to be a nurse to know how serious you are about the position. This isn’t a career to take lightly because there are many challenges.

Nursing is a profession with a prerequisite for assisting others in potentially high-stress environments. So by answering this question, you are given the opportunity to highlight not only your skills but more importantly, your passion for nursing and ability to keep cool under pressure.

Additionally, interviewers hope to learn why you got interested in the field in the first place. Telling a story about an impactful experience with a medical professional or about the sense of satisfaction you feel when helping a patient can help illustrate that you’re not only skillful but also have deep compassion for the people you’ll be working with.

You should avoid saying anything negative because it can be a red flag for the interviewer. Here are some other common mistakes you should avoid when answering:

Saying anything negative. A negative response will be a red flag for the interviewer. If you are one to complain or see the worse in a situation, this will make you a difficult coworker in an already difficult field.

Focusing on money or self-serving reasons. Even if the wages are an attractive feature of the profession, mentioning this as a reason will hurt you. The interviewer is looking for an answer that goes beyond your own needs.

Unrelated anecdotes. Don’t get caught up in telling stories about nursing that have nothing to do with you or the job. Remember to keep things relevant and concise.

Your answer should be positive and you should use a personal experience to help you answer and tell a story. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when answering this question:

Be positive. Nothing will concern an interviewer more if you are cynical and negative in an interview where the job requires a strong sense of empathy and selflessness. This does not mean you can’t, nor should, ignore the challenges of the profession. If you can reframe these difficulties with a positive mindset and a “can do” attitude, you will strengthen your impact in the interview.

Be concise. A long-winded, rambling answer may give the impression that you have not considered the question ahead of time. That said, if you rush through your words, you may concern the interviewer as well. So, don’t be afraid to take breaths or have moments of silence, but choose your words carefully and effectively. Concise communication is a huge part of the nursing profession so here is an opportunity to highlight that skill.

Use personal experience. When answering the question “Why did you choose nursing as a career?” it can really help to bring in a personal touch to the response. This creates a unique answer that can help you stand out among other candidates. The personal experience may also reveal a moment of inspiration pointing towards why you chose nursing as a career.

Remember the job description. Use the skills required in the job description and apply them to yourself as you explain your interest in the field. Integrate them with care, you are not trying to restate your resume . Instead, consider how your skills have developed over time and how that relates to your interest in nursing. Remember, skills are developed through some kind of interest too.

Research the organization/department. Wherever you are applying to is going to have unique characteristics. Perhaps the organization focuses on low-income individuals or the elderly or intensive care patients. You may be able to bring this into your answer. Even if you do not, it is still good to give you context. By understanding where you’re applying to, you strengthen the explanation of why you are applying.

Practice your answer. Before the interview, practice this answer, preferably with someone else who can give you feedback such as a friend or family member. However, if you do not have that opportunity, practice in front of a mirror or, better yet, record yourself on your phone and listen back to what you said. In the end, you want to “train” for this question by giving yourself the opportunity to run through it a couple of times with the chance to tweak your response.

After the question “Why did you choose a nursing career?” there will most likely be follow-up questions. Here are some examples of other common interview questions and some tips on how to answer them. This will help you prepare yourself for the direction the interview may take.

What do you think is most difficult about being a nurse? Why?

Be aware of certain challenges of nursing ahead of time. Do some research . The worst thing you can do for yourself is be caught off guard by this question.

How are you at handling stress?

Consider what techniques you use for reducing stress. It is going to be important to show your competency. Consider answering in a way that reveals you to be a team player and aware of the stresses of your coworkers as well.

What are your long-term career goals?

The interviewer is going to be gauging your seriousness in becoming a nurse. It is not a profession that you can just “try-out”, so give an answer that shows sincere consideration for a long-term medical profession. Note: This does not necessarily tie you strictly to nursing. Many managers and hospital administrators come from nursing backgrounds.

Why do you want to work here?

Many interviewers will want to hear about not only your passion for nursing as a career but also how your passions align with their organization.

Look up the mission and vision of the facility before your interview and talk about how that resonates with you, or give an example of how you’ve seen them in action and want to be a part of that.

What drove your interest in this specialty?

Not every nurse fits well in every nursing role, so your interviewers will likely ask you why you want this particular job.

Whether this is the specialty you’ve always worked in or you’re trying something new, structure your answer similarly to your answer to the “Why do you want to be a nurse?” question.

Why would one want to be a nurse?

Many people want to be a nurse because it gives them an opportunity to help people in a meaningful way. Nurses not only perform specialized tasks that are vital to a person’s well-being, but they also get to emotionally support people who are going through an incredibly difficult time.

This can be as simple as being a calm, friendly presence or advocating for them with the rest of the medical staff, but it makes a huge impact on people’s lives.

In addition to this, many people choose to become nurses over another occupation that helps people because they love science and medicine or love the fast-paced, challenging work environment.

What is a good weakness to say in a nursing interview?

A good weakness to say in a nursing interview is a weakness that you’re actively working on. Whether your greatest weakness is that you’re too detailed with your paperwork or say yes to too many people and requests, always follow it up by explaining the steps you’re taking to overcome that weakness.

Hiring managers don’t expect you to be perfect, but they do expect you to be self-aware and take the initiative to minimize the impact of your weak spots.

What are the 6 C’s of nursing?

The 6 C’s of nursing are care, compassion, communication, courage, and commitment. These are principles taught to many nurses to help them learn how to give excellent care to patients.

They also help to set cultural expectations at medical facilities, since all of the nurses are upheld to this standard, no matter what their educational background or specialty.

What are some common nursing interview questions?

Some common nursing interview questions include:

What skills do you think are important for nurses to possess?

Describe your experience as a nurse and what you’ve learned from it.

How would you manage an uncooperative patient?

How well do you thrive in a fast-paced environment?

There are so many nursing jobs out there and nurses are in high demand. You will want to know what you’re getting yourself into before you are asked at the interview what brings you to the field.

Knowledge is power, so knowing your response to “Why did you choose a nursing career?” is crucial for success. This is your moment to shine and show why you are the best candidate for the job.

Those who are able to answer with sincerity and empathy are the types of nurses all organizations will want. So get yourself ready and figure out ahead of time why you want to be a nurse.

Nightingale College – How To Ace Your Nursing Job Interview: Questions, Answers & Tips

The College of St. Scholastica – Why do you want to be a nurse? Students share their sentiments

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Conor McMahon is a writer for Zippia, with previous experience in the nonprofit, customer service and technical support industries. He has a degree in Music Industry from Northeastern University and in his free time he plays guitar with his friends. Conor enjoys creative writing between his work doing professional content creation and technical documentation.

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Essay Samples on Why I Want To Be A Nurse

Nursing statement: why i want to be a nurse professional.

In my 500-word essay on why I want to be a nurse, I will shortly discuss my passion for helping others, my dedication to healthcare, and my long-term career aspirations in the field. I want to be a nurse because I really want to take...

• Dream Career
• Why I Want To Be A Nurse

My Desire About Why I Want to Be a Nurse Practitioner

Sample Essay “Why I Want to Be a Nurse Practitioner” For the past years of practicing, I have been working in the caring profession. Throughout this time I have gained various caring skills working in a hospital and community setting, which have also improved my...

• Career Goals

Career Goals: Why I Want To Be A Pediatric Nurse

Do you remember that thrilling feeling of “being good” at the doctor’s office and your nurse handing you the basket full of stickers to choose from when you were younger? Well I do, and that is part of the reason that I would like to...

Why Choose Nursing As A Career

Do we ever stop to look at who we are, what we do, how we do it, what manner we do it in, or who we impact daily when taking care of or doing for others? Today, nursing is looked at by a lot of...

Why I Want To Be A Nurse And My Future Plans

A family nurse practitioner is a trained person in the field of nursing that majors in looking at the wellbeing of a patient either a child or adult based on family context. The aim of this research is to focus on seven main key points,...

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Nursing Portfolio: Reasons Why I Chose Nursing

Nursing Portfolio During the part-time Nursing Program at DMACC, the students are required to develop a portfolio to understand what it takes to become a professional nurse. The portfolio will help students’ competency of the nursing profession by identifying the Global Concepts/ADN Student Learning Outcomes,...

Practical Nursing Education: Why I Chose Nursing

Abstract I do not have a magical story on why I chose nursing school. I did not have the privilege of working in the healthcare field prior to this journey nor do I have anyone in my family who is a nurse or doctor that...

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Why I Want to Be a Neonatal Nurse

“I’m pregnant,” my mom whispered to me one evening over dinner. I sat there speechless, trying to process what I had just heard. ”What?' “What do mean my life will change forever?” “ Is this really happening?” “Why me?” All of these things screamed inside...

Why I Chose Being a Nurse As A Dream Career

September 26, 2003 was the hardest and most impactful day of my life. I was in the second grade when a close family friend suddenly pulled me out of class. I can remember being confused, partly because my mother would never let me skip a...

On the Mission to Help People: Motivation on Becoming a Nurse

I plan on pursuing the profession of nursing. I do not know what specific field I want to go into, but I know what values and beliefs I want to hold myself to. I want to pursue this profession because I enjoy helping people and...

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Struggles and Opportunities of Being a Nurse, and What Nursing Means to Me

Nursing is not always having the greatest days, in fact, it rarely is from what I have witnessed. Nurses are the ones given the task of caring for individuals at their most vulnerable and patients are not always grateful for the help, but nurses still...

Becoming A Children’s Nurse – The Right Path For Me

Being a nurse is about giving and caring for a patient and their loved ones and being their advocate. Holding someone’s hand and being there for every low but also every high. Working long hours to ensure that you are that difference between a life...

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My Desire To Become A Healthcare Professional

Growing up alongside my grandmother who suffered from COPD, has made me more inquisitive about finding out the primary cause of different diagnoses. I began by reading information from a wide range of sources on COPD, which compelled me to choose science-based subjects for A-Level....

Why Are You Pursuing A Nursing Career

Nurse. A five letter word that means so much more than just taking care of the needs of a sick person. Nursing isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. I believe that the best nurses are ones who were born to become them....

Best topics on Why I Want To Be A Nurse

1. Nursing Statement: Why I Want to Be a Nurse Professional

2. My Desire About Why I Want to Be a Nurse Practitioner

3. Career Goals: Why I Want To Be A Pediatric Nurse

4. Why Choose Nursing As A Career

5. Why I Want To Be A Nurse And My Future Plans

6. Nursing Portfolio: Reasons Why I Chose Nursing

7. Practical Nursing Education: Why I Chose Nursing

8. Why I Want to Be a Neonatal Nurse

9. Why I Chose Being a Nurse As A Dream Career

10. On the Mission to Help People: Motivation on Becoming a Nurse

11. Struggles and Opportunities of Being a Nurse, and What Nursing Means to Me

12. Becoming A Children’s Nurse – The Right Path For Me

13. My Desire To Become A Healthcare Professional

14. Why Are You Pursuing A Nursing Career

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• December 27, 2022

How to Write: Why I Want to Be a Nurse Essay

The Why I Want to Be a Nurse essay is one of the most common components on nursing school applications. There are tons of reasons to become a nurse, but yours are unique – a good nursing essay will stand out and be remembered by those who read it. In addition to general admission, this could even be your ticket to some scholarships for nursing school!

Let’s dive into how to write your Why I Want to Be a Nurse essay and get you into nursing school!

Planning Your Nursing Essay

Before you get into writing anything, you should always complete your pre-writing phase of brainstorming and planning for what you want to write about. Only then can you start considering your structure and details that you want to include.

Step 1: Brainstorm an event or a list of moments that began your interest in nursing.

If this is a lifelong dream, then maybe you can’t remember when you first became interested in nursing. But what moments have helped you continue down this path?

Some people may not have a specific healthcare related experience that inspired them to take this path. That’s okay! You can think broadly and consider times you were satisfied by helping someone with a task or volunteered.

Haven’t taken a writing class in a hot minute? Here are some effective strategies for brainstorming your ideas.

Step 2: Consider what you did to learn more about nursing.

Think about when you began researching nursing as a viable career option. What made nursing more appealing than a different career?

Step 3: Write down what made you decide to choose nursing as a career path.

If you can boil your reasoning down to a sentence or two, then that will be the thesis for your Why I Chose Nursing essay.

What to Include: Why I Want to Be a Nurse Essay

Introduction: your hook and story.

Your test scores and transcripts tell the story of your technical aptitude. But your essay is an opportunity to give your application an emotional route. What experiences have made you passionate about nursing? Have you cared for sick loved ones before? Are there nurses in your family?

Your introduction is where you’ll explain the stake that you have in this. You want the admissions team to understand that you belong in the program. Not just that you have the academic qualifications, but that you’ll be an asset to the entire nursing profession.

In kindergarten, there was an accident while my family was camping. A pot of boiling water tipped over onto my leg. The burns were so bad that I had to be airlifted to a regional hospital. I don’t remember much of the incident itself today, but I remember the nurses who helped me recover. They turned a frightening experience into something much kinder. I want to be able to give that to a child by working as a pediatric nurse.

Paragraph 1: Detail the event or moment you became interested in nursing.

This is a paragraph where you really want to reel the reader in. You’ve hooked them with the broad overview of your story: what sets you apart, why you’re so interested in the nursing profession. Now you can detail a specific moment.

Pick one moment and capture it in as much detail as you can. For example, maybe you remember waiting in a hospital for news about a loved one. Perhaps it was the kindness of a nurse who treated you. Or, in contrast, it was a time that a nurse wasn’t kind, and it made you want to do better for a patient in need.

Despite spending several weeks in the hospital, I didn’t immediately develop a desire to become a nurse. Growing up, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. Then in my sophomore year of high school, my neighbor’s son got sick. He was about the same age as I had been when I was in the hospital. When I babysat him, we would swap hospital stories — the good and the bad! And suddenly it dawned on me that if I was a nurse, I could help make those bad stories a little less painful.

Paragraph 2-3: Show how you have used that experience to build your foundation towards nursing school.

Here is where you’ll take your personal experiences into account. Nursing school requires more than just empathy. You will need to have core science credits and an ability to understand the human body. The best nurses are adaptable in the workplace and always willing to learn. You can browse a list of skills nurses need to thrive in the workplace.

I spent a lot of time researching my neighbor’s son’s condition. Though his illness wasn’t terminal, it was degenerative. He began to lose his hearing a few months after his diagnosis. I joined his father in learning sign language to communicate better. During that time period, I spent a lot of time thinking about how so many people have to struggle so hard to communicate.

I want to be a nurse who can give relief to the most vulnerable patients. Every person’s needs are different. A child’s needs are different from a developmentally disabled adult’s, which are different from the needs of someone hard of hearing, and so forth. I’ve seen firsthand the frustration that occurs when communication isn’t easy. So I’ve focused on learning adaptable communication methods and educating myself about the groups that are most overlooked in hospital settings.

Paragraphs 4-5: Detail how you will use your strengths and skills in your nursing career.

This is the point at which you can start to talk about your specific skills, similar to a job interview. You want to highlight any particularly unique aspects, then make sure to solidly establish your core competency. A dream of becoming a nurse can’t just be a dream; you need detail to back it up.

If you know where you want to place your specific focus as a nurse, mention it! Talk about your career goals and how you want to work with your patients and what you hope to learn in doing so.

I think it’s so important for patients to have a nurse that listens to them, and that goes doubly for patients with communication struggles. During my career, I want to continue practicing and using ASL with my patients. I want to improve the quality of care for chronically ill people, especially because so many report anxiety around healthcare settings.

It’s also important to me to keep learning and adapting constantly. I never want to stop learning new skills and refreshing my knowledge. Understanding a patient’s vital signs and demeanor could mean the difference between life and death. In the high-pressure environment of nursing, I strive to have the answers to the questions my patients have – I’ll never stop seeking knowledge.

Conclusion: Reiterate your skills and qualifications, saying why they’d make you a great fit for the program.

The conclusion is fairly straightforward. You’ve provided your thesis: why you want to be a nurse. You’ve explained when the desire started, what experiences support it, and what you plan for the future. Now you just need to tie those things together in a neat summary. Remind the admissions team of why you’re a unique candidate to fit this role.

A long stay in the hospital as a child doesn’t qualify me to be a nurse by itself. But that experience has laid the foundation for my desire to work in healthcare settings. There are a thousand careers that help people, but nursing is personal and dear to me. I want to make sure that any vulnerable patient has access to the care they need, and I can use my adaptability and communication skills to do that.

Related: Stay Organized for the School Year with These Nursing School Planners

Do’s and Don’t’s for Nursing School Essays

Do: Show that you care about people.

Illustrate that you want to help people and have compassion for their suffering. It helps to talk about specific people or groups of people that you care for.

Do: Explain the qualifications that will make you a good fit as a nurse.

Talk about your adaptability, your desire to learn, your interest in the healthcare field, your prior experience – anything that will serve you during your career.

Do: Tell admissions why you want to be a part of their program.

Find a unique aspect of the program to highlight, showing why you want to study there specifically. For example, maybe there’s a school that connects students to underserved rural areas and this is a mission that you are on board with. Spend some time researching the nursing program to be confident in what they offer.

Do: Ask someone to proofread.

You’ll miss typos in your work if you read it a thousand times, so ask for a fresh pair of eyes. It also helps to change the essay to a different font for editing. Here are some more tips to consider offering to your proofreader.

Don’t: Pay for a writing service.

Write your own paper. If you’re worried about your skills, have a peer take a look at your draft, rather than using someone else’s work.

Don’t: Make false claims.

Tell the truth about your motivations, goals, strengths, and driving factors. Don’t make up a backstory or pretend to have skills you don’t.

Don’t: Disregard instructions or criteria.

Pay careful attention to the essay prompt and the criteria. Sometimes you’re expected to answer in less than 300 words, or there are more specific prompts to follow.

Related: Can Nurses Have Tattoos?

Why I Want To Be a Nurse Essay – FAQ

What should i include in a short essay on why i want to be a nurse.

A short essay should still include the main points made here – a short story or introduction, why you became interested in nursing and how that experience has propelled you into nursing, and the skills and experience you will bring to the program.

Should I give more than one reason on why I want to be a nurse?

You should aim to stick with one or two main reasons why you chose nursing – too many reasons will lead to a less effective essay due to a difficulty in following along with your main points.

What do I do if I don’t have a personal story that inspired me to want to become a nurse?

Even if your inspiration is not specific to nursing, you should be ready to tie that into why it’s related to a nursing career. Focus on experiences that required interpersonal skills, great communication skills, or show care for others.

The Why I Want to Be a Nurse essay is your chance to stand out from the crowd. You can show your dedication, compassion, and willingness to learn all through being honest. Just make sure you have your essay proofread before you send it!

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How to Write an Essay about Why You Want to Become a Nurse

If you’re eager to write an essay about why you want to become a nurse, then you’ve arrived at the right tutorial!

An essay about why you want to enter the nursing profession can help to communicate your passion, commitment, and the values that led you to choose this career. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to write such an essay in five easy steps. We’ll also build a sample essay so you can visualize how to implement these steps.

Ready to get started?

Step 1. Plan the word count for your essay’s paragraphs.

The first step to effective essay writing is planning the word count for each of your paragraphs. It’s a simple way to ensure balance in your essay and make your writing process smoother.

Every essay should have the following sections:

• The introductory paragraph
• Three body paragraphs
• The concluding paragraph

So, if you want a 300-word essay, you can distribute the 300 words across five paragraphs this way:

That’s all you need for your essay — five nice paragraphs.

Step 2. Formulate your central idea and supporting points.

This step involves deciding on the central idea that will guide your essay. This involves reflecting on why you want to become a nurse. What has led you to this decision?

For instance, are you compassionate and patient? Do you find joy in helping others? Are you inspired by a close relative who is a nurse? Do you have a desire to work in healthcare?

Whatever the reasons, these will serve as your thesis statement or your essay’s main idea.

Let’s take this as our main idea for our example essay: “My desire to become a nurse is driven by my innate compassion, a significant personal experience, and a desire to contribute to healthcare.”

Next, using the Power of Three, we can divide this main idea into three supporting points.

The Power of Three is a structure that can help you frame your body paragraphs effectively.

Here’s how it works for our sample essay. We’ll use three reasons for someone’s desire to become a nurse:

• Compassion is at the core of my personality.
• A personal experience influenced my decision to become a nurse.
• A desire to contribute to healthcare.

Now we have our foundation for writing our essay. Let’s move to the next step!

Step 3. Write the introductory paragraph.

To write an introductory paragraph , follow this diagram:

Your introduction should contain an opening sentence to set the context of your essay. Next, include your thesis statement and your three supporting points.

Here’s an example:

Introductory Paragraph

“The nursing profession is one that requires compassion, resilience, and a dedication to the service of others. My aspiration to become a nurse is fueled by my natural compassion, a pivotal personal experience, and a deep-rooted desire to contribute to healthcare. My compassion enables me to care for patients empathetically, my personal experience has provided me a profound understanding of patient needs, and my desire to contribute to healthcare constantly motivates me to pursue this path.”

Notice that the introductory paragraph transitions from general to specific, starting with an introduction, followed by the thesis and three supporting points.

Step 4. Write the body paragraphs.

Our essay will contain three body paragraphs, discussing our supporting points.

Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence summarizing the main point of the paragraph, followed by a detailed explanation and examples. Let’s write our body paragraphs.

Paragraph 1

“Compassion is at the core of my personality, driving my aspiration to become a nurse. It allows me to form connections with patients, understanding their needs and providing empathetic care. I have always found satisfaction in helping others, which I believe will aid in providing quality nursing care to my patients.”

Note that the topic sentence gives the context for the entire paragraph. The subsequent sentences explain the supporting point, and the rest provides an illustration.

Paragraph 2

“A personal experience profoundly influenced my decision to become a nurse. A close family member was hospitalized for a long period, and I observed the exceptional care provided by the nurses, which brought comfort not just to the patient, but to our entire family. This experience demonstrated the positive impact nurses can have on patients and their families, inspiring me to join this noble profession.”

Paragraph 3

“My desire to contribute to healthcare is another driving factor behind my aspiration to become a nurse. The healthcare field is constantly evolving, and I yearn to be a part of the progress, enhancing patient care and healthcare delivery. I want to utilize my skills and knowledge to improve the health outcomes of my patients, contributing to the larger healthcare framework.”

Each body paragraph follows the structure mentioned above, starting with the topic sentence, followed by an explanation and an example.

Excellent! Now, let’s move on to the final step.

Step 5. Write the concluding paragraph.

The easiest way to write a concluding paragraph is to paraphrase the points you’ve already mentioned in the introductory paragraph. Don’t just copy it! Instead, look at your introductory paragraph and write the conclusion based on it.

Here’s how to do this for our sample essay:

“The nursing profession demands compassion, resilience, and a commitment to improving healthcare. My aspiration to become a nurse stems from my innate compassion, a life-changing personal experience, and a strong desire to contribute to healthcare. My compassion forms the basis for providing empathetic care, my personal experience highlights the crucial role nurses play, and my commitment to healthcare propels me to continuously strive for better patient care.”

By paraphrasing the points made in the introductory paragraph, writing the concluding paragraph becomes a straightforward task.

And that’s it! I hope you find this tutorial useful and feel more prepared to write your essay about why you want to become a nurse.

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay

• April 10, 2020
• Essay Guides and Topics

Here's What We'll Cover

Every year, thousands of students try their luck in the medical field. Why I want to be a nurse essay is written to convince and persuade the admission committee that you are the best candidate for the course. You have to state in detail why you love nursing and why It suits you. The examiners, in this case, are looking for unique stories which show why you love the profession. Moreover, it is a typical essay question in the US that students can expect in exams and various applications. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to write your essay; remember, you can get legit online writers to help you write a perfect essay.

This post will guide you on how to write why I want to be a nurse essay.

The Difference Between Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay and Other Papers

Essays, in general, have a standard structure . The following are the key points that make nursing school essay different from other papers;

A nursing college admission essay should give the admission officer an accurate picture of who you are and how you will contribute to the nursing profession. In short, the purpose is to tell them about your strengths, weaknesses, and future plans as a nurse.

Tone and Voice

Your nursing personal statement should speak the nursing language. It gives it more credibility. Also, remember to use a professional tone and avoid grammatical errors.

A nursing school personal statement should explain why you are interested in nursing, reasons for choosing nursing as your career, your dedication, and your commitment to nursing.

What To Include In Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay

For a good essay that resonates well with your topic of interest, you have to consider the following; 

Reasons You Want To Be A Nurse 

If you want to convince the board that you have the potential of being the world’s best nurse , you need to give compelling reasons. Your reasons might be; you’ve always been passionate about nursing, or you’ve found it rewarding because it involves helping people. You might also state that you find nursing a vocation, a way of life, or you want to make a difference in people’s lives one patient at a time. Bringing happiness to individuals, their families and comforting those in need might also be another reason. 

What Inspired You?

Certain events in our lives motivate us to pursue certain careers. In the why I want to be a nurse essay, you can use personal experiences to explain why you want to pursue the career . For example, suppose your relative was misdiagnosed, which led to another medical condition that put her life in danger; this can be the reason behind your inspiration. Your main aim might be helping people get quality and effective care. Sharing personal stories will help you connect with whoever will read your paper and make you stand out. These stories don’t have to be negative experiences; they can also be positive.

Academic Interests

Talk about which area in medicine you are specifically interested in, previous experience in medicine, and your future aspirations. You can also talk about how you’ll keep up to date with medical trends. 

Fascinating Points About Nursing 

In your essay, you can highlight interesting points in nursing that make you want to delve into nursing more. You can talk about things like you love that nurses can be doctors and don’t necessarily need to work in hospitals; they can work at military bases, private health care, home healthcare, or even in schools. You can also talk about the fact that there are 100 nursing professions, including advanced nursing degrees. These options allow more flexibility in the profession.

What Makes You A Good Nurse?

Nursing isn’t a profession for everyone. Some people can’t stand the sight of blood and syringes, sick people, or even the smell of hospitals. Cite what attributes you have made you a good nurse. You can say you are loving, caring, compassionate, gentle, and show empathy to people. You might also possess certain attributes like great communication skills, a sense of humor, problem-solving skills, patience, and the ability to cope with stress. 

What Motivates You To Be A Nurse? 

Motivation can be defined as a pulling force. Something that makes you get out of bed. For example, if you want to start running in the morning, your motivation could be to lose weight or attain a healthy lifestyle. In Why I want to be a nurse essay, your motivation could be to help others or the need to attain financial freedom.

Strategies For Writing A Good Why I Want To Be A Nurse Essay

1. create an outline .

Before you start writing your essay, you need to identify the main points you’ll discuss in the paper to make it more clear and organized to read. Having an outline gives you a clear map of what you want to write and discuss. An outline is like a draft; this way, you will know what to discuss in your introduction, the body, and the conclusion. 

2. Use a Powerful Hook and Thesis Statement

Your introduction is the ‘starter’ to the main course ‘body’ of your essay. It should give the essay rationale and tell the reader what to expect in your essay to make them want to continue reading. For this purpose, it should be like a hook. Start with a statement from medical experts a proven data.

The last sentence of the essay’s introduction should contain a general statement about the idea of the essay.

3. Use Personal Anecdotes and Stories

There is no better way to keep the reader interested than to use an interesting personal anecdote. An anecdote is a short amusing story about an event or person. If you have lived in this place called earth, you sure have plenty of those. Use them to your advantage. For example, you can narrate an encounter that made you want to be a nurse or a touching story that significantly impacted your life. Remember, honesty is very important. Be personal but avoid crèche.  

4. Make Your Essay Short

Because this is a type of college admission essay, such requires a short personal essay that mainly expresses your interests and motivations. You want to convince the board that you are a worthy applicant. They can have a word limit of 200 to 650 words or an average of 500 words. However, some college websites provide a word count. You can use that to guide you, but do not exceed the given range by too much because the board has to go through many admission letters. 

5. Provide Supportive Materials

An effective essay needs strong supporting information within the paragraphs. These could be links to articles or even books. When you have evidence to back up your statement, it makes your essay more credible and stronger. 

6. Use Sandwich Rule 

You have probably already heard of the hamburger rule of writing . In an essay, this mainly applies to the body of the essay. The main rule presents one idea in a single paragraph and does not mix up ideas. The flow of each section should be like this;

• Your paragraph’s main argument is the top bun’ and should state what the topic is about.
• Your evidence, statistics, and quotes are the condiments.
• The juicy central part of your paragraph is your arguments, analysis, and thoughts. So this is the part that requires the most attention. If you do not back up your first two parts with clear arguments or analysis, the quotes or whatever else you wrote on part two will be meaningless.
• The bottom bun should hold everything in the paragraph together and seamlessly transition the information to the next paragraph.
• Body Paragraphs – Discuss the recommended no. of paragraphs

7. Highlight Your Strengths 

When you write why I want to be a nurse essay, the admission committee will scrutinize your strengths. The nursing profession demands people that are warm by nature, good at communicating, caring, and empathetic. If you possess these skills and have any other that you feel will help advance your case, it is important to highlight them. The admission board will want to accept into nursing school a person they feel has the right soft skills that will help improve service delivery. 

8. Choose A Structure That Works Well For You 

A typical why I want to be a nurse essay will be a five-paragraph essay. You need to make the most of this structure to ensure the admission committee considers your application. Additionally, you will need to pay attention to the individual sections of the essay to make it stand out among other applicants. Below is the outline.

Introduction

The introduction of your why I want to be a nurse essay needs to be short and captivating. Additionally, you need to make the most of a hook. It will not only ensure the reader wants to read more but also offer a moving story. Anecdotes work best for such introductions, but you can also experiment with other types of hooks as well. 

The Body 

The body of your essay will form the basis on which the admission committee will judge a vast chunk of your essay. The key to writing a good body for this type of essay is focusing on telling your truth. Tell a personal story that makes you want to be a nurse and elaborate on how this story relates to all you have been doing to get to where you are. For the body also, including practical examples that help to support the argument you make here. Depending on the type of research you did and the angle you are writing your story, you can also make the story more outstanding. 

Nursing school application essays should be two or four paragraphs. Each paragraph should discuss a different idea and connect to the main idea of the essay. The recommended number of paragraphs in the body of a nursing school essay is four.

The first paragraph in your essay’s body should discuss why you want to be a nurse. You are required to support your argument with evidence. Ensure that the reason comes out very clear and don’t leave the admission officers guessing. Explain why these reasons are important and conclude with a final idea for this paragraph.

2. Academic Experience

In the second paragraph, discuss in detail your academic experience. Provide examples of academic experience from your own life. Explain how this academic experience relates to a nursing program and then finish with a claim that connects academic experience with the nursing program.

Tell them how this experience led you to your decision.

3 . Personal Characteristics

In the third paragraph, discuss your personal characteristics, provide specific examples and link them to nursing. Tell them what makes you different and how this best suits nursing as a career.

The last paragraph of your essay’s body should explain your personal goals. State how these goals can be achieved by studying a nursing program and how will they help you contribute positively to the nursing field?

Conclusion 

The conclusion of this type of essay will refer back to the unique story that you put forward in the body of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion needs to sum up the main points that make your claim worth the committee’s consideration. Leave the last impression in one sentence that sums up the purpose of the paper.

9. Proofread Your Essay 

Your essay must be error-free. The reason for this is that a poorly edited essay will result in your chance of approval lowering. It is, therefore, necessary to use all resources available at your disposal to ensure that you proofread your essay and submit it error-free for review by the admission board. 

A good practice for proofreading your essay is taking time off the computer before returning later to edit your essay. This pause in between allows you to review the essay without bias. Additionally, it comes in handy if you can read your essay aloud as you proofread it. This proofing method improves your chances of spotting a mistake that you may miss if you read silently. 

The process of writing why I want to be a nurse essay is one that many students dread. However, with the right preparation and research, you can write an essay that gains you entry into the career of your choice. Focus on telling your personal story to give you an edge over other applicants. Below is an example of such an essay. And if you have any trouble writing your essay, our Bright Writers experts are ready to help you.

An Example Of Why I Want To Be A Nurse

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Nurses make a positive impact on people’s lives and have a variety of work environments. They are also high in demand and have a flexible work schedule. Additionally, nursing is a rewarding career that has a solid earning potential hence giving you the stability you need.

A high level of emotional intelligence makes you stand out above the rest. This allows you to read people and situations appropriately. Good communications skills are also critical in getting into a nursing school. Other qualities like self-discipline, passion for nursing, compassion, and organizational skills qualify you to get into a nursing school.

Being honest and vulnerable in telling your personal story gives you a better chance of getting an admission. Consequently, using short, clear sentences, adding support evidence to your claims, and keeping your essay short makes an informative essay.

If you are caring, compassionate, courageous, competent, and committed, you will definitely make a good nurse. Other attributes include; 1. The nurses need to have high standards of professionalism in their line of work. 2. Diligence is an attribute a nurse needs to possess. 3. A good nurse should have outstanding communication skills. 4. Nurses also need to have remarkable interpersonal skills. 5. An effective nurse needs to pay attention to detail very carefully and ensure that no step is missed. 6. Should be able to solve problems quickly.

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Why I Want to Be a Nurse Essay

In a world where chaos and uncertainty often reign, there's a tribe of unsung heroes who wear their capes not around their necks but around their hearts: nurses. Why do I want to join this league of extraordinary caregivers?

Well, it's not just about fancy medical gear or a stable paycheck (though those are nice bonuses). No, for us, becoming a nurse is about being there for someone when they're at their lowest, about lending a hand and a listening ear when life throws its curveballs. It's about making a career of turning empathy into action and making a real, tangible impact on the world, one patient at a time.

So, grab your scrubs and stethoscopes, folks, because this is the story of why you’re itching to dive headfirst into the chaotic, beautiful nursing profession.

Essential Elements of a Nursing Essay

Follow these steps to produce a standout nursing essay that can bolster your chances of gaining admission to nursing school or securing your first career opportunity in the field:

Heartfelt Narratives

Heartfelt narratives are personal stories that provide insight into your journey, motivations, and nursing-related experiences.

These nursing essay narratives humanize your essay, allowing readers to connect with you emotionally. By sharing moments of triumph, challenges overcome, and meaningful interactions with patients, you demonstrate your passion for nursing and your capacity for empathy and understanding.

Heartfelt narratives also showcase your ability to critically reflect on your career experiences, which is essential for the nursing profession as it fosters self-awareness and continuous learning.

"In the dimly lit hospital room, amidst the steady hum of machinery, I met Maria – a frail yet resilient soul whose eyes sparkled with a mixture of pain and gratitude. As I held her hand and listened to her whispered fears, I realized that nursing was more than just a career – it was a calling to bear witness to the raw, unfiltered emotions that define our shared humanity."

"From the bustling emergency department to the serene corridors of the hospice ward, each shift as a nursing student has been a tapestry woven with threads of courage, compassion, and camaraderie. One particular night stands out in my memory: a young boy, his face contorted in agony, clutching his mother's hand as she whispered words of comfort. In that moment, I understood that the essence of nursing lay not in the procedures we perform but in the connections we forge with those in need."

Visual Metaphors

Visual metaphors use imagery and symbolism to convey complex nursing-related ideas or emotions. They add depth and richness to your essay, engaging readers' senses and imagination.

Visual metaphors make your writing more vivid and memorable by comparing abstract concepts to concrete objects or career experiences. For example, likening the collaboration among a nurse practitioner and other medical specialists to a symphony orchestra highlights the importance of teamwork and coordination in nursing practice.

Visual metaphors appeal to intellect and emotions, making them a powerful tool for effectively communicating your message. Our experts who render the nursing essay writing service also use such an approach to fulfilling assignments, so you should do it, too.

"Like a lighthouse amidst a stormy sea, nurses stand as beacons of hope, guiding patients through the darkest nights of illness and uncertainty. With each gentle touch and reassuring smile, they illuminate the path to healing, their compassion casting ripples of warmth that transcend the cold confines of hospital walls."

"In the crucible of the ICU, where vitality hangs in delicate balance, nurses emerge as alchemists of the human spirit, blending empathy, expertise, and unwavering dedication into a potion of healing. Their hands become brushes, painting strokes of comfort on the canvas of suffering, their words like colors infusing hope into the bleakest moments."

Patient Perspectives

Patient perspectives provide firsthand accounts of the healthcare career from the viewpoint of those receiving care. Including patient perspectives in your essay demonstrates your ability to empathize with others and consider diverse perspectives.

It also highlights the human side of once you become a nurse, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered care and nurses' impact on individuals' lives.

By sharing stories of patients you've encountered or insights gained from clinical experiences, you show your commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of those you'll serve as a nurse.

"As I lay in the hospital bed, my body wracked with pain, it was the gentle touch of Nurse Sarah that brought solace amidst the chaos. In her eyes, I saw not just a caregiver, but a guardian angel, whose presence infused the sterile environment with warmth and compassion. Through her attentive listening and unwavering support, she transformed my hospital stay from a harrowing ordeal into a journey of healing and hope."

"From the pediatric ward to the oncology unit, I've had the privilege of bearing witness to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Each patient I've encountered has left an indelible mark on my heart – a testament to the transformative power of empathy and connection. Through their stories of courage and perseverance, I've come to understand that nursing isn't just about treating illnesses; it's about honoring the inherent dignity and worth of every individual who crosses our path."

Theatrical Monologues

Cast aside traditional essays' conventions and embrace theatrical storytelling's power. Here, the nursing career stage is set not in lecture halls but in the corridors of hospitals, where the drama of vivacity and death unfolds with each passing moment.

Theatrical monologues use dramatic storytelling techniques to convey the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of individuals involved in the nursing profession. They bring your essay to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of nursing and experience its challenges and rewards firsthand.

Through dialogue and character development, you can compellingly and engagingly explore complex ethical dilemmas, interpersonal dynamics, and the emotional toll of caregiving after you become a nurse.

"In the hushed confines of the operating room, I stand poised at the precipice of life and death, my hands trembling with anticipation and fear. As I gaze into my patient's eyes, I see not just a name on a chart but a story – a tapestry of dreams, fears, and unspoken desires. With each incision, I am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that rests upon my shoulders, knowing that my actions have the power to alter the course of a life forever."

"In the neonatal intensive care unit, time seems to stand still as I cradle a tiny infant in my arms, his fragile body a testament to the fragility of life. With each breath he takes, I am reminded of the miraculous nature of my profession – the ability to nurture and protect the most vulnerable among us. As I whisper words of comfort into his ear, I am keenly aware of the profound privilege and responsibility of being a nurse entrusted with the care of precious lives."

Artistic Expression

Artistic expression encompasses a variety of creative mediums, such as poetry, artwork, or multimedia elements, that allow you to communicate your ideas and emotions in unique and innovative ways.

Incorporating artistic expression into an essay helps a nursing student add depth, richness, and originality to their writing, capturing readers' attention and sparking their imagination.

It invites readers to engage with your career deeper, encouraging them to see nursing as both a science and an art, a profession and a passion.

"In the canvas of life, nurses are the brushstrokes that infuse color into the mundane, transforming moments of pain into portraits of resilience and hope. Through the lens of poetry, let us explore the beauty and complexity of the nursing profession, where every stanza is a testament to the power of compassion and healing."

"Through the lens of a camera, the world of nursing unfolds in a kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences. From the tender moments of connection between caregiver and patient to the frenetic energy of the emergency room, each snapshot captures a fragment of the larger tapestry of nursing. Join us as we embark on a visual journey that transcends words, inviting you to see the world of healthcare through a new lens."

Frequently asked questions

• 16 Reasons To Choose A Career In Nursing | NurseJournal.org. (n.d.). https://nursejournal.org/articles/reasons-to-choose-a-career-in-nursing/
• Ctxadmin. (2024, May 9). 10 Reasons to Become a Nurse. Concordia Texas Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing. https://absn.concordia.edu/blog/reasons-to-become-a-nurse/

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• Nursing School

“Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?” Nursing School Interview Question

Preparing your “Why do you want to be a nurse” answer for an interview is key. The question will always be asked in a nursing school interview, which is why you must strategically plan out your answer, and take some time to reflect on this difficult question.

Not everybody puts thought into the “why” behind this question. Some people seem to act entirely on instinct, but you can’t afford to do so with your career – your future. Not to mention the fact that you need to have a professional, snappy, and thoughtful response to any (and every) question brought forward in an admissions interview.

Some nursing school interview questions are a chore to get through, but with some careful consideration, the question of why will be so foundational that you’ll never regret having explored it. This isn’t just something you have to answer, this is a question you want – even need – to answer.

In this article, you will find different answer samples to the “Why do you want to be a nurse” question, how to find a personal answer unique to you, and how to structure your answer to create an amazing impression on the interview day. 

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

Article Contents 10 min read

Why are you asked this question.

Having an answer to this question is more than important, it’s necessary. It’s necessary for your interview, but it’s also necessary for yourself.

Imagine being the interviewer for a moment and seeing a candidate who looks great on paper, with strong academic record, a great nursing school personal statement , good letters of reference, and a demonstrable track record of excellence all-around demonstrated in their nursing school application resume . But in the interview, that candidate responds with, “I don’t know,” to the question of why they are selecting the career that they are. The interviewer’s likeliest response? Complete dismissal. If this question isn’t answered properly, it will corrupt the entire interview, and possibly even destroy the application altogether.

That’s why they ask the question. Would you select a candidate who didn’t know why they were even applying to nursing?

Of course not. If you were generous, you’d take the candidate aside and advise them to take more time to think about their future.

Which presents another reason why you need to answer the question: you owe it to yourself. This is who you want to be, after all. Make sure you put some thought into it. What the interviewer is asking of you is to not just explain why you’re a good candidate, but why nursing is important to you. So the main thing is to put your connection to the profession on display.

This question really is for the admissions committee to understand whether you fit with this career path. Your “why” will demonstrate whether you will be a positive addition to this profession.

Before you start composing your answer to this question, it’s important to reflect on your own reasons for pursuing this career. There are thousands of potential reasons and each one is legitimate in its own way. We have compiled a list of suggestions that may help you pinpoint your own “why” behind your decision.

Patient Care

One of the most common reasons that nurses give for “why nursing?” is to care for patients. Nurses spend more time with patients than any other medical professionals . They spend close to twice as long with patients as personal visitors (more than friends and family) and almost three times as many minutes with patients as other medical staff (physicians, physician assistants, and medical students).

Directly caring for patients is the biggest part of nursing, and an excellent potential aspect of your answer to the question of “why” you want to be a nurse. If you love working with patients, it could be an ideal entry into your answer to this question.

\u201cHuman connection has always been important to me. Nursing is an opportunity for me to help people at their most vulnerable.\u201d  ","label":"Example statement","title":"Example statement"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Heat of a Team

Nurses work together as a team to care for their patients. Although each nurse is assigned certain patients, they will help each other out. Being part of a team is exciting for a lot of people, and perhaps this is one aspect of the profession that excites you. Knowing that somebody has your back, and you have theirs, is a big plus in any career.

Not just part of a nursing team, healthcare requires many specialists across disciplines, and nurses are a part of that team.

\u201cI love working with other people and knowing that I\u2019m part of a work-family. Nurses come together to share their workload in a way that I find encouraging. I would love to be the kind of person who can be counted on by my colleagues, and who has a good support network as part of the job.\u201d ","label":"Example Statement","title":"Example Statement"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Physically, mentally, and emotionally, nursing is a challenge. The profession demands excellence and endurance from all aspects of life. Many people find challenges exciting and rewarding, and it might be beneficial to let an interviewer see that hardworking, never-back-down side to your character.

\u201cI am someone who rises to a challenge, who doesn\u2019t quit, and who won\u2019t back down from hardship. If I fail, I try again. I know that nursing is tough, but that toughness is something I admire in others and in the profession, and I think I would be ideally suited for a place where I can be challenged. ","label":"Example Statement","title":"Example Statement"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

Constant Learning

You’re a curious mind who loves to experience new things? Nursing is perfect.

Nursing is a multi-facetted profession, and there is always more to learn and explore. Whether travel nursing, working with children, or with the elderly, you can find something (or everything) within the field.

One of the most interesting areas to learn is in pure medical knowledge. Nurses have to deal with many different areas of medical science, so the opportunities for educational growth are exponential.

Although less altruistic than some other answers, it can be beneficial to let an interviewer know that you will love a career in nursing for these rewarding aspects as well. 

\u201cLife is a journey, and an adventure, and nursing provides a place to be a kind of adventurer. There is so much this profession offers, so many different ways to learn and grow, and I look forward to a life of, not just helping people, but exploration.\u201d ","label":"Example Statement","title":"Example Statement"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

Nursing exposes a person to a wide variety of medical experiences, and that can lead to excellent insights into the field at large and lead to other, perhaps unexpected, career paths.

There are a lot of growth opportunities within the nursing field. A nurse might strive to become a nurse practitioner – very similar to an R.N. or R.P.N., but with some powers granted and further responsibilities. They can diagnose illnesses, order tests, or give prescriptions, for example. It’s like a halfway point between nurse and doctor. If this is your ambition, do not hesitate to express that you want a career where you will be able to grow, learn, and advance as a professional!

Nurses may also explore other medical professions. While you may be hesitant to express your desire to go from nurse to doctor , you should know that these kinds of transitions are not rare. Nurses who transition to being physicians or other medical professional have a huge advantage in terms of experience and clinical knowledge! You should feel free to express your dedication and commitment to nursing, as well as your aspirations for other professional avenues. Whether you want to grow within nursing or beyond, admissions committees like applicants who show ambition.

\u201cI want to experience the medical field in its fullest, and I believe there is no better first step on that journey than nursing.\u201d ","label":"Example Statement","title":"Example Statement"}]" code="tab5" template="BlogArticle">

Want help preparing for your nursing school application and interview?

How to Plan Your Answer

All of the reasons we list above are good. But you need more than just a parroted reason. Reason without passion is just an excuse.

There is a deeper reason for entering this field. Use this question to display that depth and your passion for nursing.

The personal why is about how the profession connects with you. There was a point in your life when you knew you wanted this for yourself. Maybe a family member was a nurse? Maybe somebody you knew was hospitalized, but the nursing staff at their hospital made their recovery infinitely better. Maybe that person was you: sick or injured, your life and health, improved by the nurses who cared for you.

Start with a good, captivating opening statement. Make it short, to the point, and formulate it in such a way that you will set up the rest of your answer. A good attention-grabbing statement might be a cataclysmic life event, a profound quote, or a statement that generates intrigue. Think of the beginnings of your favorite books or films. They start with something that grabs attention (“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” for instance). You want to ensnare an audience, not just say, “I always wanted to be a nurse.”

For example: “We were miles from help, cell phones dead or no bars, and blood was everywhere. I was holding onto my belt, pulling it tight enough to stop the flow, talking my friend back to a state of calmness, and hoping like heck that my lack of belt wouldn’t mean my pants would fall down imminently. I didn’t know it at the time, but being the calm one in a crisis, remembering my first aid knowledge, and making it through all that trauma was what would lead me to become a nurse.”

Keep to one or two main examples as to why you are pursuing nursing, show your connection to nursing beyond just, “it’s a job”, and throw in personal flair to accent your statement. Outlining one or two examples or reasons will allow you to include interesting details and expand on these reasons in more depth.

The personal connection is a good place to start. When did you realize you wanted to be a nurse? Why do you love it? Those catalyst points in your life that made you choose nursing are a great start.

A concluding statement – as short and punchy as your opening line – is the best way to wrap things up. You might let the interviewer know your career goals and how their program will help you get to where you want to go.

Make sure to keep your answer to 1 or 2 minutes long. You do not want to ramble on and on, thus losing the attention of your interviewers.

How to Practice Your “Why Do You Want to Be a Nurse?” Answer

Once you have an experience or two to focus on, spend some time thinking about how you want to present these talking points. Once you have an idea, start practicing. Remember, you do not want to memorize your answer, but you also want to have a clearly laid out format for your response. One of the worst things you can do is come to the interview unprepared, saying something like this, for example:

“I like helping people. I was once hurt and the nurses at the hospital helped me.”

That’s no good. Put effort, details, stories, and energy into the answer. This is the reason why you’re entering your next stage of life, so allow your excitement to shine through. Make a mini-story out of it.

It will help you a lot to practice your answer in mock interviews, making sure that your answer sounds natural, thorough, and professional.

“Why Do You Wat to Be a Nurse?” Sample Answer #1

“I have always needed to help people. As a kid, if my younger siblings got a scrape on the knee, I was right there with my mom, helping to bandage them up. I think I was just mostly in the way.

But that need to care and heal never went away. When I was older, I took first-aid classes and loved it. I loved learning how to help, knowing that if there was a problem I could be right there making things better.

The day that I knew specifically I wanted to be a nurse was after applying my first-aid knowledge directly. A friend of mine got hurt at school, slipped and had a bad fall down some stairs. I used my first-aid to keep them calm and check for any breaks or other issues before helping get them to the school nurse. While I was in the nurse's office, I felt like I was part of something already. Later, I spoke with the school nurse about my career path, and she was helpful, thoughtful, and encouraging.

Nursing is perfect for me. More than any other profession, nursing will give me an opportunity to care for people. It lets me do more than just give medicine, it connects me to people, and make a real difference in their lives.

That human element, making small differences day-to-day, and really helping people – all of that is deeply connected to who I am, who I want to be, and to nursing. Nursing and me are a perfect fit.”

“Nursing is a one-hundred percent career, and I am a one-hundred percent person.

Challenge is exciting to me. Rock climbing is a hobby of mine, and I love it because it’s active and requires commitment. I’ve always been passionate like that.

Another thing I’m deeply passionate about is going where I’m needed. I remember my aunt talking one time about being a nurse, and about the struggles that she and the other nurses went through. I remember her being really upset about it, but I also remember thinking, ‘Oh, they need people.’ And, as I said, I go where I’m needed.

From there I started learning as much as I could about nursing, taking elective classes in school, reading about the profession, and talking to my aunt about the job. The more I learned, the more I knew this was my path.

Nursing is a place where I can make a difference, be needed, and be challenged, and I am looking forward to all of that – one-hundred percent.”

The answer to this question is as personal as it is imperative. Really think about why you want to be a nurse above all else, and you’ll have your answer. Once you know the “why”, you might get thrashed a lot on your journey, but you will always have sight of your destination.

You also have the perfect answer for your interview. But with all that incredible insight into your life and who you want to be, that’s almost a by-product, isn’t it?

An in-depth answer, one that properly communicates your connection to nursing, is going to take up more than a couple sentences. Keep your answer to 1 or 2 minutes long.

No, and in fact, we strongly discourage memorization. Memorizing your answer comes off as disingenuous. Additionally, you run the risk of messing up your script and freezing in the middle of your answer. Instead, just focus on remembering your talking points.

Do plan out your answer carefully before your interview, practice it, but from that point on, just worry about holding the main points in your head. You don’t need to memorize the whole thing.

Everybody has a different approach to their writing processes, but one fast, fairly simple way to deal with writer’s block is to give yourself permission to take five minutes and free associate. You could use pen and paper, word processors, or record yourself talking aloud, but through whichever method you choose, just start getting out ideas about nursing and why you’re interested in it.

Another approach would be to think about the first time you considered nursing as a career and why. Those memories will give you excellent insight and a good starting place to plan your answer.

We recommend sticking to one or two events or reasons that led to your decision.

Since you don’t have time to get into every facet of every aspect of why you want to be a nurse, you’re going to want to stick to one or two primary reasons. You will weaken your statement if you have too many points.

To have a strong answer, you need to incorporate personal or professional events or experiences that led you to pursue nursing. Why did you decide to pursue this career? What interests you about it? What events took place to lead you to apply to nursing school? These events do not necessarily need to be related to nursing directly, but you can connect them to nursing. For example, maybe your volunteer or work experiences demonstrate exceptional communication and interpersonal skills? Whatever it is, make sure you can connect your passion for nursing, and your experiences in your answer.

Chronologically is probably clearest. It will let you, and the interviewer, track the story better.

Keep in mind classical story structure, with a beginning, middle, and end, and use that as a rough guide.

Just pause, take a breath, and remember the first thing your wanted to say. Since you’ll have practiced beforehand, the rest will come back to you. Since you’ve arranged your answer as a small story, the structure helps with remembering as well, and because you haven’t scripted anything, it doesn’t need to be exactly as you’ve rehearsed it.

You need to go back to your story and really look at it with a critical eye. Ask yourself if there are any details you’re including that aren’t really necessary. Try to weed it out.

What is extraneous to your story will pop out if you reconsider that story structure of beginning-middle-end. If you’ve started talking about a certain event in childhood that led to another event that led to your deciding to be a nurse, are you taking any digressions along the way? Including any anecdotes that, while nice, don’t support your main story?

If you’re having trouble sticking to two minutes, be ruthless in your editing.

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Why i want to be a Nurse / Why I Want To Be A Registered Nurse

Why I Want To Be A Registered Nurse

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