PERSONAL STATEMENT

The profession of nursing is one that I have always admired and looked upon with the utmost respect. While many view nursing as a career that is hectic and challenging, it is one that is also fulfilling and rewarding. It has always been my dream to pursue a career where I am able to advocate and care for those who may not be able to do so for themselves. I have been a Registered Nurse (RN) for the a little over two years and was inspired to pursue opportunities within psychiatric nursing based on my experiences in my native country. While growing up in Africa, I personally observed a lack of available mental health resources. These observations inspired me to make a difference through furthering my education and advancing my skills in order to effectively cater to the changing needs of mental health patients. I have practiced as a Mental Health RN for the last two years and acquired familiarity with caring for patients suffering from a large scope of mental illnesses. These include but are not limited to: severe anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Throughout my career, one of the experiences that I have enjoyed most is my cross-functional collaboration with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The APRNs were not only the first to respond and provide emergent care to patients but they also provided post-stabilization care including counselling, understanding, and comforting patients and their families. They also were able to practice with an added level of autonomy to execute responsibilities that were traditionally reserved for physicians and that cannot be performed in a traditional bedside nursing role. These responsibilities include but are not limited to officially diagnosing patients with mental illnesses and prescribing psychiatric medications. What I love most is that Psychiatric Mental Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP)/APRNs are able to still utilize their bedside nursing interpersonal skills and compassion in combination with their advanced level training to improve patient outcomes. I have truly acquired admiration for the profession and will remain dedicated to completing the necessary educational pathway to become a PMHNP. I am currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and it has truly provided me with the foundation to implement evidence-based practice into my nursing career. This program has helped me sharpen my analytical skills to identify and act upon the habits, behaviors, and thoughts of patients within mental health. While I have heard many experienced nurses who return to school to complete RN to BSN programs describe them as “pushing paperwork”, I firmly can attest that the BSN truly provides the theory that teaches us as nurses the “why” behind what we do. When one truly understands the “why’ behind what one does in a clinical setting, it allows one to connect the dots between multiple different scenarios to understand what to do and what not to do resulting in better patient outcomes. In fact, there are a series of studies that report that patient outcomes are better amongst BSN prepared nurses. Additionally, psychology is a volatile and constantly evolving field with various aspects. This field piqued my interest when many of my other colleagues in nursing school overlooked it. I believe that the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with preparation to become a PMHMP will close gaps in my knowledge of psychological fundamentals, assessments, and skills. The nursing role is changing as we are now expected to take on more responsibility to improve the welfare of patients while also ensuring our practice aligns with changes in technology. Throughout my BSN pursuit, I have acquired practical experience through caring for patients diagnosed with anxiety and major depression. I was able to introduce a mobile application that was beneficial in reducing their stress levels and improving their overall well-being. Such hands-on experience has provided me with useful insight into the mental health field and shown me the value and importance of continuous learning and development. My ultimate goal is to become a PMHNP/APRN and eventually pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become terminally degreed and gain recognition as an expert in my field. I am confident that the MSN is the appropriate next step to achieve my career goals. Acceptance into this program will allow me to advance my skills while collaborating with other professionals in the field to narrow down my scope of intended practice and directly contribute to improved patient outcomes.