why become a nurse practitioner essay

How to Write an Excellent NP School Personal Statement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Follow the Five-Paragraph Essay Format

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

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

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

Write an Impactful Introduction

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

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

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

Do Your Homework: Advice From an NP Career Coach

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

Show Your Commitment to Finish

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

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

Connect Your Career Goals to the NP Program’s Mission

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

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

Demonstrate Your Understanding of NP Scope of Practice Laws

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

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

Take Time to Communicate Clearly

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

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

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

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

Rachel Drummond, MEd

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

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

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Why Become a Nurse Practitioner? (21 Great Reasons by an NP)

Many people who decide to pursue a career in healthcare have been drawn to the field for years. Perhaps you were inspired by a personal or family member’s healthcare experience. Maybe you have been a budding scientist from a young age. Or perhaps you look up to a healthcare professional in your family. Whatever your reason, you may find yourself wondering what type of healthcare provider you want to become. So why become a nurse practitioner? Here we will cover 21 great reasons to become a nurse practitioner.

21 GREAT REASONS TO BECOME A NURSE PRACTITIONER

1. you will provide holistic patient-centered care, 2. you can pick your specialty at the start, 3. a quick jump into healthcare, 4. flexible options for schooling, 6. bright job outlook, 7. you can continue working as a nurse, 8. independent practice, 9. you can be a teacher, 10. you can inform healthcare policy, 11. clinical education, 12. travel job opportunities, 13. you can work abroad, 14. patient rapport, 15. a challenging career, 16. you can change or add a specialty, 17. you can work from home, 18. flexible schedule, 19. loan repayment, 20. patient education, 21. it’s fun.

6 Reasons to Become a Nurse Practitioner

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Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
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Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

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Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

Specializations
Influence Patient Outcomes

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Choosing to make the move from a registered nurse (RN) to a nurse practitioner (NP) can be professionally and personally beneficial . Among nurses, NPs have one of the highest job satisfaction rates, stemming from the passion for their specialty and the direct ways they impact their patients.

Combined with high earning potential and growing demand for advanced practice nurses, many find the choice to become an NP a rewarding decision.

This guide includes a breakdown of the personal, professional, and financial benefits nurses receive when becoming an NP.

Specialize in an Area of Care You Are Truly Passionate About

Once you become an NP, you must specialize in an area of care. Fortunately, there are a variety of available specializations. Nurses have the flexibility to focus on areas of care that inspire them and align with their healthcare experience.

NP specializations are often categorized by population and work environment. Population foci involve working with a group with similar health concerns or characteristics (i.e., age and gender), while the work environment consists of the practice setting.

Being able to focus on a specific area of medicine allows NPs to hone their skills and demonstrate expertise. Workers more passionate and committed to their jobs tend to have more motivation to be successful. Working with a specific population also allows NPs to build deeper connections with their patients as they focus on a specific population.

Some of the more popular specializations include the following:

Adult-Gerontology
Psychiatric-Mental Health
Women’s Health

Enjoy Increased Nursing Autonomy

Due to their advanced education and training, NPs receive much more autonomy than they would typically experience as an RN. While RNs work under an expert clinician, such as a physician, NPs can work much more independently.

In some states, NPs are qualified to run their own practice and serve as primary care providers without the oversight of a doctor. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides information practice authority guidelines for each state. The American Medical Association also tracks the authority of an NP in each state.

While some states restrict the role of an NP, those with full practice authority may assess, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications. Given their autonomy, NPs have been able to fill vacancies in rural and underserved areas with physician shortages.

Enter One of the Fastest-Growing Occupations in the Country

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), NPs are the 4th fastest-growing occupation in the country. While the average growth rate is around 9% for all occupations, the growth for NPs is exponentially higher, at a rate of 52%.

One of the reasons behind the projected increase is the aging population. As the large baby-boomer generation ages, they require experienced practitioners who can help them manage any ailments or conditions. NPs can continue to take advantage of this growing number of patients.

There is also an increased need for more services, stemming from a greater emphasis on preventative and primary care. Since NPs can offer many of the same services as a physician, they can help fill those roles. As states continue to update regulations that allow NPs greater autonomy, more positions become available for states to fill.

Increase Your Earning Potential

RNs who decide to become an NP can expect, on average, to earn almost 44% more than their current pay. According to the BLS , the median annual salary for an RN is $77,600, while an NP earns $123,780.

While NPs are required to complete more schooling, which does come at a cost, becoming a nurse practitioner could be a worthwhile path. NP earning potential, coupled with the need for advanced practice nurses, can make a future as an NP financially sound.

Outside of the increased salary due to their education and training, an NP’s pay is also influenced by specialization, practice setting, and location. Nurses who pursue a specialization in psychiatry-mental health and neonatal can expect to earn a higher salary than some of the other specialties.

With regard to practice settings, the BLS lists home healthcare services, psychiatric and substance use hospitals, and outpatient care centers as some of the locations that earn NPs the highest annual wage.

Take Advantage of Flexible Education Options

There are a variety of paths nurses can take to become an NP, providing them with flexibility while earning their advanced degrees. Learners can enroll in online, part-time, bridge, and direct-entry programs depending on their personal needs.

Many online programs allow students to complete their courses from the comfort of their own homes. Some online programs require minimal time on campus, and courses can be synchronous (occurring in real-time), asynchronous (students access on their own time), or a combination.

While part-time programs often take longer to complete, they allow students to finish their courses while continuing to work. This option is often ideal for learners who want to keep their jobs for the extra experience and financial benefits.

Bridge programs are geared toward RNs or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) rather than a bachelor of science in nursing. It allows them to earn both their BSN and master of science in nursing (MSN) simultaneously, saving both time and money.

Direct-entry

Direct-entry programs are for students who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to earn an MSN to become an NP. This is an accelerated program that allows students to earn their degree in around three years.

In these programs, learners often complete their BSN coursework over the first year, allowing them to sit for the NCLEX-RN. They then complete their MSN and NP coursework over the next 1.5 to 2 years.

According to the AANP , since the role’s debut in 1965, NPs have consistently demonstrated the ability to provide quality care with exceptional outcomes. Numerous studies led the AANP to indicate that NPs are effective; there have been no statistically significant differences in the quality of care when NPs are compared to their physician counterparts.

In fact, patients under NP care have had fewer unnecessary hospital readmissions, potentially preventable hospitalizations, and avoidable emergency room visits.

NPs can influence their healthcare organization by providing a more cost-effective service. Adding an NP to a practice increases the number of patients seen by a physician, which in turn boosts revenue.

Employing an NP rather than a physician can help decrease costs within the practice, as doctors often earn more than twice the salary of advanced practice nurses.

Overall, NPs help the patient and the practice by improving outcomes, increasing revenue, and decreasing costs, making them a beneficial addition to most organizations.

Learn More About Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

If you are interested in becoming an NP , explore your options for the right fit. Review the specializations and determine where your passions lie. Taking the necessary time to decide upon a specialization is crucial, as that specialization will be the main focus of your nursing career.

After deciding on a specialization, establish the type of program that works best, whether that is in-person, online, part-time, bridge, or direct-entry. Examine schools that provide both the program and specialization while fitting into your financial and professional plan.

The variety of options can be quite daunting, but evaluating the available resources will make the process less overwhelming. Becoming an NP can be an extremely fulfilling and successful endeavor, and every NP’s path differs. Make sure that all aspects of the process of becoming an NP fits your needs and goals.

The Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2024

Discover the top online nurse practitioner programs, available in a variety of specialties and concentrations. Start your journey to an advanced nursing career.

The Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

Online family nurse practitioner programs offer working nurses the flexibility to join this in-demand profession. Consider these factors when considering online schools.

Differences Between a Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor

Nurse practitioners and doctors might have similar responsibilities, but the requirements to enter each career can vary significantly. Learn about their differences in this guide.

Page Last Reviewed April 19, 2022

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How to Write the Perfect NP School Personal Statement

Apr 7, 2020 | Job Search Tips

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

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

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

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

Follow Directions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Write Passionately and Professionally

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

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

Make Your Case

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

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

Start with an Outline

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

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

Introduction Paragraph

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

Body Paragraphs (one for each subtopic)

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

Concluding Paragraph

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

Offer a Story

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

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

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

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

Speak the Nursing Language

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

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

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

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

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

Address Your Red Flags

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

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

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

Use Correct Syntax and Grammar

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

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

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

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

Exemplifies
Corroborates
Approximates

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

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

Read it Out Loud

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

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

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

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

Dr. Melissa DeCapua, DNP, PMHNP-BC

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

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Why I Became a Nurse Practitioner: Interviews with NPs

Why I became an NP - heart-shaped stethoscope

Guest Blog Provided by Kasee Wiesen DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are in demand—the United States currently has 325,000 licensed NPs , with 89% certified in primary care. U.S. News and World Report ranks nurse practitioners as #1 in best healthcare jobs and #2 in the best 100 jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment for NPs to grow by 52% by 2030—that is almost an additional 115,000 jobs!

Now that you see the job is in demand and will be growing over the next eight years, you may be wondering, but why become a nurse practitioner? If you're already working as a nurse, considered one of the most trusted professions , why make a change? Is it worth the additional years of school?

Yes, becoming a nurse practitioner is worth the effort for so many reasons!

There are multiple benefits to becoming a nurse practitioner , such as increased pay and autonomy. They also have a greater scope of practice, allowing the advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to deliver high-quality patient-centered care, including assessing, diagnosing, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and devising treatment plans for patients. APRNs strive to ensure their patients understand their diagnoses and treatment plans, and they answer any questions patients may have along the way.

My name is Kasee Wiesen, and I am a practicing family nurse practitioner (FNP) in Nebraska. I have been working as a nurse for 11 years and as a family nurse practitioner for 2.5 years—and have loved every moment! I became a nurse practitioner to deliver a higher level of patient care, realize a greater scope of practice and have increased job satisfaction. Below, I will discuss four specific reasons to become a nurse practitioner. But, don't just take my word for it; I would like to introduce you to two additional advanced practice nurses who agree that becoming an NP is a valuable, rewarding and excellent career choice!

Cherl Mues, APRN, has been a nurse for 18 years and a practicing NP for the last 11 years of her career. She has primarily worked in the family practice setting. "My decision to pursue a further nursing degree was motivated by feelings of limited advancement opportunities in my RN role. I loved patient care… which made the NP role the obvious choice for further nursing education."

Colleen Bartholomew, APRN, has been a nurse for over 15 years, and for the last 2.5 years of her career, she has been practicing as an NP. She graduated from an FNP program and decided to pursue a career as an NP working in oncology— "I became an NP because I wanted the opportunity to care for patients at a higher level. I wanted to participate in the plan of care and follow-up in a more meaningful way."

Workplace Autonomy

Nurse practitioners have greater workplace autonomy than when practicing as a registered nurse (RN). However, the degree of autonomy as an advanced practice nurse is influenced by the state in which you work.

Be sure to check out this NP State Practice Authority map from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) that outlines practice authority across all 50 U.S. states (information current as of March 2022):

The state I work in as an FNP allows for full practice authority and workplace autonomy. Cherl Mues also describes her role as independent: "I have nearly complete autonomy with my practice, although there is also a very supportive structure for more complicated patients."

Likewise, Colleen Bartholomew works in a specialty setting, stating, "Yes, I do feel I have a fair amount of autonomy. In the specialty practice I work in, the original plan of care is determined by an MD. When I see patients for interval follow-up visits, I can independently make treatment decisions, order diagnostic imaging, order labs and prescribe medications."

Job Satisfaction

Overall, NPs are very satisfied with their jobs. According to U.S. News and World Report , nurse practitioners rate their job satisfaction as "above average" when discussing upward mobility and stress levels. Personally, I am extremely satisfied with my career, and Bartholomew and Mues also feel fulfilled in their roles.

"I love the NP role and the practice environment that I currently function in. My nursing background is ideally situated to help with primary care and disease management and chronic care education. As a PCP provider in rural NE, I am aware daily that I am providing services to folks who would otherwise have to drive nearly 60 minutes to get access to health care." - Cherl Mues

"I love my job. Even the most difficult days are rewarding." - Colleen Bartholomew.

Practice Holistic Patient-Centered Care

The opportunity to practice autonomously allows me to spend more time tailoring every treatment plan to meet that patient's specific needs and concerns. As an advanced practice nurse, Mues and Bartholomew both feel they practice in patient-centered care:

"I have the ability to tailor all my treatment plans to patients' social, financial and health care goals, which I have to take into consideration with each visit based on if they are insured, have transportation, support systems or financial means. " - Cherl Mues

"We strive to provide patient-centered care and address needs of the physical, ethical, emotional and spiritual aspects of each patient." - Colleen Bartholomew

Serve Your Community and Help Fill Gaps in Healthcare

The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians in primary and specialty care by 2034. They also conducted a public opinion research study in which 35% of survey respondents said they or someone they knew had trouble finding a doctor in the past one or two years—a 10% increase from 2015.

These statistics show how APRNs, specifically FNPs, can step in to help fill the void in healthcare, ensuring patients can access health care when needed. I asked Mues and Bartholomew if they feel they are helping fill gaps in access to healthcare as they practice in their respective roles. Bartholomew answered very straightforwardly, stating, "Yes, I do." Mues said, "The rural community I practice in makes this obvious—we have limited local access to health care. The health system I am working with fills the gap for primary care access and attempts to coordinate the access to specialty care the best we can."

Lastly, I asked both Bartholomew and Mues, if given the opportunity, would they do it all again and pursue their FNP? Not surprisingly, they both answered, Yes!

"I try and recruit colleagues to become nurse practitioners at any opportunity!" Cherl Mues, APRN

So, have I piqued your interest in pursuing your MSN-FNP?

If you are interested in transitioning to an NP role, Carson-Newman University's Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner online program will set you up for success. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The MSN-FNP is robust with coursework that is 100% online, includes a three-day on-campus residency and clinical placement support, and will prepare you for success on the FNP certification exam and practice as an FNP!

For more information, please visit the website for the Carson-Newman's Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program.

9 Tips for Writing the Perfect NP Program Application Essay

While many NP program application deadlines are still months away, now is the perfect, stress-free time to start getting your application materials together. Filling out endless amounts of personal information, gathering transcripts and requesting letters of recommendations is easy. The application essay? Not so much.

We all hate responding to the types of questions NP program applications typically ask. “Why do you want to become a nurse practitioner?” and “Talk about a time you overcame a challenge” can be difficult questions to answer…eloquently at least. Responding by saying you want to become an NP “so you can make decent money and aren’t sure what else to do with your life” isn’t going to cut it.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure your admissions essays are top notch.

Get Specific – Most application essay questions are generic. This doesn’t mean your response should follow suit. Rather than describing how you feel about a topic, give details. Outline a specific example from your own personal experience. This makes your essay more interesting and memorable while highlighting your experience and personality.
Keep it Simple – Admissions staff want to read an essay, not a novel. Avoid verbosity keeping your essay simple and succinct but complete. Make sure to stick to specified length guidelines. They are there for a reason.
Understand the Role of a Nurse Practitioner -NP program faculty want to know that you understand the role of nurse practitioners . Make sure you accurately present the NP profession in your essay responses. If you aren’t quite sure what an NP does, job shadow an NP or two for a day to learn more about the career before applying.
Be Concrete -Even if you aren’t 100% sure what your future holds, explain your future plans and goals as if they are set in stone. Saying you “might” do this or you “hope” to do that isn’t as powerful as saying you “will”.
Keep Your Essay Appropriately Personal – Many essay topics ask you to explain a time you overcame an obstacle or hardship in life. If your life’s major challenge has been extremely personal, choose something else to discuss in your essay. Don’t mention your marriage woes or your teen’s problems with the law to admissions staff. Instead, choose something career or volunteer related (but not trivial) even if it isn’t actually your life’s most insurmountable obstacle.
Follow Directions – Yes, you learned this in kindergarden but some of us still have trouble sticking to guidelines. If a school asks for an essay written in APA format, for example, make sure you exhaustively research APA requirements and format your essay appropriately.
Brag a Little -Application essays are your chance to shine . Highlight your career, education and experience. If you have volunteered extensively or worked in the medical field, share examples of your experiences and how they have helped shape your interest in becoming a nurse practitioner.
Stick with Facts Over Characteristics -When describing yourself in your application essay, examples and facts speak louder than description. Anyone can say, for example, they are hardworking. If you can describe your involvement in multiple nursing organizations while raising a family and working full-time in the ICU, however, this proves your industrious character.
Edit, Edit, Edit -Nothing ruins an application essay like typos and misspellings. Look over your essay multiple times continuing to refine your work. Then, share it with family, friends and colleagues asking for feedback. The more eyes you have read your essays before submitting your application, the better.

NP program faculty are looking at your essays as samples of your writing ability. Start your application essays early making sure you have enough time to review them thoroughly. You wouldn’t want a poorly written writing sample to hurt your chances of admission.

Questions about your NP program application essay? Ask other NP’s their opinions by commenting below.

You Might Also Like: A Sneak Peak Into the World of NP Program Admissions

Why Become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)?

A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse that specializes in health care across the age spectrum. They have great autonomy within the medical field, often acting as primary care providers, and have advanced skillsets to carry out patient care. For instance, FNPs conduct physical examinations, create treatment plans, maintain medical records, and are able to prescribe medications. For this reason, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner requires a graduate degree and certification.

As one Goodwin University FNP program student explained, “Being a Family Nurse Practitioner gets me close to being a doctor without losing my caring side as a nurse.” Aspiring FNPs may also feel this way, or are drawn to the family practice specialty for diverse reasons. For some, it’s the challenging coursework that piques some their interest. Others are motivated by the high earning potential that you can expect as an FNP. What else makes the FNP role so interesting, and why should you become a Family Nurse Practitioner? Let’s find out.

Family Nurse Practitioners: Popular for a Reason

Did you know that the majority of nurse practitioners (NPs) in the U.S. are in fact Family Nurse Practitioners? According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), almost 67% of NPs are actually FNPs . Many FNPs enjoy the diversity of their jobs, as they work with patients of all ages, shapes, and feathers. The focus of a Family Nurse Practitioner is to promote a healthy lifestyle throughout the lifespan, focusing on preventive care. Some further job responsibilities of FNPs include creating treatment plans, managing acute and chronic illnesses in patients, and ordering diagnostic exams. Educating patients is also a large part of the FNP job. The FNP option for RNs is attractive to many advanced practice nurses because of this deep engagement with patients.

Family Nurse Practitioners might work in private practice, at colleges and universities, or in community health. No matter the setting, the collaborative aspect of working with patients to maintain healthy lives is a fulfilling part of this career for FNPs. Many FNPs remark on how this career feels like being a doctor, without medical school bills, a long residency, and many of the stressors that come with such a level of responsibility (such as being on-call). The work/life balance might be more level for FNPs than for PhDs.

A Flexible Ladder

A bachelor’s degree and an unencumbered RN license are the major admission requirements for applying to a Family Nurse Practitioner program of study. Goodwin University also asks that applicants have obtained at least two years of direct patient care as an RN within the last five years. You’ll need to share transcripts, a resume, and a formal essay, but there are no other tests (such as the GRE) that need to be taken before you submit your application. If you’ve climbed this far but are concerned about other obligations, such as your job or family, then you need a flexible program that works for your lifestyle.

Besides Orientation, two Immersion Weekends, and clinical practice, the Goodwin University FNP program is available entirely online. This format allows you to study when you can, and continue to live your life and work while making big moves professionally.

An Unmatched Learning Opportunity

The depth of the curriculum included in Goodwin University’s FNP program is impressive and valuable. This makes sense, because the FNP job requires an in-depth understanding of health practices for adults (including complex cases), children, and women. At Goodwin University, you can expect to study a mixture of theory and clinical studies, including:

Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
Theoretical Basis and Current Concepts/Professional Roles
Policy, Politics and Organization of Healthcare
Advanced Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis

In addition, you’ll spend 600 hours spread across three ‘Advance Practice through the Lifespan’ courses, which cover the following demographics: adults, women, pediatrics, and complex clients. This 47-credit master’s program can be completed in as few as 27 months when studying year-round.

Another important consideration for your future FNP program is accreditation. Being accredited means that the curriculum has been vetted and approved by an overseeing institution. Accreditation ensures the highest quality educational program. Goodwin University’s FNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Lucrative Compensation & A Great Job Outlook

On average, the Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us that nurse practitioners make about $109,820 annually, nationwide. However, more specific information about the Family Nurse Practitioner salary is available through the AANP, who found that full-time FNPs make on average $114,000 annually in 2019. Depending on the state in which you work, as well as the work environment, your earning potential will also adjust. In Connecticut, for example, the FNP salary can reach up to $136,580 annually .

Perhaps more impressive than the salary for FNPs is the job outlook. The average growth rate for all occupations in the United States is 4% between 2019-29. The growth rate for nurse practitioner employment during that same time range, however, is rising much faster than average, at a notable 52%. This means that employment of nurse practitioners is growing at 13 times the rate of the national average! The highest employment levels for nurse practitioners in a metropolitan area are found on the east coast. In the New York, Newark, Jersey City, and PA area, there are 13,910 FNPs! The mean wage of these nurses is also above the national average, at $128,720.

More of What You Love About Nursing

As you can see, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner is a great choice for driven BSN graduates who want to grow their professional career, and live up to tall personal aspirations. To learn more about how to become a Family Nurse Practitioner , or why an FNP program may be the right route for you, consider contacting Goodwin University today at 800-889-3282.

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

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Why i want to be a Nurse / Becoming A Nurse Practitioner

Becoming A Nurse Practitioner

Category: Life
Topic: Why did you Choose Nursing , Why i want to be a Nurse

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