X Kyle M Thompson

I have been getting a few emails from readers of my website asking me
about personal statements for applications, after giving an example of
the sort of thing I wrote, which is exceptionally non-generalisable,
the best advice I have come up with is:

"I suppose the only advice is to sell yourself as a person, emphasising
strengths and life experience and outlining the reason for choosing
nursing."

More applicable to the mature student than those straight from school,
I suppose.

I expect a post on the website would be handy for readers, have you any
advice of the sort of thing you would expect/hope to read from a
prospective student nurse?

kt.
--
So I went down the ice-cream shop, and said 'I want to buy an ice-cream'.
He said 'Hundreds & Thousands?' I said 'We'll start with one.'

Cats Whiskers

"X Kyle M Thompson" wrote:
> I expect a post on the website would be handy for readers, have you any
> advice of the sort of thing you would expect/hope to read from a
> prospective student nurse?

One approach is to write a list of qualities that they think are relevant to
coping with the clinical and academic challenges of the programme, and to
nursing. Then to list all their life experiences, then make links where
they can between the qualities and life experiences. For example, a school
leaver may have done part time shop work, in which case they will have come
into contact with people of all ages and backgrounds, including people with
communication difficulties and disabilities, and people who are rude and
abusive. So, part of the personal statement might read; "Although I haven't
had experience of doing care work I have worked part-time (then say what
that was and what it was they learnt that would relate to working as a
nurse). Others have done work experience, college placements, voluntary work
or have experience of being a carer for a relative. Obviously someone who
has studied at A level or equivalent (or above) can cite examples of the
study skills that they developed that will be needed when studying on a
diploma or degree programme. This includes computer/ITC skills as well as
the other study skills. Mature candidates without any care work experience
often feel at a disadvantage, but someone who has brought up a family and
done a variety of jobs will have had to manage themselves, family, home,
finances and work; many of the skills required for this will be needed
during the programme and afterwards. So again, what links can they make
between the qualities required and their life experiences? It is obviously
to a prospective student's advantage if the statement is legible and written
in good English.

If you think this would be helpful on your website then you are welcome to
use it.

Andrew Heenan

> I expect a post on the website would be handy for readers, have you any
> advice of the sort of thing you would expect/hope to read from a
> prospective student nurse?

'First Job' intervierwers don't expect the moon; they look for honesty, and
acceptance of the limitations (which will be obvious, however good the
student), and recognition that the learning is not over.

I always appinted the students who admitted they had a lot to learn, and
particularly those who warned that they woud be asking a lot of questions.
Sadly, there are still some students around who think that they are ready
for anything, and a quick question on a ward emergency (eg a dibetes
problem) will quickly show that few students can hope to know everything on
anything, anf fewer have a clear understanding of the boundarry between what
is expected of them, and what belongs to the medical consultant.

I'm not student -bashing; far from it. There's no reason why a newly
qualified nurse should (or even could) know all the answers. But a potential
employer needs a student to say "If in doubt, I'd ask for help"

Doesn't quite answer your question - but I hope it helps some prospective
employees.

Andrew

Interviewer: Tonight I'm interviewing that famous nures, Florence
Nightingale
Tommy Cooper (dressed as a nurse): Sir Florence Nightingale
Interviewer: *Sir* Florence Nightingale?
Tommy Cooper: I'm a Night Nurse

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