Personal Statement My Goals and Why Essay

This paper introduces you to my world. It explains my professional goals, including why I am pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This paper addresses my current role as a registered nurse (RN) at St Mary’s hospital on the Neuro Trauma Intensive Care Unit (NTICU). I will explain how I got where I am today. I will inform you of my understanding of importance of integrity. I will express my importance of how ethics play a role in my life and how Fowler (2010) broadened my understanding of ethics. Lastly, I will cover why professional writing and communication is so important to the profession of nursing. Keywords: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, registered nurse, neuro trauma intensive care unit Personal Statement My Goals and Why I Am Pursuing My BSN My long term goal goes farther than just accruing my BSN. I potentially want to acquire my Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I need to have achieved my BSN to apply for CRNA School. Regardless, if I planned on furthering my degree, I feel a BSN in needed in my profession as a nurse. A BSN opens doorways to climbing the clinical ladder, more leadership roles, and increasing responsibilities. A nurses’ back is quick to wear out doing constant patient care, having a higher degree will give me more options in my career. I currently work at St. Mary’s hospital on the NTICU. I spend my nights assessing my critically ill patients, carrying out nursing care, communicating with doctors and other nurses, and constantly using my critical thinking skills. New trauma patients I find most interesting. The adrenaline starts flowing and the fight and flight response takes over. Often in these moments I surprise myself. The knowledge horded in the back of my brain and life saving skills take over. This makes for an awarding and self gratifying night. Not all traumas end the way we intend them to. We are often reminded we are not the ones in totally control. I love my job and my current position but eventually I will have to move on. I graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in December 2011. Previously I was enlisted in the United States Army. I served four years as a combat medic. I left for the army right out of high school. This decision was based on the fact I was living on my own and did not have any guidance in my life and knew this decision would set me off in the right direction. Not only did my enlistment open my eyes to the medical field but I also gained my values which I have displayed thru my life. The seven core values I was thought were as follows: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. I would not be where I am today without the army in my life. This experience was the molding of who I am today. My service to the army instilled my beliefs, morals, and ethics. Integrity and ethics play a valuable in my everyday life at home and at work. Integrity to me is to do what is right and expected of me, legally and morally. To understand integrity I had to understand my own beliefs and morals. The code of ethics for nurses is the profession’s public expression of those values, duties, and commitments (Fowler 2010). To uphold integrity and ethics to my work place I have be familiar with hospital policies, code of conduct, and my scope of practice. I have to educate myself on changes, make sure my certifications are up to date, and constantly continue my education. I have learned thru my experience as I strengthen these qualities I acquired more trust from others and have more trust in myself. Professional writing and communication is so important to the profession of nursing because in my profession it is used in many ways, unclear communication leaves room for error and all treatment is carried out by communication. As a nurse I communicate to coworkers, doctors, patients, and family members. I receive orders from doctors written and verbally, it is important I understand exactly what he is ordering. Written medical orders have their own universal formula to leave room for minimal mistakes. Verbal orders should be wrote down and read back to the physician. Along with receiving orders as a nurse I am the physician eyes, ears, and brain when they are not around. I have to be able to pick up on changes, new data, and intervene appropriately. I have to paint a clear and concise picture for the physician so that treatment can be done. I also communicate with the patient and family so that I have a clear understanding of what treatment my patient does or does not want. In my communication with the patient and family a lot of times I have to step out of the medical profession and explain things in different terms, so that they can develop a clear understanding. Communication with my coworkers is in a clear, respectful, and constant manner. I always keep my coworkers involved in patients as well as where I stand on finishing my tasks, so that I may be of help to others. I am beginning my journey to acquire my BSN and tackle my lifelong goals. I hope to by the end of this journey become a CRNA. With my understanding of the importance of integrity and ethics in my profession, and the promise to carry them out I should not have any problems meeting my goal. I have an understanding for the importance of communication as well and will continue to practice it as well. Overall, I want to continue to better myself and my knowledge in all aspects and know that if I apply myself thru this course and other I will gain exactly that. Reference Fowler, M. D. M. (2010). Guide to the code of ethics for nurses. (p. xiii). Siliver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.