sample dnp admission 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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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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DNP Admission Essay

ABSTRACT The expansion of the nurse’s role to effectively impact healthcare delivery presents multiple opportunities for research based nursing professionals. This Admissions essay will address my rationale behind application into the DNP program. Questions answered include: (1) Statement of goals and expectations for better serving my community, and (2) Type of clinical project I hope to undertake in the DNP program.

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INTRODUCTION I believe that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is not only ideal, with respect to my own personal goals, but that this program will give me all the tools required to yield a positive impact in this world. The current state of the U.S. Healthcare system indicates that there are many areas in our system, which may be optimized. Patients, professionals, and laypersons, will claim that our Healthcare System is the best in the world. Regardless of this claim, enhancements are required. The focus of a DNP program is to promote health and disease prevention, to help reduce the overall cost of healthcare delivery in the U.S.

My primary focus is to initially utilize all training and knowledge, obtained during the program to impact the local Miami-date community in a positive manner. The diverse population of individuals in the Miami-Dade area presents multiple different; age groups, ethnicities, and income levels. My overall goal would be to help underinsured and under privileged patients in this area, who may not currently benefit from the established system, using the knowledge gained during the DNP program.

GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS While studying in the DNP program, my overall academic goal would be to learn as much as possible, pertaining to the application of research-based knowledge. An advanced practice nurse should be able to; Design, Conduct, and Analyze research data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Information obtained during research can be used to better understand where weak points lie within our system. I expect to undergo a rigorous curriculum that will allow me to think “outside of the box” to essentially innovate our system. It appears that much controversy is associated with healthcare delivery, however application of science does not consider a person or a groups ulterior motive. I expect to be challenged by the program to design sound research plans, that would be used to cast light into the areas of healthcare that require improvement.

With respect to my overall goal for becoming an effective clinical research based nurse, I hope to gain knowledge that will allow me to develop effective strategies that enhance the safety and quality of patients receiving care. I would also like to learn methods that the nurse practitioner may use to create more cost-effective initiatives, for translational application to new delivery processes. It is important to note that the affordable care act appears to incentivize cost-effective delivery. This indicates that the ballooning cost for healthcare is being addressed and subsequently the law presents the necessary framework for motivating professionals to enhance delivery, while ensuring patient safety and a high quality of care. My goal is to be a leader in the respective areas of; Research Design and Cost Analysis.

CLINICAL PROJECT / CONCLUSION The clinical project that I hope to initiate is health promotion and disease prevention in the Miami-Dade Area. I believe that by applying knowledge pertaining to research design, and translational application of analytical data, will allow me to identify the critical areas where healthcare delivery falls short in Miami-Dade. As the role of the nurse expands into an area where he/she may now conduct research by applying hands-on knowledge gained in the field, the potential of the nurse appears to be limitless. Additional needs to create a more sound Healthcare system will also include creating more cost-effective care. The hope is that strengthening weak areas while simultaneously lowering the overall cost will help to create the ever elusive, perfect healthcare system.

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ABSTRACT The expansion of the nurse’s role to effectively impact healthcare delivery presents multiple opportunities for research based nursing professionals. This Admissions essay will address my rationale behind application into the DNP program. Questions answered include: (1) Statement of goals and expectations for better serving my community, and (2) Type...

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DNP Admission Essay

The purpose of a DNP admission essay

At the risk of stating the obvious, the purpose of this type of essay is to complete one’s application for a DNP program. One therefore writes it as a way of fulfilling the application’s requirements. When writing this type of essay, you ought to fulfill a number of goals. The first goal is to let the admission committee know who you are. This is why submitting a generic admission essay is such a bad idea. This is because it lacks the much needed personal touch. The second goal that you ought to meet is informing the reader your career goals. Additionally, you should highlight the past experience that has prepared you to pursue a DNP program. Our admission essay writers will be glad to help you with achieving these goals. Getting in touch with us is thus such a good idea.

Be sure to prove that you have great writing skills when writing an admission essay for a DNP program

When writing an admission essay for a DNP program, you should convince the reader that indeed you have great writing skills. In order to do this, you ought to do a number of things. To begin with, you should ensure that your essay is coherent enough. As a rule of thumb, your admission essay must be in prose form. It should also flow smoothly in order to make it easy to read. Secondly, must ensure that it is clear. One of the things that make admission essays difficult to understand is the use of jargon. In most cases students use such uncommon words wrongly. The result of this is that the intended meaning of their admission essays is lost. Moreover, it is a bad idea to use acronyms excessively. You may want to order for our DNP admission essay writing service if you are unable to write a clear paper.

Important stages of writing an admission essay for a DNP program

These stages do not differ sharply from those that one ought to complete when writing any other type of essay. To begin with, you should begin by going through the entire guidelines that you have been provided with. Such important instructions include; the prompt, format, submission deadlines and number of pages among others. It is your prerogative to ensure that you follow such instructions to the latter. This is why dedicating enough time to read them is of paramount importance. While still at this initial stage, you must be sure to dissect the prompt. The goal of analyzing the prompt or topic that you have been provided with is to ensure that you write a relevant paper. Overlooking this crucial step can lead to missing the point. Our experts who are paid to write DNP application essay can assist you with completing this stage.

Brainstorming stage

This is normally the second stage of writing a DNP application essay. While at this stage of writing, you should come up with the specific information that you would like to include in the essay. The prompt or title of your application essay should guide you in completing this stage. Essentially, the information that you can include in this stage is the one related to your desire to pursue a DNP program. You ought to identify the information that helps you to make your case as why you deserve a chance to study this program. Such information include: relevant past nursing experience, your personal value and beliefs, academic achievements, community service as well as future aspirations as a nursing practitioner. If you successfully complete this stage, then the whole process of writing your application essay becomes quite easy. We highly welcome you to try our help with writing a DNP admission essay .

The final stage of writing a DNP admission essay

This stage essentially involves the actual writing of the essay. You should begin it by outlining your DNP application essay. Outlining this type of essay helps one to organize the information obtained from the brainstorming stage. You should spend considerable time at this particular stage. This is due to the fact that you do not want to end up with an incoherent essay. Moreover, you do not want to forget crucial information when writing the essay. Your DNP application essay outline must among other things have an introduction, body and conclusion. The title must also be clear. Regrettably, prospective students tend to forget outlining their essay. This mistake normally makes it difficult for them to write an acceptable application essay. Our online DNP application essay writers are ready to help you with this task.

Key things to focus on when writing an application essays for a DNP program

There are several areas that you ought to tackle when writing this kind of essay. The first one is your experience from the nursing coursework that you have covered at other academic levels. As highlighted above, a DNP degree is one of the terminal degrees in this field. By the time you are pursuing this course, you should have covered a lot of coursework at other academic levels. You ought to explain how your experience with such coursework has made you a better nurse. The goal of doing this it to show that you actually appreciate what you have learned so for. Highlighting such experience will also help the admission committee understand how your personality as a nurse has transformed over the years. This is an area that our experts who are hired to write application essays can help you with.

Highlighting your nursing experience

It is a good idea to focus on the nursing experience that has influenced your character significantly. Merely describing such experience is not important. You ought to go a step further and analyze it. The goal of doing this is to demonstrate the manner in which it has made you ready for further studies in the field of nursing. It is important to provide vivid details. This nonetheless does not mean that you are supposed to include irrelevant details in this essay. On the contrary, you should keep in mind that your focus should be to make your case as to why your application deserves to be considered positively. Including relevant examples is also a good idea when writing this type of essay. At our admission essay writing website , you are assured of getting reliable help with executing this task.

Discussing your strengths when writing an application essay for a DNP program

It is important to depict yourself in a positive light when writing an application essay for a DNP program. You should focus more on your strengths rather than your weaknesses. This is because you do not want to create doubts as to your ability to successfully pursue a DNP program. It is a good idea to discuss how such strengths make you a suitable DNP student. In order to do this, you must provide details of how the identified strengths have helped overcome various obstacles in your nursing career. It is also a good idea to discuss such ideas in a given context. That way, it becomes quite easy to make a convincing case. One of the mistakes that you can make is over-exaggerating your strengths. Always be reasonable when discussing them. We are willing to offer you professional application essay writing service today.

Be sure to highlight your specific area of interest when writing a DNP admission essay

Globally, when pursuing a DNP program one has to work on an academic project. This essentially involves conducting research. One is expected to translate the evidence obtained from the research into nursing practice. A DNP program therefore plays a crucial role in the improvement of the field of nursing practice. As a prospective student, you need to convince the admission committee that indeed you have thought of a nursing issue that you can research on. This is perhaps one of the most challenging tasks when writing this type of essay. The reason behind this is that most students are not so sure about the area that they can research. This results into writing a vague essay paper . If you would like to clearly indicate your area of interest, then be sure to contact us. Our DNP admission paper writing experts shall be glad to impress you.

Discussing the nursing practice issue that you would like to study

Highlighting the manner in which you would conduct nursing research

Just proposing a nursing area that you would like to study is not enough. You should take a step further and discuss how you intend to investigate it. Although you need not to concentrate on this too much, there are specific aspects that you ought to highlight. First, you should discuss the specific sample for your proposed study. In addition to this, you should discuss data collection instruments. It is also good to highlight the specific nature of the project or intervention that you intend to produce. The goal of doing this is to indicate that you have at least some knowledge of research methods. Proving that you know something to do with the process of conducting research in the field of research is an advantage. Our nursing application essay writers are willing to help you achieve this goal.

Mistakes to avoid when writing a DNP admission essay

There are a number of common errors that prospective DNP students tend to make when writing their admission essays. You should try as much as possible to avoid such mistakes that among others include:

• Writing a very long application essay. Your DNP application essay should be about four pages long.
• Including too many jargons in the application essay. The use of jargons does not necessarily make one appear smart. On the contrary, too many jargons can lead to missing the point.
• Forgetting to proofread the DNP application essay. There is nothing as annoying as reading a paper that contain too many avoidable errors. You ought to proofread your DNP admission essay severally before handing it in for marking. It is also advisable to have someone else proofread the paper for you.
• Submitting a generic application essay. You should write a personalized DNP application essay. You can do this by writing it from scratch and by ensuring that you adhere to all the provided instructions.
• Evidence Based Practice Nursing
• Online DNP Project Tutors

DNP Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement Tips

Writing a statement of purpose and personal history statement for any doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program can be a challenge, especially if you are not used to writing. However, it is an important opportunity to illuminate parts of yourself that may not be on your application.

Instead of detailing accomplishments on your curriculum vitae, your statement of purpose and personal history statement should be a compelling narrative of your personal and academic achievements.

By the end, the admissions committee should have a better understanding of who you are as a person, what drives you and what led you to apply for admission to the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing DNP program — Post Master’s or Family Nurse Practitioner tracks.

It is worth the time spent preparing to write a statement that truly makes you stand out.

Writing tips

• Before starting, make sure you carefully read the prompts provided by the program for the Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement.
• Brainstorm ideas and develop an outline.
• Review UCI Nursing’s mission and vision to ensure they align with your professional aspirations.
• Know your audience — you are writing to the admissions committee rather than a friend.
• Consult with a mentor about your professional development. Your mentors can be a great source of advice about your aspirations to become a doctorally-prepared nurse.
• Read other statements for inspiration.
• Adhere to any word limits and instructions outlined on the application.
• Capture the reader’s attention in your opening paragraph. The most compelling aspects of your story should be highlighted first.
• Show, don’t tell. Back up your statements with specific examples and evidence (e.g. “I demonstrate leadership capabilities in my role” vs. “Leadership comes naturally to me, as evidenced by…”).
• Be clear, concise and selective in your word choices.
• Show where you have come from and where you plan to go. Explain how the DNP program will help you achieve your goals.
• Use first person, “I” language (e.g., “I am interested in…” or “I would like to study…”).
• Avoid being overly general, clichés and informal (using slang).
• Make your statement of purpose and personal history unique.
• Review your writing closely for mistakes in grammar and spelling.
• Ask for feedback on your statement and history. Have colleagues, friends or family read it.
• Read your essays out loud.

The Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement are not:

• A list of activities
• A life story
• Fiction or creative writing

Note: While following this guide may be helpful, it does not guarantee admission to our program.

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Johns Hopkins Nursing Magazine

On the Pulse

Admissions Talks: Rocking the Interview for DNP Executive Tracks

Written by Deb Driscoll

After you submit your application for one of the DNP Executive Tracks, the next step—if you’re invited—is the interview (this year conducted via zoom). Here are a few things you need to know, and tips for you to ROCK it.

• DNP Executive Track
• DNP/MBA Dual Degree
• DNP/MPH Dual Degree

#1: You will have two separate, half-hour interviews with a faculty member

Each faculty member will ask you the same questions, so don’t let that throw you—it doesn’t mean that you got the answer wrong the first time. The Admissions Committee has certain information it wants to collect from the interview, so we feel pretty confident that we will be able to get the information it’s looking for through this approach.

#2: Things you should think about as you prepare for your interview

• What are your personal and professional goals? How will a DNP help you achieve them? 
• The scholarly project involves a clinical implementation.  Have you ever led or been involved in a clinical implementation before?  Were there challenges?  What did you learn?
• The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing has a strong commitment to improving the lives of diverse populations.  How will your DNP project contribute to furthering that mission?
• Do you have a support system? How do you plan to manage a rigorous doctoral program along with your other commitments, like a job or family?
• If you are applying to a dual degree program, how will the dual degree contribute to your professional goals? How will you incorporate dual perspectives into your scholarly project?

#3: Make sure you have watched our virtual information session or open house

You can find all of our recorded virtual events here . I definitely recommend attending or watching a virtual information session or virtual open house before your interview so you can speak with confidence about what you expect from the program.

After the interviews are completed, I will collect your interview notes and take them to the Admissions Committee to be reviewed with the rest of your application materials.  Once I hear back from the Admissions Committee with a decision, I will call you to share the happy news or email you the bad news (I’m a coward and I hate to give bad news over the phone, but I’m sure you will all do a fabulous job so hopefully it will all be phone calls). If you are applying for a dual degree, your application will then be forwarded to our partner school (the Bloomberg School of Public Health or the Carey Business School) for their Admissions Committee to review.

Don’t forget, I am here to help you ROCK this! Let me know if you want to schedule a Zoom or a phone call to talk about your application or the interview. 

Join our email list so you can keep up with the latest opportunities to connect and learn more

Admissions talks  is a series by the admissions team at johns hopkins school of nursing. hopkins nurses are full partners and leaders in the health care process, and their role in patient care is unmatched. the admissions team is here to offer advice and guidance on how to be a competitive applicant.  admissions & financial aid at the johns hopkins school of nursing.

• Virtual Visits: Making the Most Out of Our Reality
• Admissions Talks: What Does “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” Mean to Admissions?
• Admissions Talks on YouTube
• Admissions Talks: Recommendations for Recommendations
• Admissions Talks: 4 Tips to Write a Strong Doctoral Admission Essay

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: DEB DRISCOLL

Deb Driscoll is Assistant Director of Recruitment for the  DNP Executive Track ,  DNP/MBA ,  PhD , and  DNP/PhD  programs at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She has worked in higher education since 2008, and at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing since 2017. Born in Valencia, Spain, she is lawyer by education and a member of the Maryland State Bar Association. She believes strongly in the personal connection that is the hallmark of the ‘Johns Hopkins Experience’ and encourages nurses interested in Johns Hopkins School of Nursing graduate programs to reach out to her directly at 410-502-4132, [email protected], on  LinkedIn  or  Twitter .

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Recognition

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is No. 1 in the nation for its master’s programs in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2021. The school ranks No. 3 for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and top ranked across the board within specialty rankings. JHSON is currently ranked No. 3 globally by QS World University.

Application availability and deadline

The priority deadline for the DNP program will be 11:59 p.m. on January 15. The second deadline is May 1.

Please note that many tracks are highly competitive and will likely fill their cohorts after the January deadline. Admission after the January 15 deadline is on a space-available basis.

Application checklist

All application materials must be submitted by the posted deadline:

• Apply via the UW Grad School (use the  new  application system  to apply for Autumn 2024)
• Pay a non-refundable application fee
• We accept unofficial transcripts, but you must submit official transcripts if you are admitted and enroll in the DNP program
• If you earned a degree from a school, that degree must appear on the transcript with the date it was conferred
• If you earned a degree from a school outside of the United States, upload an official transcript translated to English and include a detailed credential/transcript evaluation
• You do not need to include a foreign transcript if you attended a foreign university through a study abroad program and the credits appear on your school’s transcript
• Indicate the track for which you are applying. Please explain why you are interested in this particular role.
• Describe significant experiences that have contributed to your interest in pursuing a clinical doctorate (the Doctor of Nursing Practice – DNP degree) at the University of Washington (UW). Specify outcomes you wish to gain from graduate/doctoral study above and beyond preparation for a specific role (e.g., clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, population health nurse) discussed in Essay #1.
• Dr. Grant, President of the American Nurses Association, states that inequities in the United States are “the most important moral challenge of the 21st century” (ANA 2020 New Releases[JHT1]). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 emphasizes the roles of nurses in advancing health equity in the United States (The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity: Reports Highlights Podcast Episode 2: Health Equity (24:12). Multiple forms of systemic oppression (e.g., structural racism, sexism, classism, or nativism) create inequitable access to and distribution of resources needed to attain optimal health among groups. What do you view as your role and responsibilities as a health care provider and as a member of the nursing profession in addressing systemic inequity in the US or worldwide? Please support your statements and perspectives with scholarly or credible resources/references, preferably within the last 5 years.
• Briefly describe a situation in which a team you were or are on did not work effectively to meet the healthcare outcome(s) of a patient/client, group, or population served. Reflect on what you as a team member have done differently and describe an alternative approach.
• You may use an optional statement to explain if you think your transcripts, resume, or admissions essay responses do not accurately reflect your abilities and preparedness for the DNP program, if you have breaks in education or employment, or if you wish to share instances where you achieved academic merit despite significant obstacles, if you are a first-generation graduate student, or if your academics, scholarship, and research promote cultural diversity
• Statistics course information
• Nurse licensure information (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Proof of English proficiency if English is not your first language

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