Nursing personal statement tips - how to stand out

Hey everyone,

I am Annabel, and I study my MSc in Adult Nursing. I wanted to share a few tips that I found helpful when writing my statement for my nursing application both as an undergraduate and master's. I remember how nerve-wracking it was to put my thoughts down on paper, so I hope these inspire you! Feel free to add any top tips you have below! :smile:

1. Show your passion for nursing
Write about why nursing matters to you and why it is the best fit for you. I made sure to highlight my passion for contributing to healthcare innovations, changes, and improvement of patient care. Whether it is a moment that changed your perspective or your ongoing volunteer work, let your dedication be seen in your writing.

2. Connect your future goals to your background
Provide details about your academic and professional experience, interests, and background. I touched on my background in sciences and my practical experiences in healthcare, which helped in building a solid foundation for my nursing journey. Emphasise how your experiences have prepared you for the challenges of the course and taught you time management.

3. Be personal and genuine
A personal statement is your chance to show who you truly are, not just your grades or work experience. Writing about your true inspiration to study nursing. For instance, I mentioned my early experiences with family, my mum being a nurse and the community health issues I experienced. These all developed my passion for care, compassion, and empathy towards others.

4. Keep it structured and clear
A very well-organised personal statement goes a long way. My goal was to keep mine structured by starting with my passion and inspiration, moving to my practical experiences, and ending with my aspirations. Breaking it down into clear segments helps guide the reader through your journey.

5. Do not be afraid to share with others for feedback
Writing your statement is a process. My first draft was far from perfect, and I received so much valuable feedback from friends and mentors. Take the time to refine your statement and make sure that every sentence adds value to your story. Although I was applying for adult nursing specifically, I made sure my statement reflected the core values and strengths of Kingston's approach to nursing. Do a bit of research into the specific course and university you are applying to and write about aspects that resonate with you.

What are your top tips?

Annabel (Kingston Rep)