Why I Want to Be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Today, mental healthcare relies on the values of sincerity and acceptance. I consider myself privileged to work as a Nurse in this liberal age of healthcare. Nursing is not just a profession for me; it's a calling sowed deep in my heart. The question of why I want to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner is rooted in my desire to not only promote health and wellness in my community but to also serve as a caregiver. What greater purpose can there be than helping someone navigate through a challenging period in their life? Historically, mental health practice was overshadowed by stigma and misconception, but significant shifts in understanding over the past decade, driven by education and outreach, have transformed this. Today, medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, approach mental health patients with the utmost respect and dignity, offering holistic care centered on attention, compassion, and recovery. This is the reason why it is not only my passion but my ultimate professional goal to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.

My undergraduate degrees in Microbiology and Nursing as well as my twelve years’ experience providing direct patient care in medical/surgical and intensive care nursing has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the Nurse Practitioner program. I have learned that education is one of the most proactive measures a nurse can use to provide holistic care to a patient with compliance and trust. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, it will be my goal to help and advocate for patients who struggle to be heard and understood, and to manage their treatment with empathy and compassion.

I bring with me a unique set of skills that have fostered my urge to helping those most in need. As a Registered Nurse with over twelve years’ experience in direct patient care, I have contributed a significant part of my character in caring for people and in alleviating human suffering. During my experiences in the medical/surgical and intensive care units, I have had the opportunity to work with mental health patients who were being treated for acute medical conditions. I have seen firsthand, the detrimental effect of imprecise conceptions about mental health and how it can be treated. I have also witnessed sub-optimal care due to misconceived notions of diagnosis for stigmatized disorders during my professional career.

I am always saddened to see such occurrences but it has only strengthened my resolve to complete my education in psychiatric nursing and return to the field to improve it while helping those in dire need. My ultimate goal as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is to be able to effectively assess, diagnose, and manage commonly occurring mental health conditions whilst providing a personalized holistic care. I want to be able to reach a diverse population and to set myself in a leadership role where I will provide the highest level of patient care by meeting the emotional and physical needs of my patients. I am determined to accomplish all these with the help of this graduate program. I believe that through the learning experiences I gained studying for my undergraduate degrees and my experiences at the bedside, I am more prepared than ever to meet the rigorous academic challenges of the Nurse Practitioner program. My long term goal is to work with mental health patients in rural and poor communities where the hurdles impeding healthcare are further ostracized by inability to attract healthcare providers.

My reason for choosing UAB School of Nursing for graduate studies is due to its reputation as a leader in nursing and medical education around the globe. UAB School of Nursing is ranked as the 18th best nursing school for Master’s degree in the country by US News & World Report. I am not only enthralled by the ranking of the university but have also had the opportunity to work alongside some graduates from this university. Their level of knowledge, commitment and work ethic made my decision easier. I will be proud to be a part of the School of Nursing at UAB if admitted, and I am convinced that the university will help me to achieve my future career goals.

Works Cited

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