A practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, I treat patients ranging in age from infants to almost one hundred years old. I also make appropriate referrals to other healthcare providers by providing hands-on care, physiotherapy, nonpharmacologic pain relief, and patient education. I consider myself fortunate to have treated multiple generations of several families, often in collaboration with other providers: PCPs, orthopedists, neurologists, ´physiatrists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals. I did not feel that pursuing further advanced study in Chiropractic would significantly change or improve the type or level of care I could provide to my patients.
Thus, I became an EMT/paramedic to arm myself with the required skills to offer better care to injured sports players since I was acting as a team chiropractor then. It was during this phase of my career that I realized that Nursing and Chiropractic go hand in hand, especially in terms of patient-centered care, patient advocacy, teaching, and patient education – empowering the patient to make positive changes in their lifestyle and to become active partners and decision-makers in their care. On a deeply personal note, as a member of the LGBT community, I have witnessed firsthand some of the disparities and prejudices in our healthcare system when it comes to providing care to this minority group in particular, and further training in nursing will enable me to advance the level of care that I can provide to them.
After thoroughly researching MSN-FNP programs, I have decided that my first choice is XXXX University. I own my private practice, and the ability to study at my convenience would be beneficial. I concluded that the program at XXXX University offers solid didactic education and clinical rotations that will challenge and expand my knowledge so that I can provide my patient with the best health care possible. I aim to become a knowledgeable, safe, compassionate, and effective provider to all my patients. I appreciate XXXX’s emphasis on theoretical and pragmatic knowledge and maintaining an environment of equality, inclusivity, and patient-centered care for all populations, irrespective of their social, ethnic, and financial backgrounds. The values of XXXX synchronize incredibly well with my professional, academic, and personal goals. Simmons’ focus on teamwork, collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship has prompted me to apply to the university.
I could not be more confident that becoming an FNP is the best way to serve my patients in the future. I have been passionately working in the healthcare industry for over two decades; I now want to prepare to maximize my contribution for the next 2-3 decades, not just as a chiropractor but also as an FNP. Becoming a family nurse practitioner would equip me with advanced skills and familiarize me with the state-of-the-art tools and techniques employed in the industry these days. There is a shortage of primary care providers (PCPs), and many people have difficulty accessing the immediate care needed to maintain their health. I aim to do what I can to address this massive problem.
The Nursing Program at XXXX would provide a strong knowledge base and broaden my academic horizons, giving me a solid foundation in the clinical expertise I need to become an incredibly efficient and compassionate FNP. I have always dreamed of initiating and managing patients’ treatment plans, diagnosing, and prescribing medication, and focusing on disease prevention and health management. Becoming an FNP will allow me to expand my practice scope and offer more comprehensive care. Even though I have my practice and have been working with various patients across all age groups, I have reached a stagnation stage where my growth is limited. I have also met several patients who come to me in acute pain from an injury. While I can provide chiropractic care, I often need to make a referral to urgent care or their primary care provider for pharmacological support.
The care I can currently provide to patients over sixty-five, for example, is limited by Medicare guidelines that do not allow doctors or chiropractors to order X, CTs, or MRIs. I must refer patients to their primary or urgent care provider for those tests. I must defer or limit patient care until I have x-rays to make a diagnosis and formulate a safe and effective treatment plan for them. These limitations would be eliminated once I become an FNP, taking tests and providing patient care on the same visit instead of scheduling several visits with multiple providers. In my 24-year-long career, it has not been uncommon for me to meet patients who have not seen a doctor in decades. Once I start their history and physical examination, I often discover an unrelated and hitherto hidden health condition, two prime examples being hypertension and diabetes.
I have also cared for several patients suffering from chronic pain due to degenerative conditions. While conservative non-pharmacologic care can help relieve symptoms and help the patient maintain their quality of life, they would also benefit from other forms of care that, as an FNP, I could provide rather than referring them to a medical provider. With this advanced degree, I could provide better care and enhance my contribution to the health and quality of life of my patients and community. A warm and friendly person, I also look forward to learning from some of my peers at XXXX, nurses from all over the world with whom to share experiences and learning from the distinguished faculty at XXXX.
I thank you for considering my application to the FNP Program at XXXX
FNP Personal Statement Examples
The chiropractor made the first cut for an FNP Program and subsequently sought my help for his answers to additional questions:
Some of my grades, both as an undergraduate student and in Chiropractic School, were less than acceptable, with a few 'Cs' and several 'Bs' mostly in my science classes. This is a direct result of the fact that I worked at least 40 hours a week while studying, in one job, sometimes two, to pay my own way through school. I do not feel that these low grades accurately reflect my capacity to excel in a graduate nursing program.
My family was totally working class, and what little extra came around was spent on the needs of my younger siblings. I was the first male to graduate from high school on either side of my family, I was also the first person to graduate from college and, of course, the first to become a doctor of anything. My family did help me, primarily through emotional and moral support. I worked hard to finance my education, which was essential to me, and I had to make sacrifices. All too often, the sacrifice was taking time away from my studies. Those were the decisions of a 20-year-old, however, now fifty-two, I am wiser.
As the grades I have received most recently in my Nursing classes attest, I have become extremely focused on my goal of becoming an FNP. In addition, I have also gained 24 years of clinical experience, diagnosing, and treating patients for musculoskeletal conditions, educating them, and empowering them to become active members of their healthcare team.
I now seek to add the role and responsibilities of an FNP to my professional accomplishments. I want to provide my patients with the best, most compassionate care available, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, gender, or sexual orientation, providing access to entry-level health care.