PHD Nursing Child Maternal Health Milk Donor Bank

Ph.D. Nursing Statement of Purpose

I am a 35-year-old woman with Italian roots, born and raised in Long Island, New York. I lost my mother at 17, becoming the primary caregiver for my younger siblings, and I also became a mother at a young age. These experiences ignited my passion for caring for infants and mothers. I believe my decision to pursue nursing was more of a calling than a career choice, and I feel privileged to have followed this path.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at _____ College while studying for my BSN and have since seen the College as my academic and professional ‘home.’ After earning my MSN degree, I was thrilled to return there to teach. I am incredibly grateful to give back to the nursing field in such a positive academic environment as the College provides.

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in providing nursing and healthcare for expectant and new mothers, other women, and children of various ages. This experience has allowed me to work in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, community health clinics, and private practices, where I have supported families during critical moments. My role has often included not only direct patient care but also education and advocacy, ensuring that mothers and their families understand available resources and the importance of maternal and child health.

I hope to contribute to the nursing academic community by conducting research that can significantly impact the field. Research is crucial for advancing nursing practices and improving patient outcomes. With a keen interest in women's health and lactation, I am particularly passionate about exploring the complex dynamics of maternal health and the support systems that enhance breastfeeding success.

I plan to undertake a research study linking postpartum care with nursing home care, aiming to explore how these areas can be integrated to improve exclusive breastfeeding success rates. The postpartum period is critical for new mothers, as it requires both medical care and emotional support in nurturing their newborns. By examining the relationship between the quality of postpartum care and the nursing home environment, I aim to uncover insights that could lead to better strategies for supporting breastfeeding mothers.

In this proposed research, I intend to analyze factors such as the availability of lactation consultants, educational resources, and the overall supportive atmosphere within nursing homes. Additionally, I will evaluate how these elements affect mothers' confidence and ability to initiate and maintain exclusive breastfeeding. By addressing these topics, I hope to contribute valuable knowledge that can inform best practices in postpartum care and nursing home settings, leading to better health outcomes for mothers and their infants. Through this research, I aspire to bridge the gap between clinical practice and academic inquiry, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes associated with breastfeeding in various environments.

I possess the dedication, skills, professional and personal background, and unique qualities necessary to benefit significantly from the College’s Ph.D. program and to make a meaningful contribution to the College and the science of nursing by pursuing my intended research field.

Upon completing the Ph.D. program, I hope to become a full-time nursing professor. This will allow me to share my passion for nursing with students, inspiring them professionally, academically, and personally. I am eager to assist with research in maternal-child health, particularly lactation, and engage in nursing at a policy level as an advocate for breastfeeding. I also hope to help establish a milk donor bank in ____.

Thank you for considering my application for the Ph.D. program.

PHD Nursing, Child Maternal Health, Milk Donor Bank