I decided to become a nurse because of the profound impact made on me by the nurses who cared for my grandfather in the hospital. Several years after immigrating with my family to the USA from Vietnam, my grandfather was rushed to the hospital with end-stage appendicitis. My English is the best of anyone in my family; I was immediately called upon to translate an avalanche of medical terms for my frightened and anxious family. When the doctors came into the waiting room and said my grandfather was now in a medically induced coma, I lost my words. Noticing my shock and the anguish written on my face, one nurse took it upon herself to comfort and support me, helping me better understand what was happening to my grandfather so that I could convey the information clearly to my family. My grandfather remained in a coma for three days and faced a long recovery, but the nurse always provided clarity and comfort during the most challenging moments. Her kindness inspired me to become a nurse; I will always strive to follow her example of compassion. My grandfather was always a champion of my pursuit of a career in nursing.
Immigrating to the USA from Vietnam at 19 was the most significant event. Adjustment during my first college years was difficult, but my family's love and support helped me meet the practical challenges. When I struggled in organic chemistry, my grandfather would encourage me and tell me to fight until I reached my goal. That persistence earned me an A and resulted in my being given a position working in an organic chemistry laboratory. For three years in the laboratory, I mastered tools, techniques, and ideas that would have terrified and confused me just a few semesters before. My research experience helped me become much more knowledgeable about drug discovery, synthesis, and evaluation, particularly concerning new chemicals to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. I have become familiar with many facets of the healthcare community and have become proficient in basic scientific techniques and practice.
I see the heart of nursing as forming a human connection with each patient to feel safe, informed, and cared for. I want to be a nurse because I love patient-centered care, and I live for comfort and reassurance to the patient who needs it most and when they most need it. Recently, I was able to provide reassurance to a patient who had survived cancer by having a mastectomy. I was preparing to perform an electrocardiogram when she began apologizing for her “ugly” breast with tears in her eyes. My response was sheer empathy, just like the nurse in my grandfather’s waiting room, something that I have now intentionally and assiduously cultivated in a thousand small ways throughout the last couple of years. Seeing life coming into her eyes as she realized that she was safe, valued, and cared for, gives me so much inspiration as I prepare for my graduate education in nursing. My years of study as a Chemistry major and work in the medical community, along with observing exceptionally compassionate and intelligent nurses, give me the confidence that I will be able to excel in your program.
Humility and hard work are my greatest strengths, especially when combined with compassion and a love for the weak, unfortunate, and oppressed. As a woman who is not just of Vietnamese origin but someone ‘from’ Vietnam, coming here at 19, I can relate exceptionally well to those patients who were also born and raised in a foreign land. I am convinced that this helps me gain the confidence of many of my patients, especially Asians. I love California and cannot imagine living anywhere else because of the rapidly increasing population of Vietnamese immigrants. I feel called to help other Vietnamese immigrants because of the cultural and linguistic bonds we share.
I hope to bring extensive experience and enthusiasm to your MSN Program at XXXX University (XXU) since I worked in the medical field for several years as a certified medical assistant (CMA). I have also volunteered extensively in nursing homes, hospitals, and research labs, helping me see the complexity of nursing issues from various perspectives, preventive, holistic, etc. I very much enjoy getting to know my patients well beyond their diagnosis. I want to know their history, stories, and the difficulties they encounter, challenges, and complications, not just the disease in question.
Since 2016, my volunteer service as a California Heart Associate at the XXXX Memorial Hospital has inspired me with confidence in my technical abilities in operating sophisticated diagnostic and monitoring equipment. As an immigrant, I am incredibly passionate about providing care to populations often ignored or poorly served by the healthcare system, due to language barriers and socioeconomic status. I am acutely aware of the difficulties that non-English-speaking immigrants face in America. My training at XXU will empower me to give my best to all my patients and someday progress to the point where I might share in training new generations of nurses.
Thank you for considering my application to Nursing at XXXX University.