I am at my optimal moment to begin studying for the DNP Degree and prepare myself for the possible contribution to my society as a nursing professional. Originally from Africa, I like to think that my aspirations represent the hopes and dreams of a XXXX University is my first choice among doctoral programs because of its excellent reputation.
My interest in healthcare can be traced back to my upbringing in Kenya. My community had limited access to healthcare even though we had life-or-death healthcare needs. The local government provided only healthcare services: a small clinic run by RNs, and a doctor came for complex cases occasionally. Eventually, plagued by corruption, the clinic shut down, and our village community had to travel far away to see a nurse, much less a doctor. It was heartbreaking to see children dying of preventable disabilities like polio. It is these circumstances that initially fueled my passion for nursing.
I moved to the US alone in 2001 and have been happily married for 15 years. Nursing is a second career for me; in my native Kenya, I was a branch manager for Hertz Car Rental for 15 years while raising two boys as a single parent. My sons moved to the US in 2015 and are now in the US Air Force, one in Korea and the other in Biloxi, MS. My friends from Kenya residing in the US helped me pay for CNA training to get off to a new professional start and turn my dreams into reality. I met my husband while in CNA training. After my CNA certification in 2001, I went straight to LPN school and graduated in 2003. I took a break to work on my sons’ immigration to the US, then went back to school and graduated with my associate degree in 2008, finishing my MSN at the University of XXXX in 2013.
I had hoped to join the medical profession in Kenya, but these educational programs tend to be reserved for more affluent members of society in my country. I studied tourism and earned a diploma from the IATA (International Air Travel Association). I joined a British-based travel and tour company and later became the Manager of Hertz Car Rental at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport office. This allowed me to at least see my country as a tourist. My travels throughout Kenya strengthened my resolve to eventually become a medical professional as I was a first-hand witness to the suffering that results from a lack of healthcare in the countryside. I hope to return to Kenya later in my career to engage as a nursing professional in the land of my birth, teaching nursing, and putting my DNP from XXXX to work in the international arena.
Since my CNA training in 2001, I have been on the journey of a lifetime in nursing, and I have come to find it increasingly rewarding and fulfilling as the years go by. My awareness and passion for underserved populations' medical needs have grown in leaps and bounds as I have learned to think globally while acting locally. In 2011 I participated in a local health fair at the invitation of my local church in XXXX, NC. We did 340 screenings for Diabetes and high blood pressure in only two days. In 2013, I joined a group of 25 medical professionals - doctors, nurses, 2 PAs, and myself - on a mission trip back to my home country, Kenya. We held three clinics in remote areas of the country and were housed in local boarding school dormitories because, in some areas, the clinics ran for 2 or 3 days. Working out of a local AIDS clinic, we screened for and treated diabetes and hypertension cases. Tutoring local people about preventative measures for a healthy lifestyle is particularly fulfilling.
Over the years, as a healthcare professional, I have utilized evidence-based practice and research findings to provide optimal care for my patients. I am involved in community outreach groups and will continue this engagement throughout my career. Earning the DNP Degree will significantly enhance my capacity to serve as an advocate for my patients and, more broadly, advocate for the underserved at the local level. It will also greatly enhance the contribution that I will be able to make to medical missions back in Africa. For me, nursing is a career where one can never say they are done training since we need continuous education to be prepared to face new challenges every day.
I see the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as an essential turning point in America to provide greater access to health care. Studies have indicated low levels of ACA knowledge, which is certainly true in my community. I look forward to helping to make people more aware of their healthcare options as they continue to evolve, helping them make informed decisions. Public health information campaigns are significant for promoting preventive medicine and nursing care.
A long-distance runner who has participated in numerous marathons, I recently ran an 'ultramarathon,' 63 miles (100k) in 19 hrs. I have great endurance, and I am ready to go the distance as a DNP student at XXXX University. Thank you for considering my application.
1 Silvia Helena Barcellos et al., Preparedness of Americans for the Affordable Care Act.
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