I was born and raised in a rural area of Ethiopia. I soon became aware of our community's enormous health problems growing up. By the time I was in High School, I was already dreaming of becoming a nurse to help the people in my community who were suffering. I am very thankful that my dream of becoming a nurse has become a reality. I could not enjoy my work more as a nurse. I am incredibly pleased with my professional progress over the last few years since winning the immigration lottery and relocating to the United States in 2004.
I am a compassionate man who derives great joy and satisfaction in caring for the sick, especially those acutely or critically ill. From my professional positions as a nurse, I have learned to be compassionate but focused, patient, an attentive listener, an excellent team player, humble, and highly responsible, always going that extra mile to provide emotional support to patients and their families. I have also been impressed with the need for independent decision-making, especially in critical situations and when working under great stress.
Early on in my career, working as a health officer in Ethiopia—synonymous with physician assistant here in the US—in the operating room, helping people relieve their pain, I focused on anesthesia as the area of expertise that I would find most personally fulfilling as a long-term specialty. Since my arrival here in the US, while I have worked in various positions and units, it has been my work in Intensive Care that I have found most enjoyable and fulfilling. This has dramatically inspired me to pursue an advanced pain management/anesthesia degree. I am attracted to the challenge and want to give my all to this field of science and practice—lifelong education.
While I am interested in supporting myself and my family, pursuing an advanced degree in this area is not about making money. Instead, I see this area as the most useful or compatible with my long-term aspirations to contribute to our world community. It is my dream not to live my life tied to a constant paycheck but to use my skills for the greater good of humanity.
I feel strongly that my background, growing up poor in one of the world's most impoverished areas, will make me an excellent candidate for participation in international relief efforts. I was most transfixed by what happened this year in Haiti. I felt like I bled inside, and I felt impotent. I ask for admission to your program based not only on my dedication to my work and the experience I have gained in the field but also on my dream of giving my all to those in greatest need - on an international level. Naturally, it is also my hope to return to my people in Ethiopia, especially in my later years, when I will be able to do so financially and have the most to give in terms of life experience and level of education. I have also already learned by serving here in Washington, DC, that the poor, and the profound and unique ways that they suffer due to their poverty, are not something unique to the Developing World. This very much characterizes America as well, especially urban America, and I see DC as a particularly graphic example of the challenges that confront us as a nation. Thus, as a man from Africa and a nursing professional who gives my all to my field, I am in an excellent position to contribute to the beautiful diversity that characterizes our nation, especially the nursing field.
After a lengthy review of nursing programs throughout the United States, I conclude that my talents, background, credentials, experience, and ideas make me a perfect fit for your DNP Program in Nurse Anesthesia. I am enormously attracted to how you provide “both didactic and clinical education,” as this kind of hands-on education is most important. I appreciate your emphasis on the importance of diversity and how you develop a focus on anesthesia education throughout “the city, region, and nation.” through anesthesia education and your explicit focus on the preparation of students from “various demographic and cultural backgrounds.”
I keenly look forward to developing a “complete understanding of the science of anesthesia” combined with the “art” and “humanistic touch of caring” that you emphasize as central to your mission.
Thank you from the depths of my heart for considering my application to your program.
DNP Nurse Anesthesia Personal Statement
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