Personal Statement: An Advanced Degree in Primary Care

Introduction

Everyone has high expectations when it comes to a career path. Some dream to be astronauts, some doctors, and other teachers, but for me, I have a high affinity to be a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Nurse practitioners are practice registered nurses who are advanced in terms of higher education and experiences. These practitioners aid in giving primary care to mitigate the adverse shortage of national physicians. For one to become a nurse practitioner, he or she has to obtain an advanced degree in either Doctor of Nursing Practice or Masters of Science in Nursing, plus a national certification in state APRN licensure and patient population.

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Before securing acceptance into any graduate program, I will prefer a program that is a better match for me than even being the most exceedingly qualified course. Thus, the essential criteria I look for before joining a graduate program are accreditation of the school, faculty qualifications, and the school's values and reputation. Accreditation wise, I go for an institutional and program accreditation. It is paramount to know if the program and institution m joining are accredited. Any program or institution that lacks accreditation will hinder me from gaining licensure or certification to practice the profession after I have graduated. Every academic discipline has different qualifications. For me, I look at faculty qualifications since such credentials enable me to apply to a program that is competitive at my level, and is measured at my grades, other entrance academic records, and examinations; hence, being able to join a program that is appropriate to my academic ability. I do equally consider the reputation of the school and faculty. I prefer to graduate from a school that is respected for its core values and have highly respected intellectuals.

As a nurse, I will be delighted to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice at the Columbia School of Nursing. With a Doctor of Nursing Practice, I will be able to expand my knowledge and obtain my terminal degree in nursing. I am glad the Columbia School of Nursing meets my set criterion of choosing a graduate school program. First, it is regarded as the highest level of any profession where its students are trained in all facets of the nursing profession. It is highly regarded by other colleges that offer similar courses such as the College of Physician and Surgeons, the College of Dental Medicine, and The Mailman School of Public Health. The institution is also committed to global health in that it collaborates with the World Health Organization as its center. The institution is accredited; hence its graduates are eligible for RN and APRN licensure. I am able to meet the criterion of faculty qualification at the Columbia School of Nursing. The institution has no minimum GPA admission requirements. One is only required to undertake GRE Exams Scores. They also look at RN licensure, which I have. Thus, I pick the Columbia School of Nursing to pursue my Doctor of Nursing Practice. I meet the school's admission requirements, and the school happens to satisfy my chosen advanced nursing practice criteria of my graduate institution.

Conclusion

One thing I have learned about this program is that it takes 3 to 4 years to finish. The program offers a strong foundation of research methods, nursing science, and evidence-based research that is supervised independently by interdisciplinary teams. Equally, the program is funded fully for initial two years, except for international students, since they do not receive such aid.

References

Dracup, K., Cronenwett, L., Meleis, A. I., & Benner, P. E. (2005). Reflections on the doctorate of nursing practice. Nursing Outlook, 53(4), 177-182.

Solem, M., Kollasch, A., & Lee, J. (2013). Career goals, pathways and competencies of geography graduate students in the USA. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 37(1), 92-116.