- Applying to Uni
- Apprenticeships
- Health & Relationships
- Money & Finance
Personal Statements
- Postgraduate
- U.S Universities
University Interviews
- Vocational Qualifications
- Accommodation
- Budgeting, Money & Finance
- Health & Relationships
- Jobs & Careers
- Socialising
Studying Abroad
- Studying & Revision
- Technology
- University & College Admissions
Guide to GCSE Results Day
Finding a job after school or college
Retaking GCSEs
In this section
Choosing GCSE Subjects
Post-GCSE Options
GCSE Work Experience
GCSE Revision Tips
Why take an Apprenticeship?
Applying for an Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships Interviews
Apprenticeship Wage
Engineering Apprenticeships
What is an Apprenticeship?
Choosing an Apprenticeship
Real Life Apprentices
Degree Apprenticeships
Higher Apprenticeships
A Level Results Day 2024
AS Levels 2024
Clearing Guide 2024
Applying to University
SQA Results Day Guide 2024
BTEC Results Day Guide
Vocational Qualifications Guide
Sixth Form or College
International Baccalaureate
Post 18 options
Finding a Job
Should I take a Gap Year?
Travel Planning
Volunteering
Gap Year Blogs
Applying to Oxbridge
Applying to US Universities
Choosing a Degree
Choosing a University or College
Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
Clearing Guide
Guide to Freshers' Week
Student Guides
Student Cooking
Student Blogs
- Top Rated Personal Statements
Personal Statement Examples
Writing Your Personal Statement
- Postgraduate Personal Statements
- International Student Personal Statements
- Gap Year Personal Statements
Personal Statement Length Checker
Personal Statement Examples By University
- Personal Statement Changes 2025
- Personal Statement Template
Job Interviews
Types of Postgraduate Course
Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement
Postgraduate Funding
Postgraduate Study
Internships
Choosing A College
Ivy League Universities
Common App Essay Examples
Universal College Application Guide
How To Write A College Admissions Essay
College Rankings
Admissions Tests
Fees & Funding
Scholarships
Budgeting For College
Online Degree
Platinum Express Editing and Review Service
Gold Editing and Review Service
Silver Express Editing and Review Service
UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service
You are here
- Mature Student Personal Statements
- Personal Statements By University
- Accountancy and Finance Personal Statements
- Actuarial Science Personal Statements
- American Studies Personal Statements
- Anthropology Personal Statements
- Archaeology Personal Statements
- Architecture Personal Statements
- Art and Design Personal Statements
- Biochemistry Personal Statements
- Bioengineering Personal Statements
- Biology Personal Statements
- Biomedical Science Personal Statements
- Biotechnology Personal Statements
- Business Management Personal Statement Examples
- Business Personal Statements
- Catering and Food Personal Statements
- Chemistry Personal Statements
- Classics Personal Statements
- Computer Science Personal Statements
- Computing and IT Personal Statements
- Criminology Personal Statements
- Dance Personal Statements
- Dentistry Personal Statements
- Design Personal Statements
- Dietetics Personal Statements
- Drama Personal Statements
- Economics Personal Statement Examples
- Education Personal Statements
- Engineering Personal Statement Examples
- English Personal Statements
- Environment Personal Statements
- Environmental Science Personal Statements
- Event Management Personal Statements
- Fashion Personal Statements
- Film Personal Statements
- Finance Personal Statements
- Forensic Science Personal Statements
- Geography Personal Statements
- Geology Personal Statements
- Health Sciences Personal Statements
- History Personal Statements
- History of Art Personal Statements
- Hotel Management Personal Statements
- International Relations Personal Statements
- International Studies Personal Statements
- Islamic Studies Personal Statements
- Japanese Studies Personal Statements
- Journalism Personal Statements
- Land Economy Personal Statements
- Languages Personal Statements
- Law Personal Statement Examples
- Linguistics Personal Statements
- Management Personal Statements
- Marketing Personal Statements
- Mathematics Personal Statements
- Media Personal Statements
- Medicine Personal Statement Examples
- Midwifery Personal Statements
- Music Personal Statements
- Music Technology Personal Statements
- Natural Sciences Personal Statements
- Neuroscience Personal Statements
- Nursing Personal Statements
- Occupational Therapy Personal Statements
- Osteopathy Personal Statements
- Oxbridge Personal Statements
- Pharmacy Personal Statements
- Philosophy Personal Statements
- Photography Personal Statements
- Physics Personal Statements
- Physiology Personal Statements
- Physiotherapy Personal Statements
- Politics Personal Statements
- Psychology Personal Statement Examples
- Radiography Personal Statements
- Religious Studies Personal Statements
- Social Work Personal Statements
- Sociology Personal Statements
- Sports & Leisure Personal Statements
- Sports Science Personal Statements
- Surveying Personal Statements
- Teacher Training Personal Statements
- Theology Personal Statements
- Travel and Tourism Personal Statements
- Urban Planning Personal Statements
- Veterinary Science Personal Statements
- Zoology Personal Statements
- Personal Statement Editing Service
- Personal Statement Writing Guide
- Submit Your Personal Statement
- Personal Statement Questions 2025
Nursing Personal Statement Examples
What is a nursing personal statement?
Your nursing personal statement should tell the universities you are applying to all about your strengths and where you see yourself in the future as a nurse.
It should give nursing admissions tutors a good picture of who you are and why you would make a valuable candidate for their course.
If you are applying for a job as a nurse , it's possible you’ll need to provide a nursing personal statement for this, too.
To show that you’ve met the minimum requirements for promotion, you may need to write a band 6 or 7 nursing personal statement.
This piece of writing tells an employer all about your hands-on patient contact experience and why you are a good fit for the job.
How do I become a nurse?
Most people become a nurse by applying to study for a degree at university.
However, there are alternative routes available, such as Nursing Degree Apprenticeships , and starting out as an Associate Nurse .
You will also need to hold the correct entry requirements to secure a place on a degree course, and will also be expected to have some level of work experience.
Take a look at our blog post for more in-depth information on how to become a nurse .
How do I write a nursing personal statement for university?
If you're applying for a nursing degree to set youself on a nursing career path, we always recommend starting your personal statement by brainstorming ideas. Your notes should cover the following:
- achievements
- academic results
- part-time or Saturday jobs
- volunteering
- wider reading
- extracurricular activities
as well as anything else you can think of.
Take a look through our nursing personal statement examples above to give yourself an idea of what a successful nursing statement looks like.
Once you have put together an initial draft, it's a good idea to ask for feedback from family, friends and tutors. They will be able to look at your statement objectively and suggest ways it could be improved.
Incorporate their comments, and ask for further feedback. Don't worry if you have to do this three or four times - it's important you get your statement as perfect as possible before sending it off on your UCAS form.
How do I structure my nursing personal statement?
Your nursing personal statement should be structured with a clear beginning, middle and end, with the opening telling an anecdote or explaining why you are passionate about nursing.
The middle should generally focus on your work experience and current/past academic studies, and how these have helped you to develop skills that are useful and relevant to a career in nursing.
For example, you might talk about how your experience working in a care home helped you build and offer empathy to elderly people.
You should then write a memorable conclusion that mentions your plans for the future, and how you hope your nursing degree will help you achieve these.
What should I include in my nursing personal statement?
- Look at the content of the course and make sure your statement addresses the specific branch of nursing you are applying for, i.e. mental health , adult or child nursing .
- Demonstrate important skillls that are required for a nursing degree , e.g. patience, empathy, teamwork and communication. Talk about how you have developed these, either at school/college, at your job or during hobbies or other activities.
- Most applicants spend the opening of their personal statement talking about why they want to study nursing , e.g. an unwell family member, or a friend who was in a car accident. Think carefully about whether there was one particular incident that sparked your interest in nursing.
- Don’t include any over-used phrases or quotes in your statement that university admissions tutors will have seen and heard before.
- Now is also not the time for jokes or humour - it often doesn't work well and admissions tutors might not be impressed!
For more help and advice on what to write in your nursing personal statement, please see:
- Personal Statement Editing Services
- Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
- Analysis Of A Personal Statement
- The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
- Personal Statement FAQs
- Personal Statement Timeline
- 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
- What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.
How do I write an introduction to my nursing personal statement?
Like with any type of personal statement for university, we recommend you open with a paragraph on what you enjoy most about nursing, and why you want to study it at university. Again, an anecdote that inspired you to learn more about nursing will work well here, as long as you have a relevant story to tell.
For example, this applicant chose to talk about how their mother's illness inspired them to go into nursing:
"There has been many occasions during my life that I have spent hours sitting at a hospital bedside.
My mother battled a long term illness and as I sat with her trying to keep her spirits up, the Nurses who cared for her always drew my admiration. I feel there are a handful of truly inspirational professions and Nursing is without doubt one of them.
Along with doctors and other medical staff, nurses provide an invaluable service to society and to be part of that group has long been an ambition of mine."
Another applicant chose to talk about how their experience with mental health services as a teenager made them want to help others and make a difference in the world as an adult:
"I have wanted to work in Mental Health since I was 15 years old. When in crisis, I received a level of care which changed my life and I aspire to do the same for others. I also received care that was detrimental at times so I want to be a part of making a difference. I have seen a wide range of nursing approaches and I have learnt so much from my colleagues since working within the NHS, I now know what kind of nurse I want to be when I complete my training."
However you choose to open your nursing personal statement, make sure it's engaging and explains why you want to pursue nursing at degree level. You can see more examples of introductions over at our nursing personal statements section.
How do I write a conclusion for my nursing personal statement?
Try to round off your nursing personal statement with something memorable. This often includes talking about your extracurricular activities, hobbies and/or your ambitions for the future. For example:
" I am confident in my ability to communicate with people from any cultural background and an example of this would be during my time volunteering in a dog sanctuary in Paraguay. This was difficult due to the language barrier, and a virus outbreak between the dogs. I had to organize my time efficiently, an important skill for a nurse, communicate with vets and host families, in often very distressing times.
I acted effectively, thinking on my feet, all whilst remaining calm and treating the animals with compassion. This was a very challenging time for me but it was also very rewarding. I feel a career as a nurse, whilst challenging at times would also be very rewarding, educational, and encourage personal growth."
This applicant demonstrates that as well as communicating what you do currently, or have done in the past, it's also a good idea to try to include how these experiences have helped to shape you as a person, and how they make you a better candidate for a nursing course.
For more inspiration on how to write your conclusion, please see our nursing personal statement examples section.
Further information
- UCAS Nursing Advice
- Indeed.com - How To Write A Nursing Personal Statement
- Nursing Times - How To Write An Effective Personal Statement
- University of Cumbria - How To Write A Good Nursing Personal Statement For University
- Nurses.co.uk - How To Write A Personal Statement For A Nursing Course
- University of South Wales - How To Write A Personal Statement For Nursing & Midwifery
Related resources
Nursing university interview questions.
Find out more
How To Become A Nurse
Getting Into Nursing
Writing A Nursing Personal Statement
RCN Nursing Careers
National Careers Service: Nursing
Nursing & Care Community
NHS Nursing Careers
Support for the whole Nursing application process from application to interview, and more!
5-day programme with insights into the medical profession. Includes accommodation and ALL meals!
Personalised 1-1 lessons, tailored to your individual Nursing interview
- UCAS Guide >
- Nursing >
- Nursing Advice
Nursing Personal Statement Guide: Examples, Tips and Structure
According to recent data, nursing schools receive thousands of applications yearly, and admission rates are increasingly competitive. But fear not! We’ve got your back.
Table of Contents
This blog equips you with insider tips and expert advice to craft a standout nursing personal statement that captivates admissions committees. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or the thought of putting pen to paper sends shivers down your spine, we’ve simplified the process to make it a breeze.
So, let’s dive in and discover how to showcase your passion for nursing, highlight your unique experiences, and create an impressive statement that makes you stand tall among the crowd.
Let’s get you one step closer to your dream nursing programme !
What Is a Nursing School Personal Statement?
When applying to nursing schools, one crucial document can make or break your chances of acceptance: the nursing school personal statement. This short essay, typically limited to two pages, serves as your introduction to the admissions committee, giving them insight into your passion for nursing and what drives you to pursue this career.
Unlike your resume or CV, a personal statement for nursing allows you to delve into your journey toward nursing. Share the experiences and encounters that shaped your decision, whether it was a family member’s influence, personal health struggles, or a deep-rooted desire to help others.
Each nursing school may have specific prompts or requirements , so tailor your statement accordingly to produce a good nursing personal statement. The goal is to showcase your unique traits and demonstrate how you align with the programme’s values and mission.
This article will show you how to write a personal statement for nursing and will cover areas from format, key topics, to relevant experiences. Through this guide, you will be able to get started with creating your own personal statement and beginning your journey. If you do require further support following this guide, one of our curated personal statement services may be the right fit for you:
Medicine Personal Statement https://www.medicmind.co.uk/personal-statement/
Nursing School Personal Statement Format
A well-structured nursing school personal statement is key to making a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Follow this tried-and-true format to ensure your statement stands out from the crowd.
1. How to Start a Nursing Personal Statement : Engaging Introduction
Capture the reader’s attention from the start. When thinking about how to start a personal statement for nursing, we want to open with a compelling story, an impactful quote, or a personal anecdote that reflects your passion for nursing. Clearly state your motivations for choosing this career path and why you are applying to their programme.
2. Informative Body:
Use the body paragraphs to showcase your experiences and achievements that align with nursing. Avoid a simple list of accomplishments ; provide context for each one. Highlight any healthcare-related work, volunteer experiences, or academic achievements demonstrating your nursing dedication and suitability.
3. Relevant Connections:
Establish a strong connection between your experiences and the nursing program’s values. Research the programme thoroughly and mention specific courses, faculty, or opportunities that excite you and align with your goals. This demonstrates your genuine interest and commitment. A key component here will be making your statement relevant to the area of nursing that you are applying to for example an adult nursing personal statement may have different experiences and goals from a children’s nursing personal statement or even a mental health nursing personal statement . Being able to apply relevant experiences and show reflection on this will put your personal statement to the top of the list for memorability.
4. Showcase Skills:
Showcase essential nursing skills such as empathy, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your past experiences and explain how they will contribute to your success as a nurse.
5. How to end a nursing personal statement : Powerful Conclusion
End with a memorable conclusion reinforcing your passion for nursing and commitment to making a difference in healthcare. Reiterate why you are an ideal candidate for their programme and express your eagerness to contribute to nursing.
6. Proofreading and Editing:
Once you’ve written your statement, carefully proofread it for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Seek feedback from trusted friends, family, or mentors to ensure your statement is clear, concise, and error-free.
Tips for Writing a Stellar Nursing Personal Statement
Writing a stellar nursing personal statement requires careful thought and attention to detail. Follow these expert tips to create a compelling and authentic statement that sets you apart from other applicants:
1) Be Genuine:
Share your authentic self in your statement. Admissions committees value honesty and want to know the real you . Reflect on your motivations for pursuing nursing and draw from personal experiences that have shaped your passion for the field.
2) Focus on Your Journey:
Use a storytelling approach to take the reader on a journey that led you to choose nursing as your career path. Discuss significant experiences, challenges, and moments of inspiration that ignited your interest in nursing. Avoid generic statements and, instead, emphasise what makes your journey unique.
3) Showcase Your Strengths:
Highlight your key strengths, skills, and qualities that make you a great fit for nursing. Whether it’s empathy, leadership, adaptability, or problem-solving, provide concrete example s of how you’ve demonstrated these attributes in various situations.
4) Keep it Concise:
Adhere to the specified word limit and keep your statement concise and focused. Admissions committees read numerous applications, so a clear and well-structured personal statement will make a lasting impression.
5) Avoid Clichés:
Steer clear of overused clichés and generalisations. Instead, provide specific and meaningful examples illustrating your unique qualities and experiences.
6) Show, Don’t Tell:
Instead of making broad claims, back up your statements with concrete evidence and specific instances. This approach adds credibility and depth to your statement.
7) Stay Positive:
Maintain a positive tone throughout your statement. Focus on your aspirations, accomplishments, and enthusiasm for nursing rather than dwelling on negative experiences or setbacks.
Now equipped with expert tips and a clear roadmap, it’s time to seize the opportunity and create your standout nursing personal statement. Showcase your passion, experiences, and genuine motivations for nursing. Tailor each statement to your dream nursing programmes, highlighting your unique strengths.
Make every word count , and remember, authenticity is key. With a captivating and well-crafted personal statement, you’ll open doors to the nursing career of your dreams. Start writing now and secure your spot in your desired nursing school!
Need help and expert advice? Contact Medic Mind !
→ Q: How long should my nursing personal statement be?
A: Most nursing schools have specific word limits for personal statements, typically 500 to 1000 words. Make sure to follow the guidelines provided by each school to stay within the desired length.
→ Q: Can I use the same personal statement for multiple nursing schools?
A: While you can use a general template, you must tailor your personal statement for each nursing programme. Highlight specific reasons why you’re interested in each school and demonstrate how you align with their values.
→ Q: Should I mention my grades and academic achievements in my personal statement?
A: Your academic achievements are already listed in your application. Instead, focus on sharing experiences, skills, and personal qualities that make you a strong candidate for nursing.
→ Q: Can I use humour in my nursing personal statement?
A: While a touch of humour can be engaging, use it judiciously and ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your statement. Remember, professionalism and sincerity are essential in a nursing personal statement.
→ Q: What if I don’t have direct healthcare experience for my personal statement?
A: Even without direct healthcare experience, focus on transferable skills gained from other experiences, such as volunteer work, leadership roles, or communication abilities that can be valuable in a nursing career.
Q: Do you have any specific band nursing personal statements. For example band 5 nurse personal statement examples, band 6 nurse personal statement examples, or band 7 nurse personal statement examples?
A: We are always collating further examples from a variety of levels of nursing but the key principle as you progress through the career ladder, from a newly qualified nurse personal statement to a critical care nurse personal statement, in nursing is to be able to continue to grow from your clinical experience and to reflect on those processes. As you progress to higher bands, it is also important to shift the focus from learning to teaching and leadership in order to demonstrate that career progression.
Cancel reply
Related links.
- FREE Applying to Medicine Course
- Medical Work Experience Summer Programme
Personalised 1-1 lessons, tailored to your Nursing interview
Please provide the mobile number of a guardian/parent
If you're ready and keen to get started click the button below to book your first 2 hour 1-1 tutoring lesson with us. Connect with a tutor from a university of your choice in minutes. (Use FAST5 to get 5% Off!)
Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure
The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome
Job applications and Supporting Statements
Advice for nurses and healthcare professionals in both the NHS and private sector.
Once you’ve found a suitable job, you'll need to complete a job application. We've put together some advice, strategies and tips to make sure you've got the best chance of getting shortlisted.
Job applications .
The process for submitting a job application varies greatly depending on the job and the employer.
If you’re applying for jobs in the public sector or with larger private sector organisations, you will probably find a Person Specification and Job Description included within the job application pack. The Person Specification will outline which skills, qualifications, experience and/or attributes the employer is looking for in a candidate. You may be asked to write a Supporting Statement, in which you'll have to demonstrate that you meet the desired criteria, and essentially show the employer why you'd be the best person for the job.
Alternatively, you may be applying for jobs with smaller private sector employers, (e.g. general practice, nursing home, independent company, etc) who require you to submit a CV and covering letter.
RCN member only content
Log in or join today to access our:
- Advice and guidance on writing applications
- Sample covering letters and sample CVs
- Sample supporting statement
- Step by step supporting statement tutorial
- Application / statement feedback service
If you're an RCN member you can email your supporting statement to [email protected] to receive feedback via email within 10 working days. Please include:
your membership number (or postcode)
a copy of the job description and person specification.
Supporting Statement Tutorial Preview
Your Spaces
- RCNi Profile
- Steward Portal
- RCN Foundation
- RCN Library
- RCN Starting Out
Work & Venue
- RCNi Nursing Jobs
- Work for the RCN
- RCN Working with us
Further Info
- Manage Cookie Preferences
- Modern slavery statement
- Accessibility
- Press office
Connect with us:
© 2024 Royal College of Nursing
- LOGIN / FREE TRIAL
‘Have a look around the new Nursing Times website’
STEVE FORD, EDITOR
- Assessment skills
- Children’s nursing
- Hospital nursing
- You are here: Nursing events and courses calendar
How to write an effective personal statement
Some nursing jobs may require you to write a personal statement. Here’s how to show how well you can nurse in a few hundred words …
Your personal statement is your first opportunity to impress a possible future employer. You only have a few hundred words, but get these right and you’ll be sat in the interview room before you know it.
Why are you applying?
Employers are looking for someone who is passionate about their specific job, not someone who wants any job they can find. Your personal statement is an opportunity to tell your future employer how enthusiastic you are about the unique position they are offering.
Why should they hire you?
You’ve probably already listed your qualifications in other sections of your application, so don’t waste words repeating yourself. Your personal statement is all about setting you apart from everyone else and is a chance to show what a perfect candidate you are.
Use their job description to your advantage
An employer’s job description tells you exactly what they are looking for in an ideal world. You need to let them know how well you match it.
Run through their job description and list, with examples, why and how you could fulfil each requirement.
If they haven’t given you a detailed guide, although every job will be different, there are certain areas that all nursing jobs want you to be competent in and are definitely worth mentioning:
- Communication skills : being able to talk clearly and convey messages with people in different types of job positions and also being able to empathise with patients
- Multi-professional working : working effectively with different members of the team, knowing who to refer to and building a good relationship with other professionals
- Assessment skills : knowledge and experience of different assessment tools and techniques
- Record keeping : showing accuracy and clarity in your documentation
- Administering medication safely : how you ensure you do not make any drug errors
- Using research-based practice : using the current evidence base to ensure your practice is up-to-date
- Have you checked your spelling?
- Have you given examples?
- Have you shown how you meet all the essential competencies in the job description?
- Have you said why you want the job?
- Have you read it back and made sure it makes sense?
- Have you asked someone else to check it makes sense?
Keep it simple
Although written skills are important, employers are not expecting an essay.
Looking for a new career?
The Nursing Times online careers fair is back on 24 June 2015 with a limited number of FREE places available!
—> Find out more here
Keep your points concise and remember that they are looking for someone who shows enthusiasm and professionalism.
As long as you link back to the job description to show you really know what they want, you can’t go far wrong.
- Add to Bookmarks
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
To help give you an idea, have a look at our sample supporting statements which have been written to correlate to a sample Person Specification. In particular, pay attention to the way the sample supporting statements: Cover all the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification; Use examples or evidence to demonstrate how the criteria ...
Take your NHS Application Form to the next level by using this NHS Band 7 Supporting Information Example. Download the templates here.
To show that you’ve met the minimum requirements for promotion, you may need to write a band 6 or 7 nursing personal statement. This piece of writing tells an employer all about your hands-on patient contact experience and why you are a good fit for the job.
This article will show you how to write a personal statement for nursing and will cover areas from format, key topics, to relevant experiences. Through this guide, you will be able to get started with creating your own personal statement and beginning your journey.
Key pointers in this talk will help you write a personal statement for a UK Band 6 or Band 7 Senior Nurse role. An application for a Band 6 or Band 7 Senior Nurse role will...
As such it is vital, that the supporting statement is well written in order to ensure an interview, and subsequently secure your dream job. The main objective when writing a supporting statement is to demonstrate to the hiring manager why you are the best candidate for the job.
A nursing personal statement is a short text about you that accompanies your application to a nursing course. It complements your grades, experience and other qualifications by adding a personal dimension to your application.
Band 7 interview questions usually differ from those asked for lower-level nursing positions, requiring candidates to prepare adequately for their interview. Learning how to answer these questions is crucial to acing your interview and providing clear and honest responses.
Advice on writing job applications for nurses, midwives and HCAs. RCN members can have their supporting statement checked by the RCN Careers service.
Some nursing jobs may require you to write a personal statement. Here’s how to show how well you can nurse in a few hundred words … Your personal statement is your first opportunity to impress a possible future employer.