What You Need to Know Before Submitting Your Nursing Application Paper
Submitting a nursing application paper is one of those nerve-wracking moments that can feel like standing in the hospital hallway, trying to remember if you sanitized your hands before entering the patient’s room. You’ve spent weeks (or let’s be real, maybe a few frantic days) researching, writing, and rewriting, but now you’re wondering—have I done enough? Did I miss something? Is this paper really going to convince the admissions committee that I belong in nursing school? Let’s go through everything you need to know before hitting that final submit button.
Start With a Strong Foundation
A great application paper isn’t built overnight. You need a solid foundation, just like a well-structured treatment plan. Before you even start writing, ask yourself:
- What are the core values of the nursing school I’m applying to?
- What experiences have shaped my desire to become a nurse?
- What sets me apart from other applicants?
These questions aren’t just fluff—they help you focus your essay and avoid turning it into a generic “I love helping people” story. Admissions officers read thousands of applications, and trust me, they can spot a cookie-cutter response from a mile away.
Show, Don’t Just Tell
Saying, “I am passionate about nursing” is about as exciting as saying, “I breathe air.” It’s obvious, and it doesn’t tell the reader anything about you. Instead of listing qualities, show them in action. For example:
Instead of: I am a compassionate and hardworking person. Try: During my volunteer work at a local clinic, I sat with an elderly patient who was nervous about a procedure. I explained the process in simple terms, held her hand, and reassured her when she teared up.
See the difference? One is just a claim, the other is proof. Think about your nursing admission essay as a collection of stories that illustrate who you are rather than just a list of adjectives.
Keep It Focused
Your paper is not a novel. You don’t have the space to tell your life story, and the admissions committee doesn’t have the time to read it. Stick to the most relevant experiences that show why you’re a great fit for nursing school.
- Did you overcome a personal or academic challenge that strengthened your resilience?
- Have you worked in healthcare or volunteered in a way that deepened your understanding of patient care?
- Do you have a defining moment that cemented your decision to become a nurse?
Pick a few key experiences and expand on them rather than cramming in every single reason you want to be a nurse.
Edit, Then Edit Again
Writing is rewriting. No one writes a perfect paper on the first try—not even the best authors (or nurses documenting patient care). Once you’ve written your draft, step away from it for a day. Then, come back with fresh eyes and look for:
- Clarity – Does each sentence make sense? Are you using clear, concise language?
- Grammar and spelling – Admissions officers are not expecting Shakespeare, but they do expect professionalism.
- Relevance – Are you staying on topic, or are you wandering into unrelated personal anecdotes?
It helps to have someone else read it. A fresh perspective can catch things you missed, like a misplaced comma or a sentence that doesn’t quite land the way you thought it did.
Be Mindful of Plagiarism and Essay Assistance
With the internet full of resources, it’s tempting to “borrow” inspiration a little too heavily. But admissions officers have seen it all. If your essay sounds too polished, too generic, or suspiciously like the dozens of templates floating around online, it raises red flags.
If you’re getting help, make sure it’s just guidance—not someone else writing for you. There’s also the issue of online essay safety. Not all services are ethical or reliable. If you’re using editing tools or professional feedback, make sure it’s from a trusted source and that your personal voice remains intact.
Final Checklist Before Submission
Before you submit, take a deep breath and run through this checklist:
- ✅ Have I answered the prompt clearly?
- ✅ Is my essay within the required word count?
- ✅ Have I told a compelling personal story instead of listing generic qualities?
- ✅ Have I checked for grammar, spelling, and clarity?
- ✅ Does my essay reflect my voice and experiences?
- ✅ Have I saved a copy (because technology loves to fail at the worst moments)?
Submitting your application should feel like the moment a nurse takes off their gloves after a successful procedure—satisfying, with a sense of relief. If you’ve done your best, trust the process and hit that submit button with confidence.
The Bottom Line
Writing your nursing application paper is stressful, but it’s also a chance to reflect on your journey and show why you’re meant for this field. Be honest, be specific, and let your passion shine through in a way that no one else can replicate. Nursing is about compassion, intelligence, and resilience—show them you have all three. And remember, if you can survive writing this essay, you can handle whatever nursing school throws at you.
