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RDPN Application Essay

I am applying for admission into the Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing Program with
Stenberg College. My immediate goal is to successfully enroll on the program and be able to
complete it as scheduled. My long term goal is to gain employment as a Registered Psychiatric
Nurse within youth Forensics or as a Mental Health Nurse with the Ministry of Children and
Families, a setting in which I am already involved.
In 2002, I graduated with a Residential Care Certificate, after which, I was introduced into the
social services and mental health fields. During this time I developed and became aware of my
passion to help and support people. This was a difficult time in my personal life; my grandparents
both passed away from terminal illnesses within eighteen hours of each other. My father was
dealing with addiction issues and my mother was caring for my grandparents during their palliative
period. In the absence of my mother, I was left to provide care to my 3 younger siblings. During
this time, I was under a lot of stress and pressure and needed to be focused on some worthwhile
activities to keep moving in the right direction. I wanted to do something that would be beneficial to
people who were less privileged members of society or people who were beset with different
challenges, including enduring mental health problems and substance misuse issues.
I then decided to get involved with the community support and the health care sectors. Having
started on this path, it was not long before I realized that this was my calling. I had so many people
come to me to appreciate how I worked and interacted with clients, families and colleagues. The
biggest revelation and inspiration was the appreciation that came from clients and their families.
There is nothing as fulfilling as being able to make a difference in someone's life. This experience
left me in no doubt that going for Mental Health Nurse training was the best way to further develop
my skills and progressing in my caring career.
Over the years I have professionally developed myself by taking additional training, listened to the
guidance and direction from peers and experienced professionals and in the process, I have

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acquired experience, skills and knowledge enable me to give quality care and support to people
who present with different types of mental health and social problems. The demographics have
also been varied, to include care and support and advocacy for children, teens, young adults and
geriatrics. I have also had experience working with people who have physical or developmental
disabilities, such as, people with autism, FAS, dual and quad diagnosed mental illnesses, as well
as people of all age groups, who are at risk, street entrenched, serious offenders, drugs and
alcohol addicts, people with challenging behaviors, sexually exploited youths, youth mediation and
individuals with psychiatric disorders and challenging behaviors.
I have been employed in elementary schools, youth day treatment programs for youth with mental
health illnesses, and in secure custody centers for youth. I have skills and experience in the
development and management of emergency and long term placement homes for children and
youth, foster homes, clients homes, as well as establishing and operating a recovery home for
adult males.
Over the past 11 years, I have had remarkable personal and professional growth. I joined a
community organization and started off as a relief caregiver and rose within the ranks to become a
consultant and Family Support Worker. At the New Westminster School Board, I started as a
Special Education Assistant, continued to upgrade my education and gained new skills and
experience to become a Child & Youth Care Counselor.
I am quite confident that the experiences and skills that I have gained over the years in different
settings, gives me a strong disposition to successfully complete the Mental Health Nursing
program. Added to these experiences and skills is a wealthy pool of colleagues who are already
practicing mental health nurses. I have both the support of my family and friends and I have never
felt any readier than now. For me the caring profession is not just a career, it is my calling.