Nursing is one of my most versatile career options, as it offers a variety of environments to work in, countless specialties to choose from, and many opportunities for career advancement. My ultimate future goal is to become a nurse practitioner in dermatology. To achieve this, I plan to first obtain my doctorate degree as a family nurse practitioner, then move into the dermatology specialty. As Currie, Chiarella, and Buckley explain, nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have been trained to “perform at an advanced level of assessment and clinical decision-making” (2013). Continuing my education in nursing is important to me, as it yields an array of new opportunities and greater responsibilities. Nurse practitioners differ from registered nurses in that they are able to prescribe medication, provide orders, and refer patients to other healthcare professionals (Currie, Chiarella, & Buckley, 2013).
While registered nurses are typically employed in hospital settings, nurse practitioners …show more content…
When I was in elementary school, my mother was diagnosed with melanoma twice within a two-year timespan. Fortunately, the cancer was discovered in its earliest stage both times, and successfully removed without it spreading further. With a family history of skin cancer, I was obligated to visit my mother’s dermatologist every six months for my own check-ups. With each visit, I came to know the physician and nurse practitioner a bit better, and discovered that they were the friendliest and most laid-back team I had encountered in healthcare. As I grew older, I began to express my growing interest in dermatology to my physician, and he continually encouraged me to consider a career as a dermatology nurse practitioner. These encounters, along with my passion for skin cancer awareness, prevention, and generally helping others stay healthy made me realize that the dermatology field was a great