I suppose this application will be unusual because of the fact that I am already an experienced nurse anesthetist having qualified and then practiced this specialty in my home country of Morocco for over four years. The specialty appealed to me because it is academically and professionally demanding and because of the exciting and constant advances being made in medications, equipment and techniques. I was also confident that I possessed the necessary high level communication skills together with analytical approach to problems and the ability to work with significant autonomy while being an effective member of a cross-disciplinary team. However I was mainly attracted by the prospect of providing the vital and basic patient service of effective and safe pain management. I was regarded as highly effective in this role in my home country and now seek to qualify to be able to practice in the US by updating and advancing my knowledge and skills in the specialty.
I moved to this country in 2006 with little English and my first task was to acquire language fluency which I sought to achieve with the determination and commitment which I always apply to challenging situations. Having achieved fluency in English, I applied myself to undertaking the training to enable me to practice as a nurse in this country. I was awarded the BSN degree summa cum laude in 2012 by the XXXX University and immediately began work as a staff nurse at the XXXX hospital of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In September 2013, I was appointed to a staff nurse post in the ICU of the hospital which I believe is a reflection and recognition of the high standards of my nursing skills, empathy and communication.
My academic and professional career in the US has provided me with an excellent understanding of the local medical environment and has broadened and deepened the skills and knowledge that I had acquired since commencing my nursing training in Morocco 18 years ago.
My professional work as a nurse anesthetist in Morocco was supplemented by volunteering in that capacity with the charity, Operation Smile, which provided free medical treatment to those unable to pay for treatment. There exists a massive demand for charitable healthcare in Morocco because of local economic conditions and I assisted in the treatment of a great variety of diseases during this time. I have two infant children and work many hours to support them but it is my firm intention, when circumstances permit, to sacrifice time and skill for the benefit of the poorer members of US society.
I am a native Arabic speaker and am fluent in both English and French. My life has provided opportunities to interact with people from many social and ethnic backgrounds and I have greatly enjoyed doing so. I am curious about other cultures and love to share information about my own. I get on easily with others and am blessed with a well-developed sense of humour.
Ultimately, my ambition is to pursue the study of this discipline to the highest possible level, hopefully to a doctorate to enable me to share my passion, skills and knowledge by teaching others pursuing the specialty and to enable me to add to the sum of knowledge by undertaking successful research projects.
To summarize, I have an excellent academic record together with extensive nursing experience supplemented by significant experience of working in this specialty in my home country. I am confident that I shall be able to ‘add value’ to the program by sharing the fruits of my own professional life to date.
Thank you for considering my application.
