To put in a mum on my personal statement?

[Beesandhoneys]

Have 2 kids and I'll be a 'mature student'. I want to apply for nursing and I thought that me putting that I'm a mother could actually benefit my application but I don't want to look silly. Would it help or should I leave it off? TIA.

I'm a Nursing lecturer and I'm involved in interviewing students for admission. When I read a personal statement I'm looking for: a good standard of written English, a brief description of anything relevant you've done so far (access course, work experience, voluntary work), that you know what a nurse does and why you want to be a nurse. Some people will mention their children and that's fine as long as that's not all they talk about but it doesn't make a big difference either way. If you can read the NMC Code and read about the 6Cs and try to demonstrate transferable skills relating to them in your personal statement and at interview that's the most important thing. Good luck!

Basically if you do reference being a mum, make it tangible and worthwhile reading. There has to be more than “btw I’m a mother”.

My personal tutor at college told us that we had a limited amount of words so every sentence counts. So remove anything that was waffle or didn’t have a good impact. Only keep the important & relevant parts.

I did! It did help.

I did! It did help.

What makes you think that it helped?

I'd only mention it if it was to explain a career break in a brief way.

Unless there's something specific and relevant (e.g. applying for a course in SEND and you have done years of care for a child with special needs) then I would leave off parenting in any statement.

I did as it explained why I had chosen that point in time to return to my studies. I was accepted.

I put it in mine, I did Sociology though. I got 2 offers, which I was happy with as I had no A levels or further qualifications.

Hi, I'm a senior nurse (and a mum!) - my advice would be to absolutely not do this unless you're referencing a career break

Leave it off unless your children have medical needs which is what made you want to go into nursing. That happened with a friend who between 3 dc has one with down syndrome and a heart problem, and another child with epilepsy.

I will be mentioning it (for a different HCP course, not nursing), because its relevant to why I am doing the job. While DS was recovery after an operation he was looked after by the most amazing practitioners, and I suddenly realised that that was the job I wanted, so will be mentioning it in that context.

For uni, I told them I was a mum in my personal statement to explain the gap in my education. I got offers for a 5 unis I applied to.
Applying for placements I left it off, and have only mentioned I was on mat leave when I've been asked about the gap at the interview stage.

Yes do it ! The world needs to begin to recognise that being a mother is a job, a full time work and therefore teaches you endless and employs endless skills of you... Time management.. Ability to work under pressure.. Management of work that needs to be done ... Financial management... Organisation skills... Emotional intelligence.. Communication skills... Planning ahead of time... Flexibility and ability to adjust and plan around last minute changes.

I help lots of people write personal statements for nursing. It's quite competitive, and the statement is important in a way it isnt for other degrees.

You certainly can mention you're a mum, but probably lower down in the statement.
The most important information should come high up in the statement. So, your relevant experience. Think about the NHS core values, and when you have demonstrated that you have them.

You are also applying for an science based course- so universities want to know that you are engaged, and interested in the science content of your course.

After that, if there is any room left, you could mention being a parent, but it should be in the context of demonstrating skills. So, time mgmt, or or similar.

Good luck!!

I had my first formal interview 2 yrs ago at 37. I wrote about my children who are now self Sufficient mainly because it was the reason I was no longer wanting to work from home, I got the first job I applied for maybe they just felt sorry for me so I'd say yes include them

@purpledaisies because it kept getting mentioned. "Of course with four children you'll understand the importance of ." Etc I felt it was seen as a good thing rather than an excuse for a long career gap.

I look at nursing personal statements as my job. We look for why you want to be a nurse, what you understand that role to be and how you have conducted research into the role, reading nursing publications etc. Relating your personal skills to being a nurse and how they would help you in the role. We would not judge either way if you mentioned you were a parent. We get a very good mix of school leavers and mature students on our nursing courses. Good luck with your application OP x

I've applied for another healthcare role and had mentioned it as a way of explaining why I wanted to do the course (my son was born with a serious health condition) but only briefly. I got offered a place. I was told to try and apply real life skills such as things I've gained through work such as team work, using initiative and good communication whilst also incorporating a good understanding of the role and mentioning the NHS core values etc. I also included volunteer experience as an example of care rather than using caring for my children.

Maybe mention it but be clever how you link it in. Not I'm a great Mum = I'm so caring.

I'd be more interested in your experience of nursing/healthcare I think. Have you worked as a HCA? I think nursing is very different to what you think it will be. I say this working in allied healthcare as a career changer.

Not relevant at all, why would you. Being a mum doesn't make you any more qualified than anyone else - in fact I've known plenty mums who are the most uncaring people you could meet! Let your qualifications speak for themselves.

I used to help people with their midwifery personal statements. Would always advise against listening being a mum on the PS unless it’s with context ie ‘As a mother of a baby born prematurely I had lots of contact with medical and nursing staff and was inspired by the compassion and skill the nurses showed during a challenging situation and this is part of why I want to be a nurse.’ Everything you write you have to relate it back to how it demonstrates your aptitude for nursing not just a chance to tell them about yourself.

I did on my UCAS application 9 years ago for teaching as a mature student....I think showing compassion, experience and empathy as a parent will all link well.

Good luck op

I would only put it in as relevant context ie explaining a career break. I don’t recommend putting it in as a marketable skill.

I don't see how it could do any harm. It has skills transferrable to nursing in all sorts of ways. If you have ever helped a disabled/sick friend or family member that'd probably count for more, though.

Thank you all so much, this has been so helpful. Can I be a pain and ask if you have any say in where your placements are? I would really rather not do one in my closest hospital as I've been treated by them lots and would feel awkward working/doing my placement with them. Do you get any say at all?