"Why I Want to be a Nurse" Contest
The Why I want to be a Nurse contest provides an opportunity for students to begin thinking about a career in nursing. Fifth-grade students can practice their computer and writing skills and receive a prize from 蘑菇传媒's College of Nursing.
In an effort to keep the spotlight on the nursing shortage, the College of Nursing began sponsoring the "Why I Want to be a Nurse" contest in 2002. All South Dakota fifth graders can submit a 150-word emailed essay that answers the question, 鈥淲hy do you want to be a nurse?鈥 We chose to have students send an email submission because it supports the use of technology in the schools, plus the project gives young students an opportunity to fine-tune their writing skills.
The contest is open to all South Dakota fifth-grade students. Students are invited to participate by writing a personal essay responding to the statement, "Why I want to be a Nurse."
The essay must include the following
- The student's own understanding of a nurse's role.
- The student's description of the work done by a nurse.
- An explanation of why the student wants to be a nurse.
Evaluation criteria
- Individual, thoughtful response.
- Written using correct grammar, spelling and sentence structure.
- Double-spaced, 100 to 125 words in length.
This program is the rebirth of a 1951 contest sponsored by Curity (Bauer & Black, a Division of the Kendall Company). Students competed for the title of 鈥淢iss Curity,鈥 someone who demonstrated the ideals of the American nurse. Kay Hobbie won this contest and worked at SDSU as the College of Nursing Lab Coordinator until her retirement in spring 2003. We have had a few 鈥淲hy I Want to be a Nurse鈥 contest winners attend SDSU for nursing.
