Essay topics and research approaches

¶ … Loma Linda University are particularly attractive and meaningful to you and why you have chosen to apply for advanced education.

I have been in search of an excellent academic program with top quality faculty that also suits my interests, aptitudes, and preferences in geographic locale. Loma Linda University meets all my needs. I grew up in Southern California, and wish to remain here during the course of my education because being close to family and friends is important to me. Loma Linda also supports a multicultural environment, and because I am of mixed heritage, I will feel most comfortable on this campus. I speak English, Spanish, and Chinese and look forward to interacting both with other students as well as faculty members during the pursuit of my advanced degree in health sciences. In fact, it was Loma Linda's commitment to a robust health sciences department that become the primary reason I am applying to the university. It seemed overwhelming at first to decide between more than a hundred different areas of specialization in subjects like Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Religion, Science and Technology.

My goal is to work as a health care professional in one of these core areas, and to apply my knowledge to the health services sector. I intend to specialize in the delivery of humanitarian care in order to improve services in communities in need. Although I have not yet decided what specific areas of specialization I will pursue, I am certain to narrow my focus after detailed consultation with the faculty at Loma Linda. It is certain that an application of spiritual values will permeate the development of my future career, as I do not believe that health care can be successful without the types of spiritual values promoted by Loma Linda.

As I have worked in the health care sector, I understand the importance of a caring philosophy underlying institutional policies and best practices. The university's commitment to humanitarianism corresponds with my attitudes and practices as a nurse. I believe in cultural sensitivity and holistic nursing, and hope to transform health care administration to make more room for spiritual values. Finally, I appreciate Loma Linda's philosophy of student life and achievement. An emphasis on humility, self-control, discipline, and faith will ensure that all students thrive and eventually succeed at becoming leaders in their fields. The spiritual underpinnings of higher education offered at Loma Linda will provide a firm foundation of patient-centered care that can potentially transform the nature of health care delivery.

2) Discuss how your spiritual origins, development, and experience have influenced and been integrated into your daily life.

My background and family of origin stressed heartfelt compassion for all people, which is likely why I have been called to a profession in the healing arts. I consider spiritual and religious beliefs to be extremely personal matters, and generally avoid discussing such issues casually. I appreciate the respect Loma Linda University has for spiritual values and for upholding the tenets of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. During my life, my faith has vacillated and I have occasionally allowed doubt to seep into my awareness. I cannot lie that I have even doubted the existence of God, and do not hold any strict religious beliefs. I was raised to be a free thinker and believe that all people should be free to choose to believe and practice as they wish. Having said that, I also believe that it is important to continually cultivate compassion and caring for others as part of a personal spiritual practice. Knowing that actions are a strong determinant of spiritual health, I have made it a point to dedicate my life to helping others and to promoting community values. My goal is to fully integrate spiritual values in my personal and professional lives. Because I believe that actions have consequences, the concept of karmic law makes perfect sense to me. Good deeds beget positive consequences, and bad deeds likewise are met with future negative consequences.

I was not raised with religion, and do not consider myself a religious person. Yet even without formal religious beliefs, I retain strong values that have been instilled in me from my family. A few of my family members are religious, as are a few of my most influential friends. I do not believe it is necessary to ascribe to specific religious worldviews or theologies to be a spiritual person. This is why I have selected to explore my own spiritual values while studying at Loma Linda. I intend to deepen those values and learn how to reconcile my doubts with the faith that does brew within me. A spiritual foundation for health care makes perfect sense to me, since healing involves spiritual growth and other intangible aspects that the health care system often fails to take into account when treating patients. I have seen how bereft of soul the medical system can be, and I hope to be a part of the solution to that problem as I develop my professional nursing career.