Hello everyone,
There are already topics about disclosing mental illness on an personal statements or interviews. I want to discuss something different and gain insight.
My backstory -
I hold a nursing degree with a summa 3.9+ GPA and a current 4.0 in sciences. Some of my prerequisites need to be completed as a post-baccalaureate student. My extracurriculars look good and demonstrate a passion for learning and helping people that - from the perspective of reviewing my application - illustrates resiliency.
However, underneath my application there is a hidden pain. My early adult life was spent as a caregiver and then recluse without direction. Later, my girlfriend who stood by me throughout my nursing program died under violent circumstances just prior to degree completion. Then another non-traditional pharmacology student supported me as time progressed, dated later, and departed under another tragic circumstance. I am crushed by these losses and the knowledge that my youth and last chance to pursue the lifestyle and specific relationship I dreamed for has passed.
Furthermore, I do have mild autism. None of these hardships are any business of ADCOMs. I am just slightly goofy and funny, okay? I like people and spending time with them. I collaborate effectively and get along with everyone. The only thing "off" about me is a slight social and procedural learning difficulty, which has clearly not impacted my life in a professional capacity. Only my relationships and sense of loneliness suffered, which is now overwhelming due to the events above.
The topic as it pertains to myself and others -
The pandemic highlights the need to navigate complicated personal circumstances like social isolation. Medicine has potential barriers to licensure that is not found in nursing. Some PGY-3s recommended navigating hardships by soliciting help under a pseudonym and travel out of the city. Other mentors and colleagues warn the sacrifices required by this profession cannot be offered by everyone. Many also suggested that resiliency is merely a buzz-word that stigmatizes overworked and exhausted residents.
I feel like I am on my last rope these days with my specific concerns about isolation and loneliness. There are social sacrifices on my horizon that I feel unprepared for on top of my loss.
How would any of you recommend navigating this? What are some of your plans to cope with stress and your social needs?
There are already topics about disclosing mental illness on an personal statements or interviews. I want to discuss something different and gain insight.
My backstory -
I hold a nursing degree with a summa 3.9+ GPA and a current 4.0 in sciences. Some of my prerequisites need to be completed as a post-baccalaureate student. My extracurriculars look good and demonstrate a passion for learning and helping people that - from the perspective of reviewing my application - illustrates resiliency.
However, underneath my application there is a hidden pain. My early adult life was spent as a caregiver and then recluse without direction. Later, my girlfriend who stood by me throughout my nursing program died under violent circumstances just prior to degree completion. Then another non-traditional pharmacology student supported me as time progressed, dated later, and departed under another tragic circumstance. I am crushed by these losses and the knowledge that my youth and last chance to pursue the lifestyle and specific relationship I dreamed for has passed.
Furthermore, I do have mild autism. None of these hardships are any business of ADCOMs. I am just slightly goofy and funny, okay? I like people and spending time with them. I collaborate effectively and get along with everyone. The only thing "off" about me is a slight social and procedural learning difficulty, which has clearly not impacted my life in a professional capacity. Only my relationships and sense of loneliness suffered, which is now overwhelming due to the events above.
The topic as it pertains to myself and others -
The pandemic highlights the need to navigate complicated personal circumstances like social isolation. Medicine has potential barriers to licensure that is not found in nursing. Some PGY-3s recommended navigating hardships by soliciting help under a pseudonym and travel out of the city. Other mentors and colleagues warn the sacrifices required by this profession cannot be offered by everyone. Many also suggested that resiliency is merely a buzz-word that stigmatizes overworked and exhausted residents.
I feel like I am on my last rope these days with my specific concerns about isolation and loneliness. There are social sacrifices on my horizon that I feel unprepared for on top of my loss.
How would any of you recommend navigating this? What are some of your plans to cope with stress and your social needs?
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