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Diverisity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentor Program/ Airway Workshop

In March 2009 after reading an article in Minority Nurse about CRNA programs I discovered Wallena Gould, CRNA, MSN, founder and president of DNAMP. I immediately emailed her to get more information about her program and within 24 hours she had emailed me back to told about the program and informed of the upcoming Information Session. She was so pleasant and very informative. In April 2009, I attended an Information Session at the University of Southern California. I was so excited to find other people in my same situation because I personally didn't know anyone. My involvement in the program has opened up new doors and allowed me to network with other RN’s, SRNA’s, and CRNA’s all over the country which is an invaluable. The session gave me the opportunity to meet and hear Dr. Francis Gerbasi, CRNA (AANA Education and Accreditation Director) speak about how great nurse anesthesia is, issues facing nurse anesthesia today, and where nurse anesthesia is going which was inspiring and eye-opening.

In July I was invited to the anesthesia airway workshop in New Jersey which gave me firsthand experience with the Datex-Omeda Anesthesia Machine and checklist, different airways (oral and nasal), administering spinal anesthesia, and I actually had the chance to intubate. This priceless experience has given me increased confidence and knowledge to allow me an immense head start with my anesthesia career. What Lena's program has offered me can never be repaid back and she genuinely cares about each and everyone in the program and I am honored to be able to be a participant. I plan to remain a part of the program even after I finish my anesthesia program and hopefully one day I can be a mentor and play a bigger part in the program. Lena is my inspiration!