MinorityNurse.com

 

My personal experience and involvement with the Diversity Program

Hello all, my name is Chris. I'm from the DC metro area. I currently work in an Open Heart Unit. Last spring, I ran across Lena's website and I decided immediately that I wanted to join her program. At the time, I was looking for a somebody to take me under their wing and guide me through the process of reaching my ultimate goal of becoming a CRNA. Lena turned out to be everything I was looking for.
I have been involved with the Diversity Program since last year. I attended the Anesthesia Airway Workshop in which one can gain first hand insight of the equipment and procedures CRNAs must master inside of the OR. It was a great experience because you get to interact and network with SRNAs and CRNAs. They can tell you their story or can give you advice so you can avoid any potholes that they may have hit. I highly recommend any aspiring nurses to attend the Airway Workshop.
I plan on attending this year's upcoming luncheon in New Jersey. I have heard from current SRNAs that the information you receive from the luncheon is invaluable. One guy I met, which is currently in anesthesia school at UMB, stated,"I wish I would have went to the luncheon before I interviewed for school. I didn't know how important the interview was and I would have been much more prepared." The luncheon also gives you tips on making it through the long and challenging journey of anesthesia school. A couple of my buddies are in their first year of school and they say it is the hardest thing they have ever done. The luncheon is also a great place to network and shake some hands. You never know who you will run into later during your process of applying to school. I encourage and hope to see everyone at the luncheon because it will make the road to anesthesia school a lot more smoother.
I'm currently applying to anesthesia programs myself. The thing that I find most challenging in the application process is making myself stand out from the crowd. I am doing everything to make my application rise above other applicants. So far I have obtained my CCRN, shadowed over 40 hours in the OR with a CRNA, and have gotten an A in graduate pathophysiology. I also got advice from a current SRNA to obtain a job in a very challenging ICU so I could get some good experience. My current unit gives me a lot of experience with pacers, vents, drips, and participating codes. I recommend building strong relationships with your co-workers and CRNAs that you shadow because these are the individuals that will be writing your letters of recommendation when it is time to apply to anesthesia school.
Overall, I am very impressed with the Diversity Program. Without the program, I would be going through a lot of trial and error. The Diversity Program has provided me with a mentor/advisor/friend that has been more than willing to answer any questions that I have can across. Lena has also given advice on which programs to apply to and her reasoning behind her decisions. Lena delivers more than you can ask for in a mentor. She is very approachable and wants to help you make your dream come true. If you have any questions for me, don't hesitate to ask.