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Response to Discouraging Minorities/Lena Gould, CRNA, MSN

Hello My Future Colleague

First, I want to tell you, not to be discouraged. Second, and most importantly, from now on... surround yourself with positive people who share the same aspirations as you have expressed in your posted comment.

If you continue to listen to those who will not encourage you and read posted comments from those who probably have fragmented information about the process, it will leave you confused and disillusioned about becoming a Nurse Anesthetist. Believe me, years ago, if I listened to the advice of the welfare department, while a single mother on assistance and food stamps, to attend a proprietorship school to become a secretary or computer technician, I would not have had the opportunity to attend college and pursue "my dream". It was in college where I met so many different people who were in varied disciplines who were motivated and determined to achieve "their goals". I never looked back.

I changed careers upon graduating from college and became a Registered Nurse as it was "my dream". I worked in the operating room, telemetry, and trauma units before enrolling in the Nurse Anesthesia Program. I worked as a staff Nurse Anesthetist, Chief Nurse Anesthetist and Founder of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program.

Please click on Response to Changing Careers/Lena Gould, CRNA, MSN in the Nurse Anesthesia Forum that was posted a couple of weeks ago. Also, visit the Nursing Student Forum and click on Response to Help/Lena Gould, CRNA, MSN. Print both of these out and follow this advice from someone who clearly will guide you in the proper direction towards Nurse Anesthesia.

I encourage you to attend the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Information Session Workshop on March 27, 2010 at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. You will meet three Nurse Anesthesia Program Directors. Also, you will meet minority Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Nurse Anesthesia Students who will discuss the admission process, rigors of the program, clinical, didactic courses, Board preparation and more. A video of minority Nurse Anesthesia Students reviewing the anesthesia machine and related equipment and a Minority Nurse Magazine with a featured article of Ms. Goldie Brangman, CRNA, MEd will be issued to all the attendees. Lunch will be provided. This is a very informational and inspirational day.

As previously mentioned, surround yourself with positive like-minded people from now on... Please visit the Diversity website at www.diversitycrna.org to find out about the event in Baltimore, Maryland. If you have anymore specific questions, please feel free to email me at crna4u@comcast.net.

Take Care, Lena Gould, CRNA, MSN
Founder, Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program
www.diversitycrna.org