Juan Pineda, RN, always knew he wanted to work in health care, but his career path took a few detours along the way. After a stint in the finance industry, he finally found the way back to his true passion--nursing.
The changing demographics of the citizens of the United States compels health care providers to adapt and deliver culturally competent care to underrepresented minorities, particularly in the nurse anesthesia profession.
In the mid 20th century, Goldie Brangman became a barrier-breaking trailblazer for equal opportunity in the nurse anesthesia profession. Today, at age 92, she continues to serve as an inspiration to minority CRNAs.
No one ever said that earning a master's degree in nurse anesthesia is easy, but it doesn't have to be the impossible dream. Five minority anesthesia graduates who have "been there" share their personal strategies for successfully navigating a nurse anesthesia program—and completing it.
A severe shortage of nurse anesthetists plus a growing need for culturally and linguistically competent anesthesia care make this advanced practice specialty an ideal career for minority nurses.
