Acquiring an advanced practice degree in nursing (APRN) has always been my goal. It is the next step of providing nursing care with autonomy and substantial clinical judgement. In order to choose the right APRN specialty, I needed to expose myself to different facets of nursing. With opportunity, hard work and dedication I progressed from telemetry/ICU stepdown and Medical ICU to Cardio thoracic ICU (see CV). Each unit provided me with the knowledge and skill sets necessary to be a proficient nurse. While l was opening my mind to different facets of critical care nursing with every new opportunity, I was also being inspired to pursue an advanced practice nursing degree in Anesthesia.
I developed an interest in Nurse Anesthesia as a student…show more content… Our MICU is a 20 bed Medical/Respiratory ICU (see CV). It was my first ICU experience and I wanted to make the most out of it. After every night (yes the night shift), I would go home and read Marino’s The ICU Book about specific disease or disease processes I had encountered. It was different than my cardiac experience as patients often had medical ailments other than heart disease as well as other serious comorbidities. I became proficient with mechanical ventilation therapy as well as vasoactive IV infusion therapy and after 1 ½ years became certified as a Critical Care Registered Nurse…show more content… I thrive on multi-tasking and take great pride in establishing respectful and supportive relationships with colleagues, patients and patients' families.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to shadow a CRNA. Following Mr. Brian Lui at Montefiore Medical Center, I caught a glimpse of life in a day of a CRNA. I was able to observe the numerous attributes required to be a CRNA which include, but are not limited to, independence, adaptability, effective communication and critical thinking. As a Critical Care Nurse, I have developed these traits and–if given the opportunity– I will enhance them as a successful CRNA graduating from SUNY Downstate’s Nurse Anesthesia Program.
My immediate goal is to graduate CRNA school and gain experience by working with a clinically diverse population of patients. And within 5 to 7 years, I see myself acquiring a DNP and providing care as a CRNA in one of the top five Oncological institutions of the country. Additionally, I would combine my clinical practice with research and teach in a Nurse Anesthesia