My nursing career started in 2001 when I attained a job in the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg.  This position was a Resident Assistant (RA); a role a tier below the Nursing Assistant. My experience as an RA further confirmed my belief that I wanted to become a  registered nurse.

 

Upon graduating high school in 2003, I started my bachelor’s degree at York College of Pennsylvania.

As a nursing student, I took oppurtunities to participate in community and collegiate activites.  I was Vice President of the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania in which I coordinated at trip to CA for a nursing conference as well as help organize nursing sponsored activities. 

 

Upon graduating with my BSN in 2007, my first position as an RN was in the Emergency Department at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.  My interactions with the critically ill and unstable trauma patients led me to the next stage of my nursing career. After two years in the ED, I transferred to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Shortly after transferring, as a SICU nurse, I became enthralled with the excitement of the operating room.  Soon after, I shadowed a nurse anesthetist for the first time and knew becoming an advanced practice nurse as a nurse anesthetist was the career path for me.  I loved the operating room. It is a world unto itself; there is nothing else like it. The professionalism, expertise, knowledge, and autonomy of the CRNA all appeals to me greatly. I found the CRNA’s role to be just as vital as the surgeon’s.

 

As an experienced critical care nurse, I am confident with the excellent care I provided and the skill sets I obtained.  I have continuously taken all opportunities to excel in my career in multiple avenues.  Examples include but are not limited to teaching new nurses, acquiring my CCRN, CEN, to attaining a staff position in the surgical intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital after spending one year as a travel nurse in Boston, MA. 

 

I am drawn to the high stress and unpredictable nature of being a CRNA.  In the ICU, I enjoyed the adrenaline rush of a critically ill patient and the unknown of when one may come through the door.  I believe my ability to adapt to any situation and provide excellent care to my patients will benefit me as a nurse anesthetist.  Furthermore, I believe my experience as a travel nurse has further allowed me to learn how to adapt and think on my feet in high stress situations.

 

After much research, I determined York College’s nurse anesthesia program would allow me to attain my career goals.  After years of experience, I hope to have the opportunity to teach nurse anesthetist students.  I have always taken great pride in sharing my knowledge and passion for nursing with students and new nurses.  I find teaching helps me remain keen on current evidence based practice.  Moreover, I have always had an interest in research and evidence based practice.  In 2011, I worked with two physicians from the otolaryngology division at Penn State Hershey Medical Center on a study titled, “Vestibular Pneumolabrynth Following Temporal Bone Trauma.”  Our poster was later presented at the annual Triological Society meeting in 2012.  I hope to continue to practice my passion for research as a CRNA.

 

In conclusion, I am pleased with my decision to pursue a career as an advanced practice registered nurse and I look forward to my future as a nurse anesthetist.