XXXX University’s DNP program has an excellent reputation, which is why it is my first choice among DNP programs. I have made numerous friends over the years that graduated from the program. As a CRNA for 18 years, I have long been accustomed to hearing good things about your program, particularly concerning the quality of instruction and the individualized nature of faculty support. Retired from active duty in the military, I continue to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserves. XXXX University is noted and appreciated by those of us in the military as an institution of higher learning that supports our efforts.
I currently serve as the lead CRNA for Maternity Services at a large hospital in Charlotte, NC. Seeking to advance my civilian career in Nurse Anesthesia in this area, I hope to make a lasting and sustainable contribution to the advancement of care for pregnant patients and their babies, especially those that fall into at-risk categories for one reason or another. I want to do all I can for as long as possible and put my DNP Degree to work at the service of an innovative investigation into Nurse Anesthesia and the quality of care for pregnant patients and their babies.
Administering anesthesia as part of a forward surgical team in combat in Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2004 will always be with me, leaving me breathing deeply early on in my career, hoping it did not get any more challenging. Sixteen years later, I still find Nurse Anesthesia extremely exciting; it consumes me and fills me with joy. I want to help lead the next generation of doctoral-level Nurse Anesthetists. Earning my own DNP will allow me to completely revitalize and refresh my academic preparation, bringing it up to date and preparing me to make essential contributions to research in the future and the advancement of our profession.
As a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, I provide anesthesia services to soldiers returning from combat that require lifesaving and life-improving surgery. As part of the COVID-19 response team at Womack Army Hospital, we care for COVID-19 patients who need surgery, many receiving life-saving measures in the form of endotracheal intubation with ventilator support and invasive line placement for critically ill patients. Earning the DNP will help me attain a more senior leadership position in the US Army Reserve. I am preparing to serve on Active Duty at Womack Army Hospital to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
I have been teaching Nurse Anesthesia students since 2002, helping me cultivate an extraordinary passion for Nurse Anesthesia education, and I hope to teach in my area in the future. Nothing fills me with incredible pride and gives me greater satisfaction than watching students achieve their goals through hard work and perseverance. My time in the US Army Reserve has given me the leadership skills necessary to lead large groups of people through complex environments. I always leverage the people's skills on my team to ensure the mission is completed. A people person, I work well with everyone, other CRNAs, faculty, hospital, and university administration.
My central professional focus in Nurse Anesthesia is contributing all that I can to an expansion of access to high-quality care for all pregnant women in North Carolina. I am disturbed by the significant disparities in this regard concerning many women from minority groups, especially Black and Latino, which make up a large part of the underserved pregnant women in NC. The concerns I have long held about racial disparities have recently been pulled into stark relief by COVID-19, with Black people and Latinos dying at twice the rate of white people. I want to contribute to reducing these disparities.
As the CRNA lead for maternity services at my hospital in Charlotte, I have observed an increased mortality rate resulting from post-partum hemorrhage that is especially notable among Black people and Latinos, and I find this enormously disturbing. Nothing excites me more than the prospect of contributing to research in this and related areas to address these kinds of disparities head-on, working to improve outcomes across the board and for members of all ethnic groups.
On my hospital's in-house call team, I am frequently called in the middle of the night to go to the hospital if I am not there already. Catnapping has become a way of life. This has been especially true due to the time-consuming measures required by COVID-19. We engaged in extensive research to identify the best PP techniques and equipment. We followed up with ongoing drills to enhance and maintain proficiency, and at the same time, we continued to fulfill all our regular duties.
I have participated in regular Zoom calls with our physician colleagues in New York City to ensure we utilize best practices learned in real-time which have decreased our mortality rates.
Thank you for considering my application to Nurse Anesthesia at XXXX.