The University of XXXX is my first choice for advancing my education and earning the DNP in Nurse Anesthesia, becoming a CRNA. I share the mission of the University of XXXX concerning the priority of gearing higher education to the core values and goals of community service. I have been working at XXXX Hospital in the CVICU for nine years. Our hospital provides state-of-the-art health care for patients, promoting higher education and community service. Volunteering at the Northeast Federated Woman´s Club of XXXX County has provided me with a real-world opportunity to demonstrate my commitment to helping the underserved since the club is made up of African American community members of underprivileged families where at least one member has Alzheimer´s or some other form of dementia.
In 2015, I decided to step down from my leadership role as charge nurse of a 28-bed CCU/NEURO ICU at XXXX Medical Center to further my education. The unit had a wide range of patients with various conditions, including septic, hypertensive crisis, respiratory failure, and stroke. The Neuro ICU also served a diverse patient population with numerous conditions, including post-op craniotomy, ventriculostomy, and aneurysm, all of which required close monitoring. In charge, I was responsible for responding to all codes in the hospital, including rapid response, SEPSIS, stroke, and code blue. This experience sharpened my assessment skills and helped me learn to identify compromised patients early on.
As a CVICU nurse at XXXX, I care for pre-op and post-op patients. The open-heart patient requires extensive observation and communication between respiratory therapists, physicians, and nurses. I now have much more confidence in my ability to work collaboratively as part of a very high-functioning healthcare team. Following the hospital protocol and monitoring the patient hemodynamically has helped me develop a critical and timely sense of when extubating is appropriate. Working in the CVICU, I have learned how to take control and stay calm in a crisis. The patient may be on multiple vasoactive medications with additional support, such as IMPELLA or an intra-aorta balloon pump.
Caring for these critically ill patients is a 1:1 assignment for ventilator-associated cases and has enhanced my skills to think critically under pressure. Participating in monthly data collection for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and alarm management has been rewarding as it serves as a teaching opportunity to strengthen the unit. This has allowed me to share some wisdom I gained with my colleagues and new graduates through preceptorship and mentorship.
I had the opportunity to shadow a nurse anesthetist and observed four cases, two CABG, TAVR, and a thoracotomy. Listening to the nurse anesthetist explaining the process of pre-anesthesia, providing support intra-operatively, and following up with the patients post-operatively, further enhanced my enthrallment with Nurse Anesthesia. To prepare for the challenges of graduate school, I have spent the past three years enrolled in courses that will prepare me for excellence in Nurse Anesthesia at the University of XXXX.
My determination, motivation, and experience give me hope that my application will be considered favorably. My level of service to the community will be significantly enhanced to make my total contribution and mentor new generations of nurses.
Thank you for considering my application to the University of XXXX.