Earning the DNP Degree from a state-of-the-art Nurse Anesthesia Program like the College of Nursing at the University of XXXX will enable me to reach my central professional goals and distinguish myself as an especially dedicated, compassionate, and creative CRNA. In preparation, I have observed several CRNAs in both OR and OB settings, following them around and learning from them; and these have been the most beautiful, intense, and fulfilling moments of my life. Born and raised in Texas, I look forward to the rigorous and challenging experience of earning my doctoral degree at the University of Arizona and remaining close to my family in El Paso.
Throughout my nursing career, I have increasingly gained confidence along with experience and obtained numerous certifications along the way that have helped to prepare me to excel as a student in your Nurse Anesthesia Program: Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) and I am currently in the process of earning my CCRN. I have experience in a level II trauma center ED and ICU experience in a level I trauma center. I love learning and frequently attend lectures and conferences closely related to Nurse Anesthesia, sometimes traveling out of town. The areas of nursing that I know the best result from my extensive experience in the ICU and the Emergency Department, and I have a particular research interest in the relationship between trauma and anesthesia that grows out of my experience in these areas. I devote myself to everything relevant to Nurse Anesthesia, issues, challenges, the state of our profession, etc. My long-term goal driving this interest is to teach Nurse Anesthesia at some point in my career. I anticipate finding intense joy throughout my career by helping orient and instruct new nurses so that they will successfully navigate the waters of our profession in everything from clinical concerns to dealing with the emotions that surround us daily.
I hope to earn a DNP in Nurse Anesthesia and spend decades practicing as a CRNA, maximizing my service to the community. I have volunteered as much as time permits at my local church and homeless shelters for years. I look forward to assuming leadership roles in society to care for the needy and underserved as a Nurse Leader, particularly in the Latino and Spanish-speaking communities.
I was most pleased to serve as a nurse in the Emergency Department at XXXX Medical Center, strengthening my knowledge base and critical thinking skills, multitasking abilities, and capacity to prioritize according to acuity level. I have dealt with several types of patients, from pediatric to geriatric, honing my skills as a person and nurse. I further strengthened my knowledge and experience by working in the critical care department at XXXX Medical Center in the ICU/CVICU unit. Here, I learned much about the rationale behind most medical treatments and the medication most frequently prescribed for various illnesses or conditions.
I am a strong candidate for your program for several reasons. Nursing is not only a profession but a calling in our family, where I am the newest of four nurses. As a Latina native speaker and writer of Spanish and English, I look forward to practicing as a CRNA in both languages and maximizing the quality of care I can provide to each patient. My ability in Spanish will also open doors for leadership roles in the Latino and Chicano communities.
Patient with a very calming demeanor, I love what I do and life in general, which is most helpful in such a high-stress field. I persevere in the face of difficulties and do everything to ensure that I fully perform to my capacity. As a team player, I see my coworkers and the hospital community as extended family. We recently had a mass shooting in El Paso, and several family members of my close friends were injured. It was an honor to share in caring for the wounded that resulted from this most tragic event. I felt honored by the community pulling together in the aftermath.
As my career advances, I hope to be able to devote an increasing amount of time to caring for the underserved as a CRNA in support of those organizations operating in my community whose mission is to help our least fortunate residents. I also hope to have experience going on medical missions in Latin America to support surgeons. Given my 4 and 1/2 years in the emergency department, I work exceptionally well under pressure, and I am ready to become part of an elite group of medical professionals.
I love working out, health and beauty, and staying in shape; singing is my most prominent pass time since I often perform at family functions and community events – in both languages. Nothing, however, had made me feel so alive as that first moment during my observation of a CRNA when I held the hand of a young woman writhing in pain not long before delivering her baby. As the CRNA administered the epidural medication and her pain subsided, I was awarded the most intense joy I have ever felt.
Thank you for considering my application to Nurse Anesthesia at XXXX University.