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Junior year of high school, I shadow my first nurse anesthetist during an ORIF procedure. This experience irrevocably changes the trajectory of my future career plans and I begin preparing for my nursing school applications.

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During my senior year of high school, I enrolled in an associate degree nursing program.

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After my ADN program, I started my first position as an ICU nurse at Marshfield Medical Center-Rice Lake. During this time, I also enrolled full-time in a BSN completion program to finish my degree.

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After completing my Bachelor's Degree, I moved to Eau Claire to a larger ICU and trained to several specialties and became a resource nurse for my unit. This year, I also began performing as a charge nurse and preceptor.

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I am scheduled to take the CCRN exam Fall of 2024 and have spent the last year studying in preparation for it.

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Over the last year, I have been studying for my CCRN, gaining ICU experience, and taking chemistry courses in preparation for graduate school applications. I have also been working with my financial planner and significant other to prepare for the years that I will spend in a nurse anesthesiology program.

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Starting the summer of 2024, I will begin filling out applications for graduate school programs, with the Saint Mary's due date being September 15th. I have found my references and started the DNP 800 course in preparation. Through the DNP 800 course, I will also review the personal essays I have been working on this year and update my resume per the specifications set forth. I believe this will be the easiest part of becoming a nurse anesthetist, as I have had the base versions of my essays, resume, and references ready since the summer of 2023 when I first began this journey.

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In the Fall and Winter of 2024, I will attend interviews at the programs which have deemed me an acceptable candidate.

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Sometime in the late Fall to early Winter, I will receive word on whether or not I've been accepted to the programs I've applied to. From there, I would begin my preparation to move to the city of the program that I choose. I will work at least until 90 days before the program start date. I will submit all documents to my program at this time, including titers and background check material. I will work to ensure my nursing license is valid for the state that I am accepted.

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The primary stakeholders for my transition to graduate school are my parents and my significant other. If I were to matriculate into Saint Mary's DNP program, I would work with my parents to stay in their guest room to be within an hour drive to campus. If I were to gain acceptance at another university away from home, I would work on a plan with my significant other to rent an apartment closer to campus.

After matriculation and during the program, my primary stakeholder would be my significant other, who would be my emotional and financial support person during graduate school.

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In August of 2025, I will begin the nursing anesthesia program. The first year, I will be attending classes and learning the fundamentals of nursing anesthesia including pharmacology and simulation lab exercises. Semester three begins a 1 day a week clinical. I believe this would be the most difficult part of becoming a nurse anesthetist, as it requires the most profound transition and rapid acclimatization.

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Year two marks an increase in the time spent at clinical, as well as continued coursework. Scholarly projects start semester 5.

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Time spent in clinical increases and scholarly projects are completed. As well, the last two semesters introduce comprehensive exams in preparation for board examination. A overall GPA of 3.0 out of 4, and passing scores on the Self Evaluation Examinations (SEE) are required for graduation.

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Having prepared myself over the last three years, I will sit for the boards within 60 days of program completion.

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Having passed my boards, I will have begun applying for various positions around my hometown in order to secure my first CRNA position. As well, I will reenlist in my hometown's free clinic service. With a few years of nurse anesthetist experience under my belt, I hope to expand the services of the free clinic to include surgical services with the local hospital.