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Acknowledging a Career Field; Establishing a Discipline

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Acknowledging a Career Field; Establishing a Discipline

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The 2010's were devoted to fulfilling prerequisites for PA school applications. Many of these years also included working as an entry-level medical scribe for many PAs and MDs, at Woodwinds E.D. This not only helped further ignite my interest in healthcare, but more specifically divert my interest into the nursing field. Thank you to my WW family for inspiring me to become the nurse I am today! 💭💡😍

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After diverting my career path from once an aspiring PA to now nurse, I found myself grinding 1.5 years worth of studies here. In 2019, I finally graduated with a BSN! Congratulations graduate! Time to start looking for your first professional career! 🩺

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May 2019 - June 2021 Medical/Surgical/Telemetry Floor

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Imagine yourself on a beach...in Mexico...sipping a ridiculous umbrella drink....under the sun...THAT WAS ME!!....when I received the phone call to set up my first professional nursing career interview!!!...and fortunately enough...I got the job after interviewing! This was the first time in my life when I thought..."I am going to be ok"...🩺

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After 2 years on the med/surg floor, I felt ready to make that next leap to the MICU. ACLS certified here we go! I have always been one to be adrenaline seeking...Why not pick-up the pace in the workplace as well?! Once here, I quickly felt reinvigorated and motivated by work again. Between exceptional staff leaders, unparalleled unit camaraderie and my eagerness as an apt learner...what could go wrong? 💪

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I have always been committed to professional development and lifelong learning. Not only did I pursue and initially obtain my certification in medical/surgical nursing on the floor, I also strived to achieve my CCRN within the first two years on the MICU. Additionally, I also began regularly precepting/onboarding many of our new hires across our ICUs and even on West Bank! 🤓📝😎 Fun fact: Our cohort of UMMC-East Bank ICU preceptors have mentored/precepted over 85+ new-hires across our system, over the last 1.5 years!

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This is the year. The year I shoot my shot. In preparation for CRNA application season, I matriculated in St. Mary's DNP-800 Foundations in Anesthesia course. A course designed to review chemistry and fulfill prerequisite requirements for the CRNA program. Organic chemistry has always been difficult for me...Those who study it have "alkynes" of trouble. 😁😂

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Shadowing time! Shadowing is important as it gives one an actual first-hand look on what the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges for a look like! You also have valuable time with your CRNA and others to network with and obtain much appreciated career advice. I look forward to working intimately next to CRNAs at UMMC East Bank! I also intend on putting in some volunteer hours with "The Aliveness Project". An organization that empowers healthy lives amongst the HIV/LGBTQ community. They offer services like food/nutritional support, STI testing & treatment, safe/clean needle exchanges, support groups, case management & address housing needs.

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Well it's time to PEACOCK! Application season = lots of pressure and nerves! Time to put my best foot forward and give it all I got! Checking off those checklist requirement items: GPA of 3.2, peer-reviewed personal essay, outstanding references, MICU and leadership experience, ..etc. Fingers crossed for an official interview, with St. Mary's! 🤞🤞🤞

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***RING RING RING*** It's your time to shine! 🌞 You've scored an incredible opportunity at St. Mary's CRNA program, by being selected for a final interview. Remember all your feedback from Dr. Gordon's mock interview! This is the final push towards becoming one of the "selectees".

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A BIG BELATED CONGRATULTIONS IS IN ORDER! It's been a year since becoming accepted to St. Mary's CRNA program however, it is now time to "Walk the Talk" and put forth all your efforts, on your studies. You've spent the last year working diligently (still at the MICU) to pay off any personal debt and optimize financials. You've also taken time to facilitate appropriate funding with FAFSA, and choosing the respective aid amounts to balance tuition and home expenditures. Now strap-in, the hardest part begins...📚 As you begin as a SRNA, learn to lean on your primary stakeholders, in order to help you through this intensely, rigorous program and always keep your eyes on the prize!

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Ryan is my best friend, "ride or die", and fiancé. We've been together for 7 years and currently reside in Savage, MN. He is one of the most selfless people I know and has incredible patience...well when it comes to me at least...I know he will do everything in his power to help me succeed and reach my goals.

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Although Ry and I do not have children of our own. This is our pride and joy Maddox. It's true when they say dog is "man's best friend". I don't know what we would do without him and his unconditional love. Through all the up's and downs along your CRNA path, I know all the other pet lovers out there will lean onto their "fur babies" for affection and consolation.

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Meet My Entire Family: Primary Stakeholders 3.0

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Meet My Entire Family: Primary Stakeholders 3.0

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I've always been told it takes a village or tribe of people to overcome the challenges of a CRNA program. Knowing I will be "M.I.A." throughout most of the program is difficult to grasp, but knowing they will be there, when I need, is nonetheless comforting. Fortunately, we are only miles apart. Although my village is small and steadfast; I anticipate it transforming into something larger, as I connect and grow with my fellow students, mentors and faculty, in the years to come. My fellow program comrades alike ~colleagues, professors, CRNAs, doctors, etc will also play a vital role to my student success.

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Forget everything that you thought you knew. "Starting over" in school, as a "green" CRNA student, will be very difficult, as the knowledge base is demanding and expansive, just as the learning curve is steep. Although the volume of academics may present as the most difficult and trialing, I believe the easiest portion may come with transitioning fundamental nursing skills, into a new clinical or simulation setting.

Establishing study groups, working together as a cohort, utilizing student resources such as the writing center, will all be essential for student success throughout the program.

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Congrats Dr. Scott! As your academic career comes to an end again, you now instinctively start thinking about credentialing, with the boards! Friendly reminder: Must take take that NCE, within 60 days of program completion! Your hard work is not quite done!!

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Look back at the goals you set before and during the program. Recall key moments, successes and challenges throughout the program. Assess how your clinical skills have developed. Think about how your understanding of anesthesia concepts and related nursing theories/ideas have depended?

Identify strengths and areas for improvement, with regard to skills, qualities, or education and learning. Consider performing a self-evaluation exam or "SEE" to determine the level of progress one has made in their study. In turn, this will help target areas one will focus on studying, prior to taking the NCE board exam.

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The time is here. It is time to open that letter. That letter you have worked SO SO hard for...and for what seems to be eternity or your entire life...and YOU'VE PASSED! Time to celebrate the joy of success, with all of your primary stake holders!! But don't celebrate for too long. Those pesky student loans will quickly come to haunt you! Take the time to ponder where you foresee you initiating your career path with first.