CRNA Personal Statement Sample

I was born in Nepal to Tibetan refugees and moved to the United States 7 years ago for higher education, becoming the sole family member to attend a university. My Buddhist family instilled in me the values of compassion and helping others from an early age. Consequently, I developed a desire to assist others; my interest in caring for the sick and a wish to enhance healthcare in Nepal motivated me to pursue a career in nursing. After finishing a year of nursing prerequisites in New Mexico, I relocated to Washington State and earned a BSN from ____ University.

A dedicated US military nurse, originally from Nepal, exemplifying strength, and resilience in her service.

To show my deep appreciation and gratitude to a country that has provided me with numerous opportunities, I enlisted to serve as an Army Reservist in the US for the next six years. After the 2015 earthquake, I returned to my homeland, Nepal, as a well-trained American nurse to assist in relief missions in rural areas needing medical aid. Witnessing patients undergoing surgeries and the role of anesthesia in alleviating their pain naturally led me to pursue a career as a CRNA. This experience solidified my commitment to becoming a Nurse Anesthetist and contributing to my communities in both the USA and Nepal. During the mission, I had the chance to work in the operating room with various international healthcare volunteers and cherished every moment there. I particularly valued how the anesthesiologists skillfully balanced firmness and adaptability as they guided the patient's journey through induction, maintenance, and emergence.

A young woman soldier, nurse and former refugee from Nepal showing dedication and resolve in the operating room.

After returning from Nepal, I began preparing for a career in nurse anesthesia by working in a Cardiovascular ICU. It was there that I developed a passion for managing critically ill patients on life support, dealing with pressors, therapeutic devices, ventilators, recognizing early signs of deterioration, and intervening to prevent complications simultaneously. Caring for immediate post-operative patients demands the same quick response as in perioperative settings managed by a CRNA. Independently solving problems helps train and enhance my critical thinking skills.

One of my shadowing experiences at the University of ____ Medical Center with a CRNA was both enriching and eye-opening. During the initial stages of a prostatectomy, our patient’s SpO2 was at 92% despite 100% ventilator support, prompting interventions such as changing the probe, rechecking ETT positioning, a bronchoscopy, and inserting an A-line for ABG. The CRNA I shadowed demonstrated essential leadership traits by quickly and confidently identifying the issue and taking charge of the situation, initiating interventions while collaborating with team members for the best patient outcome. Working at an outpatient surgery center alongside the sole anesthesia provider, a CRNA, gives me regular, firsthand insights into the profession. Each interaction with a CRNA leaves me more inspired and motivated.

I participated in a Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation lab workshop, where we had the chance to gain hands-on experience with various airway management systems, including intubation using glideslope, bronchoscope, gas machine, epidurals, and spinal procedures in the simulation lab. The keynote speaker, Paul Santero, CRNA and former president of AANA, discussed the Economics and Business of Anesthesia, independent practice, billing, and career advocacy for the CRNA field. My long-term objectives include advocating for patients and our profession while practicing with a high level of autonomy.

I have prepared for a career in nurse anesthesia by embracing challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone, keeping my academic skills up to date, and holding a full-time position that required me to acquire new skills. I have remained informed about evidence-based practices from the AACN, attended NTI conferences, obtained the CCRN certification, engaged in hospital-based research, and completed graduate coursework to demonstrate my capability in handling graduate-level work. I am fully committed to pursuing a career in nurse anesthesia.

My core values are compassion, lifelong learning, and community service. After obtaining a degree in Nurse Anesthesia, I aspire to a lifetime of mentoring, as I have enjoyed tutoring and currently serve as a preceptor in my unit. Being one of the few CRNAs in the Tibetan/Nepali community, I am eager to guide other minority nurses, sharing the expertise I gain from ____ University. Fluent in Nepali, Tibetan, and Hindi, I aim to stand out in nursing missionary opportunities, assisting speakers of these languages. I anticipate many years of serving soldiers and their families as a CRNA. The prospect of teaching future nurse anesthetists excites me, driven by my passion for education and professional growth.

The determination and perseverance developed through years of self-reliance in a new country have made me adaptable, stress-resilient, detail-oriented, and grounded. I am confident in my ability to excel in your program due to my hard work, two years of experience in the CVICU, and collaboration with a CRNA at a plastic surgery center. I bring a keen awareness of social and moral issues, informed by a Jesuit education at ____ University. I am the ideal candidate for the DNAP Program in Nurse Anesthesia at ____ University because it is a Jesuit institution, and I share their values. I am eager to apply these values as a globally inspired CRNA with a strong mission to serve the underserved.

Thank you for considering my application to the DNP in Nurse Anesthesia Program at ____.

The above statement is particularly significant given that the applicant is the child of two refugees, born in Nepal, a disadvantaged country in Central Asia. This highlights the applicant's ability to leverage diversity and overcome challenging circumstances, achieving upward mobility despite humble beginnings. This naturally leads to a desire to give back by assisting the underserved.

CRNA Personal Statement Sample