Nurse Anesthesia Personal Statement

I am a highly motivated applicant to CRNA school who is passionate about helping others reach their fullest potential. I have a strong understanding of the importance of leadership and how it shapes the future of healthcare. I strive to be a leader and mentor who is capable of inspiring others to reach their dreams. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with a broad variety of talented individuals and I have drawn inspiration from them. I believe in the power of collaboration and strive to embody the qualities of a leader who is caring, thoughtful, and transformational. As a young adult, I had the privilege of being mentored by someone who impacted how I view and operate as a leader. He often repeated, “Never underestimate the impact you can have on others.”  

My mission is to have an impact as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. With each leadership opportunity, I have sought to make an impact. While working towards my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I served as President of the Student Nursing Association and was nominated as the Undergraduate Student Representative by my cohort. I am excited to continue this mission of making a positive impact on the nursing and medical communities by applying to CRNA School. I am confident that I have the skills and experience to make a difference in the lives of those I have the privilege of serving. 

As an undergraduate, I contributed to the evolution of our coursework structure by serving as a bridge between my cohort and our instructors. I also mentored some of my fellow students in our accelerated nursing program. Before entering nursing, I was privileged to assume leadership roles in multiple roles for Sodexo at the University of Idaho. I served as the U.S. University segment national Employee & Engagement Committee Lead. I also owned and served as President of fourteen Papa John’s franchise locations with over 300 employees. I was nominated for the Small Franchise of the Year Award in 2006 and received the District Manager of the Year in 2002. The variety of my leadership experiences has helped me to cultivate the tools necessary to provide the best patient-centered care possible through effective teamwork and interdisciplinary team collaboration.  

At twenty-three, I was in a motorcycle accident that nearly took my life. My injuries were substantial and my recovery was long and painful. I was in surgery for a total of twenty-two hours and spent over three weeks in the hospital. The care I received from the nurses in the ICU was inspirational and sparked my desire to enter the nursing field. I recall nights of endless reperfusion pain in my right leg after the repair of my femoral artery. Their kindness and compassion are what I have tried to emulate with the patients I now have the privilege to care for. This experience placed me in a unique position to understand my patients, their anxiety, and their fears. I remind myself daily that just another day at work to me is often a traumatic, painful, and pivotal moment in a patient's life.  

In May 2020, Covid forced downsizing at my organization, so I decided to tackle school full-time. In late August 2020, I found out a few accelerated nursing programs were still looking for students. I reached out to South Dakota State University Nursing for more information and, based on my background and class work, was urged to apply formally. I was subsequently accepted. Since then, I have been on an incredible journey of self-discovery and growth. I have been able to gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel at Nurse Anesthesia, also inspiring and helping to motivate other students who share this path.  

While I was applying to Nursing School, I worked on my Bachelor of Science in Business Management through WGU. By December 2021, I had completed fifty-three college classes in just twenty months and received two degrees, one in business management and my BSN. In addition to completing the SDSU ABSN program, I received the recognition of Sigma Honor Society of Nursing based on my cumulative GPA.  

I began my nursing career at Mayo Clinic on February 15, 2022, and concurrently started my MSN in Education through WGU, which I will complete in December 2022. I have gained critical care experience in the Multidisciplinary (formally Thoracic/Vascular) ICU at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. While at the Mayo Clinic, some of the most innovative medical professionals in the world have mentored and influenced me, including Dr. Daniel Brown (MD Anesthesiologist, CCS). My skill set has grown immensely since my start date - as have my dreams to become a CRNA. I dream of becoming a CRNA and, one day, in addition to daily intra-operational work, working at a pain clinic to assist individuals suffering from chronic pain.  

I feel that the University of ____ is the ideal place for me to further my education and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). With a passion for making a positive and lasting impact on Nurse Anesthesia, I believe that the highly experienced professors and established program at the University of ____ will provide me with the perfect opportunity to do just that. I am excited to take the next step in my journey and become a CRNA with the University of ____. 

I am a passionate CRNA school applicant, dedicated to providing nothing but the highest quality of care to my future patients. My experience in the medical field has prepared me to help patients get through the most challenging times in their lives coming through safely. I am confident in my ability to successfully navigate the rigors of CRNA school. The vigilance, leadership, and attention to detail required of the CRNA profession are something for which I have profound respect and have long cultivated. I am eager to make a positive impact on the lives of my patients and help them on their journey to recovery. Thank you.