Introduction
Pursuing a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a profound commitment that requires not only advanced skills in anesthesia but also a deep dedication to patient care. For many Hispanic and LatinX candidates, personal experiences and cultural background significantly shape their journey into this rewarding field. In this blog post, we present a sample personal purpose statement from a Latina nurse whose passion for nurse anesthesia was inspired by a deeply personal experience. We will break down the key elements of this statement and provide insights for aspiring CRNAs.
CRNA Personal Purpose Statement Examples
Personal Tragedy and Inspiration
The saddest day of my life was on September 23, 2006, the day that I lost my dad, suddenly, the result of an accident. I trace my gut instinct and profound sense of vocation for nurse anesthesia to that tragic day that marked my life forever. Every day that I live I shall live it once again. My foremost hero that day was the CRNA. While it has now been more than a decade, I was fifteen, it seems like yesterday that I was in the ICU observing my father, hooked to various lines and drains with a tube in his mouth.
At the time, I did not understand the purpose of all those interventions, did not know why my father had to have a tube down his throat and absolutely did not comprehend why my father didn’t open his eyes despite having a heartbeat. I was told: “Your father is receiving continuous medication that makes him stay asleep and makes his pain go away. He is not suffering.” Though I was crippled with sadness, those words instilled a drop of comfort in my heart because I knew that as my father's heart gave its last beat, at least he was not in pain. As I matured and began to think seriously about a career path, that alleviation of my father’s pain became a central focus, setting before me an ideal towards which to aspire.
Early Challenges and Determination
After being guided extensively by an exceedingly kind CRNA, I had a career plan drafted before I graduated from high school. But a Latina with a single-mother mom and little brothers and sisters to care for, financial realities simply precluded my excelling in school. I enrolled in community college full-time but as you can see in my transcript from 2009-2011 my grades were not spectacular. This is in no way a reflection of any lack of esteem for education. Due to our poor social economic status, I had a full-time job and helped my mother care for my siblings as needed when she worked - which meant that many times I had to miss class. I simply had no other choice. Nevertheless, I finally accomplished my goal of becoming a nurse in 2014.
Professional Experience and Skills
I have now been employed for more than 2 years in a 35-bed MICU at the busiest Level 1 trauma hospital in Dallas. Even though my home unit is MICU, I frequently pick up extra shifts in other ICUs, including Neuro-ICU, SICU, and BICU. I have extensive experience with ventilators and drips including vasopressors, sedation, and paralytics. I have assisted in many intubations and other bedside procedures that require conscious sedation. I also frequently participate in the code blue team in my unit that is responsible for responding to hospital-wide code blue activations, so I am no stranger to high-stress situations and quick decision-making.
Leadership and CRNA Shadowing Experience
I have gained leadership skills by taking charge of a 16-bed CVICU unit with only 5 months of ICU experience at the time and precepting new graduate nurses coming into the ICU. During my 5 years of healthcare experience, I have been fortunate enough to serve people from all levels of society and I believe that my ICU experience and 36 hours of CRNA shadowing has prepared me to be a great CRNA student. I have the skills and understanding of what a CRNA entails and, therefore, have no doubt or questions regarding my decision to pursue this career. Standing next to the anesthesia machine feels like home. A frequent bedside witness to the sighs of relief and worried lines smoothing over a patient's face, admiring how effectively the CRNA calms the patient’s fears of the anesthesia itself as well as and pre- and post-operative pain, this has been my confirmation that I am on the right track.
Commitment to Community and Future Goals
As a CRNA, I intend to stay extremely active as a volunteer as well as a professional, progressively giving as much time as I can to helping the underserved in disadvantaged communities. I look forward to building a special focus on rural health and I spend a lot of time staying up on the literature about the opioid crisis that is hitting rural America especially hard, with much more deadly opioids filling a roll once played by moonshine. I daydream about becoming a distinguished member of the nurse anesthesia community and making my contribution to research studies, especially with respect to taking advantage of the privileges of service to the Spanish-speaking community since I am a native speaker. I hope to eventually become an educator and leader and train the next generation of CRNA students. Training new generations of young Latinos of humble origin like my own will always be a special privilege.
A long-time volunteer with the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, I also go to Zacatecas Mexico every summer to help at a health clinic, educating patients about a broad variety of health issues ranging from diabetes to HIV. I keenly look forward to continuing my efforts in missionary nursing as a CRNA.
Dedication to Education and Professional Growth
XXU is my first choice for a variety of reasons. I appreciate the small class size of only twenty-four students, integrated lectures, and clinical emphasis, as well as your mission to improve the world by building individuals with great character, strength, and skill. I will gain the education and training I need to accomplish my goal of becoming a proficient anesthesia provider. I look forward to hearing from you and wholeheartedly hope I will be given the chance to interview for a position in the CRNA program at your especially competitive university. The nursing profession has brought me the greatest level of personal, spiritual, and professional satisfaction possible, and it would be a profound privilege to be able to continue my journey at XXU.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review my application.
There have been many applicants whose first experience with a CRNA was in the hospital with a sick relative, a grandparent, or a parent as in the case above. This applicant is allowed enough space by the program she is applying to that she has the liberty of explaining in detail the intensive and compassionate care that her loved one received from the CRNA. When someone does all they can to save the life of your beloved parent and make him as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, this makes an enormous, impression, which for many is the beginning of a career in Nurse Anesthesia.
Analysis of the Personal Statement
Personal Tragedy and Inspiration:
The applicant begins with a poignant and deeply personal story that sets the foundation for her passion for nurse anesthesia. This narrative captures the reader’s attention and immediately provides insight into the motivation behind her career choice.
Early Challenges and Determination:
The applicant shares the challenges she faced growing up in a single-parent household, balancing work, education, and family responsibilities. This section highlights her determination and resilience, qualities essential for success in the demanding field of nurse anesthesia.
Professional Experience and Skills:
The applicant details her extensive professional experience in various Intensive Care Units (ICUs), emphasizing her familiarity with critical care, ventilators, and high-stress situations. This section showcases her readiness for the challenges of a CRNA program and her deep commitment to patient care.
Leadership and CRNA Shadowing Experience:
The applicant highlights her leadership experience and the valuable insights gained from shadowing CRNAs. She conveys her confidence in her chosen path and her understanding of the responsibilities and challenges that come with a career in nurse anesthesia.
Commitment to Community and Future Goals:
The applicant expresses her commitment to serving disadvantaged communities, particularly in rural areas, and her desire to contribute to research and education. This section demonstrates her long-term goals and her passion for making a difference in the lives of others, especially within the Hispanic community.
Dedication to Education and Professional Growth:
The applicant concludes by expressing her strong preference for the CRNA program at XXU, highlighting the program’s strengths and how they align with her goals. She conveys her excitement about the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally within the program, leaving a positive and lasting impression.
Overall Assessment
Strengths: The applicant’s statement is deeply personal, combining a compelling narrative of loss with a clear passion for nurse anesthesia. Her extensive professional experience, leadership skills, and commitment to community service make her a strong candidate for a CRNA program. Her focus on giving back to the Hispanic community adds a unique and powerful dimension to her application.
Areas for Improvement: The statement could be enhanced by including more specific examples of the impact she has made in her professional roles or volunteer work. Additionally, providing more detail about her experiences during CRNA shadowing could further strengthen her application.
FAQs on Writing CRNA Personal Statements
What should I highlight in my CRNA personal statement?
Emphasize your clinical experience, leadership skills, and personal motivations for pursuing nurse anesthesia. Discuss how your background aligns with the goals of the CRNA program and your long-term career aspirations.
How can I make my personal statement stand out?
Additional Resources and Contact Information
For more CRNA personal statement examples and expert editing services, visit our website or contact us directly. Our team is here to help you craft a personal statement that showcases your strengths and sets you apart in the application process.
CRNA Personal Purpose Statement Examples
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