Don't know if you guessed by the title, but I'm going back to school. Wait, huh? Yes, you heard it right. I thought the same thing. Over 10 years ago when I finished my masters in nurse anesthesia I said I was never going back. Here I am again ready to enter student mode again. What am I thinking? I've had many friends tell me they are not sure if they should tell me congrats or offer condolences. I just laugh, but the truth is, I think I'm finally ready. 5 years ago there was no way I would have done this. I had just moved, new job, etc. I was enjoying my new start and probably still a little too close to the trauma of CRNA school anyway. I thought...why do I need a doctoral degree? So many times I said that it wouldn't pay anymore or get me any more respect in my current role. While that may be true on some level I now believe this degree will help me further my career goals and better serve my patients and the public in general.
In November 2017 I was accepted into the Boise State DNP (doctorate of nursing practice). Boise State GO Broncos! (I may be a little obsessed with the smurf turf) For CRNAs coming out of school now a DNP is standard which is good for the profession as a whole. I started to contemplate this the last couple of years, but no programs really appealed to me. This particular program was the first to really excite me. It is focused on leadership, advocacy and policy making. All of that is right up my alley as I have for several years been heavily involved in advocacy and education of our lawmakers and many others on who CRNAs are, what we do and the services we provide. Despite us being around for over 150 years, people still don't know about us. What they do know of CRNAs is usually the lies being propagated by some who stand to profit off the lies. I know we were once referred to as "the best kept secret in healthcare", and I believe that to be true. I believe in my profession and look forward to continuing make sure we aren't a secret and that the truth gets out. The professors in this department have varied backgrounds and I can't wait to draw on some of their real world experience in education, administration and business.
That's it for that announcement. Thanks for reading.
