I heard the surgeon murmur, "Oh shit," and my ears perked up. Ten seconds later, the patient lost his pulse, and I calmly asked the scrub nurse to start compressions. Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) enroll in rigorous Doctoral-level curricula. The stress associated with these programs has been shown to cause feelings of helplessness, depression, and suicidal ideation. Nearly 60% of SRNAs describe this stress, which causes chronic issues such as irritability, pain, and a heightened sense of sympathetic outflow. Subsequently, the effect of chronic stress goes unnoticed until additional problems arise, like substance abuse, heart attack, depression, or an inability to concentrate. In response to these stressors, SRNAs describe negative impacts on body image, coping skills, academic achievement, and clinical performance. When unaddressed, the manifestations of chronic stress lead to burnout among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. When returning to school, a friend and colleague suggested that I pick three things to prioritize during this challenging time during school, and my mental and physical health was one of those things. At least three times a week, I have dedicated 45 minutes of my day to a HITT-style workout. On days that I work from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., I attend the 5 a.m. class. If I am released from my clinical duties early, I rush to catch the 4:30 p.m. class. When I finish a 16-hour call shift, I workout at 8:30 a.m. before going to bed for the day; and every semester, when I sit with my director and assistant director, they ask me what I am doing to take care of myself, and without fail, I can honestly say that I have prioritized my time at the gym as a way to keep myself motivated, my mind clear, and my body feeling strong. Even in weeks when academic requirements are more significant, I choose my physical health. It has become my stress release and one of the reasons I have felt like I have a handle on the demanding coursework combined with the clinical requirements. I acted as the team leader for the duration of this 20-minute code in the operating room (OR), giving time for my physician anesthesiologist to step back and assess the situation, evaluate the causes of cardiac arrest, and provide solutions to the team to help the patient. I delegated roles to my superiors and peers, and we calmly revived our patient. My physical health has continued to be a priority while returning to school these past two and a half years. My ability to remain calm during this stressful event in the OR helped me keep my head clear, step back from the chaos, and direct my coworkers effectively. This mindset is the result of my wellness initiatives.

I heard the surgeon murmur, "Oh shit," and my ears perked up. Ten seconds later, the patient lost his pulse, and I calmly asked the scrub nurse to start compressions. Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) enroll in rigorous Doctoral-level curricula. The stress associated with these programs has been shown to cause feelings of helplessness, depression, and suicidal ideation. Nearly 60% of SRNAs describe this stress, which causes chronic issues such as irritability, pain, and a heightened sense of sympathetic outflow. Subsequently, the effect of chronic stress goes unnoticed until additional problems arise, like substance abuse, heart attack, depression, or an inability to concentrate. In response to these stressors, SRNAs describe negative impacts on body image, coping skills, academic achievement, and clinical performance. When unaddressed, the manifestations of chronic stress lead to burnout among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. When returning to school, a friend and colleague suggested that I pick three things to prioritize during this challenging time during school, and my mental and physical health was one of those things. At least three times a week, I have dedicated 45 minutes of my day to a HITT-style workout. On days that I work from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., I attend the 5 a.m. class. If I am released from my clinical duties early, I rush to catch the 4:30 p.m. class. When I finish a 16-hour call shift, I workout at 8:30 a.m. before going to bed for the day; and every semester, when I sit with my director and assistant director, they ask me what I am doing to take care of myself, and without fail, I can honestly say that I have prioritized my time at the gym as a way to keep myself motivated, my mind clear, and my body feeling strong. Even in weeks when academic requirements are more significant, I choose my physical health. It has become my stress release and one of the reasons I have felt like I have a handle on the demanding coursework combined with the clinical requirements. I acted as the team leader for the duration of this 20-minute code in the operating room (OR), giving time for my physician anesthesiologist to step back and assess the situation, evaluate the causes of cardiac arrest, and provide solutions to the team to help the patient. I delegated roles to my superiors and peers, and we calmly revived our patient. My physical health has continued to be a priority while returning to school these past two and a half years. My ability to remain calm during this stressful event in the OR helped me keep my head clear, step back from the chaos, and direct my coworkers effectively. This mindset is the result of my wellness initiatives.

“Puedo chequear para su fiebre?” (Can I check to see if you have a fever?) I always knew I was going to be a nurse. As a senior in high school, I traveled with thirty-one physicians, nurses, and “non-medicals” to the Dominican Republic for a medical mission trip. For five days, I visited different Bateyes—small villages set up by the sugar cane factory, populated with Haitians and Dominicans who work to survive the labor-intensive lifestyle with few resources and limited access to medical care. I took blood pressures, checked temperatures, and practiced my broken Spanish. I worked alongside CRNAs who provided anesthesia for life-changing procedures like removing dead teeth, stitching wounds, and treating chronic pain. After my trip to the Dominican Republic, I knew I was supposed to be a CRNA. “No soy médico. Pero les puedo promoter esto: voy a hablar con los médicos y voy a hacer todo lo posible para que pueda sentirse mejor.” (I am not a doctor. But I can promise you this: I am going to talk to the doctors who are here and I am going to do everything possible to help you feel better). Even though I was not allowed to do much as a non-medical volunteer, I helped hundreds of people acquire the medical attention they needed to survive. As a senior SRNA at the University Health School of Nurse Anesthesia, I will have the unique opportunity to travel with the same group of surgeons and CRNAs back to the Dominican Republic as an anesthesia provider to assist in the operating room. Rather than working in a non-medical role, as I did ten years ago, I will be the one providing anesthesia, and I will assist in educating the Dominican anesthesia providers and empower them to provide high-quality anesthesia in own their practice. After completing my degree, I intend to Pay It Forward and continue to attend this annual medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I believe it takes a special person to work with the underserved because these people need more than just health care. They need something to believe in, and I know I can be the nurse to help them find that. As she grabbed my hand, tears began to gather in her eyes. Nila, her two-year-old daughter, reached for me, and I took her in my arms. “Te nos preocupas. Te preocupas a Nila. Gracias. Gracias por todo.” (You care about us. You care about Nila. Thank you. Thank you for everything.) I felt valuable on my trip, even though I hadn't had any training in the medical field. During the hour and a half bus ride to the Santo Domingo airport, I couldn’t help but think of my week’s adventures. Words like incredible and life-changing filled my mind. Upon my arrival in Kansas City, my parents asked me about my trip. Overwhelmed by my emotions, the only thing I could say to them was, “I can’t wait to become a nurse anesthetist.”

“Puedo chequear para su fiebre?” (Can I check to see if you have a fever?) I always knew I was going to be a nurse. As a senior in high school, I traveled with thirty-one physicians, nurses, and “non-medicals” to the Dominican Republic for a medical mission trip. For five days, I visited different Bateyes—small villages set up by the sugar cane factory, populated with Haitians and Dominicans who work to survive the labor-intensive lifestyle with few resources and limited access to medical care. I took blood pressures, checked temperatures, and practiced my broken Spanish. I worked alongside CRNAs who provided anesthesia for life-changing procedures like removing dead teeth, stitching wounds, and treating chronic pain. After my trip to the Dominican Republic, I knew I was supposed to be a CRNA. “No soy médico. Pero les puedo promoter esto: voy a hablar con los médicos y voy a hacer todo lo posible para que pueda sentirse mejor.” (I am not a doctor. But I can promise you this: I am going to talk to the doctors who are here and I am going to do everything possible to help you feel better). Even though I was not allowed to do much as a non-medical volunteer, I helped hundreds of people acquire the medical attention they needed to survive. As a senior SRNA at the University Health School of Nurse Anesthesia, I will have the unique opportunity to travel with the same group of surgeons and CRNAs back to the Dominican Republic as an anesthesia provider to assist in the operating room. Rather than working in a non-medical role, as I did ten years ago, I will be the one providing anesthesia, and I will assist in educating the Dominican anesthesia providers and empower them to provide high-quality anesthesia in own their practice. After completing my degree, I intend to Pay It Forward and continue to attend this annual medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I believe it takes a special person to work with the underserved because these people need more than just health care. They need something to believe in, and I know I can be the nurse to help them find that. As she grabbed my hand, tears began to gather in her eyes. Nila, her two-year-old daughter, reached for me, and I took her in my arms. “Te nos preocupas. Te preocupas a Nila. Gracias. Gracias por todo.” (You care about us. You care about Nila. Thank you. Thank you for everything.) I felt valuable on my trip, even though I hadn't had any training in the medical field. During the hour and a half bus ride to the Santo Domingo airport, I couldn’t help but think of my week’s adventures. Words like incredible and life-changing filled my mind. Upon my arrival in Kansas City, my parents asked me about my trip. Overwhelmed by my emotions, the only thing I could say to them was, “I can’t wait to become a nurse anesthetist.”