My name is Kei' Shanae Williams and I am currently a Graduate student at Texas Christian University. I am a first-generation student and the eldest of four siblings. Before applying to Graduate school, I worked as a Registered Nurse from 2021 -2023. I graduated with my BSN in 2020 at the peak of COVID-19. The emergence of COVID-19 coupled with the stressors of being a New Grad RN weighed heavily on my mental health. It was my passion for taking care of others that allowed me to wake up every day and put my life on the line to make sure my patients had someone fighting for them. Being an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse was hard but being an ICU nurse caring for patients infected with an unknown virus was harder. Although I did my best, it was difficult seeing my patients suffer at the hands of a virus we didn't know how to treat at the time. To some, this may have been a discouraging sight or a situation that would lead to career burnout. I was instead emboldened to do more and advance my education. I decided to further my career as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by attending Graduate school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Becoming a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming an ICU nurse. As a nurse, I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients who are in vulnerable situations, such as the many patients I cared for during COVID-19. Being in the ICU was a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. But in the Operating Room, there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a safe and secure environment to patients who look like me during my career as a CRNA. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 5% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. CRNAs have an important role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by both CRNAs and educational institutions. This is a challenge I look forward to overcoming as a future doctorate prepared CRNA.

My name is Keishanae Williams and I am a current Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I graduated with my BSN in 2020 from the University of Texas. I am now enrolled at Texas Christian University to earn my Doctor of Nurse Anesthesiology as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 4% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. African American women make up even less of that percentage. As a result, I've decided to advance my nursing career so that there are leaders in healthcare that look like me. The unique element I bring to the nurse anesthesia profession is a diverse perspective. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a connection and secure environment for patients that look like me. As a future CRNA with a diverse background, I have the unique element of living and working in a healthcare system with implicit bias and obstacles for minorities. CRNAs have an essential role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by CRNAs and educational institutions. My primary motivation to become a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming a critical care provider as a nurse. I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients that are in vulnerable situations. Being in the ICU is a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. In the OR there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. My long-term professional goal is to volunteer with mentorship programs that will inspire and motivate nurses in pursuit of the nurse anesthesia profession. I had many questions regarding the professional development required by rigorous BSN-DNP Programs. These questions led me to the Diversity in Nurses Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP) which is a social and charitable professional organization. DNAMP was founded to promote diversity in anesthesia and mentor nurses who desire to successfully matriculate into Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia CRNA programs. In DNAMP, I was mentored by CRNAs who empowered me and gave me information to prepare for a successful career in nurse anesthesia. Part of the information that I was given was research and literature review articles on diversity in anesthesia. These articles and publications ultimately shaped my desire to overcome any and all obstacles that stood in the way of becoming a CRNA. Participating in DNAMP inspired me to give back and pay it forward through mentorship. Time spent mentoring will facilitate growth in areas of weakness as well as strength as I progress through the profession.

My name is Keishanae Williams and I am a current Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I graduated with my BSN in 2020 from the University of Texas. I am now enrolled at Texas Christian University to earn my APRN as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). My mission for becoming a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming a critical care nurse. As a nurse, I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients that are in vulnerable situations. Being in the ICU is a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. In the OR there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 4% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. African American women make up even less of that percentage. As a result, I've decided to advance my nursing career so that there are leaders in healthcare that look like me. The unique element I bring to the nurse anesthesia profession is a diverse perspective. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a connection and secure environment for patients that look like me. As a future CRNA with a diverse background, I have the unique element of living and working in a healthcare system with implicit bias and obstacles for minorities. CRNAs have an essential role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by CRNAs and educational institutions. My long-term professional mission is to volunteer with mentorship programs that will inspire and motivate nurses to pursue of the nurse anesthesia profession. I had many questions regarding the professional development required by rigorous BSN-DNP Programs. These questions led me to the Diversity in Nurses Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP). DNAMP was founded to promote diversity in anesthesia and mentor nurses who desire to successfully matriculate into CRNA programs. In DNAMP, I was mentored by CRNAs who empowered me and gave me information to prepare for a successful career in nurse anesthesia. Participating in DNAMP inspired me to give back and pay it forward through mentorship. Time spent mentoring will facilitate growth in areas of weakness as well as strength as I progress through the profession.

My name is Keishanae Williams and I am a current Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I graduated with my BSN in 2020 from the University of Texas. I am now enrolled at Texas Christian University to earn my APRN as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 4% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. African American women make up even less of that percentage. As a result, I've decided to advance my nursing career so that there are leaders in healthcare that look like me. The unique element I bring to the nurse anesthesia profession is a diverse perspective. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a connection and secure environment for patients that look like me. As a future CRNA with a diverse background, I have the unique element of living and working in a healthcare system with implicit bias and obstacles for minorities. CRNAs have an essential role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by CRNAs and educational institutions. My primary motivation to become a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming a critical care nurse. As a nurse, I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients that are in vulnerable situations. Being in the ICU is a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. In the OR there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. My long-term professional goal is to volunteer with mentorship programs that will inspire and motivate African American Women to pursue the nurse anesthesia profession. I had many questions regarding the professional development required by rigorous BSN-DNP Programs. These questions led me to the Diversity in Nurses Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP). DNAMP was founded to promote diversity in anesthesia and mentor nurses who desire to successfully matriculate into CRNA programs. In DNAMP, I was mentored by female CRNA who empowered me and gave me information to prepare for a successful career in nurse anesthesia although it is male-dominated. Participating in DNAMP inspired me to give back and pay it forward through mentorship. Time spent mentoring will facilitate growth in areas of weakness as well as strength as I progress through the profession.

My name is Keishanae Williams and I am a current Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I graduated with my BSN in 2020 from the University of Texas. I am now enrolled at Texas Christian University to earn my APRN as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). My primary motivation to become a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming a critical care nurse. As a nurse, I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients that are in vulnerable situations. Being in the ICU is a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. In the OR there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 4% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. African American women make up even less of that percentage. As a result, I've decided to advance my nursing career so that there are leaders in healthcare that look like me. The unique element I bring to the nurse anesthesia profession is a diverse perspective and my life experience. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a connection and secure environment for patients that look like me. As a future CRNA with a diverse background, I have the unique element of living and working in a healthcare system with implicit bias and obstacles for minorities. CRNAs have an essential role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by CRNAs and educational institutions. My long-term professional goal is to volunteer with mentorship programs that will inspire and motivate nurses in pursuit of the nurse anesthesia profession. I had many questions regarding the professional development required by rigorous BSN-DNP Programs. These questions led me to the Diversity in Nurses Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP). DNAMP was founded to promote diversity in anesthesia and mentor nurses who desire to successfully matriculate into CRNA programs. In DNAMP, I was mentored by CRNAs who empowered me and gave me information to prepare for a successful career in nurse anesthesia. Participating in DNAMP inspired me to give back and pay it forward through mentorship. Time spent mentoring will facilitate growth in areas of weakness as well as strength as I progress through the profession.

My name is Keishanae Williams and I am a current Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I graduated with my BSN in 2020 from the University of Texas. I am now enrolled at Texas Christian University to earn my APRN as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). My primary motivation to become a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming a critical care nurse. As a nurse, I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients that are in vulnerable situations. Being in the ICU is a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. In the OR there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 4% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. African American women make up even less of that percentage. As a result, I've decided to advance my nursing career so that there are leaders in healthcare that look like me. The unique element I bring to the nurse anesthesia profession is a diverse perspective. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a connection and secure environment for patients that look like me. As a future CRNA with a diverse background, I have the unique element of living and working in a healthcare system with implicit bias and obstacles for minorities. CRNAs have an essential role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by CRNAs and educational institutions. My long-term professional goal is to volunteer with mentorship programs that will inspire and motivate nurses in pursuit of the nurse anesthesia profession. I had many questions regarding the professional development required by rigorous BSN-DNP Programs. These questions led me to the Diversity in Nurses Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP). DNAMP was founded to promote diversity in anesthesia and mentor nurses who desire to successfully matriculate into CRNA programs. In DNAMP, I was mentored by CRNAs who empowered me and gave me information to prepare for a successful career in nurse anesthesia. Participating in DNAMP inspired me to give back and pay it forward through mentorship. Time spent mentoring will facilitate growth in areas of weakness as well as strength as I progress through the profession.

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, 4% of all CRNAs in 2020 were African American. African American women make up even less of that percentage. As a result I've decided to advance my nursing career so that there are leaders in healthcare that look like me. My primary motivation to become a CRNA stems from my reason for becoming a critical care nurse. As a nurse, I’ve chosen to be in the position to create a calm and safe environment for patients that are in vulnerable situations. Being in the ICU is a stressful and frustrating time for both patients and families. In the OR there are added stressors of surgery and fear of sedation. As a future CRNA, my goal is to ease those fears and frustrations through both providing anesthesia and building a relationship with my patients. The CRNA profession has the unique ability to bring specialized anesthesia knowledge together with compassionate patient-centered nursing care in a way that is unmatched. It is that quality of education and care that motivates me to become a CRNA. The unique element I bring to the nurse anesthesia profession is a diverse perspective. As a first-generation African American woman, I hope to provide a connection and secure environment for patients that look like me. As a future CRNA with a diverse background, I have the unique element of living and working in a healthcare system with implicit bias and obstacles for minorities. CRNAs have an essential role in understanding and recognizing healthcare disparities to effectively address the needs of patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Eliminating these disparities is challenging and requires a multifaceted approach by CRNAs and educational institutions. My long-term professional goal is to volunteer with mentorship programs that will inspire and motivate nurses in pursuit of the nurse anesthesia profession. I had many questions regarding the professional development required by rigorous BSN-DNP Programs. These questions led me to the Diversity in Nurses Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP). DNAMP was founded to promote diversity in anesthesia and mentor nurses who desire to successfully matriculate into CRNA programs. In DNAMP, I was mentored by CRNAs who empowered me and gave me information to prepare for a successful career in nurse anesthesia. Participating in DNAMP inspired me to give back and pay it forward through mentorship. Time spent mentoring will facilitate growth in areas of weakness as well as strength as I progress through the profession.

The version of my future self is to do what others won't everyday, so I can have what others don't.