A Message from Miller; The OSANA Student Corner
I am sitting here in my call room on a Tuesday evening thinking of what I can write that will catch the attention of all the tired and completely stressed out students in my same position. Too exhausted to think of anything except what care-plan to do before getting, what seems to be not much more than a cat nap, and setting up the OR before normal people have even thought of getting out of bed. Despite the lack of sleep and the endless studying, this has been the best professional decision. After speaking to several CRNA's and students on my short little journey thus far, everyone has said, "It’s the best decision I ever made, without a doubt, I love anesthesia." This being said, who is making sure that we all will have a job when we graduate and once we do, that we will keep it. Who is protecting CRNA's? Who is advocating for us? Who will advocate for us in the future?
As students, we are obligated to step up to the plate and understand that our profession will only be protected by us. As each generation graduates, it is vital to become involved so that our profession can grow and maintain what has already been built from previous years. I never knew what all this meant until I received the email about the student position on the Board of Directors. After speaking with Cindy Johnson, last years’ student representative, I began to understand how the future of anesthesia is in our hands, and how our involvement is the key to keep our profession protected. So what can I say to get you to read this and get involved? My goal is to motivate you to want to do a lot, or maybe even just a little, to make sure we, as future CRNA's, always have a solid professional foundation.
I received an email about the student board member position from my director and thought to myself, “I wonder if that is something I’d be interested in?” I had no idea what the job entailed and I’ll be honest, was a little worried it would “take too much time,” school is the priority, right? So I spoke to one of the Board members and eventually to Cindy Johnson. I began to feel so motivated to join the board to help make a difference in my future career. As a bedside nurse, my motivation to make a difference was a bit disenchanted, and now I had this wonderful opportunity lying in front of me. I applied for the position and here I am attempting to write something phenomenal to encourage the next group of anesthesia students to get involved, either now or in the future.
I went to California, to the National meeting and attended the Regional breakout, which I’ll be honest, in my naïve student mind, I thought, of course, we are going to be going to a “regional lecture” and doing blocks. How funny. It makes me laugh to think about it. What we were going too, was the meeting for each regional division of the AANA, across the United States. It occurred to me, at that time, when everyone was talking about who was contributing, and who was voting, that the same people were always involved. These same people are not going to always be able to be the ones making things happen. This responsibility lies in the hands of students, who are the future of anesthesia.
Don’t get me wrong here, my house is a disaster, I have bags under my eyes, I can’t remember anything that has anything to do with “real life,” ie. Phone numbers, birthdays, etc; and I can’t wait for my next “vacation.” I do not know what it is like to be married and have children either, so I would never attempt to say, “everyone should drop everything and become involved.” That is a bit heroic and unrealistic. There has to be a balance. Balance in everything, in school, work, and in life.
So, what I am asking the future of Anesthesia, is to somehow get involved. Whether in just a small way, donating one hour of your future salary to the AANA PAC, or in a large one, becoming a board member or going to Washington to campaign for the bills that serve to build CRNA practice. Anything is better than nothing. If you leave it up to the next person, that may be the attitude of the next person, in which case, no one will get anything done. I am not naïve to “life happening,” we all have obligations outside school and work. But, we must protect what has been established for us thus far. We are the ones that have to support the Nurse Anesthesia practice. If you are one of the ones saying “It’s the best decision I ever made, without a doubt, I love anesthesia," then please do just a little something to be able to keep saying that. Oh, and by the way, for those that didn’t know what the PAC stands for, either did I, its Political Action Committee, the money helps CRNA’s in Congress in multiple ways. And, we have one of the strongest PAC’s. Let’s keep it that way! If you ever want to discuss how to become more involved as a student please contact the OSANA board of directors to reach me, and I would be glad to help you get involved.
Angela Miller
Student Board Member 2009-2010
