Life as a Nurse
I currently work as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) for Premier Anesthesia, which is the anesthesia group that staffs Mount Carmel Grove City, Mount Carmel East, and Taylor Station Surgery Center. I mostly work at the Grove City location. I chose to work here because of the culture, the camaraderie, and the ability to practice to the extent of my license with a wide variety of cases. Because we are a smaller group, all of the CRNAs and anesthesiologists really look out for each other and step up when help is needed. All of the perioperative staff at Mount Carmel Grove City work very well as a team and I enjoy going to work to see all my friends.
Choosing Mount Union's Nursing Program
Mount Union's nursing program is incredible. Every single professor in the department is invested in the success of every student. The direct entry and small class sizes allow you to form closer bonds with your classmates, which helps you build an important support system. From Dr. Mason in CHE 110 and CHE 115 the first year to Dr. Allen in critical care in the final year, the support from professors was never-ending. I still keep in contact with Dr. Mason and Dr. Dorris who have been mentors to me well past graduation. I had the privilege of having clinical sites throughout northeast Ohio. From Crandall Medical Center in Sebring, to Southwest General in Berea, and Akron General in downtown Akron, I was exposed to a wide variety of care sites. My favorite clinical rotation was my critical care rotation at Akron General. I was paired with nurses in the surgical, medical, neuro, and cardiothoracic surgery intensive care units. I was able to learn how to take care of a variety of patients that required mechanical ventilation, medication titration, and advanced invasive life-support devices. These are experiences that a lot of nursing students are not exposed to. This rotation helped me build a foundation for my future career as an ICU nurse and eventually in anesthesia.