Agnes F. Liem

MS, CPNP-PC, RN, AE-C, SRNA
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
Certified Asthma Educator

As a pediatric nurse practitioner in the middle of a career change towards becoming a nurse anesthetist, I was thoroughly impressed at the professionalism and depth of information presented at the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP), which I attended at the Samuel Merrit University on March 21-22, 2014. Dr.Lena Gould and Mr. John Bing’s curriculum promotes diversity and under represented minority individuals for successful selection and completion of CRNA schools. The guided format allowed for open discussion with active and current leaders of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), various academic program directors,current CRNAs and student ambassadors. Informative sessions reviewed academic requirements for program admissions, challenges of the interviewing process, and a graduate level anesthesia lecture was even presented to the attendees as a guide for the academic rigors expected of nurse anesthesia students. READ MORE

The airway simulation lab on the second day allowed direct hands-on experience of the anesthesia machine, medications, basic and advanced airway management, central line placement, spinal anesthesia, bronchoscopy and placing a central-line utilizing ultrasound sonography. The program instilled confidence and excitement for like-minded individuals as we transition from being nurses to the pursuit of entering nurse anesthesia school. For me, this well-rounded collaboration and support make the idea of becoming a nurse anesthetist a very strong reality! Thank youto Dr. Lena Gould, Mr. John Bing, academic program directors and the CNRAs and SRNAs who volunteered to make this program an excellent one. I highly recommend this program to any nurse interested in becoming a CRNA.

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