A NOTE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CLASS 2018
In the summer of 2015 the above group of students embarked on a journey that has proved challenging, and simultaneously rewarding. It was quite a transition to transition from expert intensive care nurses to graduate students and novice anesthesia providers. The first summer was a whirlwind of learning, emotion, and friendship building. This eclectic bunch of students was encouraged early to embrace the process, take small bites out of the elephant that was the program, and trust the process. We all took these words to heart and with the help of Erwin Shibata, Kathy Andersen, and continuous support from each other, we made it through the grueling semester that built the foundation that we stand on today. The first few semesters were not only a time for developing a foundation, but it was also important for building relationships and bounds with one another. This also represents an important component for our continued success as a class throughout our time in the program, as we still continue to lean on one another during the home stretch of our journey.
The second year finally came for each of us, and we were prepared to apply all the didactic knowledge we had to all patient populations in the operating rooms. Again, we were thrown into a new situation and environment that was foreign to us, but we were prepared by our program faculty Dr. Cormac O’Sullivan, Dr. Michael Anderson, and Dr. Heather Bair; all CRNA guest lecturers; and of course, Paul Schulte. Through the direction of our CRNA mentors we all continued to grow as anesthesia providers, and we continue to grow daily. We have all had the opportunity to provide anesthesia across the state of Iowa, in different types of practice settings, for all patient populations and ages. None of us would be where we are today without the teachings and words of wisdom from anesthesia providers across the state of Iowa, and for that we are forever grateful.
Throughout our time spent in the nurse anesthesia program at the University of Iowa we have also been lucky to be taught the import intricate details involved in the history and present political aspects of our chosen profession. The state of Iowa represents an important state for CRNA practice, as we were the first state to opt out of supervision requirements for CRNA’s. Each of the SRNA’s at the University of Iowa have the opportunity to attend biannual Iowa Association of nurse Anesthetists (IANA) state meetings and learn from CRNA’s across the state. As students we also have the opportunity to attend annual legislative receptions to discuss current issues surrounding CRNA practice with state representatives and legislators. A group of students accompanies a small group of CRNA’s in Washington D.C. at the annual AANA Midyear Assembly to continue building political relationships at the national level. We are all excited to be coming up on our first AANA Annual Congress meeting in Seattle to meet with and learn from CRNA’s and SRNA’s across the nation, while enjoying some time together as a class.
We have been very prepared over the past few years, and we owe a portion of our success to all of our instructors, clinical mentors, classmates, and our own vigilance during our time in the program. From the Latin phrase Amat Victoria Kuram we get, “Victory Loves Preparation.” We have all been placed in a position for success in our professional careers, and are being prepared to be leaders for our profession. “Leading is not the same as being the leader. Being the leader means you hold the highest rank, either by earning it, good fortune or navigating internal politics. Leading, however, means that others willingly follow you—not because they have to, not because they are paid to, but because they want to” (Simon Sinek). The class of 2018 would like to thank all those that have aided in our journey.
Sincerely,
Class of 2018 (The bar setters)
University of Iowa Students
Meet the University of Iowa Class of 2018