Lawmakers, staff experience “day in the life” of nurse anesthesia residents

Seeing is believing --- and several northeastern Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff got a firsthand look at just a few of the intensive education and training programs that students must master to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

Aaron J. Crowell, BSN, RN, SRNA, a nurse anesthesia resident at the University of Scranton School of Nurse Anesthesia, initially reached out to invite state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) to visit and check out the university’s simulation labs.

🏫 But, as the senior student leader on the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ (PANA) Government Relations Committee, Crowell realized he had a golden opportunity to help inform key decision-makers in Harrisburg. So, he expanded the invitation to cover all lawmakers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

🩺On Sept. 5, a contingent of legislators and staff visited the campus for a “day in the life” tour of the university’s anesthesia simulation lab and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) labs.

Besides Pashinksi, other attending lawmakers included state Reps. Jim Haddock (D-Luzerne) and Kyle J. Mullins (D-Lackawanna) and state Sen. Marty Flynn (D-Luzerne & Lackawanna), and staffers from the offices of state Reps. Bridget M. Kosierowski (D-Lackawanna) and Kyle Donahue (D-Lackawanna) and state Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne & Wyoming).

As sought-after anesthesia care providers, CRNAs are highly educated and expertly trained with years of education and experience before entering into practice. Nurse anesthetists obtain an average of 9,369 clinical hours of training prior to becoming a CRNA. They are required to be nationally certified and must be recertified every four years. Recertification includes meeting advanced practice requirements and obtaining a minimum of 100 continuing education credits.

Of course, it’s one thing to talk about education and training. It’s another thing altogether to see it and experience it firsthand.

Crowell and other nurse anesthesia residents, including Brandon Perrotte, Nelson Ramos, and Meghan Visalli, used the simulation lab as a tool to demonstrate how extensive CRNA training is and what skills nurse anesthetists demonstrate so expertly in the operating room.

Shadowing these nurse anesthesia residents ensured lawmakers saw up close and personal the skills that CRNAs possess to keep patients safe --- an invaluable experience they will take back to the state capital in Harrisburg to help inform their decisions about important health-care initiatives, especially those related to CRNAs.

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Featuring SRNA Samantha Lina Valle, BSN, RN

Samantha Lina Valle, BSN, RN

Samantha Lina Valle, BSN, RN, is a Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (SRNA) at the University of Scranton School of Nurse Anesthesia. The life of a SRNA is a busy one. Between classroom work and clinical hours, the motto holds true: “Your days are long, and the weeks are short.”

⏰ Despite hectic schedules, SRNAs in Pennsylvania are eager to push the profession forward. When given the opportunity to share an inspiring message during National Hispanic Heritage Month, this is what Samantha had to say:

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the many contributions and extensive history of the American Latino community. It exemplifies our influence, our achievements, and the role we play on American growth and success."

"To be an SRNA of Hispanic origin means I can now be a representation of what it means to overcome social and academic boundaries. Throughout my early educational years, there were times I encountered academic difficulties. Whether it was due to limited comprehension or processing, not once did I give up. Now, as I continue my journey in gaining the knowledge of anesthesia, I would like to inspire others to build the courage to pursue their dreams! I would like to remind others that failure is only failure if you do not get up and try again.”

🩺💙 For additional #HispanicCRNA stories in our #HispanicHeritageMonth blog series, click here.

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Meet Your PANA Board Members - Ann Culp

Ann M. Culp, of Jenkins Township in Luzerne County, is president of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA), which represents more than 3,000 certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and students across the commonwealth. She’s been on PANA’s board for six years --- serving two years as Trustee, two years as Secretary, and then a year as

President-elect before being named to her current post in the fall.

We took time to get to know Ann a little bit more. What we found is that she’s not just PANA’s president, she’s also one of the presidents of her family’s planned 105th reunion. She’s not just a practitioner, she’s a teacher. And when her third grandchild, William Christopher, was born, Ann was right there when it all happened. Find out why …

Q: Why did you choose to serve as a PANA trustee?

A: Being a CRNA for over 30 years, I believed it was time to give back to my profession. Therefore, I ran for Trustee.

Q: Where do you currently work?

A: The clinical position I hold is at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital (WBGH), which is an affiliate of Commonwealth Health Systems.

Q: What do you do there?

A: Surgical procedures performed at WBGH include: orthopedics, vascular, and general and robotic procedures.

Q: From what institution did you receive your degree?

A: I’m a graduate of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Anesthesia Program. My master’s degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) were earned at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Q: Do you teach? If so, where do you teach?

A: I’m a didactic instructor at the University of Scranton’s Nurse Anesthesia Program. Courses include regional anesthesia, pain management, endocrine, obstetrics, the anesthesia machine and the basics of anesthesia.

Q: What made you want to become a CRNA?

A: I worked for two years prior to entering the nursing field. Within months of my graduation, I was fortunate to obtain a day shift positon in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton. I began considering anesthesia after meeting a CRNA who was performing a post-operative visit on a patient in ICU. After just a few minutes of conversing with him, his professionalism, dedication and contentment with his practice had me investigating this new avenue. Fortunately, there was an anesthesia program 15 minutes from my home. I was fortunate to be accepted into a class of four anesthesia students, and have been practicing ever since.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your career?

A: Since I have two jobs as a CRNA, I can divide this into two answers. First, the student: The new student entering the operating room is anxious and tense. Nurturing guidance fosters growth in the anesthesia student. Observing the student develop from novice to expert is a fulfilling experience. One of my proudest moments of my career was when my son Eric followed in my footsteps and became a CRNA. He currently is working at Regional Hospital, in Scranton, which is also an affiliate of Commonwealth Health Systems. Second, the patient: Each individual requiring anesthesia for a surgical procedure is scared, nervous and very alone. Therefore, I find comfort in calming their fears and the fears of their family by being caring, kind, and considerate to every member present. After showing them my name badge, I tell them to remember me as “Ann from Anesthesia.” This is the first ice breaker. I get a warm blanket for the patient to demonstrate empathy. Lastly, I tell them I will be with them throughout the procedure. The calm reassuring sound of your voice, a smile, and showing an interest in the patient is many times equal to two milligrams of Versed. The joy of waking up the patient and having them call out to you to find out how things went, is priceless.

Q: What do you do to relax when you are not taking care of others?

A: When I have free time, I like to spend it with my husband David, to whom I have been married for 33 years; my three children, Eric, Katie, Jeff; and my three grandchildren: Lindsay Ann, David James, and William Christopher. There have been three weddings in my family within the last three years and I’m proud to have Megan Watkins Culp, Shay Robinson, and Jennifer Miller Culp into the family. My granddaughter Lindsay is 4 years old and believes we are “twins.” Reading relaxes me --- I enjoy science fiction --- and I love the beach. I could sit watching the waves for hours. I am one of seven children, and we all remain close friends. During the summer, my parents invite their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for breakfast each Sunday, all 50 of us. Also, being a good Irish family, on my mother’s side, I have over 500 relatives. This year will mark the 105th Clifford reunion. I am one of the reunion presidents!

Q: Tell us something no one knows about you.

A: I’m like an open book. However, I do have a story to tell: a few weeks ago my daughter-in-law Megan was in labor and fetal heart tones plummeted, so an emergency cesarean section was required. I quickly switched from Grandma mode to CRNA and prepared the anesthesia workstation in order to expedite the emergent surgery. Luckily, all went well and my third grandchild, William Christopher, was born healthy on Feb. 17, 2016. This was the scariest, yet most fulfilling moment of my career. No one can comprehend the importance of a quick, properly prepared anesthetic workstation until you are thinking your new grandchild, still unborn, may not survive the next few minutes. When I heard his cry, I followed right along and cried with him, very happy tears.