[srnabound3997]

Hello I have been a lurker here for quite some time and finally decided to post. I have learned soo much from reading these threads. Allnurses is a great resource! I have been an RN for three years and most of my experience is ER. I have just transferred to SICU/MICU and am considering CRNA school. I have worked at a couple of different hospitals and I have never met an African American CRNA- I live in the Southeast. I am wondering is this the norm nationwide?

[BeatOU]

I worked with a black woman who is a CRNA at parkland hospital, several hispanic CRNA's and a few phillipino CRNA's

[Spoiled1]

I don't know a whole lot about it, but from what I know overall there are a small number of African-American CRNA's. I think its about 8%. I am from NC, and I have actually met one blk female CRNA who was very positive about it, and loved it. It was encouraging to talk to her. Also there was a forum on Minoritynurse.com where some CRNA hopefuls had posted. Maybe you can check there. I hope this was some help to you. Good luck!

Originally Posted by srnabound3997

Hello I have been a lurker here for quite some time and finally decided to post. I have learned soo much from reading these threads. Allnurses is a great resource! I have been an RN for three years and most of experience is ER. I have just transferred to SICU/MICU and am considering CRNA school. I have worked at a couple of different hospitals and I have never met an African American CRNA- I live in the Southeast. I am wondering is this the norm nationwide?

[hdorsey]

Hi! I live in Detroit & there are a gang of black CRNAs in Southeastern Michigan! Keep your head up & apply to anesthesia school.

[rn91]

I know of a couple of minority CRNA and they have told me it was not easy from them to ge into school and over the last two years I realize what they were talking about. I am in my 30's and I have spent all my adult life as a RN (graduated at 19). As a minority applicant I could tell you that it is hard to get into school. I have the experience (10 years CTICU and 3 years Trauma), grades(3.4 overall and 4.0 science) and I interview well. I have had two alternate spots and turned down on two interviews. When I called the Program Directors and I asked how can I improve my application for future interview and never get a real answer. When I speak with other applicant of non miniority status and find out that they get into the same school that I applied to and have less experience and worst grades then I do it get me real angry. I am not taking anything away from other student that are qualify and get these spot. This is an issue that I will write the AANA on. I will continue to try, I refuse to give up and I would tell everyone the same. Not only the minority student, but the obese student and the "aged" RN. DO NO GIVE UP IF THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT!

[graduate_2002]

Originally Posted by rn91

I know of a couple of minority CRNA and they have told me it was not easy from them to ge into school and over the last two years I realize what they were talking about. I am in my 30's and I have spent all my adult life as a RN (graduated at 19). As a minority applicant I could tell you that it is hard to get into school. I have the experience (10 years CTICU and 3 years Trauma), grades(3.4 overall and 4.0 science) and I interview well. I have had two alternate spots and turned down on two interviews. When I called the Program Directors and I asked how can I improve my application for future interview and never get a real answer. When I speak with other applicant of non miniority status and find out that they get into the same school that I applied to and have less experience and worst grades then I do it get me real angry. I am not taking anything away from other student that are qualify and get these spot. This is an issue that I will write the AANA on. I will continue to try, I refuse to give up and I would tell everyone the same. Not only the minority student, but the obese student and the "aged" RN. DO NO GIVE UP IF THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT!

I hope you get in somewhere soon. What schools have you applied to?

[graduate_2002]

Originally Posted by srnabound3997

Hello I have been a lurker here for quite some time and finally decided to post. I have learned soo much from reading these threads. Allnurses is a great resource! I have been an RN for three years and most of experience is ER. I have just transferred to SICU/MICU and am considering CRNA school. I have worked at a couple of different hospitals and I have never met an African American CRNA- I live in the Southeast. I am wondering is this the norm nationwide?

I know what you mean, I live in the south too, and there is only one hispanic CRNA where I work. More diversity is needed.

[srnabound3997]

Originally Posted by rn91

I know of a couple of minority CRNA and they have told me it was not easy from them to ge into school and over the last two years I realize what they were talking about. I am in my 30's and I have spent all my adult life as a RN (graduated at 19). As a minority applicant I could tell you that it is hard to get into school. I have the experience (10 years CTICU and 3 years Trauma), grades(3.4 overall and 4.0 science) and I interview well. I have had two alternate spots and turned down on two interviews. When I called the Program Directors and I asked how can I improve my application for future interview and never get a real answer. When I speak with other applicant of non miniority status and find out that they get into the same school that I applied to and have less experience and worst grades then I do it get me real angry. I am not taking anything away from other student that are qualify and get these spot. This is an issue that I will write the AANA on. I will continue to try, I refuse to give up and I would tell everyone the same. Not only the minority student, but the obese student and the "aged" RN. DO NO GIVE UP IF THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT!

I realize that NA programs are really competitive in general. I won't give up.
Good luck to everyone trying to get in.

[blee1]

what about asian crna's??

[rnbeauty]

The Director of Wayne State University's program in Michigan is minority.( Prudentia Worth, PhD) I spoke with her personally in regards to this huge disparity and she agrees as well. She actually wrote an article about this issue in the AANA journal.
The numbers are critically low.....WHY? Are minorities just not applying because of lack of knowledge about the field or are they applying and not getting accepted? I can admit that I did not know about this field until about 6 years ago. Never even touched on it in school. If we did, it was very little. I can also say that while attending undergrad ( an HBCU)....I've never seen a CRNA attend any career fairs that was held on campus. However, my sister attended a public non HBCU and states she recalls meeting several CRNA's at careers fairs.
I personally would love to dig a little deeper to figure out why the numbers are so low. The fact remains that diversity makes for a more culturally competent and culturally sensitive quality of care.