Minority SRNA/CRNA's

TJ8A · Jul 29, 2007

Tj8A, I think that you need to do your research. Have you ever heard of institutionalized discrimination? It is very hard to prove.... It is like baking a cake and knowing that an egg should have been included (although you left it out) and then asking the person who is tasting the cake to tell you what is missing. Also, I figured since you were so emotional concerning Ms. Worthless's CRNA program at Wayne State Univ. that you would have contacted her to give the statistists as to how many AAs are in programs in Michigan. I think if you weighed the numbers that apply, with the numbers that are accepted YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED........

To answer your question: Yes, I know what institutionalized discrimination is. As it pertains to African Americans, I've read several books by McWhorter, et al. dealing with this subject specifically. My opinion is that your claim of institutionalized racism in all CRNA programs in Michigan is hollow; based on your evidence.

I understand you're upset about not being accepted into school. However, I caution you from making disparaging remarks against a well-respected, highly educated African American CRNA program direcotor as a means of "venting". I do not know Ms. Worth CRNA, PhD (not Worthless as you call her) personally. However, I have attended minority confereneces in which she has spoken. She is a CHAMPION of minority nursing progressionism. The only reason I ever got involved in this whole discussion is because it disappoints me when people toss baseless, derogatory statements out there for all pre-CRNA students to read and form opinions about certain programs without all the facts.

I did not apply to nor do I attend WSU and have no connection to that program whatsoever. Also, I have no application/admission statistics from their program available to me. However, I did do a little more research as Realist suggested. Here's what I found:

Wayne State University CRNA class of 2007: 2 African Americans out of 16 students. (12.5%).

http://wizard.pharm.wayne.edu/anesth/alumni.htm

African American Nurses (RN's and LPN's) nationally: (4.68%) based on 2000 census data

African American Nurses (RN's) in Michigan (active): (6%) based on voluntary Survey of Nurses 2005.

http://www.michigancenterfornursing.org/mimages/nursesurvey2005.pdf

African American Critical Care Nursing Membership nationwide: (4%) based on May 2007 voluntary survey.

http://www.aacn.org/AACN/Memship.nsf/Files/MembDemographics/$file/MembDemographics.pdf

African American CRNA's nationally: (2.1%) According the AANA

http://www.minoritynurse.com/features/nurse_emp/08-18-03.html

So, there you have it. I'd say Ms. Worth is doing well in recruiting minority nurses into her program given the numbers. Also remember that Michigan passed Proposal 2 (similar to California's Prop 209) in 2006 and race can no longer be considered a factor in the admissions process.

TJ8A

realist · Jul 30, 2007

To answer your question: Yes, I know what institutionalized discrimination is. As it pertains to African Americans, I've read several books by McWhorter, et al. dealing with this subject specifically. My opinion is that your claim of institutionalized racism in all CRNA programs in Michigan is hollow; based on your evidence.
I understand you're upset about not being accepted into school. However, I caution you from making disparaging remarks against a well-respected, highly educated African American CRNA program direcotor as a means of "venting". I do not know Ms. Worth CRNA, PhD (not Worthless as you call her) personally. However, I have attended minority confereneces in which she has spoken. She is a CHAMPION of minority nursing progressionism. The only reason I ever got involved in this whole discussion is because it disappoints me when people toss baseless, derogatory statements out there for all pre-CRNA students to read and form opinions about certain programs without all the facts.
I did not apply to nor do I attend WSU and have no connection to that program whatsoever. Also, I have no application/admission statistics from their program available to me. However, I did do a little more research as Realist suggested. Here's what I found:
Wayne State University CRNA class of 2007: 2 African Americans out of 16 students. (12.5%).
http://wizard.pharm.wayne.edu/anesth/alumni.htm
African American Nurses (RN's and LPN's) nationally: (4.68%) based on 2000 census data
African American Nurses (RN's) in Michigan (active): (6%) based on voluntary Survey of Nurses 2005.
http://www.michigancenterfornursing.org/mimages/nursesurvey2005.pdf
African American Critical Care Nursing Membership nationwide: (4%) based on May 2007 voluntary survey.
http://www.aacn.org/AACN/Memship.nsf/Files/MembDemographics/$file/MembDemographics.pdf
African American CRNA's nationally: (2.1%) According the AANA
http://www.minoritynurse.com/features/nurse_emp/08-18-03.html
So, there you have it. I'd say Ms. Worth is doing well in recruiting minority nurses into her program given the numbers. Also remember that Michigan passed Proposal 2 (similar to California's Prop 209) in 2006 and race can no longer be considered a factor in the admissions process.
TJ8A

TJ8A, the statistics you've presented are completely shallow and based on a few comparisons (i.e class of 2007 admissions). You are emotionally attached to someone who you've had no direct interaction with. Your idealization is based on a persons education, title and a few presentations that you've attended. Also this forum was established, so that individuals could express their opinions irregards to what others think. Your opinion to my posting as being baseless and derogatory is just that, your opinion and mentioning Proposal 2 is just plain interesting to me. Again, Purely Naive..............

Yendis, LPN, LVN · Jan 21, 2008

Racism is well and alive! I wish some people would just face it!!

gutz · Jan 21, 2008

Worked with a group of 80 CRNA"s they come in all colors and sizes. God Bless America !

student79 · Jan 22, 2008

Hello You all -

I've been reading your posts on here for a while. Anyway, I am a Black RN who just started working in the CVICU at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. I just graduated nursing school a year ago. Anyway, I really want to go to CRNA school. I'm planning on starting RN to BSN school in summer, and end that by next spring, just in time to apply for CRNA school for next fall. I already have a Bachelors Degree, but in Computer Science. Here are my stats:

Degree: BS Computer Science

Overall GPA: 3.3

Degree: AS Nursing

Overall GPA: 3.5

By the time I apply to CRNA school I should have 1 year on a Cardiovascular Stepdown unit and 1 year CVICU experience. I also have ACLS, PALS, and BLS. I am hoping to take the CCRN also. Hopefully I can bring up my Nursing GPA even more by the time I take the BSN courses. I worked at my job 40 hours full-time all through Nursing School as a Senior Project Manager and was able to keep the GPA stable enough. I won't be working in CRNA school but I dunno if they'll even take that into consideration how I wa able to work off my butt and prioritize, rather than picking a 4.0 student (God, I had to work to earn a living ya know). Do you think I have a good chance? I don't even know where to apply at this point. Any suggestions and tips will be greatly appreciated!! God Bless.

armynse · Jan 22, 2008

Hello You all -
I've been reading your posts on here for a while. Anyway, I am a Black RN who just started working in the CVICU at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. I just graduated nursing school a year ago. Anyway, I really want to go to CRNA school. I'm planning on starting RN to BSN school in summer, and end that by next spring, just in time to apply for CRNA school for next fall. I already have a Bachelors Degree, but in Computer Science. Here are my stats:
Degree: BS Computer Science
Overall GPA: 3.3
Degree: AS Nursing
Overall GPA: 3.5
By the time I apply to CRNA school I should have 1 year on a Cardiovascular Stepdown unit and 1 year CVICU experience. I also have ACLS, PALS, and BLS. I am hoping to take the CCRN also. Hopefully I can bring up my Nursing GPA even more by the time I take the BSN courses. I worked at my job 40 hours full-time all through Nursing School as a Senior Project Manager and was able to keep the GPA stable enough. I won't be working in CRNA school but I dunno if they'll even take that into consideration how I wa able to work off my butt and prioritize, rather than picking a 4.0 student (God, I had to work to earn a living ya know). Do you think I have a good chance? I don't even know where to apply at this point. Any suggestions and tips will be greatly appreciated!! God Bless.

Unfortunately, anesthesia programs will not give you any credit for working FT and maintaining your GPA. Your GPA, however, speaks for itself. You are definitely competitive based upon your GPA. Have you taken the GRE? If not, you will have to focus on it at some point in the near future. The GRE is one of those necessary evils that you will have difficulty avoiding. However, there are schools in the northeastern U.S. that are doing away with the GRE requirement all together.

As far as schools, there are plenty of good schools surrounding you in the southeast portion of the country. One school in particular, LSUHSC, has received a 1.2 million dollar grant to be used for recruiting and educating minority nurses due to the lack of adequate minority representation in nursing especially in advanced practice. I am a graduate of LSUHSC and recommend their programs to anyone considering nursing school. Their CRNA program is somewhat new and a little disorganized, but they definitely offer a quality education. Good luck in your endeavor...

CaslaRN · Jan 22, 2008

Are you willing to move? If so apply to Barry as well. Mercer is hard to get into but worth a try. Also apply to MCG. The key is to have great LORs, GRE >1000 and be outstanding in the interview.

Being black has nothing to do with it in my opinion. If you shine all around, you will be judge by what you bring to the table and not the color of your skin. Besides, it may be an advantage (depends on how you look at it).

I have YET in 36 years to not succeed in anything that I have set as a goal. I have gotten jobs that some say I couldn't, gone places that some say "you may not belong or be welcomed" and have been fine. It is all in your mental attitude. Bob Marley says "Imanicipate yourself from mental slavery, none but yourself can free your mind".......... that attitude along with hard work and a constant drive to always do my best and to carry myself in such a manner that I break down barriers or stereotypes have worked well for me.

Good luck ............ and apply next year. PM if you have any further questions. I am also in the "Atlanta" area.

1310 · Jan 22, 2008

Student 79,

It sounds like you are on the right track . . . I think your grades are more than competitive! I respectfully disagree with another poster that states programs do not take into consideration your working + school history. However, programs often make many discriminatory decisions . . . not always racial discrimination.

I have a friend who was told he was too old to attend anesthesia school by one program. They said he/she wouldn't be able to learn the art of anesthesia! He's in his fourties! This is a nurse whom that particular program and potentially the people interviewing him were intellectually threatened by. He/she is clinically superior to many experienced physicians and nurses I have encountered in the ICU. This school does not offer a clinical interview and states that they "want to see if you will be a good fit at their university." So, 15 years of clinical practice, roughly 1300 GRE, and significant contributions to nursing practice in the facility he worked got him an alternate spot.

My point is . . . who knows what the hell various programs want. Objectively, to some programs you may be a highly attractive candidate, others may not give you the time of day (although I don't see how).

My advice is to work hard becoming clinically superior to your peers. It doesn't mean that you will be, but strive to overshoot the requirements of admission and you will surely succeed!

Take extra classes in science (pick up a minor in biology or chemistry during your bridge program). Slam dunk the GRE, take your CCRN (it's easy, don't be afraid), then take it to the next level by learning the material like your life depended on it (because in the ICU your patients life may depend on it).

Go to work in a facility that is a teaching hospital with the highest acuity and sickest patients in the city. Learn from the intensivist. Get to know CRNA's; go shadow some. Make this goal your mission!

Study, study, study!

If you really put your mind to it you can do this.

There is no cut and dry method.

Just remember Mr. Miagi when he told Daniel-son "Do or do not, there is no try!"

Good luck!

HIMECCRN · Jan 23, 2008

I am a minority and I found out today that I had been accepted into a program. I was confident that my background would make me stand out in the interview.:dncg:

sirJazz · Jan 23, 2008

ei guys... im filipino accepted at VCU this fall 08! nervous of course since im moving from metropolitan new york to virginia. but I have high hopes and am really confident that i will have a blast with my classmates and faculty. good luck to all!

SWTNES · Feb 8, 2008

I find this thread very interesting because these are some of the same questions I have pondered. I was fortunate enough to meet 2 African American female CRNA's. Since, this meeting they have always been a great source of encouragement to me and my goals of becoming a CRNA. As a African American woman I know that we have to strive and work harder to enter the field. But, never give up and my best advice is to try network with these CRNA's they are always willing to help other minorities who have drive and determination. I know that hard work, determination and drive is what got me accepted into an Anesthesia program for 2006.

Hello,

I am a future African American CRNA. I plan to start at Memorial Hospital in Rhode Island in May 2009. How is your program going for you. Any words of encouragement. How did you manage finances during your school while not being able to work? I know you are looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel since you program will be ending soon.

SWTNES · Feb 8, 2008

I am a minority and I found out today that I had been accepted into a program. I was confident that my background would make me stand out in the interview.:dncg:

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! :yeah: