Minority SRNA/CRNA's

Nursing Students SRNA

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:) 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?

Congrats!!!!! Which school will you be attending? I plan to apply this year to Memorial Hospital in Rhode Island and Excela in PA.

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As much as they say that everyone's equal, CRNA schools don't see color,

try that in the South. From teachers to students: minorities are mostly treated as 'invisible'. The whites give notes and previous exams and full support to each other. The nonwhites will just have to find their own resources. One time, an AfAm classmate of mine needed some notes for

review, the caucasian classmate gave it to her, on condition that she

not tell the he handed her some notes. The teachers tend to listen to gripes from caucasian students, who mostly are content and happy and 'winging' it with hand-me-down notes/old exams. Those minorities who

don't get them, of course, end up w/ Bs or Cs. The minute you complain

about the courseload, of course, you are labeled as a trouble maker.

What's a shame is this, even in the hallways or library, your own white

classmates treat you as invisible.....AT THIS DAY & AGE of magnet, it is

simply appalling and deplorable! You get what you want as a minority if

you play their game of playing 'weak'. I'm not the type to cry for help, but

I was an A student before CRNA school and I am now dropping out because of 2 semesters w/ Cs and they did not want to consider or work it out with me.. I know I'm not the only one who's struggling (I know why I struggle, b/c for most of my white classmates, 1/2 the work is done w/

old tests/notes, I have to start from scratch and it really gets overwhelming, albeit, impossible to score As. My point is, diversity in the South is nothing but lip service. They are capable of undermining a minority's confidence and performance with their silent way of bullying you and subtle ways of exclusion. Minorities, be aware of this game....this is

the reason why we're not well-represented, the system only supports their kind: bright, smart, white, & not b/c we cannot make it, it's b/c the degree

is practically handed to them...

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mostly are content and happy and 'winging' it with hand-me-down notes/old exams. Those minorities who

don't get them, of course, end up w/ Bs or Cs.

Would you be truly satisfied with your degree if you were "winging it with hand-me-down notes/old exams? And by minorities, do you mean African American? What about the men in your class? What about other races or are they not considered minorities?

My point is, diversity in the South is nothing but lip service. They are capable of undermining a minority's confidence and performance with their silent way of bullying you and subtle ways of exclusion. Minorities, be aware of this game....this is

the reason why we're not well-represented, the system only supports their kind: bright, smart, white, & not b/c we cannot make it, it's b/c the degree

is practically handed to them...

Are men well represented in the system? Are they considered minorities? How about non-caucasian men?

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Truthfully, nope, you feel empty and that you're cheating the system that way if you can get by with hand-me-downs or old exams..the final test of your true intelligence is how you make it in the boards..that's when your true capability is tested: you're there on your own, no help from outsiders, whatsoever..But to make it and to play DA game, ie, to get to the finish line, it would be best to avail of what's out there that's given to everyone.

For me, who's not given much in terms of old notes, the best thing that happened was I managed to do it from scratch, but again, it takes time to

make those reviewers....all things being equal..c/t the SRNA who gets all the freebies, the extra time in their hands can be put to good use by

memorizing the endless materials that are required to 'regurgitate' back

to teachers..this is where the As come from..for me who does everything

by scratch, there's the time factor, how much can I possibly squeeze into

my studying, given that I'm allotting a few hrs making those reviews? So, there, I get by w/ Bs and Cs...you hear those A students complain? Nope,

that too makes them look good, all with the 'intangible' support.

You asked abt men as minority, no there's a visible amt of men in the program, well supported as well. Minority means people of color, we're a rarity in Anesthesia. My teacher once said that previous studies have shown that not a lot of minorities make it in this field...I really know why,

as I said, opportunities and special accommodations are pretty much given to the whites to perpetuate that squeaky clean, predominantly white image of a CRNA. It's sad, huh? Because if we say as healthcare providers that we see no color in treating out patients, why is there a lot of hypocrisy among us nurses and not treat each other, our own colleagues, in a color-blind manner...? It's not the same at all for MDs, that's why they're true professionals :nurse:.

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It's funny because I posted a thread about this same/similar topic. I wondered because I'd heard things. I experience invisibility and isolation from non minority students...{I'm not in CRNA school} I'm very friendly, outgoing and attractive it just seems they are alot more comfortable with each other. Even if you do break bread with them it's kinda akward and it seems like everyone is being so phony so I just keep to myself and study hard. Not trying to gripe but this has been my experience. I've even noticed that these students may be overly friendly to another non-minority student in the class even though they don't know them just to bring them into their circle and let them know they're welcome but keep others locked out.

I almost feel as if there are preconceived notions that maybe they don't think I'm that smart so I find myself feeling as if I have something to prove. This also keeps me isolated and I don't understand it. It's like the older I get the more I see these really sick hidden discrepancies in people and I get so annoyed. Alot of non whites may not understand because it's not blatent... you'd have to be in a minorities shoes to understand.

I'm sorry and don't mean to go on but it just got to me because I understand what Butterfly is saying. I noticed that too. I'd say this is what friends do but when you don't have a friend that has gone before you, you just don't have those same advantages. Even if you were friend with the friend who had the friend that had gone through this pgm before you'd still have the pre-knowledge base... but when you're an outsider and a minority you have to work quadruple hard and still not receive the same respect.

Here's Hoping Things will CHANGE

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Does minority not mean minority anymore or does it translate only to one of a color that is not white? Does color only mean black? If not, why aren't people of other colors complaining?

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Sounds like you are pointing the finger at everyone but yourself for your failure. Your personal failure has little if anything to do with whether or not the entire class is cheating their way through or not. You as a minority or not a minority does not excuse you from not being able to "handle" the course work you are required. If you cannot "make the grade" and maintain the minimum GPA, YOU have failed to meet your requirement. Anesthesia school is difficult and not all "whites" "make it". As a minority, I can say that what you have posted is possibly the most racist thing I've every read and I'm disgusted. Good luck with your future.

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It is appalling and shameful to be in a profession or want to be considered a profession that find it ok for others to cheat their way through their education. People are half stepping in obtaining the necessary skills and education required because they are priviledged to do so (or so they think). The previous poster stated that he/she was dropping out of the Nurse Anesthetist program because of his concerns with others obtaining old test etc and using these to their advantage thus getting A's while his/her grades are not reflective of cheating or favoritism shown to him. Just because he/she is getting out of the program does not mean that he/she is giving up on a career (If he/she is smart they would pursue another /different profession). Just remember there is a reason there is a nursing shortage. Do you honestly believe that others have to settle for the garbage that goes on in nursing (I can't even refer to it as a profession!). Instead of finding fault with the reality that RACISM DOES EXIST, why don't you try to improve the care that is given to patients by substandard individuals who graduate from these programs after cheating their way though them. I definitely would not want these individuals providing anesthesia to a family member or myself. It is scary how others can't accept that the nursing profession is full of unacceptable garbage!!!! I can just imagine how you must treat others that are different then yourself just by your responses on this post. Oh and by the way some of us could care less about handouts from the priviledged because we have worked hard and have accomplished goals in our life, We JUST KNOW GARBAGE WHEN WE SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Okay everyone! There is no reason for PROFESSIONALS to act in this manner. Please debate the topic, not the poster. We want to be a board that everyone can enjoy. When we are putting each other down and calling each other names, we come off sounding far less than professional.

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Specializes in Anesthesia ICU LTC Dialysis.
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 would bet there is something you are leaving out... on paper you should be admitted....you must interview poorly. I doubt it has anything to do with skin color... trust me on this one,, I used to do the interviews.

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I was delighted to recently find out the CRNA program director of Michgan State University is an African American Male.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I was delighted to recently find out the CRNA program director of Michgan State University is an African American Male.

And Wayne State has Dr Prudentia Worth.

http://www.aana.com/resources.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=164&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=1765

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