Understanding the Role of the CRNA

First and foremost, the role of the CRNA is dictated if not defined by its essence as an advanced practice specialty. Overall, the CRNA’s all encompassing aim is to ensure the safety and comfort of patients of all ages, those who are facing every conceivable form of surgery and procedures, in an equally diverse array of set ups. Simultaneously, and particularly in terms of the CRNA’s specialty, the CRNA, while a member of a multidisciplinary team, enjoys a high level of autonomy in their profession, that is, they are qualified to deliver anesthesia sans physician direction. While the CRNA functions largely independently, they so still maintain clear communication with anesthesiologists. In the OR, teamwork is not only expected by indispensible, with each member being dependent upon the other. There is a distinct intensity in the OR, with each team member focusing on their role. The CRNA’s relationship to the surgical team is more defined than with the RNs, particularly the CRNA to surgeon and technologist. This is due to the fact that the surgeon is reliant upon the CRNA’s expertise with the pharmacology, particularly if a patient must be stabilized, at which point the CRNA is in fact in a lead role. Unlike physicians, the CRNA does not refer patients to other providers, but instead receives referrals; the CRNA’s patients are in most cases under the care of a surgeon. CRNAs are not meant to have a patient caseload, unless they are aiding patients in need of pain management. Instead, CRNAs primarily function via consultations, which make up the bulk of their daily work. The consultations are essential for a number of reasons stemming from a patient’s care plan, not the least of which are legal and clinical reasons. Moreover, surgeons recognize and rely on the CRNA’s proficiency in anesthesiology, turning to them to understand completely any risks involved in an upcoming surgery. This is not to say that the CRNA never sees a patient directly or the patient’s family. Indeed, the CRNA must be able to quickly establish a rapport and trust with patients and their families. What makes the role of the CRNA truly exclusive, and adds to their autonomy is that their specialty commands a great deal of authority across healthcare teams. The CRNA is called upon to help in assessing patients, but also to inform and bolster the efforts of residents, and CRNA students. They teach via demonstration, not only in terms of clinical acumen, but particularly in terms of professionalism, competence and as a role model for others. The CRNA has the capability of affecting change in perioperative and perianesthesia care by not only personifying aptitude, but also by imparting their expertise clinically and not just academics. Conversely, though, many CRNAs do in fact teach and train upcoming CRNA students. The CRNA is an integral part of the surgical team, and must maintain strong ties with perioperative team members, from the surgeons to the RNs, technologists and anesthesiologists. This also means that the CRNA is a part of a different administration, separate from other clinical staff. Despite these differences, though, the CRNA is essential in terms of supporting the efforts of all nursing staff, advancing healthcare, ensuring patient safety and an overall exceptional healthcare experience for patients.

SAT and ACT 2015 dates to remember

Perfct Cover Letters & Resumes - You can DO this!

Perfect Cover Letters & Resumes: You can totally DO this!

We live in an age of perfect information, with the answers to many of our most common and most complex issues literally at our fingertips.  You've got a one-of-a-kind story to tell, so let's get it right the first time!

So here it is, a list of probably the best tools available for creating a Cover Letter or a Resume that gets results!

I tried to make this a good mix, from the simplest infographics to full-fledged interactive writing guides.

Cover letters are frequently only one page, so you've got 300 words or less to make it truly effective.  Resumes are the same situation - one page to say it all.

Overall, the best advice I could possibly give you is this: do not use a cookie cutter approach!  Customize your Resume - yes, your resume! - as well as your Cover letter to your audience.  Recruiters, admissions boards, and more know what a form letter looks like as opposed to a thoughtful, well-planned, customized document.  It makes a difference and, frankly, it's your life.  You get out of it what you put into it.  So put in your best!

More specifically, cater your cover letter and resume to the company or school you are applying to, such as finding out names of contacts, reading, digesting and responding to the school's or company's mission, and or values statement.  Additionally, and by no means least, cater your skills and experiences to the position or program to which you are applying!

Resumes

Purdue OWL: Introduction to Resumes – It's not just for APA and MLA citations!  Make your resume count! OWL provides a list of optional sections and offers specific suggestions to tailor your resume for each perspective employer and or academic program.

ALA JobList: Resumes – the American Library Association resume resource page offers a variety of suggested topics for creating and maintaining your resume, including librarian the Resume Review Service Committee (service requires ALA NMRT membership).

UC Berkeley: Writing Effective Resumes Online Workshop – Excellent example-focused video guide that offers a comparison of presentation formats, sections to consider including, as well as industry and objective-based suggestions. Advice from a panel of human resource representatives provides practical tips for improving resumes and avoiding common mistakes.

Entrepreneur.com: How to Impress the Robots Reading Your Resume – Entrepreneur offers an entertaining and informative infographic that can help you understand how to tailor your resume to better appeal to filtering technologies, known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), to make your resume less susceptible to being filtered out of the selection process.

Boston University: Anatomy of a Resume – When researching resume writing you will encounter many terms regarding presentation styles and sections, such as chronological versus functional formats. Anatomy of a Resume is an interactive tool that allows users to identify common formats, sections, and styles with descriptions and tips to help you choose which ones best fit your needs.

Cover Letters

Purdue OWL: Cover Letter Workshop – OWL asserts that the cover letter may be one of the most difficult documents you will write and offers a wide variety of advice regarding formatting as well as writing tips to help you get your audiences’ attention.

The Ladders: How to Write a Great Cover Letter – According to The Ladders’ research-based article on writing a cover letter, generalizations (such as a blanket salutation) can make you seem lazy and work against you. This article provides examples from hiring professionals on content and format to help you connect with perspective employers.

The Muse: The Pain-Free Cover Letter Builder – This interactive tool helps applicants create a custom cover letter (requires Muse account).

Boston University: Anatomy of a Cover Letter – Anatomy of a cover letter is an interactive tool that demystifies the components of a cover letter and provides specific recommendations for each section to help you refine your letter and make an impact.

The Muse: 31 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples – This article lists introduction suggestions for opening statements to cover letters that will help your resume get attention. You can also sign up for a free cover letter writing guide.

And of course, it is our belief that MyStatementofPurpose.com is quite possibly the only writing site you will ever need.

Top 5 Scholarship Essay Mistakes to Avoid

1. Waiting to the last minute: Deadlines really light a fire under most people, but in order to do your best, start writing early!  Nothing is worse than sending out your application materials and then thinking of a great way of saying something better two days later.  Also!  Write when you are on vacation, the weekend, or other times when deadlines and demands on your time are at a minimum.

2. Not researching who/what you are writing for or about: Don't fall into the cookie cutter mentality!  While the bottom line is getting money for school, each application is to be approached appropriately.  Take your time to get to know your audience.  You know you can tell when someone is recycling, they can too!  Moreover, follow directions to the "T".  If they call for 12pt TNR font, and 1" margins, do it without question!

3. Blah Writing: The scholarship committees don't want to read dry, sterile drivel and incidentally, you don't want to sound this way, especially since you are talking about your favorite topic: You!

Be creative!  Use an original opening and ending that comes from the heart - your heart! not someone else's!

4. Using slang, and abbreviations: Your scholarship essay may require you to write only 300 words.  This does not mean that you use abbreviations that should be reserved for the cellular device!  Avoid slang at all costs, however, some colloquialisms are OK, but only in extreme moderation, maybe once per 300 words.  Be professional not texty!  For example, "through" is not spelled "thru", and "espc" is not an acceptable replacement for "especially"!  IMHO...

5. Spell check and grammar check are not enough: 

Will you please read your essay carefully before printing it or sending it out?  Spell and grammar check are good for picking up glaringly obvious errors, but leave plenty behind.  They are not perfect and may never be completely perfect. It doesn't pick up on the fact that you said, "amazing" three times in your essay, so proof it yourself before letting Dr. Grammar Check at the patient.  Have a friend read it over, or if your best friend is a rock, then try your school's writing center.

Top Ways to Make Your Scholarship Essay Get Results!

By MyStatementofPurpose

April 21, 2013

A personalized - not cookie cutter! - passionate scholarship essay can mean everything when it comes to obtaining your scholarship dollars.

It's not easy to separate your scholarship application from the background noise of thousands of other applicants. Even if you fit the main criteria for a scholarship, you're still going to have similar grades, goals, activities, and aspirations as dozens of other applicants.

That's where a great application essay comes in. The essay is your best chance to state your case for why you above all others should receive a scholarship; it helps the scholarship provider learn about the person behind the application, and gives them a much more detailed look at your unique story, what you took away from school and what it truly means to be you!

When done right, those few paragraphs can help your application stand out—and could mean the difference between getting a "thanks for applying" E-mail and the award you're looking for.

Of course, putting so much emphasis on a scholarship essay may make it seem like a daunting task, especially if you don't consider yourself a great writer. By following these four tips, just about anyone can create an amazing scholarship essay.

1. Research your audience: Each scholarship provider is different and looking for a specific set of students who meet their specific criteria. Look closely at the application questions, the organization giving the scholarship, and any past recipients, if they are listed.

Do they emphasize school performance? Looking for someone who's dealt with adversity? Interested in character or community service more than grades? Whatever the answers, your research will put you a step ahead of applicants who are copying and pasting "cookie-cutter" essays.

2. Plan, plan, plan!: Don't settle for a cookie-cutter essay!  Start your research and planning as far in advance as possible.  This will give you time to develop an outline.  List two or three main points you want to make in response to any essay questions, add some supporting information under each and consider a sentence or two of introduction and conclusion. 

3. Make it personal and passionate: The scholarship committee does not want to read dry, sterile drivel!  If you can't be passionate about your future, then who can?!  You want to convince the committee that you're the student they've been looking for. Answer the questions you've set out in your outline, but make sure every point you make is illustrated with a specific detail that shows you care about the subject.

Don't just mention that you work with disadvantaged kids; tell them how your love of soccer got you into coaching those kids. Don't just tell them about your acting awards; show how the stage helped you conquer your shyness.

4. Find an editor: Last but not least, make sure you have time to run your essay by a good editor. Even a well-researched and passionately written essay can be derailed by spelling mistakes or awkward sentences, and if you've spent a lot of time looking at your words, it's easy to miss the obvious.

A few minutes of proofreading by a trusted editor can make a huge difference. I also recommend reading your essay aloud to yourself, so you can hear how it flows.

Stop saying that! The top 10 things not to say on your resume! No, really!

We - resume writers - used to use the term "boilerplate" when it came to these adjectives and phrases people would pepper their resumes with. Trust me, hold the pepper. Boilerplate means "formulaic or hackneyed language". You could also say they're cliche, blasé, and or buzzwords. Don't tell me it's just your schtick. Stick your schtick, already. Your resume is not the place for these terms! It is best to 

let your achievements do the talking!

Example: don't say that you're a team player if you point out that in your list of achievements you were a team member in a really important project - it's obvious you were a team player or you wouldn't be mentioning it! There's more...read on!

1. Hard working - Make a great resume, and anyone reading your resume will know that you are hard worker. Get good references, and they'll know you're a hard worker. Complete projects on time, mention the projects, tell 'em how you finished ahead of schedule, and - say it with me - they'll know you're a hard worker! 

 2. Self-starting - If you have been in a position in which you are basically a whole department or have supervised at least one other employee - even a part'-timer - you're a self starter. OR! If you handle projects regularly, and with little or no aid, you're a self starter...mention the projects and chuck the boilerplate terms! 

3. Team player - Don't say that you're a team player if you point out that in your list of achievements you were a team member in a really important project - it's obvious you were a team player or you wouldn't be mentioning it! 

4. Highly qualified - Mention your qualifications, even inflate them a bit, we all do it - and they'll know you are qualified. Or, even better, how about applying for a job you're qualified for, with the right list of qualifications, and then, you guessed it, they'll know you are highly qualified! By the way, don't just mention your qualifications - qualify them by listing your greatest achievements! 

5. Dynamic - Show how you're dynamic - for example, you handled many different aspects of a tough project, coordinating performers, caterers, logistics, etc. See how dynamic you were?!

6. Problem solver - Show how you solved problems over the years in your work or your volunteerism. 

7. Reliable - Leave it up to your references to illustrate how reliable you are. What is more, if you finish projects on time or ahead or time - guess what? - you're reliable!

8. Familiar with... - Say instead 'how' familiar you are with a software package, or a process. List years used and in what capacity. For example, if you've been a computer user since you were 8, it doesn't really count until you use a computer for work. Thus, say something like, expert computer user, 8 yrs professional computer use. I'm familiar with tae kwan do after watching some vids on it, but I can't really do it.

9. Flexible - Ok, yoga-tard, show how you were flexible, or actually be flexible and let your references do the talking. Flexibility on your resume can be illustrated thus: Handled large scale project while also completing regular duties, and met all deadline. 

10. People person - If you've been in customer service since you graduated high school, you're probably a people person. If people skills are needed for the job you are applying for, highlight some good examples: handled customer complaints; increased staff morale with Holy Smoke It's Friday in-house program; stuff like that.  Seeing "people person" on a resume makes me gag, then laugh, then gag again...sorry, but it's true.

Overall, boilerplate lines have been overdone - so stop doing it - you'll make more space for the things that matter. You've only got so much space to shine, so let's focus on the best you have to offer and can the canned terms!

Now...wanna see some great Resume and CV samples?

Best Resume, CV, and Cover Letter Samples That Get Results!