BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Jefferson’s career in health care never in doubt

For LaJasmine R. Jefferson, BS, BSN, RN, CCRN, SRNA, a career in health care was never in doubt.

“Potentially cliché but absolutely genuine, as a young child I knew I was going to be in health care providing care for individuals,” said Jefferson, who is attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia program, with plans to finish in 2024.

“At a very young age, my mother was also struggling with a medical ailment, and being extremely attached to her all I wanted to do was protect and care for her,” she continues. “I also really loved science, so I combined my natural two loves and the decision to become a nurse was easy.”

Jefferson chose anesthesia because it requires a great deal of critical thinking and fastidiousness. Having an uncle who is an anesthesiologist to guide and support her aided in her decision to pursue anesthesia as well.

Her biggest inspiration is her mother and making her proud. She was a single parent who raised four children with extremely limited resources but with her strength, resilience, belief and love, she made a way for all of her children and herself.

“My success is being my mother’s first child to graduate from college and her first child to obtain a doctorate education,” Jefferson said.

Black History Month is a celebration of what was, what is, and what is to be for the success and empowerment of African Americans. It represents a culture that Jefferson said she is proud to be part of. Black history is American history and its vitality in this world cannot be stressed enough.

As for plans after graduation? Jefferson said that after becoming a CRNA she wants to focus her efforts on increasing minority representation for nurse anesthetists and providing opportunities for nurses to reach their goals.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Thankful for mentors, Brown wants to give back – professionally and personally

Vaunique Brown, BSN, RN, CCRN, still remembers her first intubation. She and her classmates were in clinical for a week at this point, and she had not intubated anyone yet. After seeing the vocal cords and observing the ETT go through, she whispered aloud, “Oh my, God, I got it.” And with that excitement and growing confidence, she knew she had made the right decision to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

In fact, Brown chose the profession because she wanted more opportunities for independence in patient care. She loved working in critical care, but she also wanted to advance her career. The autonomy and quick critical thinking she witnessed during her shadowing experiences made her certain she was going to pursue anesthesia.

Her first shadow experience was in 2012 at her local hospital, where she met Dr. Wallena Gould, Ed, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, founder & CEO of Diversity CRNA who actually encouraged Brown to pursue nurse anesthesia. “Thank you, Dr. Gould,” Brown says.

She also looks up to best friend and peer Ryan Davis, MSN, CRNA, a recent graduate of Columbia University. Davis and Brown met during nursing school at Drexel University. They both shared their aspirations of becoming CRNAs one day. Well, if you’re keeping track at home … that’s one down and one to go! (Brown is studying at the University of Pennsylvania.)

Brown’s current mentor is her program director, Dr. Dawn Bent, DNP, MSN, CRNA, who also serves as a trustee of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists. “If you know her, you know she’s great,” Brown says. “Definitely want to be her when I grow up!"

Brown is taking this educational journey day by day, week by week and embracing each moment. Not that she isn’t thinking about what the future holds. She says she would love to help establish a nurse anesthesia program at one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the achievements we have accomplished, an opportunity to educate current generations of the sacrifices our ancestors had to make and a moment to remind ourselves of the continued work we still have to hurdle,” Brown said. “I also see this as an opportunity for others to take action on how they can eliminate the disparities that African Americans experience in the various industries that were constructed without us in mind."

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Intense interest, passionate mentor fuel Bell to succeed

Ashley Bell, BSN, RN, has always been fascinated by the way patients are put into a state where they are unable to feel and respond to outside stimuli, and then when they awake, they have no recollection of what took place throughout the surgery. That interest in the inner workings of anesthetic treatment has fueled her passion to be a nurse anesthetist. Pursuing that role enables her to continue to advocate for patients and dive even deeper into her interest in anesthetics.

Black History Month offers time for reflection, and Bell says her educational and professional pursuits as an African American student anesthetist at the University of Pennsylvania creates a win-win scenario. One of the challenges she faces is the lack of diversity within her role. It can be overwhelming to be in a work environment that lacks racial diversity. A person can feel like they do not belong within the community, she says. But, as she keeps working to achieve her dreams, she’s changing the dynamic --- and doing her part to ensure people see others of the same background in her profession.

One of the things that has helped Bell navigate these feelings and challenges is her program director, who is also African American. Her program director even inspired her to apply to an Ivy League institution. There’s a real connection, and Bell sees a lot of herself in her program director, who motivates her and helps her see all of the possibilities that are available to her. Bell’s program director motivates her to keep working towards her ultimate goal: Becoming a CRNA and eventually further diversifying the nurse anesthesia profession.

Bell is blessed to have the opportunity to learn from such an amazing role model and hopes to follow in her footsteps, becoming a trailblazer in her profession. When you hear her story, you can tell Bell is already on her way to achieving her dream.

Photos Submitted by Ashley Bell, BSN, RN

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