ALANA Candidates - Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists

ALANA
NewsBulletin
advancing quality anesthesia care, serving our members, promoting the nurse anesthesia profession
I am pleased to announce that the ALANA membership approved the 2014 slate of candidates for the upcoming election
at the annual Spring Meeting in Sandestin.
As the Nominating Committee Chair, I would like to thank the members of the Nominating Committee and all of the
Board members for their help in assembling the ballot. I would also like to express my appreciation to the candidates who
have offered their time and experience to serve on the ALANA Board and work on behalf of the members and our great
profession. This year’s ballot consists of the following positions: President Elect, Vice President, three Board of Directors
positions (1 from each region [North, Central, and South]) and Nominating Committee Chair.
Look for more information on the slate of candidates in the next ALANA News Bulletin. Also, please keep in mind that
we will be transitioning to online voting for the upcoming election. Information regarding instructions for accessing
the electronic ballot will be delivered primarily via Email. Please be sure you have a valid Email address on file with the
AANA and ALANA. Again, I am very pleased to offer this year’s slate of candidates. I encourage each and every member
to take the time to research and get to know the nominees and VOTE!
Nick Berry, CRNA
2014 Nominating Committee Chair
ALANA Candidates
Board of Directors-Central:
Stephanie Doss
Lisa Reich
Pat Smith
Emily Trammell
Lisa Vallely
President Elect:
David Gay
Vice President:
Heather Fields
Jay Strickland
Board of Directors-South:
Trey Burg
Todd Hicks
Board of Directors-North:
Lisa Ghavam
Jay Kendrick
Farlie Templeton
Amy Yerdon
ALANA NewsBulletin
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Nominating Committee Chair:
Carmen Ainsworth
Jessica Elmes
Summer 2013
•
www.AlabamaCRNA.org
Update from the Alabama
Board of Nursing
ALANA
NewsBulletin
Volume 31, Number 2
Summer 2013
Publisher
Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Code of Alabama 1975, Section 31-13-29(c)(1) provides that, “Any person
entering into a public records transaction or attempting to enter into a
public records transaction with this state or a political subdivision of this
state shall be required to demonstrate his or her United States citizenship…” A public records transaction includes application for an initial
professional license or renewal of a professional license.
The Alabama Board of Nursing mailed a notice to each licensed nurse in
April 2013. We sent you a checklist with a list of documents that demonstrates your citizenship and/or legal presence. For those who are non-citizens, a different set of documents are required and information is entered
into the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program
(a federal database). Sending the Board the checklist along with a legible copy of one of the listed documents is a requirement to renew your
RN license and CRNA approval in 2014. The notice and checklist have a
deadline of August 1, 2013 in order for Board staff to complete the review
before 68,000+ Registered Nurses renew in 2014. If you have not submitted proof of your citizenship or legal presence in the U.S. before license
renewal in 2014, you will not be eligible to renew.
In This Issue
If you lost your notice and checklist, you can download another one from
our website, www.abn.alabama.gov, click on the correct checklist under the
photos in the center of the screen. Be sure and submit the correct checklist
with the correct, legible documents or we will not be able to process. You
will not receive a confirmation that documents were received as we mailed
out 85,000 + notices. You will be notified if the incorrect checklist, incorrect documents, or illegible documents were received. Thanks for your
assistance in this new requirement. The good news is that once you prove
you are a U.S. citizen or have a permanent resident card, you do not have
to show us proof again!
N. Genell Lee, MSN, RN, JD
Executive Officer
Anesthesia Abstract
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11
Proposed Bylaws
GRC Day
2
Ala-CRNA PAC
12
Spring Meeting
13
Stress Management
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Post Office Box 240757 • Montgomery, Alabama 36124
334.260.7970
Board of Directors
President
Phillip Kendrick, CRNA, PhD
Post Office Box 1225
Point Clear, AL 36564
251.517.7146 (home)
251.554.2820 (cell)
pkendrick75@gmail.com
Director
Edward W. Murphree, CRNA, BSN
2025 Cleveland Farm Parkway
Pell City, Alabama 35125
205.338.1324 (home)
205.616.0063 (cell)
Emurphreecrna@gmail.com
President-Elect
Jennifer Overton, CRNA
4545 Crowne Point Lane
Mt. Olive, AL 35117
205.531.4469 (cell)
jennifer.overton@gmail.com
Director
William B. Parsons, CRNA, BSN
417 Woodridge Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
205.752.7215 (home)
205.394.1362 (cell)
wbparsons1126@yahoo.com
Vice-President/Secretary
Heather Fields, CRNA, MBA, MSN Director
2330 Ridge Road
Seth A. Richardson, CRNA, MNA
Opelika, AL 36804
1908 Guthrie Dr. Bessemer, AL
334.728.3030 (cell)
35023
hlv1rn@aol.com
(205) 497-9521 (H)
(205) 541-8783 (C)
Treasurer
Adamsteel@aol.com
Michael Humber, DNP, CRNA
1705 University Blvd, SHPB 489
Birmingham, AL 35294
205.999.7544 (cell)
mhumber@uab.edu
Ex-Officio
Members
Senior Director
David Gay, CRNA, MSN, MNA
6615 Lubarrett Way
Mobile, AL 36695
251.895.2880
DavidBrianGay@aol.com
Nominating Committee Chair
Nick Berry, CRNA, MNA
2369 Hackberry Ln
Vestavia, AL 35226-3037
205-444-9961
nberry@uab.edu
Senior Director
Patrick A. Hubbard, CRNA, MSN
2196 Ross Ave
Hoover, AL 35226
205.531.8206
patrickhubbard@me.com
UAB Student Representative
Krista Miller, SRNA
1120 Beacon Pkwy E Unit 402
Birmingham, AL 35209-1023
krmill24@uab.edu
Senior Director
Brian Koonce,CRNA, MSN
203 Morningwalk Lane
Huntsville, AL 35824
256.529.3292
bkcrna@mac.com
Director
Matt Hemrick, CRNA, MSN
709 Braddock Ave
Birmingham, AL 35213
205-246-0183 (cell)
mhemrick@gmail.com
Samford Student Representative
Amanda Long, SRNA
2411 Wildwood Crossings
Birmingham, AL 35211
479.372.2478 (cell)
along@samford.edu
Federal Political Director
Amy Neimkin, CRNA, DNP, MBA
368 Woodward Court
Birmingham, AL 35242
205.243.8382 (cell)
aneimkin@aol.com
Executive Staff
Executive Director
Larry A. Vinson
Group Management Services
Post Office Box 240757
Montgomery, AL 36124
334.260.7970 (office)
larry@gmsal.com
General Counsel
T. Joe Knight
Kress Building, Suite 500
301 19th Street N
Birmingham, AL 35203
205.531.5157 (cell)
Joe@tjoeknightlaw.com
Government Relations Specialist
Susan Hansen
Franklin Resources Group
4120 Wall Street
Montgomery, AL 36106
334.244.2187 (office)
334.320.7539 (cell)
hansen@franklinrg.com
ALANA NewsBulletin Copyright 2013 • Alabama Association of Nurse
Anesthetists, Inc. • All Rights Reserved.
The ALANA NewsBulletin (USPS 019-869) is published quarterly by the
Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Inc, Post Office Box 240757,
Montgomery, Alabama.
www.AlabamaCRNA.org • Summer 2013 • ALANA NewsBulletin 2
Anesthesia
Abstracts
Pain
PERIOPERATIVE SINGLE DOSE SYSTEMIC DEXAMETHASONE FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN: A METAANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS
Anesthesiology 2011;115:575-88
De Oliveira GS Jr, Almeida MD, Benzon HT, McCarthy RJ
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this metaanalysis was to examine the effectiveness of dexamethasone as part of a regime to
prevent postoperative pain. A secondary purpose was to identify the dose needed to contribute to analgesia and any side
effects of that dose.
Background: Postoperative pain is uncomfortable and can impede recovery. Multimodal analgesia is accepted as one
of the most effective ways to minimize postoperative pain. Drugs such as ketamine, gabapentin, acetaminophen, and
NSAIDs have been shown to reduce pain and/or opioid consumption when used as part of multimodal analgesia. While
most commonly used as part of a strategy to prevent PONV, dexamethasone may also offer benefits as part of multimodal
analgesia. The timing of dexamethasone administration may be important to achieve pain relieving effects as the onset of
an IV dose is about 1 hour.
Methodology: PubMed, the Cochrane Database, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized controlled trials of
dexamethasone and postoperative pain. Studies included looked at single doses of dexamethasone compared to a control group. The reference lists in these studies were also examined to find additional studies not located with the search
described above. The dose of dexamethasone, time of administration, number of patients in the study groups, patient
weight, type of surgery, pain scores, and opioid use were extracted from selected studies. Three different dose ranges of
dexamethasone were studied:
• 0.10 mg/kg or less
• 0.11 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg
• more than 0.2 mg/kg
(low dose) (middle dose) (high dose)
When patient weight was not reported it was assumed to be 70 kg. When pain was reported as a visual analog scale it
was
“converted” [emphasis added] into a 0 - 10 numeric rating scale. “Early” pain was defined as pain within the first 4
hours postoperatively. “Late” pain was assessed at 24 hours. Opioids administered were converted into morphine equivalents for reporting. Adverse events associated with dexamethasone administration were also noted; including wound,
urinary tract, or pulmonary infection; hyperglycemia; and delayed wound healing.
Result: Following the literature search, 38 studies met inclusion criteria. Of these, 14 were excluded because needed data
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Abstract, continued from previous page
could not be extracted; leaving 24 studies in the metaanalysis. These studies included 2,751 patients.
Early Pain 0 - 4 hours Postoperatively
Overall (all three dose ranges), dexamethasone improved early pain at rest slightly compared to controls. Low dose
dexamethasone provided no improvement in pain relief. Middle dose dexamethasone improved pain relief slightly.
High dose dexamethasone was no better than the middle dose.
Overall, dexamethasone improved early pain with movement noticeably; and to a greater extent and with less variability than pain at rest. Low dose dexamethasone improvement pain during movement compared to controls. As the
dose increased to middle dose and high dose the improvement in pain relief during movement grew larger compared
to controls.
Late Pain 24 hours Postoperatively Overall (all three dose ranges), dexamethasone improved late pain at rest to a
greater degree than it improved early pain at rest. Both small dose and middle dose dexamethasone produced a similar
reduction in late pain. High dose dexamethasone was no better than middle dose.
Overall, dexamethasone improved late pain with movement about as well as late pain at rest. Both low dose and middle
dose dexamethasone improved late pain with movement to about the same degree. High dose dexamethasone, however, improved late pain with movement about 6 times better than low dose or middle dose dexamethasone (P≤0.004).
In studies of late pain, dexamethasone was sometimes administered preoperatively and other times intraoperatively.
Late pain relief at rest was significantly better when dexamethasone was administered preoperatively (P<0.001).
Opioid Consumption: Low dose dexamethasone had no effect on postoperative opioid consumption. Both middle and
high dose dexamethasone decreased opioid consumption compared to controls and compared to low dose dexamethasone (P<0.003). The opioid sparing effect of middle dose dexamethasone was much greater when the dexamethasone
was administered preoperatively (P=0.1).
There were no differences in the incidence of wound, urinary tract, or pulmonary infection; hyperglycemia; or delayed
wound healing in any dexamethasone patients.
Conclusion: Dexamethasone doses of 0.1 mg/kg or less had little, if any, effect on early pain, late pain, or opioid consumption. Dexamethasone 0.11 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg reduced both early and late pain somewhat and had a definite
opioid sparing effect. Doses of dexamethasone greater than 0.2 mg/kg did not offer much more than middle dose dexamethasone for relief of early or late pain at rest but did further improve pain with movement. Similarly, high dose dexamethasone had an opioid sparing effect. Preoperative dosing resulted in greater pain relief and opioid sparing effects
than intraoperative dosing. A single dose of dexamethasone did not result in adverse effects such as wound infection or
poor wound healing. Dexamethasone 0.11 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg was safe and effective as part of a multimodal pain relief
strategy.
(continued on next page)
www.AlabamaCRNA.org
• Summer 2013
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ALANA NewsBulletin 4
Anesthesia Abstract, continued from page 4
Comment:
Time was, we didn’t understand how helpful dexamethasone could be in preventing PONV. When we did come to understand it, we used it sparingly for some time over concerns that steroids would prevent all the wounds from healing
and do other bad things. Now we’re beginning to learn how Decadron can be part of a multimodal pain relief strategy.
This study was a metaanalysis, a study of studies. Because of this, the investigators didn’t always have all the data they
needed available in the studies they examined. In some cases they were able to get the data by contacting the authors
of the original study. In other cases they did their best to read the data from figures. And, sometimes they simply
couldn’t obtain it. Some of the data they did have was collected so differently from study to study that the results of
the original studies were very different from each other. Thus, a few studies that collected data one way, may have biased the overall results of the metaanalysis. Overall, some of the data was only an estimate of the “real” data, and this
makes me want to see a more significant result before I believe what this study says.
Despite the limitations of this study, here is what I feel comfortable concluding after examining it carefully.
1. Doses of 0.1 mg/kg or less are great for PONV but don’t help with pain relief.
2. Doses of about 0.15 mg/kg cover PONV and reduce postoperative pain and opioid demand.
3. Doses above 0.2 mg/kg don’t get you any more pain relief. An exception may be greater pain relief with movement (e.g. early ambulation in total joint patients?).
4. Giving dexamethasone preoperatively improves pain relief considerably more than giving it after induction. (Op
timally 1-2 hours before incision.)
5. In general, we need not worry about side effects with 0.15 mg/kg any more than we do with current PONV doses.
So my overall recommendation is to consider about 12 mg dexamethasone (± 0.15 mg/kg) for cases where more postoperative analgesia is needed. It should also be considered when it can be substituted for other drugs, such as opioids,
thus reducing side effects. You may want to increase the dose a bit if the surgical site is going to be subject to motion
early in the postoperative period.
Michael A. Fiedler, PhD, CRNA
ANESTHESIA ABSTRACTS IS A PUBLICATION OF LIFELONG LEARNING, LLC © COPYRIGHT 2013 ISSN
Number: 1938-7172
AnesthesiaAbstracts.com
Provided as a service to the ALANA by Anesthesia Abstracts (www.AnesthesiaAbstracts.com)
Michael A. Fiedler, PhD, CRNA, Editor
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www.AlabamaCRNA.org
ALANA Goes to Washington
ALANA had a good delegation in Washington for the AANA Mid-Year Assembly earlier this spring. It is a fast-paced,
working session with time built-in for Hill visits. We have featured photos of Hill visits for your review.
Amy Neimkin, Jen Overton, Krista Miller & Seth Richardson
visit with Congressman Spencer Bachus.
Krista Miller, Amanda Long, Billy Parsons,
Amy Neimkin, Congressman Robert Alderholt, David
Gay, Jen Overton & Heather Rankin pose for a photo
on the Hill.
MBM
Medical Business Management
“CRNA Billing Specialist”
Contact: Joe Gribbin
1025 Montgomery Highway, Suite 100
Birmingham, AL 35216
205-979-5882
joegribbin@mbmps.com
www.MBMPS.com
www.AlabamaCRNA.org
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Summer 2013
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ALANA NewsBulletin 6
Notice of Proposed Revisions to ALANA Bylaws
In February, AANA posted online their recommendations for Model State Bylaws. This post came on the heels of a
question to AANA State Association Resources from our Bylaws Committee regarding the discipline portion of ALANA’s bylaws. The Bylaws Committee reviewed our current bylaws and made recommendations for modifications in
order to comply with the model bylaws.
The proposed changes were reviewed by AANA’s parliamentarian. They have also been reviewed by ALANA’s Board of
Directors, and after unanimous approval by the Board, the proposed changes will be presented at the ALANA Fall Meeting for a vote by the membership. These should not be very controversial changes and, as stated, are intended to keep
us in line with our national organization. If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Jen
Overton (jennifer.overton@gmail.com).
All proposed language to be removed is struck through. All proposed new language is underlined.
2013 Bylaws Committee Recommendations:
1.
Strike the following language in Article III, Section 2:
Section 2: Affiliate Membership
Affiliate membership in the ALANA is permitted with the approval of the Board of Directors. Affiliate member
ship fees and benefits shall be established by the Board of Directors. Affiliate members are not eligible to vote.
Section 2. Honorary Membership
Honorary membership in ALANA may be conferred upon an individual by voting body upon recommendation of the Board of Directors.
Insert in lieu thereof the following language in Article III, Section 2:
Membership and Honors
Membership
Membership in the ASSOCIATION and procedures with respect to admission to membership, maintenance of membership, classes of membership, qualifications thereof, and the exercises of the privileges thereof shall be such as are stipulated in the bylaws of the AANA.
Honors
Honors may be given to individuals upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors by presentation of awards or other honors without conferring honorary memberships.
Rationale:
No individual can be a member of the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists without first being a member of the
AANA. A portion of AANA dues goes to ALANA, therefore, ALANA exists because AANA exists. Allowing membership in the state association outside of the national association violates the mandates of the national association.
2.
Strike the following language in Article IV:
Disciplinary Action
If the conduct of any member shall appear to be in the willful violation of the bylaws of the ASSOCIATION or interest of the ASSOCIATION, the Board of Directors may, by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board, suspend or expel such member. Before action is taken, a written copy of the charges must be presented to the Board of Directors of the AANA for consideration and counsel. If after consultation with the AANA Board of 7 ALANA NewsBulletin •
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www.AlabamaCRNA.org
Directors, the ALANA Board of Directors still elects to press charges, a written copy of the charges must be served upon the member and an opportunity given that member to be heard before the ALANA Board of Directors. A recommendation for the suspension or expulsion of a member shall also be made to the AANA Board of Directors. A motion to reconsider the suspension or expulsion may be made at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors.
Insert in lieu thereof the following language in Article IV:
Professional Conduct and Discipline. Professional conduct and discipline shall be as prescribed in the AANA Bylaws.
Rationale:
ALANA is not authorized to discipline members. This bylaw is not enforceable. One becomes a member of ALANA by
virtue of membership in AANA. The duty of disciplining ALANA and thus, AANA members resides with AANA. Any
member concerned about the actions of another member should follow proper protocol through AANA for recourse or
disciplinary action.
3.
Add a Section 5 under Article V, Board of Directors.
Section 5. Executive Director
A.
Appointment. The Board of Directors may employ or contract for an Executive Director and/or
Association Management Company to serve the Organization on a part-time or full-time basis as the
needs of the Organization may require and/or Organization finances permit.
B.
Duties. The Executive Director shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the Board of Directors, including managing the operational affairs of the Organization.
Rationale:
Currently, Larry Vinson of Group Management Services acts as our Executive Director. Technically, we must have a
bylaw allowing for the existence of an executive director.
4.
Add a part A under Article VI, Section 3 to clarify.
Section 3. Eligibility for Office
A. Only active members shall be eligible to serve as directors.
Rationale:
Only active members can be members of AANA, thus ALANA, and thus directors or officers of ALANA.
5.
Add a Section 14 under Article 7 to clarify.
Section 14. Special Committees and Task Forces. Special Committees or Task Forces may be created as neces-
sary by the membership, the Board of Directors or the President. All committee appointments shall be made by the President, subject to approval by the Board.
Rationale:
ALANA boards and presidents have appointed many special committees, task forces, and ad hocs in the past. This bylaw
clarifies that authority.
www.AlabamaCRNA.org •
Summer 2013
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ALANA NewsBulletin 8
6.
Insert the word voluntarily in Article X, Section 2. Assessments.
To Read:
Section 2. Assessments
Members of the ALANA may be voluntarily assessed for funds to finance any legislation pertaining to our profession. The amount will be determined by the Board of Directors and subject to the approval of a majority of the membership.
Rationale:
A situation could arise in which there could be a vital need for extra capital. In such situation, any amount suggested by
ALANA’s Board of Directors would be considered a voluntary assessment. Without this clarification, the bylaw could
read as though the assessment would be mandatory for membership. As stated previously, this could not be the case as
all members of ALANA are members by virtue of membership within AANA.
7.
Rename Article XIII.
ARTICLE XIII
Rules of Order and Parliamentary Authority
Amendments
The bylaws may be amended at a business meeting of the ASSOCIATION, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been appended to the call of meeting and published in the ALANA NewsBulletin or mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the date thereof. Approval shall be by two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting. No restrictions shall apply to the renumbering of the bylaws to reflect the amended form.
Rationale:
This Article is now labeled Rules of Order and Parliamentary Authority, however the language within the Article pertains only to amendments. For this reason, the Article XIII may be more accurately labeled as such.
8.
Create an Article XIV which truly describes Parliamentary Authority to be used in ALANA governance.
Article XIV
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Organiza-
tion in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order or policies and procedures that the Organization may adopt.
Rationale:
This states that ALANA will use Robert’s Rules of Order to guide parliamentary authority.
These changes will be discussed, reviewed and submitted to the ALANA membership for their approval at the
ALANA Membership Meeting scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2013, at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham.
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www.AlabamaCRNA.org
GRC Update
The regular session of the 2013 Alabama Legislature adjourned on the 20th of May.
The government relations committee and other invaluable members of the ALANA
Board of Directors have been extremely busy this session keeping the Board of Directors informed of public policy issues and legislation that had the potential to impact
nurse anesthetists in Alabama.
David Gay, CRNA, MSN, MNA
I would like to especially thank Jennifer Overton, Dr. Michael Humber, Dr. Amy
Neimkin, Susan Hansen, David Hambright, and Heather Fields for their help with governmental issues this year. These individuals have logged countless hours on the phone, on the
road, and on the internet working tirelessly to assure that the nurse anesthetists of Alabama
were represented well in Montgomery and that our scope of practice is protected.
The GRC has continued to improve relationships with our Alabama legislators, encouraged
grassroots efforts, increased visits to legislators, improved our Legislative Day, and is currently redesigning a new GRC brochure that will be used as an education tool around the
state.
The ALANA Legislative Day was held on February 13th and was a tremendous success.
Larry Vinson and Susan Hansen did an outstanding job organizing and revamping the event.
President Kendrick presented Senator Slade Blackwell with the Healthcare Leadership Award
from the ALANA for his work in healthcare in Alabama. Students from Samford and UAB
attended and were introduced to advocacy, PAC, and legislation 101.
The time to get involved is now. The 2014 state election cycle is quickly approaching. The
full impact of the Affordable Care Act is right around the corner. The time to give back to
your profession is now. CRNA’s will be affected by healthcare policy changes in the very near
future. Non-physician providers are positioned to have a tremendous impact on the future of
healthcare in the United States. This opportunity comes with great responsibility.
Get involved and learn what legislation and regulations might impact your ability to practice as you do now. As you reap the benefits of your profession, look for ways to volunteer in
your legislator’s campaign, give to the PAC, and volunteer on the board.
www.AlabamaCRNA.org
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Summer 2013
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ALANA NewsBulletin 10
ALA-CRNA PAC
Alabama CRNA’s interests are being represented in Montgomery by the Alabama CRNA Political Action
Committee (ALA-CRNA PAC) coordinating our efforts with the ALANA’s professional lobbying firm,
Franklin Resources Group. In order to ensure that Alabama CRNAs have an effective voice in the Alabama legislature the PAC seeks to improve relationships with legislators and policy makers at the grassroots level. Your financial contributions to ALA-CRNA PAC help strengthen our political voice.
Fill out the form, mail to 4120 Wall Street, Montgomery, AL 36106 and join one of the groups below!
GOLD LEVEL
More than a buck-a-day
SILVER LEVEL
Buck-A-Day
BRONZE LEVEL
Less than buck-a-day
11 ALANA NewsBulletin
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• www.AlabamaCRNA.org
Spring Meeting
Samford’s Terri Cahoon and AANA President Janice Izlar.
Everyone is a Winner at ALANA Beach Party.
The Gribbin Men of Medical Business Management.
www.AlabamaCRNA.org •
ALA-CRNA PAC Auction Raises PAC Dollars.
Blair Perkins Draws Winning Ticket.
Our Exhibitors Are the BEST!
Summer 2013
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ALANA NewsBulletin 12
Spring Meeting
Heather Fields, Jen Overton and Patrick Hubbard Visit
Between Lectures.
AANA President Janice Izlar Addresses the Student
Session.
The Pat Dye Signed Ball Was a Hit.
13 ALANA NewsBulletin •
Summer 2013
ALANA Program Chairman Patrick Hubbard (Right) poses
with ALANA Treasurer Michael Humber and Speaker
Charles Vacchiano.
ALANA President Phillip Kendrick Addresses the
Membership.
The Ever Popular Signed Bama Football.
• www.AlabamaCRNA.org
Managing Stress in a Beneficial Way
for the Anesthesia Student
It is no secret that anesthesia school is a stressful
time in a student’s life. Right when one assignment
is complete, it’s time to start a new one. Sometimes it
feels like a never-ending cycle of class, study, sleep…
repeat. With the responsibilities of anesthesia school
come great levels of stress, and one of the biggest
challenges is learning how to deal with that stress
in a positive way. Personally, I have struggled with
finding the balance between constant study and time
to clear my head. As I have progressed in my clinical experiences, I have found that exercise provides a
way for me to release some of the stress from a long
day at the hospital. It is a time for me to focus on
me, concentrate on personal goals, and improve my
strength…because let’s get serious, sometimes intubating can leave your triceps feeling like Jello!
“Being outdoors helps me to
relieve stress. Whether it be
hiking or laying by the pool,
the fresh air and sunshine
helps me to clear my head and
relax a little.” – Adam Peeples,
Class of 2014
Laura Durchsprung
Samford Student Representative
I turned to the experts, my classmates, for suggestions on ways they relieve stress while in anesthesia
school. I received a myriad of answers, from dinner
with friends to training for half marathons to horseback riding and spending quality time with family.
Here are a few examples of some of the unique ways
SRNAs relieve their stress…
“I exercise to relieve my stress. Specifically, I do karate
3 days a week. There is a lot of concentration needed for
training, so it forces me to think of something other than
anesthesia for those few hours. I find it therapeutic to
punch and kick after a long day of studying, and I sleep
better since I am so physically tired…I have found that if I
skip my exercise for study, I do worse.” – Emily Bromley,
Class of 2015
“My go-to for stress relief
is doing Crossfit!!! I love
it…I try to go at least
4 days a week, and my
favorite part about it is
that my husband and I
do it together!” – Brooke
Williams, Class of 2015
“I ride my bike A LOT!
Today, I did 68 miles
after class. I run some
and spend time with
my family, but I always
try to make CRNA
school fun.” – Austin
Bowen, Class of 2015
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ALANA NewsBulletin 14
“I LOVE to come home and laugh with my girls (4 & 6) and maybe go out for ice cream in our PJ’s” –
Nicole McMorris, Class of 2015
“Pedicure and foot/leg massage” which results in “fabulous looking nails.” – Lacey Davis, Class of 2014
“Spending time with my wife, working out, solving puzzles, playing video games, playing golf, watching
tv/movies, playing guitar.” – Zack Adams, Class of 2015
My classmates have provided wonderful examples of the ways they relieve their stress
while in school, which is proving to be beneficial in the long run! Giving themselves
the freedom to push away from the books, even for a short time, brings them more
peace of mind. They are able to return to studying feeling refreshed, which in turn, results in better grades and happier students! I am so honored to be a part of this incredible program at Samford and thankful for my classmates that make school fun!
15 ALANA NewsBulletin • Summer 2013
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www.AlabamaCRNA.org
ALANA
Post Office Box 240757
Montgomery, AL 36124
Calendar of Events
August 10 - 13, 2013 AANA Annual Meeting
September 20 - 22, 2013 ALANA Fall Meeting January 14, 2014
Alabama Legislature Begins
April 6-9, 2014
AANA Crystal Gateway Marriott
April 25 - 27, 2014
ALANA Spring Meeting
April 28, 2014
Alabama Legislative Session Ends
ALANA NewsBulletin
•
Summer 2013
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Las Vegas, NV
Birmingham, AL
Montgomery, AL
Arlington, VA
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Montgomery, AL
www.AlabamaCRNA.org