Spring Break '14!

Look at this! Look at this! It's almost Spring Break! I think the above picture sums up how most of us are feeling at this point, even if it's not the last semester. I know all my classmates and I are ready for this break to begin. Unfortunately, there's no rest for the weary as we have a Patho test the week we come back from the break and also ongoing research projects to work on. FUN! Also, several people (including myself) will be moving during the break. If you are also in the market for a new place, here's a great apartment complex's link. Look at this: http://villagesofcampbelloaks.com/. I'm sure many of you will be working on your tan during the break so be cautious while you're "baking." Vitamin D synthesis is good; melanoma is bad. Next blog post will be coming up right after Spring Break is over, which will be approximately April 7.Up until this point, all you can really do is look at it and say, "Look at this!"

Our Representation

                                   Time to look at some more serious items. Who protects the practice of nurse anesthesia and guides to stand up for the profession when others want to bring it down? Who makes sure that the things that we go to school for are the things that we will be able to actually practice upon graduation? Who provides resources to make those dreams come true? The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA) are the federal and state bodies that give nurse anesthetists a voice in politics and also serve as resources for CRNAs and SRNAs throughout the country. The AANA's core values include quality, professionalism, compassion, wellness, collaboration, and diversity. These bodies help keep CRNAs in the operating room and not in the courtroom or some other boring areas, unable to practice anesthesia. The AANA ensures that CRNAs practice "safe and effective anesthesia care." TANA is an organization at the state level that serves all areas of the state of Tennessee in terms of education, resources, and representation. The SRNAs of Union were able to see this firsthand this past October at the annual meeting held in Murfreesboro, TN. Take a look at their websites for more info! AANA's link is http://www.aana.com/Pages/default.aspx. TANA's link is http://www.tncrna.com/.

Sorry, We're Closed!

No taco for you today! While not closed due to short/not tall/lack of staff, we are experiencing a SNOW DAY from school and life in general it seems. The West Tennessee area has been hit by another round of severe winter weather. I found the picture above on a Google page and had to use it. Hope you enjoy looking at it! The photo below is outside my garage showing how much the wind had swept up the snow. That rooster seems to be holding his position fairly well though. Tomorrow was supposed to be a big day for anesthesia students across Tennessee as the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA) was hosting a "day on the Hill" for us to meet legislators in Nashville and spread the word of how important CRNAs are to healthcare. Unfortunately it was canceled due to the weather as well. I did not get that message soon enough because also pictured below you will find the road conditions near my home. Wow! I didn't want to look at that too much, but now it's better. Casey's Place proves once again to be the best place to find things to look at and say, "Look at this!"Just remember, Spring Break is in a few more weeks...