Michael Prejean is a self-professed adrenaline junkie who loves the thrill of an intense day as a charge nurse in the cardiothoracic transplant intensive care unit (ICU) at Texas Heart Institute-Baylor St. Luke’s.
Michael Prejean
But facing a pandemic after accepting an out-of-state position in April was not the kind of excitement he had in mind for this year.
Despite the newfound challenges of nursing and relocating in the time of COVID-19, Prejean is excited to move forward in his career in the Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program at the University of Kansas (KU) this May.
Overcoming Hurdles with Ease
The path to this program may not have been an easy one, but Prejean is no stranger to dealing with obstacles, thanks to his time at Prairie View A&M University.
“PVAMU helped me to become a productive person, and that’s a fact!” he proudly explained. “Not only that, but by being part of the Men’s Track & Field team, I was able to get the support from my head coach and hurdle coach (Coach Chris Clay and Coach Fred Williams). They were supportive of me being in nursing school and knew how rigorous the program was.”
After graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, Prejean jumped into the front line of healthcare as an ICU nurse. His dedication to the field drove him to seek out more advanced opportunities.
“KU’s program has produced a consistently high level of outstanding clinicians, educators, and leaders in the nurse anesthesia profession,” he said about his interest in the Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program.
His work experience and academics proved to be a winning combination: he was accepted on his first try!
For those considering a similar career path, he says, “My advice to PV nursing students is to do your best during undergrad and nursing school. I say this because Cumulative GPA and science GPA matters when applying to CRNA school. Also, graduate nurses should jump straight into the ICU to gain the experience needed for anesthesia school.”
Critical Care during Critical Times
His decision to move forward in his career couldn’t have come at a more vital time.
“The work that we do is needed. Especially right now during the pandemic. People will get sick, and diseases will get more advanced, and we need competent practitioners and nurses to attend to the needs of the ill patient.” he said.
Of course, even the most competent healthcare workers face challenges in this field.
“Nurses experience a lot from the time we walk into the unit to the time we step out. Burnout is real, and having support from others is everything when a nurse begins to experience it,” Prejean said.
The comprehensive 36-month Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree allows registered nurses to study both the academic and clinical components of nurse anesthesia. The combination of online course material and in-person clinicals make it a practical choice for extensive training to fill an in-demand role.
“This will solidify me with a good job based on the clinical cases done and being prepared and competent to deliver anesthesia,” Prejean said of the career benefits.
There’s no doubt his compassion, focus on competency, and dedication to his studies and patients will help him shine throughout this program and after.
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By Marley Crusch