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Click here for the FASNA Update from the Winter 2008 Meeting!
The purpose of the organization is to create a structure for Registered Nurses studying the science and art of nurse anesthesiology within the state of Florida to assemble, exchange information and build a foundation for career development.
Formed under the sponsorship of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (“FANA”), this organization is established to:
- Serve as a formal means of communication between FANA and nurse anesthesia
- students/residents attending accredited programs within the state of Florida
- Encourage sharing and integration of learning opportunities and resources
- Develop a network resource for career opportunities within the state of Florida
- Promote understanding, discussion and participation in professional and political health care issues.
- Provide an opportunity for socialization and communication among peers.
- Offer students an opportunity to participate in the operation of a professional organization.
FASNA Update – Winter 2008 Meeting
Lainey Kelley, SRNA
Barry University Student Representative, Tampa
Shrek and FANA have something in common. They are both like onions. Attend more meetings, and you’ll find more layers of activities within FANA. For students attending the 2008 winter event this February, it was a friendly, one-day introduction to a FANA meeting. There were lectures, student activities, and a luncheon business meeting.
During the morning session, students joined CRNAs for a series of lectures designed to help them become better CRNAs. John McFadden, FANA President, opened with the first two lectures. Besides tailoring his power point presentations to everyone in attendance, he skillfully prepped his students for an upcoming exam at Barry University where he teaches. Other lectures kept students involved in equally unique ways. One of them, on Propofol, included this comedy piece where an anesthesiologist performs a take off of a hit song Total Eclipse of the Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuZl9tRqjoQ
During the afternoon session, students had their own lecture designed just for them on malignant hyperthermia. It was sponsored by FASNA and presented by Steve Clarke, another professor at Barry University, who was recently honored as Clinician of the Year by AANA. Students learned the signs and symptoms of this sometimes deadly reaction. Steve involved the audience by peppering them with quiz-like questions. Although a serious discussion, this lecture had its own light-hearted moments. He singled out one of his own students about to graduate. When she paused, he asked her what she was thinking. She replied: “I’m thinking how great it’s going to graduate because your tests are so tricky and the multiple choice answers all sound so good.”
In between sessions, all gathered for the business luncheon. While everyone ate, McFadden gave his presidential address. He said his goals for the year are to increase the visibility of CRNA’s. He also said he wanted to create a “Board of the people”, and encouraged board members to abandon their tradition of sitting together and sit at different tables so they could talk with their constituents. Charlie Stewart, who is running for congress, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. He spoke of his family ties to the medical community, and pledged his support for CRNA’s.
Before the luncheon ended, FASNA held their 50/50 raffle. Earlier in the day, students had been selling tickets at the FASNA table. Bruce Weiner, President-Elect of FANA, won the drawing. It was FASNA’s lucky day. Weiner, one of the charter champions of students, donated all of his winnings back to FASNA, netting the organization a total of $290.00.
The events of what happened during this FANA meeting are just the first layer of what a FANA weekend can be. Come to think of it, as a rep, I wish I had given students a taste of what goes on at other FANA meetings by organizing a party on Friday night, sort of an early, superbowl-FANA kick-off. Instead, you’ll just have to attend another meeting to see for yourself how much fun and involving these events can be. A good place to start is the FANA spring meeting in Sanabel Island June 6-8.
FASNA Update – Fall 2007 Meeting
Lainey Kelley, SRNA
Barry University Student Representative, Tampa
The stars were out Saturday night in Orlando the weekend of the 2007 Annual FANA meeting’s “Hurray for Hollywood” party. A feast was spread, the drinks flowed, music played and the dance floor stayed crowded until the end of the night. Oprah emceed, Sylvester Stallone sparred, and even Brittany, who knows a good party when she sees one, showed up. Me? I was Johnny Depp as Capt’n Jack Sparrow. Like a true pirate, I plundered the rum and the rest of the bounty to be had.
Gaaarrr…It’s off to me meeting. The student event, sponsered by Barry University and AGO, was both educational and entertaining. Saturday morning Don Sloan taught students how to use epidurals and spinals, then gave a hands-on demonstration with epidural, spinal and CSE kits. The students practiced on dummies donated by Barry University. Kay Rogers and Don Sloan guided them through the practice.
On Sunday morning 75 CRNA/SRNA’s got a chance to perform a cricothyroidotomy on pig tracheas. This was part of a difficult airway workshop, and kind of messy, too. Yo-ho-ho and a bucket o’ blood. At nearby tables, vendors demonstrated such products as the Proseal LMA, light wand, and various other instrumentation to help facilitate a difficult airway intubation.
Students comprised nearly one third of the participants at the FANA weekend, a huge spike from past events. It looks like the secret’s out — these meetings are really fun. They are a mini-vacation from studies, a place where we can learn, network and unwind at the same time.
‘The Secret’s Out” is the very message that the FANA Communications Committee is embracing. In fact, it’s the theme for this year’s CRNA week. The committee met on Saturday afternoon to discuss ways of educating the public about CRNA’s and how to recruit them. Mike Steighner, Committee Chairman, is looking for a few good CRNA/SRNA’s to help get the word out. Also, FANA is looking for a new logo for the 75th anniversary coming up in four years. It’s our diamond jubilee. Shiver me timbers, aye just love diamonds. We’re running up the flag….any aye-deas for this logo?
Kelly Suther from University of North Florida is our new FASNA chair. Good luck, Kelly! I hope to see all ye landlubbers soon. Until next meeting, maties!
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