NATCHITOCHES – Dr. Jarred Sepulvado, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Bossier City said the journey through Northwestern State University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program was challenging, time-consuming and definitely worth the sacrifice.  Sepulvado, who works at Willis-Knighton Bossier, completed the DNP concentration in nurse anesthesia this past December and continues to advocate for full scope of practice and independent practice for the nurse anesthesia profession.

Graduates of NSU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program provide nursing care at the highest education-practice level, are effective leaders and change agents and are dedicated to improving nursing as a science and a profession.  Graduates are prepared to become organizational leaders who impact healthcare through advanced clinical skills, translating evidence into practice and establishing policies to improve outcomes.

Northwestern State’s DNP program has two tracks, Nurse Anesthesia (NA) and Organizational System Leadership (OSL).  Both programs are rigorous and highly selective. In completing the doctoral degree, students develop strong leadership and communication skills and, as a requirement for completion, develop and implement a project that improves healthcare. Benefits are substantial for nurses who wish to advance their careers as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, as demand for CRNAs is expected to grow substantially in the next five years.

Sepulvado applied for the Nurse Anesthesia track as soon as he became aware that NSU would be offering the degree program and was in the first cohort of graduates. At the time he applied, he was three years into his career as a registered nurse and working as a charge nurse in the COVID intensive care unit. NSU visited with Sepulvado to talk about his experience with the program and how it impacted him personally and professionally.

NSU:  What motivated you to enroll in the DNP program?

Sepulvado:  My motivation was rooted in my prior experiences at Northwestern. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwestern in 2018, and during my time in the BSN program, I was exposed to a faculty whose primary goal was to ensure that students were motivated and supported in their educational endeavors.  My professors wanted me to succeed. A question I often receive is, “Were you nervous when you applied with it being a new program.” My answer to that is no, not at all, because I knew that the faculty and staff of Northwestern would ensure that the program offered would be top-tier. I had complete faith in the university and its faculty.

NSU:  What were some challenges and rewards of completing the NA program?

Sepulvado:  The first challenge was realizing and adapting to the immense amount of information you must learn within a short period. The second challenge was sacrificing time with family and friends to study and attend lectures or clinicals. One thing no one fully understands before beginning a nurse anesthesia program is the degree of commitment and the amount of time required to succeed.

The third challenge was realizing I was no longer an expert in my field. When you enter the classroom or operating room for the first time, you are at the bottom, and the required knowledge and skills and what those expect of you vastly differ from those of an ICU nurse. I do not doubt that I was experiencing imposter syndrome during the first two years of the program.

The first reward of completing the program is being able to say I belong to the best profession and my ability to introduce myself to patients as their nurse anesthetist. The program provided me with an invaluable education and body of knowledge. They have equipped me with a depth of understanding and a breadth of skills that I now use to care for and treat patients in their most vulnerable moments. The program’s curriculum is comprehensive and prepares you to be a competent and confident nurse anesthetist.

NSU:  Did you learn anything surprising about yourself?

Sepulvado:  I learned many surprising things about myself during the program. I learned that my ability to adapt and be flexible is much greater than I previously realized. I also learned that it is crucial to reach out for help. Before attending nurse anesthesia school, I had always relied on myself. However, nurse anesthesia school showed me the importance of having a solid support system and the value of having friends who support you.

NSU:  Do you have any special areas of study/research?

Sepulvado:  Regional anesthesia is an area in which I am very interested. The program provided me with an immense amount of education in regional anesthesia and the benefits it offers patients perioperatively. As a nurse, my primary goal has always been to promote the health of my patients and to reduce suffering. Regional anesthesia provides an opportunity to promote both of those goals.

NSU:  What would you say to someone who might be a good candidate for the program?

Sepulvado:  Nurse anesthesia school is intense and requires an amount of dedication and sacrifice that I wasn’t aware I was capable of before enrolling, so believe in your abilities and know that you can do it. The program’s administration, faculty, and staff are not just educators, but also your advocates. They are committed to your success and are always ready to listen, provide advice, and offer guidance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them or seek their support. They are there for you.

Your classmates will be your support system. Those who have not experienced CRNA school will not fully understand the requirements you must meet to be successful as a nurse anesthesia student, but your classmates will understand, and they will be invaluable to you as you navigate through each semester of school.

Do it, enroll, accept the opportunity, make those sacrifices, and know it is all worth it. Enrolling in nurse anesthesia school and becoming a nurse anesthetist has been the most challenging but rewarding decision I have ever made, and I would do it all over again.

NSU:  Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

Sepulvado:  Northwestern offers a superior and well-rounded nurse anesthesia program and I highly encourage those considering nurse anesthesia school to attend Northwestern State University. The program’s administration, faculty and staff are leaders in their disciplines and are committed to education and students. I say this because I genuinely believe I would not have been successful as a nurse anesthesia student had it not been for my professors’ support, motivation and guidance.

More information on Northwestern State’s DNP program is available at https://www.nsula.edu/nursing/nursing-programs/.