By Erica Techo
Three University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing students have received scholarships supporting their nurse anesthesia education. These Post-BSN to DNP Pathway for Nurse Anesthesia students were selected from a pool of competitive applicants, receiving scholarships from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
April Garlejo, BSN, CCRN, received one of three AANA Diversity Scholarships, Standria Moss, BSN, TNCC, received one of 10 AANA Foundation Scholarships and Carson Hagood received one of two ALANA Nurse Anesthesia Student Scholarships.
The AANA Diversity Scholarship recognizes second year nurse anesthesia students who are involved in diversity and inclusion-oriented organizations or initiatives. Garlejo, who also is a member of the Philippine Nurses Association of Alabama, said this scholarship helps cover rising costs resulting from inflation while supporting her goals and education.
“I was very happy when I was notified that I was one of three AANA Diversity Scholarship recipients. I immediately emailed my program director, Dr. Susan McMullan, to thank her for supporting my application,” Garlejo said. “By standing out in a competitive application pool of 2,456 nurse anesthesia students, I graciously appreciate knowing that a board of national nurse anesthesia leaders is aware of and supportive of my efforts to help diversify the nurse anesthesia profession to ensure more culturally-competent and appropriate patient care.”
Moss said that as a minority and an immigrant, she hopes to serve as an example for others, and this scholarship supports her goal to provide health care to marginalized populations moving forward.
“This scholarship helped lessen my student debt, eliminate part-time work and provide more study time, which ultimately reduced my stress,” said Standria Moss. “I wish to serve as an example for others, showing them that anything is possible if they put their minds to it and have faith in God. Receiving the AANA Foundation Scholarship is an honor, and it has lifelong advantages.”
Receiving recognition among a competitive pool of applications is an immense honor, said Hagood, and this scholarship is a recognition of hard work as well as a support for educational costs, including boards.
“This is honestly such a blessing and such an honor to be awarded this scholarship. I know it was extremely competitive, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent the ALANA with this scholarship as I work incredibly hard every single day to give my best to the anesthesia profession,” Hagood said. “I can't express enough how thankful I am.”