Shamim Ullah,  Student Representative to the AANA's Wellness Committee, attends  Oakland University Beaumont Graduate Program Of Nurse Anesthesia in Royal Oak, Mich. The one year term is September 2009 through August 2010. 

What other resources for student wellness should be included on these pages?  Share your student wellness ideas or concerns with Shamim at wellness@aana.com or shamimullah@hotmail.com 

Oakland University Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia faculty with Wellness Committee Student Representative, from left to right: Shamim Ullah; Lisa Mileto, CRNA, MS, Director; Andrea Bittinger, CRNA, MSN, Admissions Director; Anne Hranchook, CRNA, MSN, Assistant Director.  Not pictured: Laurie Heline, CRNA, Clinical Coordinator

Shamim Ullah with Oakland Class of 2010

Oakland students and faculty group at Annual Meeting 2009 in San Diego

In August each year, two weeks before students begin the nurse anesthesia program at Oakland University, Andrea Bittinger, CRNA, MSN, Admissions Director holds a Student Success Seminar. 

The day-long seminar includes helpful hints from upperclassmen to assist incoming students with the transition from RN to student nurse anesthetist.  The activities include:

• Fun skits
• Interactive games
• Videos
• PowerPoint presentation
• Open question/answer sessions. 

The seminar is intented to better prepare students for the demands of anesthesia school while providing them with coping skills, expectations of the program, ways to balance school/family/friends, organizational tips, and study recommendations.  The seminar has been proven to be very effective and helpful and has earned rave reviews from the students!   

Six Tips for Completing Your Program and Staying Connected to the Ones You Love by Patrick K. Faircloth, MA, LPC, NCC, Doctoral Candidate and SEHS Counseling Center Coordinator, Department of Counseling, Oakland University