15: Success in CRNA School as an Immigrant: Juliana Washington on Rejection, Resilience, & Belonging

In this episode of the CRNA Mentor Podcast, I’m joined by Juliana Washington, a second-year nurse anesthesia resident in North Carolina, class president, and speaker at the North Carolina state anesthesia conference, to discuss her journey from Brazil to CRNA school. Juliana shares the realities of adapting to a new country, overcoming rejection, navigating self-doubt, and ultimately finding belonging and leadership within nurse anesthesia. This conversation is for any aspiring CRNAs who feel like they don’t fit the “traditional” mold — whether because of rejection, cultural barriers, financial struggles, language differences, or a nontraditional path into healthcare. We discuss resilience, identity, confidence, networking, and how some of the most impactful people in this profession are the ones who had to fight the hardest to get here. Juliana opens up about: Growing up in Brazil and transitioning to life in the United States The emotional impact of multiple CRNA school rejections How her mindset, confidence, and strategy evolved over time The importance of mentorship, networking, and community Discussing her book/planner to help other aspiring CRNAs Finding belonging and stepping into leadership during CRNA school One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that success in nurse anesthesia does not require a perfect or linear journey. Rejection does not define your future, and adversity can become a source of strength if you keep moving forward. If you’re currently feeling discouraged, behind, or uncertain whether you belong in this profession, this episode is meant to remind you that there is no single mold for becoming a CRNA. Join us in the CRNA Mentor Community: CRNA Mentor Community Check out my other CRNA Mentor resources: CRNA Mentor Resources New episodes drop every Monday — start your week off right with CRNA Mentor Monday!