Ep 34: When Your CRNA Dreams Are Disrupted, Deferred and Inconvenient: What Do You Do Next?

Have you ever felt like life completely derailed your plans?

Like the dream was finally within reach, only for everything to fall apart?

This may be one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had on The Mindful CRNA Podcast.

In this deeply honest episode, Amanda sits down with current NAR Shana Dagny—a former professional actress, singer, competitive athlete, ICU nurse, and one of the most resilient humans you'll ever meet.

Shauna's journey to CRNA school is anything but traditional.

Born in the Philippines and then living in the world of theater and performance, she spent years chasing success on stages and enduring rejection after rejection in pursuit of her acting dream. Nursing orginally was the side hustle and how she put food on the table. Eventually though, nursing became the place where she rediscovered her joy and her CRNA calling.

But just as she was preparing for her next chapter, her health took an unexpected turn.

After developing severe asthma and complications from long-term steroid treatment, Shauna faced devastating diagnoses including Addison's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome. Within weeks, she gained over 80 pounds, became largely bedridden, lost her athletic abilities, and was forced to defer her CRNA school acceptance.

Many people would have stopped there but Shana didn't. Instead, she rebuilt her life one day at a time.

In this episode, we discuss:

✨ Handling rejection and disappointment without losing yourself

✨ Why failure may be one of your greatest teachers