For Miriam and Sharon Harrar, being part of Barry University’s inaugural class to graduate with the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesiology is doubly sweet. The sisters are not only celebrating their hard-earned roles as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), they’re doing it together, cheering each other on as they have throughout their three years of graduate study.
The Harrar sisters have always been close. In fact, it was Miriam’s early interest in nursing, coupled with her initial career as an EMT, that inspired Sharon to explore the profession for herself. “I admired her passion and dedication to the medical field and decided I wanted that too,” says Sharon. Soon, they were both earning their undergraduate degrees in Barry’s nursing program. Upon graduating, they parted ways—professionally speaking—as Miriam pursued her “dream job” with critical neonatal patients and Sharon sharpened her talents in the medical ICU at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
While both sisters enjoyed their experiences working in intensive care, they knew they wanted to advance their training and explore areas of specialization. “Before I got too comfortable,” Miriam says, “I knew it was time to start thinking of the next move, and soon after I was shadowing anesthetists in the OR and applying to Barry’s Nurse Anesthesiology program.” The timing was right for Sharon, too, and when both sisters received their acceptance letters, they were overjoyed to be launching their doctoral journeys together.
The Harrar sisters are just two members of a class of 36 students earning their post-baccalaureate DNP in Anesthesiology this year. Theirs is the first graduating class since Barry launched the doctoral program, a more comprehensive course of study than the previously available master’s option. Both Miriam and Sharon say the support they received from each other and from their cohort and faculty mentors has been invaluable to their success in their rigorous course of study.
As newly minted CRNAs, Miriam and Sharon are excited to begin the next stage of their careers. Miriam has accepted a position with the soon-to-open University Hospital at Nova Southeastern University, while Sharon will be working at Broward Health Imperial Point in Fort Lauderdale. As their time at Barry comes to a close, we asked Miriam and Sharon to reflect on their experience in the DNP Anesthesiology program and what it’s like to conquer a major life and career goal alongside your sibling.
What drew you to anesthesiology and Barry’s program, specifically? Did you always intend on pursuing the degree program together?
We couldn’t have been happier with the experience we had during undergrad at Barry, so it was a no brainer for us! We both knew we’d end up in a graduate program someday but did not know it would be anesthesia until we shadowed. As soon as we were decided, we chose to begin the program together.
Has going through three years of DNP/ANE studies together taught you anything about your sister that you didn’t know before?
Going through the most challenging moments in our lives together really made us push each other through our biggest weaknesses and brought out strengths that we didn’t even know we had. We learned to fill in each other’s gaps and stay motivated until the finish line.
How do you feel the DNP program has positioned you to achieve your career goals as CRNAs?
We originally thought we wanted to practice anesthesia in the outpatient setting but quickly learned that the hospital setting was the best fit. The program set us up for success in every which way possible, whether it was through interactive simulation sessions, dynamic clinical rotation experiences, or extra help with didactic as needed. We both signed job contracts in our third year with wonderful hospitals who constantly seek Barry graduates for obvious reasons.
What has been your greatest struggle during this academic journey and how did you overcome it?
We can both agree that time management was the number one struggle during this journey. Just when you think you can take a minute for yourself after passing an exam, another two are on the way, with a DNP project in the background and full-time clinical hours to be done. We don’t think it’s something that can be completely overcome, however we survived by helping each other stay organized and completing tasks together when possible.
Can you share a moment when your sister supported you, motivated you, or celebrated you in a way that truly mattered to you? What other aspects of your Barry experience have made you feel supported and encouraged?
Miriam: Wow, where do I start? Sharon is too good to me! I’ll never forget my first rotation at a new location happened to be night shift with no one in sight to show me around. Sharon was familiar with this clinical site already, so even though it was late at night and she had to be up early for clinical, she insisted she would come with me to give me a little orientation. I was so grateful for that! She’s also amazing at celebrating little milestones, and for the latest one, when she found out I signed a contract for my future job, she surprised me with gorgeous flowers and chocolate covered strawberries . . . yum!
I can’t forget how Barry’s staff made us feel too! We were always known as “the sisters” or “the twins” (although we are not twins) and the staff were really known as family to us. Everyone was just one text away and always so accommodating. Thank you for all the incredible memories!
Sharon: I honestly don’t think I could have gotten through the anesthesia program without my sister. She is the voice of reason when I want to scream and shout or give up. She is always encouraging me and telling me how great I will do. I really enjoyed when we had clinical rotations at the same site (which almost never happened). More often than not, people would confuse us for each other, and it was always a good laugh when they realized. I would not trade this experience of going through graduate school with my sister by my side for anything. The staff at Barry are truly exceptional and have guided us through one of the most difficult programs. I must say the pep talks always helped me to push myself a little harder.