Since launching her career with WashU Medicine’s department of anesthesiology in 2014, Erin Herrera has been opening doors for CRNAs seeking careers in academic anesthesiology. Currently, Erin serves as the Nurse Anesthesia Program’s clinical site coordinator for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
When not practicing clinical anesthesia in cardiothoracic operating rooms, Erin is the inaugural associate vice chair for Well-Being in the department of anesthesiology, and the assistant director for CRNA activities. In 2024, Erin was selected as a finalist for both the 2024 St. Louis Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards (Advanced Practice) and the 2024 March of Dimes Heroes in Action Award. She was also the recipient of WashU Medicine’s Drum Major Award. This award, inspired by a sermon from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebrates WashU Medicine community members who embody the pursuit of justice, peace, and righteousness.
Erin continues to exemplify what it means to be a Goldfarb CRNA leader, and we are enormously proud to call her an alum. We recently caught up with Erin to reflect on her time as a student and to offer career tips for recent graduates.
Why did you choose Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing?
Choosing Goldfarb for my undergraduate and graduate degrees was the easiest decision I have ever made. The affiliation with Barnes-Jewish Hospital initially drew me to the program. As a lifelong St. Louisan, my family has always received excellent care at Barnes-Jewish from WashU Medicine physicians, and it has always lived up to its reputation of being the best in St. Louis. I wanted to learn from the best and brightest, and I knew I would always find the best at Barnes-Jewish.
For my undergraduate degree, I completed the accelerated BSN program. This was an excellent fit for me, since I had already finished college with another degree. I looked around at other programs, and Goldfarb had the best course offerings and clinical sites and very competitively priced tuition. At the time, the facilities were not the most glamorous or high-tech, but the faculty was always foremost invested in the students' success, and that was what was most important to me.
When I began to explore where to go back to school for my master’s in anesthesia, Goldfarb was my first choice. The most significant selling point for the anesthesia program was the small class sizes and the phenomenal clinical site experience, all located at Barnes-Jewish. Many other programs require students to travel far and wide to gain clinical experience, and I wanted a program where I knew I was getting top-tier clinical expertise all at a trusted, world-renowned institution. I wanted to focus on my education and studies and not have to worry about traveling for clinicals and organizing my own preceptors. The Goldfarb program makes sure that you have the most challenging educational experiences possible and does so much of the legwork for you so that you can focus on your education. A highlight of returning for my master’s was Goldfarb was now in their new building, which was amazing, high tech, and had incredible investments in simulation education that were so valuable to my practice.
What sets Goldfarb apart from other nurse anesthesia programs?
Our incredible collaboration with the WashU Medicine department of anesthesiology sets Goldfarb apart. The Nurse Anesthesia Program students become integrated as department members during school. They get the opportunity to learn from the extraordinary Goldfarb faculty and the incredible anesthesiologists within the department. They train alongside industry-leading researchers and clinicians daily and contribute firsthand to research that makes a substantial global impact in anesthesiology. The clinical experience at Goldfarb is unmatched. From excellent clinical preceptors and anesthesiologists to cutting-edge cases, students leave Goldfarb prepared for anything.
What advice would you give recent graduates?
My advice for recent graduates is always the same. Always be open to opportunities. Oftentimes, opportunities present themselves when we are least expecting them, and at times, that may not fit our “timeline.” Don’t pass up a great opportunity because you think you aren’t ready. Take a risk, explore interesting opportunities, don’t be afraid to jump in when opportunities arise, and learn along the way. Keep your CV updated, your ears always open, and don’t be scared to take a risk! Fortune favors the bold. And always: network, network, network.
Erin attended the 58th Turkish Anesthesiology and Reanimation Conference in Antalya, Turkey, and was joined by current and former Goldfarb students. From left: Brianna Baker (Class of 2025), Christine Bergesch (Class of 2024), Erin, and Brett Beutenmiller (Class of 2025).
