Perfusion school is a challenging journey, requiring immense dedication, focus, and resilience. From mastering complex medical procedures to enduring long hours of study, the road to becoming a certified perfusionist can feel overwhelming.
The pressure to succeed in both academics and clinical training can often leave students feeling stressed, anxious, and unsure about the future. Yet, every perfusionist who has walked that path understands these struggles—and has come out stronger on the other side.
We recently posted on LinkedIn, asking our followers what advice they would give to their younger selves while in perfusion school. The responses were filled with insightful, practical tips that can help guide current students as they navigate their own challenges. Here’s what our followers had to say:
1. “Hang in there. It will be worth it,” Diana Selby, a perfusionist at Connect Perfusion, shared.
2. “‘No’ means that wasn’t the right opportunity, something better is coming. People are noticing so keep on keeping on,” Alyssa Koeper CCP, Chief Perfusionist at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, commented
3. “Take a deep breath and expect that anything can happen. I try to stay calm and passionate about how I think, so I can do the best job possible. I try to find perfect “solutions that work”, and not just practice to make perfect. I rely on calculations that show the whole picture. Don’t go into this practice to just pump. We used to call those “Pump Tech’s”…Just know that every two years something new is being developed, so you have to keep on top of things. I want to be ready for change. I started with bubble oxygenators and heating blocks for the ACT testing which worked at the time. Just know that someday you may have to go back to something that you did in the past if all else fails or is not available and a life is to be saved. I still love perfusion. Circa 1973 …,” Stephen Peterson, Chief Perfusionist at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, shared.
4. “Curiosity, passion, fortitude and calmness. All four feed off each other and make you a better perfusionist. The four pillars of perfusion or any professional growth!,” Bharat Datt, President of CanAmerica Cardiopulmonary, commented.
Looking back, the advice shared by experienced perfusionists offers a powerful reminder that no matter how tough things may seem, persistence is key. These pieces of wisdom highlight the importance of finding balance during your time in perfusion school and act as a signal to never give up.
We hope that the insights from our community help you feel more prepared and supported as you move forward in your perfusion career. If you’d like to stay updated with more tips and advice from experienced professionals, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!