New CRNA program will partner with rural hospital systems

nion University will begin a certi- needs for nurse anesthetists and is a result Certified registered nurse anesthetists are fied registered nurse anesthetist of requests from area hospitals. Scheduled anesthesia professionals who administer U (CRNA) program next year, one to begin in January 2006, it is designed for approximately 65 percent of all anesthetics of the few programs in the United States those who already hold a four-year nursing given to patients each year in the United designed in cooperation with rural hospital degree and will include a 30-month cur- States, according to the American systems. Union’s faculty gave the CRNA riculum. West Tennessee Healthcare recent- Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). curriculum a nod Oct. 4 when the program ly committed a $2.5 million gift to support As advanced practice nurses, they work came up for final approval. the program, once it completed the in every setting in which anesthesia is The new graduate track—one of three approval process. Other hospitals systems delivered: traditional hospital operating available in Union’s master of science are working out details for cooperative rooms and delivery rooms; outpatient degree program—will help meet increasing agreements, as well. surgical centers; critical access hospitals; continued> www.uu.edu Fall 2004 23 UNIONITE

continued from pg.23 the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthal- eligible for CRNA certification, the work- includes a clinical residency and a thesis or Union names mologists, plastic surgeons and pain force shortfall is expected to rise until at scholarly project. Approximately 15-20 management specialists, as well as in least the year 2020. students will be admitted to each class, with Smith new dean military and state healthcare facilities. In the southeastern United States, CRNA student selection made in collaboration with The AANA cites a decline in the number education programs tend to be located in program partners. Admission requirements for nursing school of positions available for anesthesiology large metropolitan areas. The nearby state of include: residents and an increase in outpatient Mississippi has no CRNA program within • eligibility for registered nurse licensure surgeries and surgical procedures done in its borders. Nonetheless, CRNA practitioners in the state of Tennessee r. Timothy L. Smith has been named places other than hospitals as driving the are the sole administrators of anesthesia in • completion of a bachelor of science in dean of Union University’s school of increased need for CRNAs. Also, insurance about two-thirds of the nation’s rural hospitals. nursing degree with a grade point aver D nursing, effective January 1, 2005. plans are recognizing CRNAs for providing “You don’t see a lot of schools working age of 3.0 or higher Smith currently serves as associate professor and high-quality anesthesia care at reduced costs. to build a network of rural hospitals for • one year of critical care experience coordinator of the nurse anesthesia program at That cost-efficiency of CRNAs helps keep a program like this,” said Dr. Tim Smith, • official Graduate Record Exam the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. escalating medical costs down, the AANA says. Union’s new School of Nursing dean. test scores He will replace Recent statistics indicate a projected “It’s the beginning of a new era in • evidence of writing skills, an interview Tharon Kirk, national shortfall of 7,000 CRNAs by 2005, Christian education.” and references. interim dean according to Union University Provost “I’m excited about seeing Union helping Now that the program has received final during the Carla Sanderson. to fill this need,” said Lisa Rogers, a Jackson approval, the university will begin a national search process. “It is quite satisfying for Union University OB/GYN and Union trustee who helped search for CRNA faculty, according to Smith earned to be able to respond to a national workforce study the feasibility of a CRNA program. Sanderson. a bachelor of demand,” said Sanderson. “It’s even more CRNA graduates typically find an The entire nursing program will be science in nursing satisfying that we are joining with West extremely receptive job market. Starting housed, along with the departments of degree from the Tennessee Health Care and others in meeting annual salaries average $118,000, according chemistry and biology, in Union’s new University of a need that will directly impact so many to Allied Consulting, a Dallas-based health science building when it is completed. Memphis, as well around us.” care staffing firm. Construction will begin in the spring. as master’s and Because of decreased enrollments in nursing Those who enroll in the program can For more information about the CRNA doctoral degrees programs in general during the 1990s and expect to complete 74 hours of intense, full- program, contact Tharon Kirk, interim with nursing anesthesia concentrations from the subsequent decrease in the pool of nurses time study built on a cohort model, which dean, at (731) 661-5331. the same institution. He holds certifications as a registered nurse, a nurse anesthetist, basic and advanced life support. In addition to his current position, Smith has also been employed by the University of “I have worked on the feasibility committee. I have enjoyed Tennessee at Memphis and has practiced with working on that committee and will enjoy working in that CRNA Associates and Anesthesia Consultants program to educate Union students. The Jackson community has Exchange in Chattanooga, as well as the Medical Anesthesia Group, the Cardiovascular a need for the program and I am excited about Union's effort to Center, Methodist Hospitals Central and Baptist provide an anesthetic program.” Memorial Hospital Central, all in Memphis. He was voted faculty member of the year in Melissa LeFave ’98 UTC’s school of nursing in 2003 and received Jackson-Madison County General Hospital- anesthesia the excellence in teaching award from graduate students at UT-Memphis in 1999. Smith is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists. According to Dr. Carla Sanderson, Union CRNA program adds one more track University’s provost, “Dr. Tim Smith brings to Union’s school of nursing two key qualities: to Union master’s degree in nursing a heart for introducing young minds to the career of nursing and its endless opportunities he new certified registered nurse nursing,” she said. “Both the nursing are designed on the cohort model, in which for Christian service and valuable leadership anesthetist (CRNA) program education track and the CRNA track are class members take all the core courses experience in advanced practice nursing. T adds one more track in Union designed to produce nurses who can help together as a group. The education, As the profession of nursing continues to University’s master of science degree in meet critical shortage areas. Despite the administration and CRNA tracks are set grow and develop in even more advanced nursing. In addition to CRNA, the graduate growing interest in nursing as a profession, up so that students take classes with their roles, Dr. Smith will lead us to take advantage program offers tracks in nursing education most schools have difficulty finding qualified respective track group. of new opportunities for service. and nursing administration. faculty to teach. Without teachers, enroll- Both nursing education and nursing “Academic deans at Union University hold Interim Dean Tharon Kirk says that the ments cannot increase. The nurse educator administration tracks include 38 class hours the key leadership positions for ensuring the advanced degree program is one way Union track is designed to help address this problem.” and are offered on both Germantown and right programs for the future,” she said. is meeting shortages in the field. Kirk said the nursing administration track Jackson campuses, while the CRNA track “Union has been blessed beyond measure in “The master’s program at Union seeks to prepares nurses for leadership roles in includes 74 hours and will be available only recent years with outstanding dean leadership. meet the need for nurses with advanced “advanced professional nursing practice with in Jackson. With the addition of Dr. Tim Smith, the levels of knowledge and skills who can help specific functional and clinical abilities.” dean leadership team at Union is truly address some of the shortage issues related to All three graduate tracks in the program a remarkable one.” Nursing major Steven Wilson holds a newborn during clinicals. 24 Fall 2004 www.uu.edu Fall 2004 25 UNIONITE UNIONITE