New Mexico State University (NMSU) has introduced a new Doctor of Nursing Practice program in nurse anesthesiology. The three-year initiative, offered by the NMSU School of Nursing within the College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation, aims to train baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). According to a press release by NMSU, this program is the only one of its kind in New Mexico.
"New Mexico State University now houses the only program in New Mexico that trains students for one of the most in-demand health care professions in the United States," stated NMSU.
The program was created in collaboration with a team of national experts and an advisory council of CRNAs, led by Alexa Doig, the director of the NMSU School of Nursing. One of the unique aspects of the program is that students will complete clinical rotations in rural or critical access hospitals. This is aimed at addressing New Mexico's demand for anesthesia providers, particularly in rural regions. The program also aims to attract nurses seeking to advance their careers as CRNAs and encourage them to remain in New Mexico.
"CRNAs are currently the primary anesthesia providers in rural New Mexico hospitals," said Alexa Doig. "Therefore, we are committed to developing a pipeline of highly qualified anesthesia providers who can practice independently in these counties."
Since 2021, the NMSU School of Nursing has received over $1 million in funding, including contributions from the New Mexico Board of Nursing, the New Mexico Higher Education Department, and donations from various sources. To offer more scholarships, a crowdfunding campaign by the NMSU Foundation and the NMSU School of Nursing is set to launch on October 20. The program began in August with its first class of 24 nurse anesthesiology students.
"Without anesthesia providers, surgeries and some medical procedures cannot take place," said Madeline Chalenor, founding director of NMSU's nurse anesthesiology program. "The NMSU School of Nursing is so excited to launch this program to educate anesthesia providers committed to addressing the healthcare needs of New Mexico and the border region."
With the introduction of this new program, NMSU aims to meet the growing demand for CRNAs and contribute to the healthcare workforce in New Mexico.