New Mexico State University (NMSU) has revealed that its recently established graduate program, aimed at training nurses for roles as certified registered nurse anesthetists, has achieved full accreditation. This accomplishment establishes NMSU as the only institution in New Mexico with an accredited program offering a Doctor of Nursing Practice in nurse anesthesiology.
The NMSU School of Nursing's three-year program received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs in January following a comprehensive evaluation. The program places emphasis on practical experience, with students undertaking clinical rotations in rural or critical access hospitals and completing a minimum of 2,400 hours of supervised clinical training over three years.
In light of the increasing demand for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) across the country, it is worth noting that these professionals administer approximately 72% of all anesthetics in New Mexico. The program was developed over several years with contributions from national experts and a CRNA advisory council. Its primary objective is to address the shortage of anesthesia providers in the state, particularly in rural areas. According to a press release by NMSU, the program accepts 24 students annually and exclusively considers applications from baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses.
Alexa Doig, director of the NMSU School of Nursing said, "CRNAs are currently the primary anesthesia providers in rural New Mexico hospitals. Therefore, we are committed to developing a pipeline of highly qualified anesthesia providers who can practice independently in these counties."
Madeline Chalenor, director of NMSU’s nurse anesthesiology program added, "Without anesthesia providers, surgeries and some medical procedures cannot take place."
The UNM College of Nursing holds the distinction of being among the 115 Carnegie Classified R1 universities nationwide and it claims the top spot as the No. 1 nursing school in New Mexico. With an enrollment figure standing at 1,185 nursing students, the college awards over $850,000 in scholarships, according to the About webpage provided by UNM College of Nursing.