Michigan State University Awarded Nurse Anesthesia Accreditation

On October 13, 2007 the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) awarded the College of Nursing at Michigan State University initial accreditation for the nurse anesthesia program.

Michigan State University is one of only five accredited nurse anesthesia programs in Michigan.

Dean Mary Mundt shared her enthusiasm upon receiving the official notification. "The accreditation of our Nurse Anesthesia program is a wonderful accomplishment for the college. This initiative, in cooperation with our healthcare affiliates will respond to the need for nurse anesthetists in Michigan and the United States.”

The graduate level Nurse Anesthesia concentration is a full-time, 28-month curriculum that requires completion of 80 credits. It is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills to deliver safe and effective anesthesia care and assume leadership roles in the practice setting. Content will be delivered via on-line, face-to-face and interactive television formats.

The program is supported through a partnership with Ingham Regional Medical Center, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, and Sparrow Health System. Our partners have made a commitment to develop this program for Michigan and will play an integral role in providing the necessary onsite clinical experience to ensure that Michigan State University graduates are exposed to varying types of anesthesia management.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) are essential to ensuring safe anesthesia care for surgery, pain management, and other needed healthcare services. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), CRNAs administer approximately 65% of all anesthetics given to patients each year in the United States with an estimated 1,700 CRNAs in the state of Michigan.

The first group of Nurse Anesthesia students at Michigan State University will begin class on January 7, 2008. The program will admit 10 students each year with the first class slated to graduate in May 2010.

"I am thrilled to share this journey with the first class of nurse anesthesia students, as well as our administration, faculty and staff,” proclaimed Program Director, Dr. Henry Talley. "Accreditation is a system for recognizing the performance, integrity and quality of our educational institutions. With this recognition from the COA, the college will advance our mission to enhance the health of the community by providing excellence in nursing education, advancing the profession of nursing and serving as an advocate for optimal healthcare for all people in the area of nurse anesthesia.”

Through the implementation of the Nurse Anesthesia program, the College of Nursing at Michigan State University will increase the supply of nurse anesthetists to provide high quality anesthesia services for the citizens of Michigan.