MSU College of Nursing Receives $700,000 Grant to Advance Nurse Anesthesia Education

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Henry Talley, PhD, CRNA, will receive a multi-year grant for over $700,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to enhance the Nurse Anesthesia concentration in the Master's Program in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University.

The grant entitled, "Nurse Anesthesia Education: Supporting Rural and Marginalized Communities,” provides funding for initiatives to enhance the education of nurse anesthesia students. Three primary initiatives of the grant include: 1.) increasing diversity within nurse anesthesia, 2.) implementing technological advancements to enhance nurse anesthesia education at MSU, and 3.) increasing awareness of nursing career options for disadvantaged middle school and high school children.

Currently there is only a 9.3 percent representation of minorities in nurse anesthesia. The grant will develop the MSN Nurse Anesthesia Program candidate pool by recruiting and training students who are inclined to work with "at-risk” populations in rural and medically underserved areas. This will include focused outreach for African Americans, Hispanic and other minority populations to introduce them to a career in nurse anesthesia. Dr. Henry Talley and his team will also develop educational experiences to increase the cultural sensitivity for students and faculty of the College of Nursing at Michigan State University.

Nurse anesthesia students enrolled in the College of Nursing at Michigan State University will participate in the "Kids into Health Careers” initiative by offering simulation experiences and engaging ethnically diverse communities in educational discussions about the profession of nursing.

The grant provides for the development of simulated clinical experiences that will prepare nurse anesthesia students for operating room practice. The simulation labs are learning tools used to develop clinical judgment and critical thinking.

"Nurse Anesthesia practice builds upon the ability of nurse anesthetists to assess unstable patients rapidly and implement immediate action if needed. The ability of the CRNA to succeed in this highly stressful situation depends, in large part, on the preparation for the unexpected through which the practitioner can rapidly identify those activities necessary for preservation of life. The 3-D virtual environment and simulation labs allow students to practice and prepare for such situations,” Dr. Talley said.

The increasing complexity and demands of the healthcare system have prompted the need for technology driven educational innovations that find solutions to learning barriers. The College of Nursing at Michigan State University is making progress in preparing and educating a diverse population of nurse anesthetists to address the healthcare demands of today and tomorrow.

"Nurse Anesthesia Education: Supporting Rural and Marginalized Communities,” is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration. HRSA Grant #: D09HP14646.