The philosophy of the School of Nurse Anesthesiology is an extension of the beliefs that govern the conduct of Nazareth Hospital, the Department of Anesthesiology and the related activities of education, insofar as they meet the needs of society and can be carried out in the hospital.
Recognizing the inherent dignity and supernatural destiny of each person, the program admits mature and responsible registered nurses with accomplishments and experience in decision requiring areas, regardless of sex, age, national origin, race, color, religion, creed, or marital status.
While the specific objectives of the didactic curriculum vary from subject to subject, the overall objective of the program is to provide selected students with continuity and integration of didactic and clinical experience under close supervision of anesthesiologists and CRNAs. The program offers opportunities to develop sound judgment and a high degree of proficiency as a nurse anesthetist, capable of functioning as a safe and independent practitioner and an efficient member of health care teams.
Through the Master's Program offered, the student acquires the competency necessary to assume educational, leadership and/or administrative roles in the nurse anesthesia profession.
The Nazareth Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesiology Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), a specialized accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Upon successful completion of the program requirements, graduates become eligible for the qualifying examination given by the Council of Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.
The School of Nurse Anesthesiology, connected with Nazareth Hospital, was organized in 1954. It was fully approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in 1956, and has continued to hold this accreditation to the present.
Sister Lucian Gul was both the founder and Program Director from 1956 to 1984. Upon Sister Gul's retirement, William J. Discavage, Associate Program Director, became the Program Director. Joan E. Woods assumed this position in 2001.
To meet the standards and guidelines of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, changes and improvements in the curriculum are continually made. In the mid-1980s, in an effort to expand the didactic portion of its curriculum, the school began a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia in affiliation with St Joseph's University. Collaboratively, we offer a comprehensive anesthesia curriculum that uniquely includes graduate coursework in healthcare administration, education, ethics, law, and research. We value the fact that many of our nurse anesthesia graduates have gone on to assume healthcare leadership and entrepreneurial roles in the anesthesia arena.
Presently we are excited to offer a state-of-the-art Simulation Experience, Online and Web-Enhanced learning, and are in the developmental stages for offering a post-Master's Clinical Doctorate with St. Joseph's.
Our program is distinguished and respected for its ability to offer excellent instruction, maintain rigorous expectations, and being fondly remembered by alumni as an exceptional experience.
The Nazareth Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesiology Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 222 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068, (847) 655-1160. The program’s next review by the COA is scheduled for January 2013.
