Today the Army CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) Program continues its mission establishing its roots during the civil war, with more formal education as our country entered WWI and WWII. The program continues today as our country attends to the current conflicts just as it did with these trained nurses being part of the field maneuvers. The nurses are committed to practicing in every setting where aesthetics are needed, whether our armed forces are at war on battlefields, peace time at health care centers or civil disorder environments. The program nowadays provides education in nursing and medicine, ensuring the administration of anesthesia is delivered consistently the same way at all times.
Over the years CRNAs have been the exclusive support in many rural hospitals, working in under served facilities and trauma centers in need of these specialized services. During the early 1900s a landmark decision classified the administering of anesthetics as a legal aspect of nursing. Licensed CRNAs are certified to practice their training and required to re-certify every 2 years.
Overview of the Army CRNA Program
The US Army CRNA Programs have educated and certified practicing nurses for over 50 years, preparing these nurses with the necessary knowledge and skill to handle all potential encounters presented on completion of the program. As graduates, over the 36 month program, nurses learn their trade in preparation to pass the certification examination for Nurse Anesthetists. Once the first phase is completed, the next phase of education is a doctoral level of education, covering unique leadership skills with the ability to make critical decisions, while maintaining quality patient care in all environments.
- First phase involves learning the art and science of nursing anesthesia.
- The next phase is spent in military hospitals and clinical sites, gaining field and regional experience.
The overall educational duty is to educate qualified professionals in the complexities of nursing practices at doctoral levels, proficient in delivering unique anesthesia nursing skills. There are a few distinctions between military installations and civilian institutions – these trained professional graduates must be ready to be deployed when needed
