Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is the first institution of higher learning in the state to offer a master of science in nurse anesthesia. There has not been a program in the state since the 1970’s.

ASU nurse anesthesia students practice intubating during class. The patient is student Cindy Hall of Ash Flat with John Braughton (left) of Jonesboro and Jeff Maves of Batesville with the endotracheal tube in hand. There are 11 students in the first class of students which began this summer.

Nurse anesthetists are one of the 10 most heavily recruited healthcare specialties among hospitals and healthcare institutions. Critical shortages for nurse anesthetists occur all over the nation as well as in Arkansas. In addition, it is one of the highest paying areas of all the nursing professions.

It is the role of nurse anesthetists to take care of patients before, during and after surgical and obstetrical procedures by monitoring body functions and modifying anesthetic for a patient=s comfort and safety. They work in traditional hospital suites and obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers and the offices of dentists, podiatrists and plastic surgeons.

The first group of ASU students began the program this summer, following completion of a few core courses this past spring. There are currently 11 students enrolled, according to Sue Campbell, coordinator of the nurse anesthesia program for the College of Nursing and Health Professions at ASU.

“St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock once offered a program for Arkansas, however, it closed some time in 1971. This left registered nurses no choice, but to go out of state for nurse anesthetist programs," she said. Until now, Campbell said, students attended nurse anesthetist programs in New Orleans, Alabama, Texas or Missouri.

Dr. Susan Hanrahan, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, said: “This program was developed because of the need and the critical shortage that exists for nurse anesthetists in Arkansas. Sue Campbell has done a tremendous job in program implementation and ensuring that we continue to meet the standards set forth by the Council on Accreditation in Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The first class of students is fortunate to have her as their leader.

“The program has also enjoyed much support on campus from the Financial Aid Office to the President's Office. Outside the university, practicing nurse anesthetists have offered their support and hospitals continue to call for clinical affiliation opportunities. The Arkansas Hospital Association has been a vocal and financial proponent of the program. We have been excited to have so many willing and able collaborators on this project. It is a credit to Arkansas to have multiple entities come together to make this very expensive, but necessary, program happen,” Hanrahan said.

The nurse anesthetist program at ASU is a 28-month program with 71 credit hours required for completion. The cost of the entire program is $27,000 which includes all fees to complete the program. It is unique among other graduate level degrees in the university, according to Campbell.

Campbell said interest in the program is gaining responses from many areas around the United States. She added, "We have applicants from 8 - 10 states right now."

During their education in the program, students participate in hospital clinical training with St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro and Methodist Hospital in Memphis as the primary sites. St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs, White River Medical Center in Batesville and Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould serve as a secondary training sites for clinical education. Other sites are currently being developed for clinical experience.

Campbell came to ASU as the program coordinator last March from Florida Gulf Coast University, where she served in a similar position. She has more than 30 years experience in the field of nurse anesthesia education, having served in various capacities at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Duke University, and Xavier University.

Anyone interested in further information or for admission requirements may contact Campbell at 870-910-8033 or scampbell@astate.edu or http://www.conhp.astate.edu/Nursing/NA.htm.

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The first students of the ASU anesthesia program began this summer. They are (from left): Alva Harston of Imboden, Tiffany Ray of Southhaven, Miss., Ernesto Perez (Instructor), Todd Monroe, and Tarah Tibbs, both of Jonesboro; (kneeling in front) Bill Crow of Jonesboro, (behind, from left) is Cindy Hall of Ash Flat, Jennifer Smith of Sydney, Virginia Baltz of Pocahontas, Lisa Longinotti of Little Rock, and (back row, from left) Jeff Maves of Batesville, and John Braughton of Jonesboro.