JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 17, 2005 — The official nurse anesthetist accrediting agency has given full approval to 51社区鈥檚 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program, clearing the way for students to begin study in January.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) has given verbal approval of the program, according to Tim Smith, dean of Union鈥檚 School of Nursing. He said written approval would come shortly.
Smith also added that Union鈥檚 CRNA program will be the first such program among the 176 universities in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Twenty-six applicants have already been approved for the program, which will become the fifth CRNA program in the state of Tennessee. Smith said Union鈥檚 program, however, would be unique for the integration of Christian values into the instruction.
鈥淥ur difference is that we have a program for the purpose of teaching the Christian worldview in the profession of nurse anesthesia,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檙e going to be about.鈥�
Union鈥檚 CRNA program will work with 13 regional hospitals. West Tennessee Healthcare has pledged $3 million to Union -- $500,000 for construction of White Hall and $2.5 million for the CRNA program, personnel and space needs.
鈥淭he establishment and launch of the CRNA program at 51社区 is one of the most exciting endeavors in the history of this university,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淯nion has been blessed by great friends in the healthcare community since the establishment of the nursing program at Union 40 years ago, chief among these friends being West Tennessee Healthcare.鈥�
51社区 Provost Carla Sanderson said the approval is evidence of Union鈥檚 commitment to excellence in accreditation.
鈥淭his accreditation for Union鈥檚 new CRNA program comes as a result of two things 鈥� an amazing new team of bright, forward-thinking faculty, including our dean, and a 40-year-old School of Nursing filled with faculty who advance the nursing profession through their outstanding teaching and service,鈥� Sanderson said.
The 31-month program will result in a Master of Science degree in nursing. Students will spend the first eight months in the classroom, followed by nearly two years in a clinical setting, where they will perform 1,200 procedures.
The first CRNA class at Union will graduate in August 2008.
鈥淯nion has had great nursing faculty and leadership, and wonderful nursing students -- all who have paved the way for this moment in the life of the institution,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚 am thankful for the generous support of the healthcare community and the leadership of Tim Smith and the nursing school faculty who have brought us to this point.鈥�