About Nurse Anesthesia Program

The Decatur Memorial Hospital’s Nurse Anesthesia Program is jointly conducted with Bradley University in Peoria. The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 33-month course of continuous full time study consisting of 48 graduate semester hours. The course of study includes a core nursing component, a research component, and a specialized component consisting of supportive sciences and anesthesia content. The research component culminates in either a directed research project or a thesis. Our program offers experiences in the full scope of anesthesia practice. Once the 21-month clinical phase is begun, students do not follow the traditional semester format. Qualified Registered Nurses can expect to graduate from the program with a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a major in nurse administered anesthesia. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Certifying Examination (NCE) offered by the Council of Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. Successful completion of the NCE conveys certification; allowing the graduate to use the title Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and seek licensure as an advanced practice nurse.

Decatur Memorial Hospital's Nurse Anesthesia 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 May 2009.

Decatur Memorial Hospital's Nurse Anesthesia Program is also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006, (800) 669-1656 ext. 153.

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