Seven student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) who trained alongside UNMC Department of Anesthesiology CRNAs recently completed their program’s clinical requirements and were awarded Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degrees from Clarkson College.
Clarkson’s program features clinical experience early on and throughout the program. Students rotate through multiple communities.
“SRNAs graduating with clinical experience from Nebraska Medicine are trained to take care of high acuity patients presenting with unique comorbidities. The Clarkson class of 2022 excelled during this rigorous training,” said Melissa Smith, SRNA Education Committee member. “We welcome Eli and Shay as well as a few other potential graduates as our future colleagues. There is nothing more satisfying than working alongside a strong, dedicated CRNA whom you trained and observed grow into a successful part of our Nebraska Medicine family.”
Two of the seven students who completed their program’s clinical requirements at Nebraska Medicine will soon join the Department of Anesthesiology as CRNAs.
“My whole career in the healthcare profession from patient care technician to bedside nurse has been within Nebraska Medicine and I’m proud to say that I get to carry that on with my position as a CRNA,” said graduate Shay Prochaska. “I have been very impressed with the collaborative team efforts seen throughout the organization, especially between anesthesiologists and CRNAs, both through work and my clinical experiences.”
Prochaska said an additional reason she chose to stay at Nebraska Medicine is because of the variety of cases, the acuity of patients being cared for, and the opportunity to rotate through the outpatient surgery centers, including Bellevue Medical Center.
“Nebraska Medicine couldn’t be a better fit for me and I’m beyond excited to begin my career as a Nurse Anesthetist within the organization,” Prochaska said.