Ep 82: The Story of Nurse Anesthesia Education and Accreditation

Nearly a century ago, nurse anesthetists took the first steps towards standardizing education and moving towards an approval process. It was a journey that faced many challenges and took various forms before reaching the point where we are today. Betty Horton, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, and Mike Kremer, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, join the show to take us through this history of education and accreditation along with where we’re headed.

 

Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/?p=2541 

 

Today's show schedule: 

3:34 – Another historical episode today with Betty Horton and Mike Kremer

6:06 – Why was their interest in starting an approval process for the schools of nurse anesthesia?

7:55 – What was Helen Lamb’s role in the process?

8:20 – The AANA archives are impressive.

9:08 – What all went into the accreditation process?

11:57 – When did we start approving nurse anesthesia schools and has that changed over time?

16:37 – How has the education changed for SRNAs and CRNAs

18:55 – Nurse anesthetists have lead the way in the nursing industry.

21:39 – Seeking external approval for accreditation.

25:03 – Challenges for accreditation through history.

29:54 – Physicians tried to shut down the schools at one point.

32:57 – What’s the status of nurse anesthesia education now?

36:31 – Closing thoughts from our guests.