Nurse Anesthetists, professional anesthesia specialists, administer more than 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the United States each year. It is an attractive career for both men and women. Reflecting the high level of responsibility, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are some of the most widely respected and generously compensated professionals in health care. CRNAs provide cost-effective, quality patient care that is essential to America's health care system. As anesthesia specialists, CRNAs are the sole providers of anesthesia in 85 percent of rural hospitals, enabling these medical facilities to provide obstetrical, surgical, and trauma stabilization services. Nurses were the first professional group to provide anesthesia services in the United States. Established in the late 1800s as the first clinical nursing specialty, nurse anesthesia developed in response to the growing need surgeons had for specially trained anesthetists. For more information about Nurse Anesthesia, follow this link to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists website.

The purpose of the program is to provide training and education for registered nurses with Bachelor of Science degrees. Building on the background of nursing, students will be prepared to determine the patient's anesthetic requirements, design an anesthetic plan of care, and implement, monitor and evaluate that plan of care. The University of South Carolina has received full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), representing the American Medical Association and the American Association of Medical Centers. The Council on Accreditation of Educational Programs of Nurse Anesthesia accredits the components specific to nurse anesthesia. The Council is recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE). Palmetto Health Richland Hospital (PHR) is a 649-bed, nationally- recognized, regional community teaching medical center. The PHR healthcare team seeks to provide the highest quality care possible for patients and to assure the best resources and support available for physicians. Education and research are valued for their enhancement of services, and employees are valued for their contributions to excellence. Through responsible management, the PHR team strives daily to meet healthcare challenges facing the Midlands, the state and the nation.

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Curriculum and Clinical Training Sites

The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 27-month course of study (five semesters and two summer sessions).  Course sequencing is as follows:

To meet the criteria for graduation and to meet the requirements to write the Certification Exam from the Council on Certification, students must participate in a minimum of 550 anesthesia cases covering a variety of clinical experiences. These anesthesia cases include both general and regional anesthetics for pediatrics, cardiovascular-thoracic, obstetrics, geriatrics, neurological, plastic otolaryngology, ophthalmology, urology, orthopedics, and radiological procedures.

Palmetto Health Richland is the primary clinical training site for the USC/PHR Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia, providing about 50% of clinical anesthesia experience.  Students also gain valuable clinical experience from rotations to several other clinical training sites.  Clinical affiliations currently exist at the following additional sites in South Carolina:
Lexington Medical Center;
Providence Hospital/Heart Institute and Providence Northeast in Columbia;
Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center;
Anderson Area Medical Center;
Oconee Memorial Hospital;
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital of Greenville;
Palmetto Heath Baptist in Columbia;
Moncrief Army Hospital in Columbia; 
Kershaw County Medical Center;  
Springs Memorial Hospital in Lancaster; Self Regional Healthcare System of Greenwood;
Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville;
and Conway Medical Center.
Students provide their own transportation to and from the affiliated clinical sites, however, most clinical sites more than 1 hr from Columbia provide free housing for students rotating at that site.

Students receive a letter grade for each didactic course at the end of each semester; practicum courses are graded pass/fail. Grading is on a 4.00 scale and the student must obtain an overall 3.00 grade point average to be eligible for graduation. Other graduation criteria include satisfactory completion of all clinical rotations in the program, satisfactory performance on the comprehensive examination, and payment of all fees. Students are subject to the academic regulations of both the Graduate School and the USC School of Medicine. Clinical evaluations and progression in the clinical area are handled in accordance with the guidelines from the Evaluation Committee for the USC/PRMH Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia.

Absences from classes, seminars, and conferences are handled in accordance with University of South Carolina policies and procedures. Absences from clinical assignments are handled in accordance with the employment policies and procedures of Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital. Vacation during the first academic year corresponds to USC School of Medicine semester breaks and holidays.  Students receive another 32 days off during the final 15 months.  All vacation requests must receive prior approval from the Clinical Director. Transfers are discouraged and are not usually available.

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Fees and Expenses

All students are required to register as full-time graduate students in each fall and spring semester of study. University graduate tuition and Health Professions Program Fees for residents of South Carolina is $4,792 per semester; tuition and fees for non-residents is $9,861 per semester. Some out of state students may be eligible for resident tuition under the Academic Common Market agreement.  These fees for full-time study are for the 2006-2007 academic year and are subject to change by the Board of Trustees.

Clinical fees at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital are $2,500 per calendar year and are subject to change. Financial aid awarded to students will be disbursed at the time of registration for the spring and fall semesters.

Fees for the 2006-2007 year

*Non-refundable

Estimated expenditures for books, supplies, equipment, education training and professional fees

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Financial Aid and Benefits

Students are responsible for tuition, fees, and living expenses. Financial assistance is available to students in the form of loans. Eligibility for aid depends on the applicant's financial circumstances. Information on the various financial aid programs may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office at the School of Medicine.

Scholarships and Grants

Donald H. Harwood, MD, Scholarship. This scholarship of a minimum of $1,000 is awarded to a second-year student by the Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia Alumni Association in honor of Donald H. Harwood, MD, who established the School of Nurse Anesthesia in 1969.

Nurse Anesthetist and Advanced Nursing Traineeship Grants. The program applies to the US Department of Health and Human Services each year for these grants and allocates the funds among enrolled students.  Depending on the size of the federal award in any year, the traineeships distribute about $450 to $650 per year to each student.  

Veterans Benefits. Veterans and children of deceased or disabled veterans who meet regular admission requirements may be eligible to receive educational assistance benefits through the Veterans Administration. Application for benefits may be made through the University Student Affairs Office.

Students are urged to apply for benefits at least 45 days prior to the beginning of the semester.

Work Benefits. Students enrolled in the USC/PRMH Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia are considered full-time employees of Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital and are subject to all policies, procedures, and benefits as such. A basic individual hospitalization and dental insurance policy is provided to students. Students in the program are covered by a professional liability policy.

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