Assessment of Student Nurse Anesthetist Feelings About a Post-Certification Pediatric Fellowship

Specialty training for the newly graduated Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a concern of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist (AANA) Council on Accreditation (COA). In response to this, in 2014 the COA announced the implementation of new guidelines for the creation of specialty post-certification fellowships. The purpose of this study was to assess present student nurse anesthetist (SRNA) experiences with pediatric patients, and, to determine if they would have an interest in specialty pediatric training post certification. This study was conducted June of 2015. It was hypothesized that student nurse anesthetists would have a great interest in post-certification pediatric training. A seven question based online survey tool was used to rate SRNA thoughts about pediatric fellowships. Surveys were distributed to 156 first, second, and third year SRNAs. Principle findings demonstrate that SRNAs have great interest in a fellowship opportunity post certification