WILMINGTON – There’s a long road ahead of certifications, student recruiting, and thousands of hours of hands-on clinical experience, but Wilmington University, ChristianaCare, and Anesthesia Services, P.A. (ASPA), hope to graduate students from their proposed doctorate-level nurse anesthesiology program as early as December 2028.
Dr. Denise Wells
“Christiana Care and ASPA approached us about a year and a half ago, recognizing our proven, high-quality, accredited doctor of nursing practice program with our established track record in educating family nurse practitioners and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, they highlighted the growing need for this nurse anesthesiology program,” said Dr. Denise Wells, vice president of academic affairs for WilmU and a registered nurse who started her career in the operating room environment.
“Retirements and a growing population are fueling an increased demand for health care services,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have [15] excellent neighboring programs in the region, but with so many qualified candidates, there’s simply not enough room in those programs for everyone.”
The program, which includes more than 2,000 hours of clinical experience and state-of-the-art simulation training, will prepare graduates to sit for the National Certification Exam and become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
What’s a nurse anesthetist?
A CRNA (or nurse anesthetist) is an advanced practice registered nurse who administers anesthesia and provides related care before, during, and after surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures.
The new curriculum adds to the university’s 11-year-old Doctor of Nursing Practice program, will seek initial accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and anticipates on-site visits next Spring. Student enrollment will not begin until accreditation is secured – most likely late next year.
Dr. Jacqueline Mainwaring
But Dr. Jacqueline Mainwaring, recently named inaugural director of the Delaware Nurse Anesthesiology Program at ChristianaCare and Wilmington University, saw more than 65 prospective students express interest within the first two days of the announcement.
WilmU hopes to enroll 25 students in early cohorts and work up to 35 per cohort once it can demonstrate it has the resources to handle three cohorts at various points in the three-year curriculum.
What will the students be doing?
Led by experienced practitioners and educators, the curriculum integrates anesthesiology-specific coursework with advanced nursing practice, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of clinical practice and systemic healthcare challenges.
Wells said students will have access to ChristianaCare’s advanced monitoring systems and its state-of-the-art simulation center. In addition, students will be heading out for 1:1 rotations with CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists at ChristianaCare and other free-standing outpatient surgical centers, acute-care facilities, and various hospitals throughout Delaware. Students can engage in clinical experiences in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Mainwaring is negotiating partnership agreements with several facilities of that type to enhance students’ clinical experiences.
Success metrics will include speed of getting accreditation and pass rates for the national certification test, but they go far beyond that, Wells said. In addition, all three organizations will focus on providing an environment where “adult learners can be successful from both a mental health and physical health standpoint during a rigorous, intense program.
“We want to understand if students are satisfied with the program, if they’re staying engaged, finding employment, and if employers are pleased with their skills and clinical competency,” she said. ”We’re also focused on feedback from alumni years after graduation, ensuring our clinical partners’ needs are met, and closely examining the outcomes of the scholarly projects that cap this doctoral program.”
“ChristianaCare is excited to partner with Wilmington University and our colleagues at ASPA in this much-needed program to help address Delaware’s growing need for highly qualified CRNAs,” said ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, in a prepared statement. “By providing advanced training and education in anesthesiology services, we are helping to develop the next generation of health care experts who will serve our community with high-quality, safe care.”
ASPA is the largest anesthesia group in Delaware.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 38% growth in nurse anesthetist employment from 2022 to 2032, driven by increased demand for healthcare services like elective surgeries.
The rewards at the end are clear. Besides the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree they’ll receive, median compensation for CRNAs reached $221,300 in 2023, representing an 11.3% increase from 2022, according to healthcare consultant VMG Health, which also noted that CRNAs make up more than 80% of anesthesia providers in rural areas.
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