History
The NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia is a private, co-educational school of higher learning. The School of Nurse Anesthesia was founded by Mae Cameron in 1925, at Ravenswood Hospital Medical Center in Chicago. In 2001, the School transferred to Evanston Northwestern Healthcare. The School is located at NorthShore University HealthSystem's Evanston Hospital, in Evanston, Illinois.
The School has a long history of success in the field of nurse anesthesia education. It is one of the oldest schools in the U.S. and was the first school to be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs in 1952. The Ravenswood tradition of academic excellence continues at the NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Anesthesia.
The School attracts students from all over the US and boasts a diverse and successful alumni. Graduates of the School work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, physician offices, military and public health services, Veterans Administration facilities, academic settings and private practice.
Accreditation
The NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia has enjoyed full accreditation status from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) since 1952. It was the first School to be accredited in the US. In October 2005, the School received the maximum accreditation status of ten years from the COA. The next on-site accreditation visit is scheduled for 2015.
Mission
The mission of the school is to prepare the qualified professional registered nurse for the advanced practice of nurse anesthesia in a variety of practice settings. The graduate registered nurse anesthetist will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to assume leadership roles in the practice of nurse anesthesia.
Philosophy
The practice of nurse anesthesia is an advanced practice nursing role. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) possess the advanced scientific knowledge and competency in technical skills that are necessary for nurse anesthesia practice. Nurse anesthetist trainees (NAT) are best served by a curriculum that utilizes an integrated curriculum to maximize the didactic and clinical experience. Learners are responsible for self-directed study and professional growth. To meet the demand for well-educated nurse anesthetists, the school has kept pace with the rapidly changing and increasing complex field of modern anesthesia, incorporating changing technology into the curriculum.
DePaul University
In 1989, the School of Nurse Anesthesia developed an academic affiliation with DePaul University. Founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian priests), DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the U.S. The College of Liberal Arts and Science, which includes the Department of Nursing (http://condor.depaul.edu/~nursing) located on the Lincoln Park campus, 11 miles from Evanston Hospital. The large and diverse student body at DePaul complements the close and personal attention of the School of Nurse Anesthesia. DePaul University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In addition, the Department of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (http://www.aacn.nche.edu).
Faculty
Bernadette Roche, CRNA, EdD, Administrative Director
Pamela Schwartz, CRNA, MS, Assistant Director
Joanne Donnelly, CRNA, MS
Veronica Drantz , PhD
Jesse Marymont, MD
Administrative Assistant: Mary Cooney
For questions concerning the NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia you may email anesthesiaschool@northshore.org