U.S. Army Anesthesia Nursing Program Ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report

FORT KNOX, Ky., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School's Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing was ranked best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's 2012 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools in Nursing Anesthesia. The program, located at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, rose to the top spot after ranking second in the past two consecutive reports (2004 and 2008). The School's Physician Assistant program also ranked highly, in 13th place.

"I congratulate the Army school for this national recognition that we are preparing our next generation of anesthesia nurses so well," said Major General Patricia Horoho, Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. "As a registered nurse, I can affirm that the Army offers nurses professional development experiences above and beyond anything in the private sector. From being an integral part of the surgical team to commanding a health system – in the Army, nurses have the opportunity to take their career as far as they want to go."

"I believe a key reason for our consistently high rankings is the stellar skills our student nurse anesthetists display in a clinical setting," said Program Director Lt. Col. Joseph O'Sullivan, CRNA, PhD. "We prepare our students to work under wartime conditions, as well as during civil disorder, natural disaster and humanitarian missions."

The Army's anesthesia nursing program is among 12 graduate programs under the Academy of Health Sciences at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School. The program admits more than 40 civilian, Army, Air Force and Veterans Administration students yearly, and has produced top quality Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists for nearly 50 years. Graduates receive a Master of Science in Nursing Anesthesia from Northeastern University School of Nursing, and starting in 2012 they will earn a Doctorate of Nursing Practice.

"The Army attracts its quota of nurses relatively quickly each year because of the many professional development opportunities we offer," said Col. Raymond S. Dingle, commander of U.S. Army Medical Recruiting. "We strive to attract the highest caliber nurses – regardless of their ability to pay for education – by offering comprehensive benefit packages and financial incentives."

Army Nurse Corps benefits include the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program, which covers up to $120,000 toward nursing school loan repayment for active duty and $50,000 for reserve. Active duty registered nurses are also eligible for a $30,000 Accession Bonus, and certified nurse anesthetists in the Army Reserve qualify to receive up to $60,000 in special pay.  

The U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing is open to active duty, reserve and civilian nurses who meet application requirements. For more information visit http://www.northeastern.edu/bouve/nursing/add/armyprograman.html, or to learn more about Army Nurse Corps benefits and opportunities visit healthcare.goarmy.com.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings were published on Mar. 15, 2011 and are based on peer feedback and assessment surveys commissioned in the fall of 2010 to deans, faculty and administrators of 113 accredited anesthesia nursing graduate programs. Respondents nominated up to 10 schools of excellence in the field and rated the academic quality of each program. Those with the highest average scores were selected.

About the U.S. Army Medical Department

One of the largest health care networks in the world, Army Health Care offers more than 90 professional health care career paths – more than any other military service. The U.S. Army's F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program is one of the most comprehensive health scholarships available today, and covers the complete cost of tuition, school fees and books, a monthly stipend of more than $2,000. Practicing physicians and health professionals can join the Army Reserve at any time in their career – up to age 60. For more information, visit healthcare.goarmy.com.

SOURCE U.S. Army Medical Department