Nurse Anesthetist Scholarships

Scholarships for Grueling NA Programs

When the moment comes for administering an anesthetic in the procedural room of the hospital, there is no more key figure in they eyes of both the doctor and the patient than the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). These valuable individuals are trained to apply anesthesia, or rest-inducing drugs or formulas, to surgical or obstetric patients who most need it at their critical hour.

Because of the precision, absolute accuracy, and important nature of this position, Nurse Anesthetists have very specialized training at the graduate level. Most Nursing Anesthesia graduate programs run from 24 to 36 months, and integrate classroom study with hands-on clinical experience. Students wishing to transition into a Graduate Nursing Anesthetist degree program have at least one prerequisite: they must be Registered Nurses with a Bachelors degree to pursue most NA programs.

There are a number of organizations and private colleges who are willing to put financially backed scholarships behind the future Nurse Anesthetists of the nation. Several of these, such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, are listed below along with the details and specific requirements of their funding programs. Monies and support from benefactors like these can put a huge dent in your tuition for a graduate program in nursing, and some will even pay for the entire thing so that all you will have to worry about are your studies and future career possibilities.

Scholarship Opportunities in Nursing Anesthesia

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)

The AANA Foundation will be a great overall resource and help to you in your career as a student and professional Nurse Anesthetist. As the nation’s official representative of those in this niche field, they host meetings and conferences, provide news updates, advance research and technology, and sponsor educational opportunities for those up-and-coming in the arena. They also host a few scholarship, grant, award and internship programs, including the following two:

Student Scholarships are available from the AANA for students who have completed a minimum of six months of courses in a nurse anesthetist program. They do not provide any scholarships at this time to entering students in the course. Application forms are available by the end of February each year; the deadline for submitting an application for scholarship assistance is April 1.

The Palmer Carrier Scholarship in the amount of $5000 given to a nurse anesthetist who is pursuing their doctorate degree and intends to pursue research in the field. They must apply by April 1. Preference in this case is given to those who have received candidacy status within their doctoral program.

Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF)

The APSF, a sister organization to the AANA above, is focused on the research and development side of nursing anesthesia. They have some funding, as well, primarily in the form of grants dedicated either to clinical research or education and training. Projects that are accepted will be generously funded by the foundation and are generally done in teams or groups of students and scientists as they are quite large-scale. For further down the road, keep in mind that the APSF also offers the Safety Scientist Career Development Award (SSCDA) to those involved in promoting the new generation of safety scientists through research and progress.

Department of Veteran’s Affairs

Nurses currently employed for Veteran’s Affairs are invited to apply for the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing. Individuals accepted into the Program will spend one year at Fort Sam Houston and complete the balance of their training at other sites. Applicants must have at least one year of Department experience to be considered. Scholarship recipients must agree to provide services to the Veteran’s Administration for a specific period of time after the training course is completed. You can find more comprehensive information about this promising program through the program’s website, including research, past recipients, and training site locations.

Stark Community Foundation, Ohio

Ohio residents enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program at an Ohio school are eligible to apply for financial assistance from the Dale O. Heimberger CRNA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and enthusiasm for the field. In addition, the Stark Community Foundation also hosts several other general nursing scholarships for Ohio residents, such as the Margaret Lazar-Emma Lupher Scholarship that is given to students pursuing general or specialty nursing at Canton, Ohio’s Aultman College of Nursing and Health Science.

Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists

The Johnnie Rosell Nurse Anesthesia Education Grant is annually awarded by the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists to a senior in a nurse anesthesia program. The recipient must be an Arkansas resident and plan to practice within the state upon completion. The monies awarded are $500 must be used toward the cost of tuition and expenses. Applications are due by March 1.

Northeastern University

Not only has Northeastern University’s School of Nursing’s Anesthesia program been ranked among the best in the country, they also have scholarship funding to make it affordable. Their Boston, Massachusetts US Army graduate program in nursing anesthesia was rated #1 by US News and World Report. The Bouve College of Health Sciences offers a wide range of both undergraduate and graduate programs and Northeastern has several established scholarship funds, including the Northeastern University Scholars Program which awards full tuition to 50 incoming undergraduates in any program. There are also a large number of scholarships available to graduate students, including the Yellow Ribbon Scholarships that cover nearly full tuition for post 9/11 veterans.

University of Michigan – Flint

Second-year students in the nurse anesthetist program at the University of Michigan – Flint are invited to apply for the Barbara I. Sprague CRNA Scholarship, the Virginia K. Polzin CRNA Scholarship or the Diane Brown CRNA Scholarship. Scholarship recipients must continue to maintain passing grades and be able to demonstrate that they have participated in community activities and/or a professional health care organization. Contact the financial aid office for more information on how to apply for these three awards specific to nurse anesthetists.

University of Pittsburgh

Graduate students who completed their undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh, are eligible to apply for the Pitt Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship. Those selected for scholarship assistance receive a partial tuition scholarship. The Nurse Anesthesia Master’s Program at the University of Pittsburgh is a well-regarded graduate program and includes a comprehensive curriculum.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Full-time students enrolled in the Nurse Anesthetist Program at Virginia Commonwealth University are eligible to apply for assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia Graduate Tuition Assistance Program, in addition to general VCU financial aid. The Program provides awards to help defray the cost of tuition and fees, and the award varies in amount and is given only to outstanding applicants.

University of Chicago Hospitals

The Nursing at the Forefront Scholarship for Study in Anesthesia Nursing Award is offered to students enrolled in the Anesthesia Nursing Program. Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition, plus books and fees at the University of Chicago. A $1,000 monthly stipend is included during the clinical residency portion of their training.

More Options for Nurse Anesthetists

Don’t neglect the federal government when searching for scholarships for your degree as a Nurse Anesthetist. The US Department of Health and Human Services sponsors two funding opportunities that may help you out: the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship is a grant given to a student in the second year of their program that may pay for some or all of your tuition and fees. The Advanced Nurse Education Traineeship Award is given to those outstanding students who have completed their basic nursing training and go on to enroll in an eligible Nursing Anesthesia Master’s program.

Amongst these scholarship options from the government, private organizations and public colleges, you should be able to match your skills and prerequisites with the requirements of an appropriate funding program. There is an enormous amount of dependability, grace, knowledge and attention to detail that is expected of Nurse Anesthetists as the role they play in the hospital is invaluable. Luckily, there are an equal amount of generous benefactors who will fund your education to fill this critical position for the next generation.