Nurse Anesthesia Students Win Scholarship Awards

Two USF College of Nursing student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) have received a scholarship from a national group that supports nurse anesthesia education and research.

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Foundation recently announced $130,000 in scholarships to nurse anesthesia students for 2018. The 58 scholarship awards given this year ranged from $1,000 to $3,000.

College of Nursing student Victoria Boehm, a SRNA slated to graduate in December of 2018, will receive $3,000 from the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She was one of 2,520 nurse anesthesia students who applied for scholarships through the foundation this year.

Boehm said she is grateful for the award. Since she graduates soon, Boehm anticipates using the scholarship money to pay for living expenses during the two- to three-month credentialing period between graduation and when she can officially work as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

“Even though the scholarship money is coming at the end of the program, it will help,” she said. “It really helps me feel a little better.”

Ryan Harvey, a fellow nurse anesthesia student, will receive a $1,000 award from the New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthetists Student Scholarship.

Harvey is expected to graduate in December of 2019. The money will help with the numerous student expenses, including travel to conferences and tuition. Harvey enrolled into USF’s nurse anesthesia program after spending eight years in New Mexico working as a critical care nurse and as a health care manager.

He says while the nurse anesthesia program has been difficult, he knows it was the right choice. He credits the university’s phenomenal staff, the unrivaled simulation lab, and the faculty support that has helped him develop his professional identity, as well as his clinical one.

“We are given opportunities students in other programs in the state are not afforded. Overall, this has been, and continues to be, a very humbling experience,” he said.

Story by Elizabeth L. Brown, USF College of Nursing