Empowering Future CRNAs: The Case for Obstetric Rotations in Anesthesia Education

Obstetric anesthesia is an important subspecialty of anesthesia requiring specialized training to meet the distinctive needs of maternal care. Variations in obstetric anesthesia education create deficiencies for some nurse anesthesiologists upon graduation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate incorporating dedicated obstetric anesthesia rotation for nurse anesthesia residents at a northeastern university, focusing on training outcomes, preparedness, and perceptions of obstetric anesthesia as a subspecialty. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) graduated between 2018 and 2023 received a survey. Two groups were analyzed: with and without the obstetric rotation. The survey assessed clinical experience, obstetric anesthesia preparedness, and perceptions of obstetric anesthesia as a specialty using Likert-scale questions and open-ended feedback. Numerical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, and graphical representation. CRNAs with the obstetric rotation reported significantly fewer challenges meeting minimum epidural requirements, higher confidence in managing obstetric cases, and greater recognition of the importance of the training. In contrast, CRNAs without the rotation highlighted deficiencies in epidural training. An obstetric rotation is important to instill the confidence necessary for CRNAs to achieve full scope of practice capabilities. In addition to an obstetric specialty rotation, recommendations include advocacy for CRNA training, a focus on obstetric anesthesia subspecialty development, and access for educators to resources assisting in creating this rotation.