Second-year doctoral students in the Nurse Anesthesia program received surgical caps during the ceremony, to commemorate their entry into clinical practice.
Twenty-five nurse anesthesia residents in Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies marked a new phase in their education at a capping ceremony in August. The ceremony came nearly 15 months into the 36-month doctoral program and marked the transition from classroom to clinical training.
Steven Belmont, DNP, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, director of the DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program, congratulated residents for reaching this milestone and surveyed the formidable terrain still before them.
“Today is an important occasion, a day that marks the culmination of rigorous study, sleepless nights, and unwavering dedication,” Dr. Belmont said. “As we gather to celebrate, we acknowledge not only the academic achievements you have accomplished but also the exciting and challenging journey that lies ahead."
Over the course of their clinical training, the nurse anesthesia residents will manage approximately 800 anesthesia cases and clock 2,800 clinical hours. Their clinical rotations will require continuous learning and adaptation.
Speakers at the event included Dean Meredith Kazer, PhD, APRN, FAAN, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Sally Gerard, DNP, RN, CDE, CNL, both of the Egan School. The keynote address was delivered by Christina Massaro, MSN, CRNA, cardiac and obstetrics nurse anesthetist at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center and founder of the online learning platform Critical Care Academy.
The event was the first capping ceremony hosted by the Egan School for its nurse anesthesia residents. Rev. John Savard, S.J.,’78, interim director of Campus Ministry, blessed the surgical caps before the program directors presented them to residents.
Dr. Belmont noted that the caps “represent a commitment to excellence, dedication to patient care, and the courage to face the unknown challenges of clinical practice with confidence and grace.”
The nurse anesthesia program at Fairfield is ranked #29 in the nation by U.S News & World Report. Graduates of the program earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree and qualify to sit for the national certification exam to become certified registered nurse anesthetists.
