Correction: The previous correction to this story said nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who assist or collaborate with doctors. The University of Louisville contacted Spectrum News 1 to say in the state of Kentucky, nurse anesthetists are licensed at their full scope of practice. They are licensed and capable of providing anesthesia without physician supervision.
In a previous version of this story, it was stated UofL indicated there is a shortage of anesthesiologists. That is incorrect. What was said was, “There is always a need for health care professionals across the spectrum. So, nurse anesthesia is no different.” (Sept. 14, 2023)
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated there is a shortage of anesthesiologists, when actually there is a shortage of nurse anesthetists. These are two different jobs. Anesthesiologists are medical doctors that administer anesthesia while nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who may assist or collaborate with doctors in administering anesthesia. The error has been corrected. (Sept. 12, 2023)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There is a dire need for anesthesia providers in Kentucky. According to the University of Louisville, many anesthetists across U.S.are nearing retirement and there are not enough people to fill their roles.
A University of Louisville nurse moved to the United States when she was 19 years old and is now pursuing her dream of becoming an anesthetist.
In 2005, Kamilia Stone fled her home country, Kyrgyzstan, to escape a revolution.
“We lived like very close to where the White House is, like our neighborhood. And i just remember that night and I just can’t believe next morning we just went to school and everybody went to work. And as the news were unraveling, oh, the president left. Oh, okay. Oh, my goodness. Look at the White House’s burns. And it was just weird experience,” Kamilia Stone, nurse and student at the UofL.
Stone started her new life in Kentucky. A place where she didn’t know many people.
“I worked at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom ... then at night I worked at Arby’s because I borrowed money to come here and I had to pay it off. So, I was learning English and like working night shift at Arby’s and like would sleep two hours and at nine or ten go to Six Flags,” she said.
Her bus ride to work every day served as a reminder to never forget her goals.
“So I would take this 19th street bus and go there and I would pass by, on Chestnut, the UofL hospital and I would look at it and something inside me would always tell me I’m going to work there one,” she said.
In 2013, Stone graduated from the UofL’s biology and nursing programs. She worked full time at UofL when one of her coworkers told her about the new nurse anesthetist program that she always dreamt of doing.
“I always wanted to do that, but like I said, that life takes you to different paths and it never happened and when this program came open ... well, I just thought that’s my chance,” she said.
Stone is in a three-year program to become an anesthetist. A job that there is a dire need for, especially in rural areas.
“We know there is a deficit of health care providers, again, across the spectrum due to the aging population and because of access in what we call medical deserts,” said Cheryl Parker, director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the University of Louisville.
A deficit that Stone and the 15 other students in the program are aiming to fill.
“I’m very big on motivating girls, finding that power within them. Like you know you can do it, don’t feel scared or timid. Those are good feelings, but push yourself a little bit,” she said.
If all goes well, Stone will graduate in 2026 and her dream will come true.
The application window for UofL’s School of Nursing nurse anesthetist program is open now through Oct. 15. The university is seeking applicants with at least one year of critical care ICU experience. Accepted applicants would start classes next year.