Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 SGPP Catalog and Handbook 
    
2018-2019 SGPP Catalog and Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nurse Anesthesia, M.S.


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This is a program offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Graduate School of Health and Human Services. The qualified Registered Nurse is admitted to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is directed toward the goal of earning a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia. Saint Mary’s University believes in building and developing on the baccalaureate base with emphasis on a strong scientific and technical background. Graduates will be prepared to practice in a wide variety of settings and in diverse methods of administering a safe anesthetic. The graduate is eligible to write the certification examination as offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Successful completion of the examination entitles the graduate to be known as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Program Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate the ability to provide safe and competent care throughout the perianesthetic continuum.
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  3. Communicate effectively.
  4. Demonstrate professional behavior.
  5. Continue to learn throughout their careers.

Program Outcome Objectives

Patient safety is demonstrated by the ability of the graduate to:
  1. Be vigilant in the delivery of patient care and refrain from any activity that could interfere with vigilance.
  2. Protect patients from iatrogenic complications.
  3. Participate in the positioning of patients to prevent injury.
  4. Conduct a comprehensive and appropriate equipment check.
  5. Utilize standard precautions and appropriate infection control measures.
Individualized perianesthetic management is demonstrated by the ability of the graduate to:
  1. Provide care throughout the perianesthetic continuum.
  2. Use a variety of current anesthesia techniques, agents, adjunctive drugs, and equipment while providing anesthesia.
  3. Administer general anesthesia to patients of all ages and physical conditions for a variety of surgical and medically related procedures.
  4.  Provide anesthesia services to all patients, including trauma and emergency cases.
  5. Administer and manage a variety of regional anesthetics.
  6. Function as a resource person for airway and ventilatory management of patients.
  7. Possess current advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) recognition.
  8. Possess current pediatric advanced life support (PALS) recognition.
  9. Perform a comprehensive history and physical assessment.
Critical thinking is demonstrated by the graduate’s ability to:
  1. Apply knowledge to practice in decision making and problem solving.
  2. Provide nurse anesthesia care based on sound principles and research evidence.
  3. Perform a preanesthetic assessment and formulate an anesthesia care plan for patients to whom they are assigned to administer anesthesia.
  4. Identify and take appropriate action when confronted with anesthetic equipment-related malfunctions.
  5. Interpret and utilize data obtained from noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities.
  6. Calculate, initiate, and manage fluid and blood component therapy.
  7. Recognize and appropriately respond to anesthetic complications that occur during the perianesthetic period.
  8. Pass the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists’ (CCNA) certification examination in accordance with CCNA policies and procedures.
Communication skills are demonstrated by the graduate’s ability to:
  1. Effectively communicate with individuals influencing patient care.
  2. Utilize appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication in the delivery of perianesthetic care.
  3. Communicate effectively through case records, written reports, written correspondences, and professional papers.
  4. Interact competently with diverse populations.
Professional responsibility is demonstrated by the graduate’s ability to:
  1. Demonstrate ethical behavior when interacting with patients, affiliated healthcare associations, and members of the medical community.
  2. Participate in activities that improve anesthesia care.
  3. Function within appropriate legal requirements as a registered professional nurse, accepting responsibility and accountability for his or her practice.
  4. Interact on a professional level with integrity.
  5. Teach others.
  6. Participate in continuing education activities to acquire new knowledge and improve his or her practice.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of wellness and chemical dependency in the anesthesia profession through completion of content in wellness and chemical dependency.

Program Structure and Delivery

Students earn a minimum of 64 semester credits in a 28-month (seven semester) program by combining clinical and academic experiences. Courses in the program are delivered primarily face-to-face.

Program Philosophy

The Master of Science program in Nurse Anesthesia originated in response to the request of leaders in the healthcare field for graduate level education in the field of Nurse Anesthesia. With this need in mind, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota developed this program.

With a focus on meeting the needs of adult learners, the program’s goal is to provide a positive and supportive learning environment, preparing the professional nurse in the art and science of anesthesia and meeting the societal need for safe and competent anesthesia care.

The program provides the student with a curriculum that includes formal and informal instruction in scientific principles, clinical practice and professional growth opportunities. Core values upheld by all members of this community include academic excellence, professionalism and personal integrity, responsibility and compassion. A shared sense of responsibility exists between the faculty and the student to reach the goal of becoming a Nurse Anesthetist.

Program Accreditation

The Nurse Anesthesia Program enjoys full accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The Council is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

(http://home.coa.us.com/Pages/default.aspx)

Affiliate Hospitals

  • Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
  • Amery Regional Medical Center, Amery, WI
  • CentraCare Surgery Center, St. Cloud, MN
  • Children’s Hospital and Clinics, Minneapolis, MN
  • Essentia Health-Duluth (Miller-Dwan Building), Duluth, MN
  • Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth, MN
  • Gillette Specialty Children’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN
  • Glencoe Regional Health Center, Glencoe, MN
  • Hayward Area Memorial Hospital, Hayward, WI
  • Lakeview Medical Center, Rice Lake, WI
  • Lakewood Health System, Staples, MN
  • Marshfield ASC Eau Claire Center, WI
  • Marshfield ASC Marshfield Center, WI
  • Marshfield ASC Minocqua Center, WI
  • Marshfield ASC Wausau Center, WI
  • Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague, New Prague, MN
  • Memorial Health Center, Medford, WI
  • Memorial Medical Center, Neillsville, WI
  • Ministry St. Mary’s Hospital, Rhinelander, WI
  • Northfield Hospital, Northfield, MN
  • Owatonna Hospital, Owatonna, MN
  • Phillip’s Eye Institute, Minneapolis, MN
  • Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN
  • Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar, MN
  • Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, MN
  • River Falls Area Hospital, River Falls, WI
  • Riverwood Health Care Center, Aitkin, MN
  • Saint Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, MN
  • Saint Croix Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Falls, WI
  • Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, Wabasha, MN
  • Saint Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, MN
  • Shawano Medical Center, Shawano, WI
  • Winona Health, Winona, MN

Degree Requirements


The program is 64 credits.

Faculty


The faculty members for this program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination of educational and professional experience and expertise.

Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to this program must meet the admission requirements for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs and for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Program. Applicant must have:

  1. Completed an appropriate baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Degrees must be completed and final transcripts must be submitted by the April 1 deadline. Appropriate degrees include the areas of nursing, biophysical, biological or behavioral sciences.
  2. Overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or higher.
  3. Current unencumbered licensure as a Professional Registered Nurse in the State of Minnesota, or eligible for reciprocity.
  4. A minimum of one year of experience in a critical care setting.
  5. A completed application submitted by the application deadline.  All students are required to have a physical examination prior to starting the program. Documented immunity to communicable disease is also required prior to the student’s involvement in hospital activities. Serum titers that are required include rubella, rubeola, varicella, hepatitis B, and mumps. Vaccination will be required in non-immune students. Proof of receiving the Tdap vaccine (protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) that extends to the date of the student’s graduation from the program is also required.

These requirements meet or exceed the Standards and Guidelines set by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Application Process


Persons applying to the nurse anesthesia program must submit:

  1. A completed online application. The process can be found on the Saint Mary’s website. The application process MUST be completed by April 1.
  2. An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University from each undergraduate college or university attended since high school, including an official transcript from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree.
  3. A transcript for an organic or inorganic chemistry course completed with a letter grade of “B” or better in the last 5 years. Entry level community or junior college level courses will not be accepted.
  4. A completed Professional Goal Statement. Guidance on how to prepare this can be downloaded from the Saint Mary’s On-line Application System or the “Prospective Student” section of the Saint Mary’s Nurse Anesthesia website. Once completed, this document must be loaded into the electronic application as directed by April 1.
  5. A current résumé or curriculum vitae listing educational background and work experience.
  6. A completed Academic Evaluation form. Guidance on how to prepare this can be downloaded from the Saint Mary’s website or the “Prospective Student” section of the Saint Mary’s Nurse Anesthesia website. Once completed, this document must be loaded into the electronic application as directed by April 1.

All application materials are to be submitted through the website application system.

Submission of all applicable college and nursing school transcripts to be sent directly to:


Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404-4403

All application materials must be received by the program before April 1 for candidates to be considered. The program reviews applications once a year and accepts qualified applicants into the next available class.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Since the class size is limited, candidates who meet the minimum admission requirement may not be selected. The admissions committee will select the most qualified applicants based on the following criteria:

  • The completed application and supporting material.
  • Previous academic performance.
  • Demonstrated success as a professional Registered Nurse in a critical care area.
  • The ability to perform all anticipated tasks relevant to the practice of Nurse Anesthesia.

TRANSFER INTO THE PROGRAM

Transfer into the Nurse Anesthesia Program is handled on an individual basis. Credit for previous anesthesia education is not guaranteed.

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