The design of the Nurse Anesthesia Specialization provides the Registered Professional Nurse (RN) who has completed a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) to prepare for entry into advanced practice nursing within the anesthesia specialization. Students receive clinical and didactic experiences that meet or exceed the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists requirements. Exposure to the provision of service in rural areas with the basis to advance academically with doctoral study, is a hallmark of the program. Graduates serve in many capacities within the health care arena, including consultants who assist other colleagues in resolving clinical problems.
Following completion of the program of study and graduation, the graduate is eligible to take the National Certifying Examination offered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. The successful completion of this examination is required by the State Boards of Nursing before the graduate can be licensed/titled to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. A Post-Masters Certificate in Nurse Anesthesia is also available. Please refer to the Nurse Anesthesia Progression Guide for required courses.
In addition to the School of Nursing general admission requirements there are specific requirements for each program. Requirements for the Nurse Anesthesia specialization include: