Curriculum

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Program Description

The Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) consists of 80 graduate semester hours, leading to the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) degree. The curriculum integrates health sciences with nursing sciences to prepare students as advanced practitioners in nurse anesthesia who can integrate research findings into their practice. Students are prepared to assume leadership roles in anesthesia and provide anesthesia care to patients in a variety of settings including medically under-served areas. Graduates are eligible for certification as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and state licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), where required.

The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) is a 28-month course of continuous study. Students do not follow the traditional trimester format upon entering the anesthesia practicum sessions of the curriculum. To provide students with necessary clinical hours to accomplish course and clinical objectives and comply with the required numbers and types of anesthesia cases by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), each practicum session is continuous with the next session (block format), without traditional academic/trimester breaks, with vacation and holidays appropriately dispersed to and scheduled with students on an individual basis, throughout the remainder of the program. The program is planned so that academic credit is allotted for clinical experience time that includes clinical conferences. Dates for registration, dropping courses without penalty, and student health requirements are contained in the ADU Academic Catalog or NAP Student Handbook Supplement.

Policies

The policies and procedures for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) degree are contained in the NAP Student Handbook Supplement. By accepting admission as a student in the NAP, each applicant agrees to abide by the policies as outlined in the NAP Student Handbook Supplement. The policies which are most pertinent to applicants are also included here.

Health Insurance

All students who will participate in a clinical environment are required to carry health insurance upon admission into the program and must maintain this insurance for the duration of the program.

Transfer of Graduate Credit

No transfer credit from other institutions will be accepted toward the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) program of study. Additionally, no auditing of graduate coursework is permitted.

Program Transfer

No transfer credit from other institutions will be accepted toward the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) program of study. Therefore, individuals who have previously been enrolled in another regionally accredited and COA-accredited nurse anesthesia educational program may be considered for initial application to the ADU NAP, but will not be considered for transfer admission. Applicants desiring admission to the ADU NAP must meet admission requirements published in the current ADU Academic Catalog, to include the pre-admission interview during the routine annual applicant interview cycle.

Non-Discriminatory Policy

The nurse anesthesia program treats all individuals, including applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any factor protected by law.

Academic Integrity

Nurse anesthesia students are to adhere to the ADU policy on academic integrity that is contained in the ADU Academic Catalog. Students are expected to exhibit high levels of integrity in all activities. ADU reserves the right to deny admission to or remove students from the University or any academic program if they have a record of misconduct or demonstrate behavior that would jeopardize their professional performance. Students are responsible for being familiar with this policy and abiding by it.

Computer Requirements

At their own cost, students are required to purchase a laptop computer that supports internet access, e-mail capabilities, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Adobe Acrobat, and complies with the required ADU specifications. Course syllabi, schedules, clinical assignments, and other important course materials will be housed in the Canvas learning platform and sent electronically. The laptop must contain required software and WiFi so that students may obtain access to the internet (and hence, email communications from the NAP, Canvas learning platform, ExamSoft testing platform, and Typhon records) while away from the main campus. Additionally, students will be issued and charged for a software bundle that includes Typhon, Virtual Anesthesia Machine (UF) and Procedures Consult (Elsevier). The content and cost of the software bundle is subject to change, and the cost is the responsibility of the student.

Checking ADU email and electronic communications and announcements, at least daily, is the student’s responsibility. Students should immediately report problems with their laptop, student email account, Canvas learning platform, ExamSoft testing platform, Wimba, or Typhon record-keeping system to the NAP.

Students must bring their laptops to all didactic classes, as instructional units such as quizzes, tests, and class activities require computer access. It is the student’s responsibility to know how to operate and to maintain his/her computer in functioning order. Test, quiz, or assignment schedules and scores will not be adjusted due to computers not brought to the class site or maintained in working condition.

Working Outside of the Program

Students must be prepared to devote full-time energies to their nurse anesthesia studies. Personal responsibilities must be managed to minimize distractions and stress so that the student may concentrate on the demanding responsibilities in the NAP. Part‑time work as an RN is extremely difficult to maintain while attempting to meet the demands of the program. Thus, students are strongly discouraged from seeking outside employment. If a student chooses to work, he or she may work only as long as:

• The student’s academic and clinical performance is satisfactory, and
• The student is not employed during the 10 hours prior to any class or clinical assignment.

At no time may a student work as a nurse anesthetist or represent him/herself as a nurse anesthetist. (Violation of this segment of the policy will lead to dismissal from the NAP.) 

NAP Student Handbook Supplement, ADU, August 2015

Admission Requirements

An applicant’s file should be complete and contain the official required documents by the July 1 deadline to be eligible for consideration for an invitation to interview for a position in the cohort to begin the program in May of the following year. Completed application files are reviewed by the NAP Admission Committee, which then extends invitations for an interview to the most qualified individuals. Due to the competitive nature of the NAP admission process, applicants should understand that submitting a complete file or meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an invitation to interview or acceptance/admission to the NAP.

Initial Nurse Anesthesia Application

Prior to an admission interview, applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) must:

1. Submit an application online and the non-refundable $100 application fee, which is only applicable for the annual application cycle in which it is submitted.
2. Submit a current, unrestricted license to practice as a professional registered nurse issued through one of the states of the United States.  If that RN license is not issued through Florida, the applicant must be eligible for Florida registered nurse licensure.
3. Submit evidence of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing or a Bachelor’s degree in another appropriate related major from a regionally accredited institution. (If an applicant is currently enrolled at a regionally accredited institution and is scheduled to complete a Bachelor’s degree prior to the anticipated enrollment at ADU’s NAP, he or she must provide a current transcript prior to an admission interview, and then provide a final official transcript upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree and prior to enrollment.)
4. Submit current official transcripts from all undergraduate and/or graduate institutions attended, in accordance with the guidelines in the current ADU Academic Catalog. Admission GPAs will be calculated based on credits and grades from regionally accredited institutions only. Failure to disclose all colleges or universities previously attended could result in denial or dismissal. Additionally, transcripts from institutions outside the United States will be required to submit a foreign credential evaluation for that coursework. Adventist University of Health Sciences will accept evaluations from the following credential evaluation companies: World Education Services (WES).  www.wes.org, Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). www.ece.org, or Academic Evaluation Services, Inc. www.aes-edu.org (refer to ADU Academic Catalog). (If an applicant is currently enrolled in any course at a regionally accredited institution at which he or she has previously taken any other courses, he or she must provide an updated transcript prior to an admission interview and then provide an official transcript upon completion of the course and prior to enrollment.)
5. Present a minimum cumulative grade point average, inclusive of both undergraduate and graduate coursework, of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
6. Submit an official copy of a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last 5 years.  GRE scores on official college transcripts are also acceptable.  The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants who have earned a prior graduate degree from a regionally accredited educational institution.The MAT is not accepted.
7. Complete a minimum of one year of recent (within the last 3 years) critical care nursing experience prior to program start. The time during orientation to the critical care area cannot be considered toward the one year minimum. Two or more years of recent intensive critical care nursing experience is preferred.  It is also preferred that at least a portion of this experience is with the adult patient population.  Critical care experience is defined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as follows:

Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories, or a US military hospital outside of the US. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions [such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, vasopressin, dobutamine, nicardipine, nitroglycerin]. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Coronary Intensive Care, Medical Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care, and Neonatal Intensive Care. Those who have experience in other areas may be considered, provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

8. Submit current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
9. Meet the mental and physical requirements for the NAP, as follows:

• Have sufficient visual acuity to observe and assess a patient, to discriminate color and depth, to read and accurately complete reports, and to visualize diagnostic/monitoring equipment in dim light.
• Have sufficient hearing to monitor and assess patient health needs, to monitor various equipment and background sounds, and to communicate by telephone.
• Be able to speak English in a clear and concise manner.
• Have English communication abilities sufficient to interact professionally with others in verbal and written form, and have reading skills appropriate to understand patient charts, reports, and orders.
• Be able to lift patients to accomplish bed/chair/stretcher transfer.
• Be able to stand and walk without difficulty and be able to push a gurney or wheelchair.
• Be able to stand and/or sit for an extended period of time.
• Be able to perform fine and gross motor skills with both hands.
• Possess critical thinking skills sufficient to think clearly and act appropriately in stressful situations.
• Possess interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
• Have mobility sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
• Have tactile ability sufficient to perform palpation functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention.

10. Submit a current professional resume.
11. Submit the completed ADU NAP Practice Survey form.
12. Submit the completed ADU MSNA Graduate Questionnaire form.
13. Submit an essay outlining reasons for choosing to become a nurse anesthetist, reasons for choosing to attend a faith-based institution, and why you have specifically chosen Adventist University of Health Sciences.
14. Provide three recommendations using the ADU Recommendation Forms. One recommendation must be from a licensed CRNA that the applicant has shadowed. Recommendations from friends or family members are not accepted. Completed recommendation forms should be submitted directly from the individual providing the recommendation and not from the applicant. (Recommendation forms are only effective for the annual application cycle in which they are submitted. Re-applicants must submit new, current reference letters.)
15. Provide evidence of English language proficiency for applicants whose native/primary language is not English or who have completed their undergraduate education from a non-English speaking school (see English Language Proficiency section in the current ADU Academic Catalog).

Reapplication Process

All re-applicants must have met the Initial NAP Application Requirements (#1-15) listed above. Re-applicants include individuals who submitted an NAP application in a previous annual application cycle but who were not invited to interview, or who were interviewed but were not accepted, or who were interviewed and accepted but did not enroll in the NAP.  Additionally, individuals who were previously enrolled in the ADU NAP but withdrew or were withdrawn from the NAP for any reason must also follow the re-application process described here.

1. Submit a new current application online and the non-refundable $100 application fee, which is only applicable for the annual application cycle in which it is submitted.
2. Submit updated official transcripts from any regionally accredited higher education institutions attended since the original application was submitted.
3. Submit an updated professional resume.
4. Submit a new ADU NAP Practice Survey form, reflecting current practice.
5. Submit a new ADU NAP MSNA Graduate Questionnaire form.
6. Provide three new recommendations using ADU Recommendation Forms. One recommendation must be from a licensed CRNA that the applicant has shadowed. Recommendations from friends or family members are not accepted. Completed recommendation forms should be submitted directly from the individual providing the recommendation and not from the applicant. (Recommendation forms are only effective for the annual application cycle in which they are submitted. Re-applicants must submit new, current reference letters.)

After submission of all application documentation, the NAP will review all completed application files to determine which applicants to invite to interview. Interviews are by invitation only. Any applicants who are invited to enroll in the NAP must successfully complete the interview process.

Note: Due to the competitive nature of the admission process, applicants should understand that meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee an invitation to interview for admission into the program. Applicants will be screened by the NAP, and the most qualified individuals will be invited for an interview. Also, meeting the minimum admission criteria and receiving an invitation to interview do not guarantee admission into the program, as the admission/interview process is competitive.

Admission Interview

Prior to a determination regarding acceptance, there will be a brief (10-15 minute) personal interview with the NAP Admissions Committee (6-10 members present). The committee members consist of NAP faculty, clinical anesthesia providers (Anesthesiologist and CRNA), and ADU didactic faculty. The primary requirement for admission into the NAP is the applicant’s ability, as appraised by the NAP Admission Committee, to successfully complete the 28-month curriculum. Applicants should have strong academic records as evidenced by their cumulative grade point average and GRE scores, their demonstrated consistency of academic performance, and strong clinical experience. The committee is interested in determining the candidates’ base knowledge of physiology, invasive monitors, care of ventilated patients, and their knowledge of the drugs they commonly administer in ICU. A firm and clear commitment to the nurse anesthesia profession and to fulfilling the missions of ADU and the NAP are additional criteria which are assessed through the interview process and the personal essay. Qualities such as maturity and effective interpersonal relationships, as determined from the letters of recommendation and the interview, are also important admission criteria. Each member of the NAP Admissions Committee is given the responsibility to vote conscientiously after each applicant’s interview. Scores are collected immediately following the interview. Justification by the NAP Admission Committee for acceptance or rejection of a candidate is not required nor noted in the applicant’s file. All applicants should dress in professional attire for the interview with the NAP Admission Committee. All applicants who are offered letters of acceptance must successfully complete the interview process. (Interviews are by invitation only.)

Non-refundable Deposit (applicable to ALL accepted applicants)

After an admission interview and upon notification of acceptance to the NAP, each applicant accepted to the Nurse Anesthesia Program must pay a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 to reserve his or her place in the program. The applicant’s acceptance letter will contain a deposit amount and deadline indicating when the deposit must be received by the University. Once the applicant enrolls in the program, this deposit will be applied toward the student’s account. Applicants who have paid the deposit, but decide not to enroll in the NAP, will forfeit the deposit. If that applicant is admitted to the NAP at a later date, he or she will be required to pay the full deposit amount again.

Admitted NAP Student Requirements

After applicants have interviewed, been accepted, and reserved their positions in the NAP, and prior to enrollment in the NAP, all accepted applicants must:

1. Continue to meet the mental and physical requirements as listed in the Initial NAP Application Admission Requirements.
2. Submit a current, unrestricted Florida license to practice as a registered nurse. (This requirement specifically for an RN license through the state of Florida may be deferred until notification of acceptance to the NAP but must be fulfilled before enrollment to the NAP.)
3. Submit evidence of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, or a Bachelor’s degree in another appropriate related major, from a regionally accredited institution, if final official transcript had not been previously available, due to the following rationale noted in italics.  (If an applicant is currently enrolled at a regionally accredited institution and is scheduled to complete a Bachelor’s degree prior to the anticipated enrollment at ADU’s NAP, he or she must provide an official transcript to date prior to an admission interview, and then provide another official transcript upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree and prior to enrollment at ADU’s NAP.)
4. Submit current official transcripts from all undergraduate and/or graduate institutions attended, in accordance with the guidelines in the current ADU Academic Catalog. Admission GPAs will be calculated based on credits and grades from regionally accredited institutions only. Failure to disclose all colleges or universities previously attended could result in denial or dismissal. Additionally, transcripts from institutions outside the United States will be required to submit a foreign credential evaluation for that coursework. Adventist University of Health Sciences will accept evaluations from the following credential evaluation companies: World Education Services (WES).  www.wes.org, Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). www.ece.org, or Academic Evaluation Services, Inc. www.aes-edu.org (refer to ADU Academic Catalog). (If an applicant is currently enrolled in any course at a regionally accredited institution at which he or she has previously taken any other courses, he or she must provide an updated transcript prior to an admission interview and then provide an official transcript upon completion of the course and prior to enrollment.)
5. Pass satisfactory criminal background checks, as required by the ADU NAP.
6. Provide evidence of satisfactory health and immunization requirements. ADU and many clinical sites require students to be currently immunized prior to entry into the clinical area.  In accordance with the ADU policy on “Health and Immunizations,” students are required to present verification of vaccinations or immunity titers as follows:

• Hepatitis B (3 vaccines)

Proof of immunity to Hepatitis B or documentation that the Hepatitis B vaccine immunization series has begun is also required prior to registration.

• Influenza (annually)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (adequate titer, 2 vaccines, laboratory proof, letter from diagnosing physician, or medical record history of having chicken pox)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) immunization (within 10 years)
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening test (within 60 days of enrollment & at least annually)

If test is positive, refer to the guidelines provided in the “Communicable Disease Policy” in the ADU Student Handbook.

These are not performed by ADU and must be performed by a private provider.  Furthermore, if and when ADU or clinical affiliate sites mandate additional or more frequent health tests or immunizations, students are also required to comply with these.

Progression

The NAP is a continuous course of study, 28-month “block” program. Students may progress toward the MSNA degree when they have:

• Completed all scheduled professional nurse anesthesia courses with a grade of 3.00 (“B”) or better on a 4.00 grade point scale.
• Completed all scheduled cognate courses with an average grade of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 grade point scale, including no more than one cognate course with a grade between 2.00 and 3.00 on a 4.00 grade point scale.

Academic Failure/Dismissal

Academic failure occurs when a student: a) does not achieve the requisite minimum grade of “B” in nurse anesthesia (MSNA) course work, b) does not achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate coursework, c) earns more than one “C” in one cognate course, or d) earns a course grade lower than a “C” in any cognate course. Retake or make-up tests for failing grades may be given at the discretion of the course coordinator; however retake or make-up tests for failures in core nurse anesthesia courses (MSNA501, MSNA502, MSNA503, MSNA504, MSNA524, MSNA530, MSNA531, MSNA532, MSNA533, MSNA534, MSNA635, MSNA636, MSNA637, and MSNA641) are not allowed. Students experiencing academic failure are required to withdraw from all coursework in the nurse anesthesia program and complete out-processing paperwork.

Readmission after Academic Failure/Dismissal

If an individual who has previously been dismissed from the ADU NAP due to academic failure desires to return to the nurse anesthesia program, he or she must re-apply during the normal application cycle for the next available class. Should a vacancy occur in the MSNA program which is compatible with matriculation of the failed student, the NAP may extend an invitation for reapplication to the MSNA program. Individuals/ applicants must submit required admission paperwork and fees. An invitation for reapplication does not signify acceptance into the MSNA program. A previously dismissed former student desiring to be considered for reapplication should submit a letter of intent to the NAP Program Admission Manager. If an individual is accepted into the MSNA program again, at the time of readmission, NAP faculty will design an individualized course of study for the readmitted student, which may include repeating coursework successfully completed previously and directed study classes.

NOTE:

Prior acceptance to Graduate Non-Degree Studies and/or taking graduate courses at ADU does not alter the admission requirements for the Nurse Anesthesia Program. Even if one has previously been accepted to Graduate Non-Degree Studies and/or taken graduate courses at ADU, he or she must still complete the entire NAP application process. Furthermore, prior acceptance to Graduate Non-Degree Studies and/or taking graduate courses at ADU does not guarantee an invitation to interview or acceptance/admission to the NAP.

Completion/Graduation Requirements

Students will be recommended for graduation from ADU and eligibility for the National Certification Examination (through the National Board on Certification and Recertification of CRNAs (NBCRNA)) when they:

1. Meet all the requirements of ADU and the NAP for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) degree, including completion of any extended time due to schedule changes in conjunction with a Clinical Performance Contract or penalties incurred in the program, as assigned by the NAP.
2. Meet all the requirements of the accrediting/approval bodies for licensure and certification.
3. Administer all required numbers for each category of cases and clinical experiences.
4. Complete all core nurse anesthesia (MSNA) courses with a grade of “B” or better.
5. Complete the overall sequence of courses with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
6. Complete cognate courses with a grade of “B” or better. Complete no more than one cognate course with a grade of “C.”
7. Complete all practicum courses with a “Pass.”
8. Complete the requirements of the NAP Capstone Project and professional portfolio.
9. Possess current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification.
10. Possess current, unrestricted Florida RN licensure.
11. Complete all required coursework within 56 months from the first date of entrance into the nurse anesthesia program.

Curriculum

Students must complete the following courses prior to graduation. The NAP is seven (7) trimesters, or 28 months, of full-time, year-round, continuous course of study. Please refer to the legend below when reviewing the program curriculum.

Legend
1st digit, course didactic hours	3rd digit, course clinical hours at 8:1 ratio
2nd digit, course lab hours at 3:1 ratio	4th digit, total course credit hours