2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Anesthesia
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Program director:
Anne Hranchook
3024 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8708
hranchoo@oakland.edu
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In addition, the Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
Program description
The plan of study for the Nurse Anesthesia (NA) program prepares nurses as specialists in anesthesia care. As advanced practice registered nurses, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) practice with a high degree of autonomy and professional respect. Nursing courses and clinical internships provide the opportunity for students to gain experience in nurse anesthesia practice in all specialty areas. Students study advanced physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and gross anatomical dissection in cognate courses. The graduate applies nursing theory, principles of nurse anesthesia practice and research in the delivery of anesthesia care. After 28 months of full-time study, nurse anesthesia graduates are prepared to take the certification examination offered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, leading to the designation CRNA.
Master’s program objectives
Building on the foundation of the undergraduate program, the master’s program will prepare the graduate student for advancement in nursing practice. The Master’s graduate will:
- Integrate theories and research findings from nursing and the related sciences to translate evidence into practice.
- Integrate professional practice standards and guidelines in the provision of nursing practice in the student’s specialty area.
- Demonstrate the foundational competencies necessary for successful completion of the certification examination in the student’s specialty area.
- Demonstrate the foundational competencies necessary for continued study at the doctoral level.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the deadline listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.
All applicants to this program are admitted for the fall semester only. The application deadlines are:
- September 15 for the following fall semester
- International students: September 15 for the following fall semester
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:
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- Additional department application requirements
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- Two School of Nursing Supplemental Application forms: one for the School of Nursing and one for the Nurse Anesthesia program
- Requirements for recommendations:
The two recommendations (above) must be from healthcare professionals (prefer letters from nurses in leadership/education) who are able to attest to the applicant’s nursing skills and/or abilities. Program applicants must have one recommendation from their current nurse manager.
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results for those applicants whose overall undergraduate GPA’s are less than 3.5.
- Satisfactory achievement on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (V>400, Q>400, A.3.0 for tests taken prior to August 2011; V> 146, Q> 140, A >3.0 for tests after August 2011).
- For applicants with undergraduate GPAs of 3.5 or greater, the GRE is not required.
- Professional statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The professional statement should focus on the applicant’s career goals after completion of the program; how recent clinical experiences have prepared them for advanced practice role; and plans for professional development. The professional statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling and rhetoric.
- Proof of BLS and ACLS certification.
- Applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with an overall undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- Proof of current unrestricted Registered Nurse License in the United States or its territories.
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate physical assessment course.
- Undergraduate physiology and pathophysiology courses must be within seven years of applying to the program. Undergraduate anatomy, pharmacology and either organic chemistry or biochemistry must be within 10 years of applying to the program. Grades in each of these courses must be at or above a 3.0.
- A minimum of one year of experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories, or a U.S. military hospital outside the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse is to have 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 drips. The critical care area includes intensive care units. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience must have occurred within two years of the application deadline. Emergency room, recovery room and step-down units typically do not satisfy the ICU requirement. This experience must be completed at the time of application.
- Qualified applicants will be selected to attend an interview and complete a brief evaluation of their critical care nursing knowledge and skills.
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Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
Related links
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Degree requirements
The program of study for Nurse Anesthesia is 58 credits and requires 28 months of full-time study, commencing in September. Extensive time is required in the clinical setting, beginning gradually in the first term and concluding with 40 or more hours a week during the final internship. Clinical requirements by the accrediting body require a minimum of 550 cases, in all specialty areas, with at least 800 hours of anesthesia time.
a. Foundation courses (16 credits)
Foundation courses address critical content needed by all graduate nursing students. These courses include content on nursing theory, diversity, research, ethics, health policy and roles of advanced practice nursing. A total of 16 credits are required in the foundation courses. b. Clinical core courses (20 credits)
The clinical core courses provide graduate students with advanced clinical knowledge and skills in pharmacology, assessment, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and advanced nursing interventions.
c. Specialty courses (22 credits)
The specialty courses are comprised of didactic and clinical courses that prepare students for the advanced practice. The specialty courses build upon nursing knowledge and skills learned at the undergraduate level and during foundation and clinical core courses. Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.
Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details. Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0, as well as a 3.0 or above in all courses.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Program requirements: Students are required to follow the university policies and procedures for graduate students, as described in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. In addition to the university requirements, specific School of Nursing policies and procedures are outlined in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.
Students are expected to earn a grade of 3.0 or above in each course in the MSN program. In courses graded Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (S/U), students are expected to earn a course grade of satisfactory. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in the program may be placed on probation with conditions imposed for retention in the program or may be recommended for dismissal from the program. Students are required to keep RN license and health requirements current. See the School of Nursing Web site for health requirements. Students are also required to meet any requirements of the health care facilities where they have clinical learning experiences.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study. Related program information
Plan of study
All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)
Note: Nurse Anesthesia cohorts follow a specific course of study and do not meet with faculty advisers or formulate a plan of study.
Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.
Advising
Students are responsible for requirements and policies stated in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook and in each course syllabus. Every student admitted to the MSN program is assigned both an academic adviser and a faculty adviser who has teaching responsibilities in the graduate program. These advisers are available to discuss coursework, plans of study, concerns regarding progression in the program, and student career goals.
Note: Nurse Anesthesia students will work directly with the Nurse Anesthesia faculty for all clinical and didactic concerns.
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