Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Anesthesia

Program director:
Lisa Mileto
462 O’Dowd Hall
(248) 370-4487
lmileto@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 Master of Science in Nursing degree program prepares professional nurses for advanced nursing practice, leadership in the nursing profession and future doctoral study.

The plan of study for the Nurse Anesthesia (NA) program prepares nurses as specialists in anesthesia care. Nursing courses and clinical internships provide the opportunity for students to gain experience in nurse anesthesia practice in all specialty areas. Students study physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and anatomy 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 on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists leading to the designation CRNA.

Graduate program objectives

In keeping with the philosophy of the School of Nursing, master’s degree graduates achieve the following student learning outcomes:

• Incorporate concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing practice or nursing education
• Provide advanced nursing practice or nursing education in a variety of settings in accordance with standards appropriate to their specialty area
• Qualify to take the certification examination for advanced nursing practice or nursing education.

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 Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.

• September 15, 2012 for Fall 2013 admission

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study    
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• International supplemental application and supporting documentation  must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements

• Two School of Nursing Supplemental Application forms: one for the School of Nursing and one for the Nurse Anesthesia program
• The two recommendations 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 undergraduate GPA’s are less than 3.5.
• Professional Goal statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The goal statement should focus on career goals after completion of the program, how recent clinical experiences have prepared them for advanced practice role, and plans for professional development. The goal statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling and rhetoric.
• Individual interview with School of Nursing faculty will be scheduled after all admission materials have been submitted.
• 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 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.
• Applicants must be eligible for a current Registered Nurse license in their state of practice.
• 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 critical care clinical experience as an R.N. is required during which time the applicant has functioned as an independent decision maker, demonstrated advanced psychomotor skills, and used and interpreted advanced monitoring techniques. 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.
• Applicants will attend an interview and complete a brief evaluation of their critical care nursing knowledge and skills. 

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.