Doctor of Nursing Practice: Nurse Anesthesia

School of Nursing 3008 Human Health Building  (map) (248) 370-4253 • Fax (248) 364-8740 www.oakland.edu/nursing

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Program director:
Anne Hranchook
3024 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8708
hranchoo@oakland.edu
 

Accreditation

COA Accreditation

On June 13, 2017 the Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia was granted full accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree as the degree for entry into practice. The program’s next review by the COA is scheduled for October, 2022.

Visit the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs website or contact the COA directly at 847-655-1160 or via 222 S. Prospect Ave. Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-4001.

CCNE Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master’s degree in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Oakland University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).

NCA Accreditation

Oakland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. In 2009 the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA conducted a comprehensive visit of Oakland University. The next comprehensive visit is scheduled for 2019.

Program Description

The Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a collaborative initiative between Oakland University and nationally renowned Beaumont Health System. Working in concert, both institutions are able to provide an exceptional educational environment for educating Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The DNP: Nurse Anesthesia program prepares advanced practice nurses (APRNs) with a specialization in nurse anesthesia. The curriculum is an integration of DNP, APRN and nurse anesthesia specialty courses. Students study advanced physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and gross anatomical dissection in cognate courses. Clinical internships provide the opportunity for students to apply theory to practice, gain experience in all specialty areas and to become experts capable of providing anesthesia care to patients across the lifespan at all levels of acuity, undergoing procedures of varying complexity. Graduates are prepared in the translation of research and other evidence into clinical practice, measurement of patient outcomes, and transformation of health care systems to ensure quality and safety. The DNP is capable of addressing the critical leadership skills needed to translate evidence based care into practice, change systems of care and measure outcomes of groups of patients, populations and communities.

After 36 months of full-time study, graduates are prepared to take the certification examination offered by the National Board on Certification and Re-certification of Nurse Anesthetists leading to the designation CRNA. 

DNP: Nurse Anesthesia program objectives

Building on the foundation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the BSN to DNP: Nurse Anesthesia program will prepare the student for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The DNP graduate will:

1. Integrate scientific and theoretical knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to develop, identify, evaluate, and disseminate best practices to improve health care and health care systems.
   Lead organizations and systems to enhance quality and safety to improve patient, population, and organizational outcomes.
   Employ data analytic methods, information systems and technology to evaluate, integrate, and translate evidence to improve programs of care, outcomes of care and care systems.
    
2. Lead and influence health policy to reduce health disparities, encourage cultural sensitivity and promote access to quality care while advocating for social justice and equity at the system, state, national, and international levels.
    
3. Use models of interprofessional collaboration to enhance patient and population health outcomes.
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4. Provide the highest level of ethical, patient-family-centered care as a scholar in nursing specialty practice.

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:

• August 15 for the fall semester of the following year
• International students: August 15 for the fall semester of  the following year

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

1. Graduate Application Requirements
       
    
2. Additional department application requirements

Applicants for admission 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. 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. 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. In addition, the professional statement should focus how the DNP will enhance the applicant’s professional development, and the applicant’s career goals following completion of the program. The professional statement will be evaluated on many areas, including content and appropriate use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. The professional statement should be prepared in size 12 Times New Roman font. The professional statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling and rhetoric. Proof of BLS, ACLS, PALS and CCRN certification.  Proof of current unrestricted Registered Nurse License in the United States or its territories. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate physical assessment course. Applicants must have completed undergraduate courses in physiology, pathophysiology, anatomy, pharmacology and either organic chemistry or biochemistry.  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.

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, professional statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.