Course Descriptions
Chemistry and Physics
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Summer Year 1 (Semester I)
Pre-requisites: none
Course Description: This course serves as an introduction to the scientific basics necessary for the study and mastery of nurse anesthesia. The course is divided into logical sections that cover all areas necessary for the practice of nurse anesthesia. This course offers combined coverage of chemistry and physics to help students learn the content needed to master the underlying principles of nursing anesthesia. Because many graduate nursing students are uncomfortable with chemistry and physics, this course presents only the specific content in chemistry and physics that relates to anesthesia. Taught in an accessible style, this course teaches at a highly understandable level, so as to bridge the gap between what students recall from their undergraduate chemistry and physics courses, and what they need to know as nurse anesthetists. The course demonstrates how the scientific concepts relate directly to clinical application in anesthesia. Lectures cover key topics relating to anesthesiology, including the basics of both chemistry and physics, fluids, a concentration on gas laws, states of matter, acids and bases, electrical circuits, radiation, and radioactivity.
Health Informatics
Course Level: NURA 8731
Credit Hours: 2
Placement: Summer Year 1
Course Description: This course is designed to provide the DNAP student with the knowledge and skills necessary to correctly utilize information systems and technology (HIT) on the effective use of information technology to improve performance. This course provides an advanced understanding of information technology-enabled health care environment; the role of the nurse anesthesia leader in the use of anesthesia specific databases. Use of
Introduction to Nurse Anesthesia
Course Level: NURA 8641
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Summer Year 1
Description: This course, which is offered in the Anesthesia students’ first semester, focuses on concepts relative to the practice of nurse anesthesia. The student will gain an understanding of the continuum of anesthetic states from sedation to general anesthesia, including regional anesthesia, and the standards of practice, including monitoring and the safe care of the patient along this continuum. Additionally, an integration of anesthesia concepts with the knowledge base gained in the parallel chemistry and physics course provides the student with a foundation to understand anesthesia equipment, such as the various delivery systems, ventilators, and the anesthesia machine.
Gross Anatomy for Nurse Anesthesia
Course Level: NURA 8627
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Fall Year 1
Pre-requisites: Basics principles of anesthesiaParallel Courses: Advanced Physiology
Course Description: The gross anatomy course introduces the students to the anatomy of the human body by presenting the fundamental concept of the body as an interrelated set of organ systems. The course is structured to study the human body in a regional approach, while emphasizing the relationship between form and function. All organ systems will be covered, with emphasis placed on those most relevant to the field of nurse anesthesia. Special emphasis will be given to the head, neck and airway, followed by multi organ systems including the nervous system, the back including the spinal cord, the thorax, with the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.The lectures will be followed by a laboratory period during which the students will examine the same region in a pro-sected human cadaver.Clinical application and relevance will also be discussed in the lab. Radiograms, Computer Tomograms (CT Scans) and Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI’s) of normal and diseased organs will be presented in lectures and labs to emphasize the importance of anatomical knowledge in understanding the human body in health and disease.
Anesthesia Safety and Quality
Course Level: NURA 8769
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Fall Year 1
Pre-requisites: Informatics, Professional aspects, Leadership and communication
Course Description: This course will prepare students to use quality measures, tools, and processes to achieve and enhance the desired outcomes of patient safety in anesthesia management. Students will be taught the history of quality in health care and influential government and private organizations.Key theoretical and conceptual aspects of quality and performance measurement and improvement will be analyzed, followed by examination of their effectiveness in anesthesia practice and patient safety. Finally, students will explore the internal and external factors that affect an organization’s ability to assess and provide quality health care in the context of nurse anesthesia.
Advanced Human Physiology
Course Level: NURA 8652
Credit Hours: 4
Placement: Fall Year 1 (Semester II)
Pre-requisites: Chemistry and PhysicsParallel Courses: Human Anatomy for Nurse Anesthesia
Course Description: This course is held in conjunction with human anatomy. Topics are covered from a molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systems perspective, and related to issuesof advance nurse anesthesia practice. The focus of this course is to impart concepts of advancedphysiology which are elemental to the safe practice of anesthesia based on a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s underlying physiological processes and their impact on the plan of care. Emphasis is also placed on integrating and conceptualizing information gained from manysources to develop a plan of care for clients of all ages. Finally, individual differences in physiology as related to culture, gender, race, age and genetics will be covered.
Healthcare Ethics
Course Level: NURA 8718
Credit Hours: 2
Placement: Fall Year 1
Prerequisites: Gross Anatomy, Chemistry & Physics of Biological Process, Advanced Human Physiology
Parallel Courses: Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology
Course Description: Bioethics is a field of study directed to the interdisciplinary ethical analysis of the moral dimensions of health professional practice; this includes an analysis of moral character and vision, judgment, decision-making, clinical practices, health policies, etc.Toward this end, the goals of this course are: 1) to introduce the wide range of ethical issues in health care; 2) to familiarize students with the bioethical literature that addresses these issues; 3) to develop the basic skills of analysis, interpretation,moral communication, and argument used in bioethics, especially as it affects nurses and other professional caregivers, functioning separately and jointly, and 4) to facilitate the application of those habits of thought that integrate bioethics into the intellectual and moral life advanced practice nurses.
Anesthesia Pharmacology
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Fall Year 1
Pre-requisites: Chemistry and Physics of Biological Processes
Parallel Courses: Advanced Human Physiology
Course Description: The focus of this course is on drugs used in clinical anesthesia practice. Major content will include the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of general anesthetic agents, analgesics, opioids, muscle relaxants, local anesthetics and adjunctive agents used in anesthesia. Emphasis is on uptake, distribution, metabolism, excretion and elimination of anesthetics. Drug dosage, side effects, and usual effects of anesthetic agents on various body systems will also be presented. The course incorporates gas laws and principles of flow in delivering inhalation anesthetic agents. Pharmacogenomics, and the importance of cultural context will be emphasized when considering the use of various pharmacologic therapies in the treatment of individual patients.
Professional Aspects and Leadership
Course Level: NURA 8763
Credit Hours: 2
Placement: Fall Year 1
Course Description: The course will take the DNAP student through the history and overview of the philosophical and scientific underpinnings and the complexity of nurse anesthesia practice at the doctoral level, and the rich heritage that is the conceptual foundation of the nurse anesthesia practice Doctor. The professional aspects course will also draw from numerous communication theory models to teach the student the effective communication in both written and oral formats with a variety of cultures and peoples. Threaded through the course will be the enculturation of the CRNA role as an ethical leader within their organizations. The student will examine leadership theories and issues, with particular focus on ethical decision-making. Leadership principles are applied to a variety of scenarios focusing on collaboration, accountability, advocacy, and health care reform. The student will assimilate information on how they can affect the health system through culturally competent communication and leadership. Students will analyze selected world-views and theories from a variety of disciplines with emphasis placed on the refinement of critical thinking skills within a complex worldview in health management.
Anesthesia and Co-Existing Conditions
Course Level: NURA 8620
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Spring Year 1 (Semester III)
Pre-requisites: Advanced Human Physiology, Chemistry and Physics for Nurse Anesthesia, Anesthesia Pharmacology, Anatomy for Nurse Anesthesia
Parallel Courses: Advanced Pharmacology
Course Description: This course presupposes a foundational knowledge of biochemistry, human anatomy, advanced human physiology, and pathophysiology. It focuses on delivery of a safe anesthetic to patients with aberrations in normal physiology, which produce disease and conditions which alter physiologic function. Topics are covered from an organ and system basis. Emphasis is also devoted to acquiring skill in the use of anesthesia literature and conceptualizing information gained from many sources to develop a basic understanding of delivery of a safe anesthetic to patients with the diseases discussed. Cultural and genetic factors related to individualizing anesthetic care for patients across the lifespan is integrated throughout the course.
Health Care Policy
Course Level: NURA 8759
Credit Hours: 2
Placement: Spring Year 1
Prerequisites: Gross Anatomy, Chemistry & Physics of Biological Process, Advanced Human Physiology
Parallel Courses: Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology
Course Description: This course provides an introduction to healthcare organization, financing and delivery in the United States, to include the role of public policy, advocacy as related to nurse anesthesia. Health policy perspectives related to nursing and nurse anesthesia, and the analytical tools to understand the national policy making environment will be integrated throughout the course. Key nurse anesthesia policy issues and core constructs for analysis include, patient access and health disparities, and nurse anesthesia workforce policy.
Health Systems
Course Level: NURA 8765
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Spring Year 1
Course Description: This course will explore the distribution of finance, and organization in delivery of health care services, accreditation, licensure, laws governing scope of practice and regulatory agencies. The dynamics of the major challenges affecting today’s healthcare will be taught in the context of various healthcare settings. This course draws on behavioral, social, and organizational sciences to analyze organizational effectiveness within health systems. The student will learn to develop action strategies to influence change when the analysis indicates the need for improvement. The course emphasizes the role of the CRNA in leadership positions to design processes and systems for others in an interdisciplinary environment to promote optimal patient outcomes. Analytical skills are developed through class discussion of case studies and articles.
Advanced Health Assessment
Course Level: NURA 8606
Credit Hours: 3 Credits Didactic with Laboratory Practice Sessions
Placement: Spring Year 1
Pre-requisites: Advanced Human Physiology; Advanced Pharmacology
Parallel Courses: Advanced Pathophysiology
Course Description: This course, which is offered Semester III, focuses on providing students with advanced knowledge and skills in the health assessment of individuals across the lifespan within the context of the advanced practice role. Emphasis is placed on the collection, interpretation, and synthesis of relevant historical, genetic, biological, cultural, psychosocial and physical data for development of a comprehensive and holistic health assessment. Information will be integrated with aspects of the surgical procedure and knowledge gained from the course. The laboratory component will utilize simulated experiences to reinforce concepts covered within this course.
Advanced Pathophysiology
Course Level: NURA 8662
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Spring Year 1
Prerequisites: Gross Anatomy; Chemistry & Physics of Biological Process; Advanced Human Physiology
Parallel Courses: Advanced Health Assessment Advanced Pharmacology
Course Description: This course presupposes a base-line knowledge of biochemistry, human anatomy and advanced human physiology and focuses on representative aberrations in normal physiology, which produce disease. Subjects are covered from an organ and system basis. Emphasis is also devoted to acquiring skill in the use of scientific literature and conceptualizing information gained from many sources to develop a basic understanding of the diseases discussed. Cultural and genetic factors in the development of various diseases is integrated throughout the course.
Evidence Based Research Methods I
Course Level: NURA 8780
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Summer Year 2 (Semester IV)
Pre-requisites: Statistics course required for admission to the program
Course Description: This course is the first of a sequence of courses and research seminars that prepare the learner to conduct practice-oriented research and evaluation in healthcare systems. In this course, learners consider the goals and process of scientific inquiry,scientific rigor and applicability, the theory-practice gap, problem identification, and ultimately topic selection. It will focus on: research ethics, patient safety initiatives, strategies for performance and quality improvement, accreditation action planning, and problem-solving in complex systems.The goal of this course is successful preparation of the Doctoral Project proposal topic, identification of research questions, and the literature review.
Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice I
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Fall Year 2 (Semester V)
Pre-requisites: Anesthesia Pharmacology; Anesthesia and Co-Existing Conditions; AdvancedHealth Assessment
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence II
Course Description: This Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia course is designed to expand on the students’ knowledge obtained from Basic Concepts and Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Anesthesia Pharmacology and Anesthesia and Co-existing disease. The course provides in depth didactic and hands-on, cadaver lab instruction on epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, and peripheral nerve block placement and management. It examines anesthetic and nursing considerations for patients requiring surgical interventions in orthopedic, trauma and burn populations. The course will also provide insights into the anesthetic management for patients with difficult airways undergoing regional, general and monitored anesthesia care. Special considerations for elderly patients, outpatient, laparoscopic and anesthetics delivered in remote locations are also explored. The importance of considering cultural context during the development of the anesthetic plan for individual patients will be emphasized. The course is taught during the clinical practicum and allows the student to integrate advanced physiologic and nursing knowledge, skills and critical thinking into their daily practice.
Analytic Tools & Evidence Based Research Principles
Course Level: NURA 8782
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Spring Year 2
Pre-requisites: Evidence Based Research Methods
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence I
Course Description: This course is the second in the research sequence and provides students with an overview of evidence based research process as it pertains to nurse anesthesia practice. Students will develop a research plan to include data collection tool development, methodology, statistical analysis, and complete an IRB proposal based on the background and significance for their project. The course content builds on principles of scientific thinking and concepts in research as they pertain to evidence based practice, cultural sensitivity, and translational research in nurse anesthesia.
Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice II
Course Level: NURA 8705
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Spring Year 2
Pre-requisites: Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice I
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence III
Course Description: This Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia course is designed to expand on the students’ knowledge obtained from Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Anesthesia Pharmacology and Advanced Pathophysiology. The course examines anesthetic and nursing considerations for patients with pathophysiologic disruptions requiring surgical interventions on the liver, urinary system and gastrointestinal system, as well as those undergoing organ transplantation and otorhinolaryngologic procedures. Special considerations for pediatric, neonatal, and obstetric patients are also explored. The course is taught during the clinical practicum and allows the student to integrate advanced physiologic and nursing knowledge skills and critical thinking into their daily practice.
Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice III
Course Level: NURA 8707
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Summer Year 3
Pre-requisites: Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice II
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence V
Course Description: This Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia course is designed to expand on the students’ knowledge obtained from Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Anesthesia Pharmacology and Advanced Pathophysiology. The course examines anesthetic considerations for patients with pathophysiologic disruptions requiring surgical interventions of neurosurgical, thoracic, cardiac, and vascular disorders utilizing conventional as well as advanced neurosurgical, cardiovascular, and respiratory monitoring. Cerebral, cardiac, vascular and respiratory physiology are examined in depth. Special considerations regarding anesthetic depth, pulmonary function, respiratory care and acid base balance are also explored. The course is taught during the clinical practicum and allows the student to integrate advanced physiologic and nursing knowledge, skills and critical thinking into daily practice.
Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice IV
Course Level: NURA 8709
Credit Hours: 3
Placement: Spring Year 3
Pre-requisites: Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia Practice III
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence VI
Course Description: This Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia course is designed to reevaluate the student’s knowledge obtained from Anesthesia Concepts, Basic Principles of Nurse Anesthesia practice, Anesthesia Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Principles of Nurse Anesthesia I,II, & III. The course reviews anesthesia considerations for patients with pathophysiologic disruption requiring surgical interventions utilizing standard as well as advanced methods of anesthesia care. The course recaps anesthetic management, tailored to a patients’ health status, including pharmacologic principles, patient safety, monitoring, positioning, and the operating room environment. Historical and professional aspects of nurse anesthesia practice, including legal factors and business practice, are examined. The course aids the student in preparation for the National Certifying Exam.
Clinical Practicum I, II, III, IV, V, VI
Course Level: 900 Level
Credit Hours: 0
Placement: Nurse Anesthesia Program Years 2 and 3
Pre-requisites: Chemistry and Physics, Basic Principles of Anesthesia, Information Systems and Technology, Anatomy for Anesthesia, Advanced Human Physiology, Health Care Policy, Anesthesia Pharmacology, Professional Aspects and Leadership, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, Anesthesia & Coexisting Diseases.
ACLS/PALS required throughout the clinical practicum.
Course Description: The clinical sequence begins in the second year and continues for six semesters until graduation, during which the SRNA will be assigned in the clinical arena for 4 days/ week. Clinical practicums I and II the SRNA will be paired 1:1 with a CRNA or anesthesiologist to master basic technical skills while being introduced to the professional role of the CRNA in clinical practice. During clinical practicum III call experiences will be added to the clinical schedule and continue throughout the remaining clinical practicum sequence. The clinical sequence is designed to increase the level of independence, advancing to a 1:2 ratio as dictated by the SRNA’s skill level and patient acuity/complexity. The SRNA evaluates patients, plans and administers anesthesia care throughout the perioperative care continuum incorporating culturally relevant information. Conferences and seminars are included. Clinical rotations through multiple clinical sites expose the SRNA to all clinical requirements of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs while offering the SRNA a variety of rich clinical experiences to meet the eligibility requirements of admission to the certification examination.
Clinical Research Seminar I-III
Course Level: NURA 8905, 8906, 8907
Credit Hours: 1 each (total 3)
Placement: Semesters VI, VII, VIII
Pre-requisites: Evidenced Based Research Methods; Analytic Tools and Evidenced Based Research Principles
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence I-III
Course Description: This clinical research seminar sequence will be threaded through the second and third years of the program and will begin after having completed the evidence based research methods course with a chosen topic of interest. These seminars will inform project, design, and strategies in translating knowledge into practice for quality and performance evaluation and improvement. The student will identify appropriate DNAP committee members and clinical site for implementation. IRB approval, data collection, and analysis will take place in these seminar courses and culminate in the Capstone Project course.
DNAP Project
Course Level: NURA 8910
Credit Hours: 2
Placement: Final Semester
Pre-requisites: Evidence Based Research Methods: Analytical Tools and Evidence Based Research Principles; Clinical Research Seminars 1-3
Parallel Courses: Clinical Sequence V
Course Description: The DNAP project course entails formative discussion of the findings of the student’s project and development of a plan for implementation into clinical practice with a clear evaluation method for determining efficacy of translation as appropriate. The student will disseminate findings to the University community and/or in Regional and National meetings as the final project. An accepted submission of findings by a peer review journal will be considered meeting the requirements of the course in lieu of a final dissertation.