Nurse Anesthesia (M.S.N)
Degree Offered:
Director:
Phone:
E-mail:
Web site:
M.S.N
Laura Wright, PhD
(205) 934-3209
shpnaaa@uab.edu
www.uab.edu/mna
Faculty
Chad A. Epps, Associate Professor (Anesthesiology)
Luc Frenette, Professor (Anesthesiology); Medical Director
Michael Humber, Assistant Professor (Nurse Anesthesia)
Laura Wright , Assistant Professor (Nurse Anesthesia)
Program Information
The Nurse Anesthesia program prepares the registered nurse in all aspects of nurse
anesthesia practice at the graduate level. The sequence of student coursework
combines the knowledge of basic health sciences, scientific methodology in anesthesia,
and advanced preparation to include a state-of-the-art scientific paper. Completion of
the prescribed coursework and clinical practice comprise the requirements for the
degree. The graduate is eligible to take the National Certification Examination, which,
upon passing, allows them to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
The Nurse Anesthesia Program has received a ten-year accreditation in 2010 by the
Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Programs.
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
222. South Prospect Ave.
Park Ridge, IL, 60068
Phone: (847) 692-7050
Website: http://www.aana.com/Credentialing.aspx
Admission Requirements
Qualified candidates are graduates from an accredited registered nursing program with
a baccalaureate degree in nursing. It is essential that all coursework towards a BS be
completed by December prior to the start of anesthesia school the following August.
Students are required to provide proof of a valid professional RN license in the U.S.
Only candidates with at least one year experience as an RN in a critical care setting are
considered for admission. All sections of the GRE must be completed prior to application
(Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing). Prerequisite courses
must be completed by the September 1 deadline and include: Anatomy, physiology,
microbiology, and chemistry.
Due to the competitive nature, not all candidates that qualify will be invited for
interviews. Those accepted will need to complete the UAB medical history questionnaire
and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive a satisfactory
screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service. Please visit the website at
www.uab.edu/mna for other helpful information.
CURRICULUM
The Master of Nurse Anesthesia Program begins in the fall semester of each year. It
comprises 63 semester hours of didactic instruction and (52) semester hours of clinical
practicum and requires 27 months of full-time commitment. Students complete all
foundation courses before beginning the clinical practicum, which starts after the first
(ten) months of enrollment. The curriculum does not permit enrollment on a part-time
basis.
Additional Information
Deadline for Entry Term(s):
Fall
Deadline for All Application
Materials to be in the Nurse
Anesthesia Office:
September 1 (regular admission cycle)
June 1 (early decision)
Number of Online Evaluation
Forms Required:
Three
Entrance Tests
GRE or (TOEFL and TWE) also required for
international applicants whose native language is
not English.)
Comments
Graduate Catalog Description
Additional application for admission is required by
the program. September 1 deadline for the regular
admission cycle and June 1 for early decision.
Application materials must be submitted online to
the Graduate School. Application material will be
forwarded to the Nurse Anesthesia Program upon
applicant's Graduate School acceptance.
http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=24916
For detailed information, contact Laura Wright, , Interim Program Director, Master of
Nurse Anesthesia Program, UAB School of Health Professions, SHPB 445, 1530 3rd
Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1212.
Telephone 205-934-3209
E-mail shpnaaa@uab.edu
Course Descriptions
Unless otherwise noted, all courses are for 3 semester hours of credit. Course numbers
preceded with an asterisk indicate courses that can be repeated for credit, with stated
stipulations.
Nurse Anesthesia (NA)
NA 600Q Research Methods and Statistics. This online course will introduce the
student to clinical research methods and review concepts involved in descriptive and
inferential Statistics. Topics covered include, overview of the research process,
literature review, research hypothesis, research designs, sample selection,
measurements methods, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics.
3 hours.
NA 601. Gross Anatomy. Structure and function of human body examined through
laboratory dissection, lecture, models, and preceptorials. Laboratory sessions
complement lecture presentations through regional dissection of thorax, abdomen,
pelvis, perineum, back, and extremities with special emphasis on head and neck.
Emphasis on radiological anatomy and clinical correlations.
4 hours.
NA 605. Advanced Pathophysiology. This online course builds on basic anatomy,
physiology and undergraduate study of pathophysiology. Students will integrate signs
and symptoms, clinical testing, and pathophysiologic mechanisms with diagnoses.
3 hours
NA 610. Medical Physiology. This course will introduce the student to the
fundamental and advanced concepts of medical physiology. Topics will include all major
physiology systems with emphasis placed on those that are more pertinent to the
practice of anesthesia.
4 hours
PA 611. History and Physical Diagnosis I and II. A basic skill of a physician
assistant and nurse anesthetist is the ability to fully evaluate an individual's health
status. The medical history and physical examination provides the basis of such an
evaluation. The goal of this course is to provide the physician assistant and nurse
anesthetist students with those skills necessary to elicit a comprehensive medical
history, perform a complete physical examination, and systematically report his/her
findings as part of the permanent medical record. 2 hours.
NA 620. Anesthesia Pharmacology I This course is designed to provide the nurse
anesthesia student with knowledge of various non-anesthetic pharmacological agents
and their anesthetic implications. This is accomplished through lectures, presentations,
and reading assignments.
3 hours
NA 621. Anesthesia Pharmacology II This course is designed to provide the nurse
anesthesia student with a basic pharmacologic foundation of medications used during
an anesthetic. Included are the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, doses, side
effects, uses and effects on various patient populations. This is accomplished through
lectures, presentations, and reading assignments. 3 hours
NA 630. Biochemistry for Anesthetists. Chemistry and metabolism of biologically
important compounds and common pathways of metabolism. Regulation and chemical
structure of electrolytes, pH balance, and biochemical nutrition.
3 hours
NA 640. Principles. Principles and theories of anesthesia practice and also the study
of basic principles and monitoring techniques as they relate to the delivery of
anesthesia. Topics will include mechanisms of anesthesia equipment, methods of
patient monitoring, fundamental concepts related to the practice of anesthesia , review
of airway and various patient monitoring techniques that the student will need in order
to provide anesthesia.
5 hours
NA 645. Professional Aspects. Psychosocial, ethical, and legal aspects, department
organization and management and history of anesthesia.
2 hours
NA 646Q. Legal Issues & Practice Management. This online course review(s) the
malpractice and quality assurance concerns in the practice of anesthesia. Emphasis on
how to avoid malpractice suits through appropriate departmental quality assurance
programs.
1 hour
NA 650. Regional Anesthesia. Commonly used regional techniques including spinals,
epidurals, upper extremity blocks to include brachial plexus and bier blocks, and ankle
blocks in relation to technique, positioning and pharmacology of local anesthetics
2 hours
NA 660Q. Obstetrical Anesthesia. Online course is of the basic concepts concerning
physiological changes that accompany pregnancy and their implication on anesthesia
management of pregnant patients
1 hour
NA 661Q. Anesthesia for Extremes of Age. This online course focuses on the
principles of anesthetic management in the pediatric and geriatric patient.
3 hours
NA 670. Anesthesia Pathophysiology I. Detailed review of disease and major
systems with emphasis on pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Specialized or
advanced anesthetic management techniques for physiological and pathological states
encountered in surgical patient
3 hours
NA 671. Anesthesia Pathophysiology II. Continuation of NA 670 Major system
emphasis on renal, endocrine, neurological, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal
systems.
3 hours
NA 672, 673, 674, 675 and 676 Clinical Practicum I ,II, III, IV & V - Operating
room experience providing for application of theoretical principles of anesthesia
management. Clinical course sequence provides anesthesia care for more complex
surgical procedures
672 (6 hours), 673 & 674 (12 hours each ), 675 (11 hours), and 676 (10 hours)
NA 678. Advanced Electrocardiography. Supplements content from
pathophysiology and advanced practice courses relative to cardiovascular
electrophysiology and its implication in perioperative period. 1 hours
NA 680. Anesthesia and Surgical Specialties Review of major surgical specialties
with emphasis on orthopedic, neurological, ENT, head and neck, gynecological, thoracic,
open heart/vascular, urological, transplant and plastic procedures. Advanced
anesthetic management technique for specialized surgical procedures.
3 hours
NA 698Q. Graduate Project. Plan, organize, synthesize and execute a state of the art
paper on some relevant topic in anesthesia that meets the qualifications for submission
to a peer reviewed journal.
2 hours
NA 695 - 697 Special Topics. Review of specialty concepts as presented in NA
670,671, and 680 (3 hours each). These courses are taught online.