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M.S. in Nurse Anesthesia

The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia program is for qualified Registered Nurses who wish to earn a Master of Science degree while pursuing education as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The objective of the program is to prepare nurses for positions of leadership on the healthcare team.

Saint Mary’s University believes in building and developing on the baccalaureate base with emphasis on a strong scientific and technical background. Graduates will be prepared to practice in a wide variety of settings and in diverse methods of administering a safe anesthetic. The graduate is eligible to write the certification examination as offered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthestists. Succesful completion of the examination entitles the graduate to be known as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

Program Philosophy

The Master of Science Program in Nurse Anesthesia originated in response to the request of leaders in health care for graduate level education in the field of Nurse Anesthesia. With this need in mind, Saint Mary's University developed this program in affiliation with Abbott Northwestern Hospital. With a focus on meeting the needs of adult learners, the program's goal is to provide a positive and supportive learning environment, preparing the professional nurse in the art and science of anesthesia, meeting the societal need for safe and competent anesthesia care.

The program provides the student with a curriculum that includes formal and informal instruction in scientific principles, clinical practice and professional growth opportunities. A shared sense of responsibility exists between the faculty and the student to reach the goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist.

Program Accreditation

The Nurse Anesthesia Program enjoys full accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The Council is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. (http://www.aana.com)



Affiliate Hospitals

  • Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN
  • Amery Regional Medical Center, Amery, WI
  • Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center, Marshall, MN
  • Children's Hospital and Clinics of MN, Minneapolis, MN
  • Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, MN
  • Glencoe Regional Health Center, Glencoe, MN
  • Hess Memorial Medical Center, Mauston, WI
  • Lake City Medical Center, Lake City, MN
  • Memorial Medical Center, Neilsville, WI
  • Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids, MN
  • Miller Dwan Hospital, Duluth, MN
  • Owatonna Hospital, Owatonna, MN
  • Phillip's Eye Institute, Minneapolis, MN
  • Queen of Peace Hospital, New Prague, MN
  • Regions Hospital, Saint Paul, MN
  • Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar, MN
  • Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia, MN
  • River FallsArea Hospital, River Falls, WI
  • Riverwood Health Care Center, Aitkin, MN
  • Saint Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, MN
  • Saint Croix Falls Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Falls, WI
  • Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, Wabasha, MN
  • Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, WI
  • Saint Luke's Hospital, Duluth, MN
  • Saint Mary's Medical Center, Duluth, MN
  • Unity Hospital, Fridley, MN

Locations

Twin Cities Campus

Admission Contact

Twin Cities
Kristin Branlund-Girod
(612) 238-4529

Admissions
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs
2500 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404

tc-admission@smumn.edu (Letters for Reference, Resume and Personal statement can be sent via email to this address.)
Phone: Toll Free at (866) 437-2788 or (612) 728-5100


 



 

 Course Information

    Degree Requirements

    Students earn 64 semester credits in a 28-month (seven semesters) program by integrating clinical and academic experiences. 

    First Year
    Semester I       (Summer)
    NA630 Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia        3 credits
    NA640 Chemistry & Physics                                               4 credits
    NA606 Research Design and Statistical Analysis          3 credits
    NA635 Professional Communication                                3 credits

    Semester II      (Fall)
    NA615 Principles of Anesthesia Practice I                       6 credits
    NA645 Anatomy & Physiology I                                          6 credits
    NA651 Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthetists                  3 credits

    Semester III     (Spring)
    NA650 Anatomy & Physiology II                                        5 credits
    NA661 Pharmacology                                                         3 credits
    NA620 Principles of Anesthesia Practice II                     6 credits
    NA770 Clinical Practicum I (150 hrs)                               2 credits

    Second Year
    Semester IV       (Summer)

    NA781 Synthesis Paper Proposal                                    2 credits
    NA771 Clinical Practicum II (480 hrs)                              2 credits
    NA780 Clinical Integration                                                 2 credits

    Semester V       (Fall)
    NA632 Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia
                 Department Management                                      1 credit

    NA783 Synthesis Paper                                                       2 credits
    NA772 Clinical Practicum III (480 hrs)                              2 credits


    Semester VI     (Spring)

    NA782 Comprehensive Exams                                          1 credit
    NA773 Clinical Practicum IV (600 hrs)                              3 credits

    Third Year
    Semester VII        (Summer)

    NA784 Synthesis Paper Presentation                               1 credit
    NA774 Clinical Practicum V (600 hrs)                               3 credits
                                                                                                      64 credits total

  • NA606 Research Design and Statistical Analysis (3)
  • NA615 Principles Of Anesthesia Practice I (6)
  • NA620 Principles of Anesthesia Practice II (6)
  • NA630 Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (3)
  • NA632 Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Departmen (1)
  • NA635 Professional Communication (3)
  • NA640 Chemistry and Physics (4)
  • NA645 Anatomy & Physiology I (6)
  • NA650 Anatomy & Physiology II (5)
  • NA651 Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthetists (3)
  • NA661 Pharmacology (3)
  • NA770 Clinical Practicum I (2 cr., 150 clock hours)
  • NA771 Clinical Practicum, Summer Semester (2 cr., 480 clock hours)
  • NA772 Clinical Practicum, Fall Semester (2 cr., 480 clock hours)
  • NA773 Clinical Practicum, Spring Semester (3 cr., 600 clock hours)
  • NA774 Clinical Practicum, Summer Semester (3 cr., 600 clock hours)
  • NA780 Clinical Integration (3)
  • NA781 Synthesis Paper Proposal (2)
  • NA782 Program Comprehensive Exams (1)
  • NA783 Synthesis Paper (2)
  • NA784 Synthesis Paper Presentation (1)


Program Staff
TC - Dean, Graduate School of Human Services, and Program Director, Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Program
TC - Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia - Associate Director, TC - Nurse Anesthesia-SMU (MS) - Core Program Assistant
TC - Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Program - Core Instructor
TC - Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia - Assistant Professor