Nursing: MSN in Nurse Anesthesia

Mission Statement:

The Nurse Anesthesia Program mission statement is in accord with the mission of the University and the CNHP. Graduate education in Nurse Anesthesia at the Master's level builds upon the education of the professional Registered Nurse with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Nurse Anesthesia is an advanced practice nursing specialty track that provides challenging learning opportunities which educate nurses to think critically and make evidence-based decisions that expands nursing knowledge and enhances patient outcomes.  The technology program is designed to graduate competent, professional, knowledgeable and vigilant anesthesia practitioners who provide safe, compassionate,  and culturally competent anesthesia care in rapidly changing practice environments.

Program Description:

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nurse Anesthesia is a 28-month, 89 quarter credit, full-time integrated program which begins each January. The program offers 18 theoretical nursing and research quarter credits, a 15 quarter credit basic science component, a 31 quarter credit didactic anesthesia component which is integrated with a 25 credit clinical practicum. Those applicants who already possess a MS in Nursing can enroll in the post master certificate (PMC) option.  They will then complete the Nurse Anesthesia Courses in the pre determined sequence.

Upon successful completion of the program’s outcomes and successful completion of a comprehensive examination, the student is awarded an MSN or post master certificate (PMC) in Nurse Anesthesia and is eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the NBCRNA - Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

Attrition:
The School reserves the right to recommend the withdrawal or dismissal of a student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) whose health, conduct, academic, or clinical performance is below the Nurse Anesthesia Program standards. The program’s attrition rate is approximately 11%. Should a sanction be imposed, a formal grievance procedure grants the SRNA the right of appeal.

Certification:
Graduates are eligible to take the Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists offered by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Drexel University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program’s pass rate on the NBCRNA Council on Certification National Certification Exam is 94% over the past five years. Data for the 2009 class is incomplete to date.