Nursing: Nurse Anesthesia Didactic and Clinical Practicum Overview

Anesthesia Didactic Courses

The anesthesia core curriculum exceeds the requirements of the AANA Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and consists of 11 courses. These courses begin with the basic principles of nurse anesthesia practice and perioperative patient management. The Overview of nurse anesthesia course offered in the 1st quarter is complemented by a simulated clinical experience in which small student groups practice basic anesthesia skills including review of anesthesia equipment, the induction, maintenance and emergence process, hands on practice in airway management and regional anesthesia techniques. For the subsequent four quarters, advanced concepts of nurse anesthesia practice are taught to provide the fundamental knowledge base needed to augment the students' ability to tailor the anesthetic management based upon the patient’s physiological and pathophysiological state. Pharmacology I and II for nurse anesthetists provides a comprehensive study of anesthetic agents and pharmacologic adjuncts related to anesthesia. A separate chemistry and physics course related to nurse anesthesia is offered in the spring quarter of the 1st year. The final course is conducted in a seminar format and encompasses a review of the entire curriculum to prepare for the program’s comprehensive examination and national certification exam. An overview of professional aspects of nurse anesthesia practice is integrated throughout the curriculum.

The basic science courses include an advanced physiology and three pathophysiology courses which provide the theory needed to integrate the anesthesia management of various disease processes into clinical practice. An advanced pharmacology course for advanced practice nursing roles provides the students with the essential pharmacologic and pharmacotherapeutic knowledge.

The core nursing courses evaluate health care issues and ethics and informatics in advanced nursing practice. The research courses introduce the students to research methodology and provides the resources needed to critically analyze research articles and introduce evidenced based research into clinical practice. An informatics course provides an in-depth introduction to information systems and technologies that support practice and improve patient care and outcomes.

Clinical Practicum Courses

The eight clinical practicum courses span 24 of the 28 months and provide students an opportunity to administer anesthesia to over 550 patients, undergoing a wide variety of surgical/diagnostic procedures at one of our affiliated clinical sites. Under the direct supervision of anesthesiologists and/or certified registered nurse anesthetists, students administer all types of anesthesia including monitored anesthesia care, general anesthesia and regional anesthesia. Students also gain experience inserting various types of invasive monitoring lines and performing alternative airway techniques.

Students also complete a three-month pediatric rotation at A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital or Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children. This rotation provides an extensive pediatric clinical experience that enables the students to develop the skills required to safely anesthetize neonates, infants and children.
If a clinical site does not provide ample experience in the anesthetic management of specific types of procedures, students will rotate to an alternative clinical site in order to gain that experience.

Elective Clinical Experiences

As an elective, students who are contemplating specializing in pediatric anesthesia may apply to complete an additional month's pediatric rotation at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). This is an advanced specialty rotation in general or cardiac pediatric anesthesia that is offered after the student completes both the three-month pediatric rotation and adult cardiac rotation.