Nurse Anesthesia Major (Last cohort was admitted in September 2016)

Return to: School of Nursing

http://www.nursing.pitt.edu/degree-programs/master-science-nursing-msn/msn-program-majors/nurse-anesthesia-msn

(Last cohort was admitted in September 2016. Those interested in future terms should visit our DNP-Nurse Anesthesia page. )

The Nurse Anesthesia MSN Degree Program prepares registered nurses for entry into anesthesia practice. Through an integrated program of classroom and clinical instruction, students develop the didactic knowledge base and clinical skills necessary for safe and effective practice. Graduates are prepared to administer a full range of anesthetics to a wide variety of patients across the life span.

Students rotate through numerous clinical sites in Pittsburgh, the surrounding region and now more distant sites to enhance clinical experiences. Specialty rotations in cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, dental, organ transplantation, pediatrics, obstetrics, and electroconvulsive therapy enrich the program. The clinical program also incorporates rotations to community hospitals to more broadly prepare the graduate for practice in diverse settings. This is a time-intensive course of study and prospective students should consult the department for further details.

Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum

This major is offered in a full-time format over 28 months, and classes begin each August and January. Part-time study is also available. The curriculum design integrates classroom and clinical courses and consists of 20 nursing core credits and 32 anesthesia specialty credits. Clinical practice begins at two days a week in the first term and increases in both intensity and frequency throughout the course of study. Clinical practice in the last term is five days per week and is interspersed with clinical conferences and preparation sessions for the Certification Examination.