NURSE ANESTHESIA

NURSE ANESTHESIA
What is certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?
A CRNA is a registered nurse that has received at least 27 months of extensive graduate level education in the scientific topics related to the
practice of anesthesia. Following the completion of a nurse anesthesia program, graduates take a certification examination administered by the
National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetist (NBCRNA). Passing results of the certification exam allows the
registered nurse to be designated Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). In order for a registered nurse to practice anesthesia, they
must become licensed within a time frame specified by the board of nursing in the state they wish to practice.
Who employs CRNAs?
CRNAs administer anesthesia in all settings where surgical procedures are being performed. This includes hospitals of all sizes, as well as
outpatient clinics and physicians' offices.
What kind of nursing experience do I need prior to entering the program?
One year of critical care experience is the requirement. If you have been in the ICU more than 1 year, obtaining your CCRN or performing
administrative duties will be beneficial (i.e. charge duties, preceptor, committee head). We highly recommend that you shadow a CRNA. This
will show us that you are interested in the CRNA profession and understand what the day to day duties of the profession involve.
What is considered "critical care" nursing experience?
Critical care nurses are those caring for critically ill patients who require invasive monitoring and the administration of vasoactive drugs. Critical
care units that usually provide this type of experience include coronary care and postoperative cardiovascular units, medical, surgical, pediatric,
and neonatal ICUs. Other working environments and arrangements may be acceptable; however, they must be approved by the program.
Since answers to questions involving critical care experience sometimes involve explanation and interpretation, applicants are encouraged to
contact the program by phone if they have questions (please see contact information on back),
What are the admission criteria?
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A nursing degree (BSN or higher) from a regionally accredited institution, equivalent to the one offered by the School of Nursing at UAB
Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse License in the state where you will be completing your clinical education
An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a 3.0 on the science prerequisite courses
(3) Letters of professional reference attesting to the applicant’s potential for graduate study
Standardized test score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). There is no minimum score, however all sections of the GRE must be
completed prior to application (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing). Submit to UAB (code 1856)
 A personal interview with the selection committee, and
 If accepted, complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory
screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service, complete a background check and urine drug screening.
* There is no Waiver Process for this program, A GRE exam is required.
What is the application deadline/timeline?
 June 1st : for early decision (August of the following year)
July: Notification of interviews, interviews, and notification of decision
 October 1st : for regular admissions cycle (August of the following year)
October – December: Notification of interview
November – February: interviews
Decision notification two weeks after interview
 August: Students begin the program fall semester
For International Students:
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Prospective international students are asked to first contact International Recruitment and Student Services at isss@uab.edu, (205), 9343328, FAX 934-8664 to determine eligibility in order to submit an application into any academic program .
All foreign transcripts evaluated by the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc www.ece.org OR the World Education Services
www.wes.org, sent from the evaluators directly to the School of Nursing
A degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in the United States
A score of 500 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL
Possess a nursing license to practice nursing in the state where you plan to conduct your clinical practicum
What is the early application decision process?
The UAB Nurse Anesthesia Program has added an early decision application cycle. This is designed for applicants that have completed all
admission requirements with exception of ICU experience. Applicants with a desire to attend the UAB Nurse Anesthesia Program should submit
the application with all required materials by June 1 st for matriculation in the fall semester of the following year. The screening process for early
decision is more stringent and only a few will be chosen. However, applications not chosen for early decision will automatically roll over to the
UAB is an equal education opportunity institution.
(over)
regular admission cycle in October without penalty. If the application rolls over to the regular admission cycle, only applicable changes to the
application need to be submitted by October 1st for consideration in the fall semester of the following year and no additional application fees will
be assessed.
What are the classroom and clinical requirements?
Total Credit Hours: 111; Didactic Hours: 60; Clinical Hours: 51; Total Hours of direct Patient Care: 1250 contact hours
Descriptive narrative: The Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia Program begins in the fall semester of each year. It comprises 60
semester hours of didactic instruction and 51 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.
Where will I conduct my clinical rotations?
Students in the Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are admitted to one of five program
components as selected by the student in their application. Students from all components attend classes on campus at UAB for the first ten
months. The remainder of the program’s clinical rotations is based at the student's corresponding component site:
Alabama: Birmingham; Dothan; Huntsville; Montgomery; and Tuscaloosa
Prerequisite Courses (May be taken at UAB or another institution):
Courses
BY 115
BY 261
MA 180
Human Anatomy
Microbiology
Descriptive Statistics
Credit Hours
4
4
3
Courses
BY 116
CH 105/106
Human Physiology**
Chemistry 105/106 or 115/116
Credit Hours
4
4
How many semesters are required for full-time study?
The curriculum is designed to be completed in seven semesters.
Will I be able to apply to take a nurse anesthetist certification examination when I complete the program?
Graduates can apply to take the certification examination administered by the NBCRNA. Satisfactory performance on this examination is
necessary in order to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
What is a typical Program of Study like?
First Year Program of Study
Spring Term (16 Hours)
Fall Term (15 hours)
Summer Term (15 Hours)
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
NA 601
Gross Anatomy
4
NA 621
Anesthesia Pharmacology II
3
NA 650
Regional Anesthesia
2
5
NA 640
Principles
4
NA 660
Obstetric Anesthesia
1
3
NA 620
NA 630
NUR 606
Anesthesia
Pharmacology I
Biochemistry for
Anesthetist
Translating Evidence
into Practice
3
NA 670
3
NA 678
NUR 614
NUR 616
Fall Term (17 Hours)
Anesthesia Pathophysiology I
3
NA 671
Anesthesia Pathophysiology
II
Electrocardiography
1
NA 672
Clinical Practicum I
6
3
NA 680
Anesthesia for Surgical
Specialties
3
Assessment and Diagnostic
Reasoning for Advanced
Nursing Practice
Focus on Adv. Nursing
Practice Specialization
Second Year Program of Study
Spring Term (17 Hours)
2
Summer Term (18 Hours)
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
NA 661
Anesthesia for
Extreme of Age
3
NA 674
Clinical Practicum III
12
NA 675
Clinical Practicum IV
12
NA 673
Clinical Practicum II
11
NA 695
Special Topics
3
NA 696
Special Topics
3
Writing for Publication
3
NA 698
Graduate Project
2
NUR 737
Interdisciplinary Leadership
3
NUR 701
Third Year Program of Study
Fall Term (13 Hours)
Course
Number
Course Name
Credits
NA 676
Clinical Practicum V
10
NA 697
Special Topics
3
Where can I get more information?
Internet website: http://www.uab.edu/na
General information about the application process
Information about Nurse Anesthesia
Stacey Smith
Nurse Anesthesia Program Administrator II
Laura Wright, PhD, MNA, CRNA
(205) 934-7412
Program Director
staceysmith@uab.edu
(205) 975-5700
wrightel@uab.edu
UAB is an equal education opportunity institution.
5/01/14 ss