Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia

• The MSNA program has received full accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). The MSNA program will undergo a second onsite visit on October 10-12, 2011.

Overview

• The mission of the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) program at Westminster College is to provide an academic environment, which allows nurse anesthesia students to master the intellectual and technical skills required to become competent in the safe administration of anesthesia.

• 29 month program, beginning each year in the last full week of August (August, 2012), with clinical rotations beginning the first week of September the following year (Sept. 1, 2012). Graduation will be in mid-December, 2013.

• 64 credit hours,18 students selected annually, application deadline is October 22, 2012. Applicants with completed applications may be invited to participate in interviews on October 25-26, and November 1-2, 2012. Appliants will be notified of selection status by December, 1, 2012. 

Program Goals

• Demonstrates delivery of safe anesthetic with vigilant protection of patient and prevention of complications.
• Delivers individualized perianesthetic care throughout anesthetic continuum to patients of all ages and physical conditions. 
• Possesses skill and and knowledge necessary to function as resource person for airway and ventilatory management of patients in a variety of settings. 
• Demonstrates critical thinking during decision making and application of sound principle and research evidence to practice. 
• Demonstrates mastery of anesthesia concepts and skills by passing the NBCRNA exam in accordinance with Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA) policies.
• Possess verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills needed to effectively communicate with all individuals influencing patient care. 
• Demonstrates professional attributes and integrity necessary to accept responsibility and accountability of new anesthesia practice.   

Why Choose Westminster's Program?

• 100% pass rate for first time and repeat test takers since 2008 (100% first time pass rate for 2010 graduates, 14/14).

• 100% of Graduates have full-time job offers within 3 months of passing their board examinations.

• Long tradition of excellence in higher education

• Clinical sites that provide a wide variety of cases and experiences. Students enjoy rural, urban, and specialty rotations including OB, trauma, and regional blocks.

• Nurse Anesthetist and Anesthesiologist clinical coordinators who are devoted to your education and who also practice in the clinical setting

• Small class size provides a more individualized learning model

• Extensive service-learning experiences in a variety of urban and rural academic/healthcare settings, including a semester capstone role immersion experience.
   

What Else?

• Clinical sites in Utah (Ogden, American Fork, Layton, Murray, Payson, Salt Lake City, Orem, Vernal), Idaho (Montpelier, Soda Springs, Boise, Blackfoot), Wyoming (Cheyenne, Evanston), Texas (El Paso), California (Fresno), Kansas (Garden City), and Colorado (Alamosa).

• State of the art classrooms, anesthesia simulation room, and gross anatomy lab

• Westminster CRNA faculty practice in the clinical setting

• Selected students for the class of 2012 had an average GPA of 3.34 with an average GRE score of 971

• Current student makeup is:
  Male: 15
  Female: 13
  Average age: 31.4
  Age range: 23 - 41
  Utah natives: 9
  Non-Utah natives: 19

• 80 completed applications were reviewed in 2010 and 18 applicants were selected for admission

• 2009 attrition rate was 7%

• 2010 attrition rate was 0%

• 2011 attrition rate was 0%