Nurse Anesthesia
Overview
This full-time 28-month specialty prepares students to provide anesthesia services to a diverse diagnostic and surgical population. The curriculum is offered in a multidisciplinary framework and is front-loaded with the majority of the didactic instruction being completed during the first two semesters. In the third semester, students begin their clinical education in Baltimore-Washington area hospitals and return to the University for classes one day a week. The curriculum includes content in physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics and pharmacology. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination offered by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Web-based courses may be available.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample Plan of Full-Time Study
| First Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NPHY 612 | Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 613 | Principles of Anesthesia Nursing I | 3 |
| NURS 616 | Chemistry of Anesthesia Nursing I | 2 |
| NURS 605 | Comprehensive Health Assessment of Adults | 3 |
| PHAR 536 | Pharmacology I | 3 |
| Total | 14 | |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NPHY 620 | Pathophysiology Alterations in the Critically Ill | 2 |
| NURS 614 | Principles of Anesthesia Nursing II | 3 |
| NURS 617 | Technology and Physics of Anesthesia Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 701 | Science and Research for Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| PHAR 546 | Pharmacology II | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
| Third Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 637 | Anesthesia Nursing Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS 654 | Principles of Anesthesia Nursing III | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 657 | Anesthesia Nursing Practicum II | 5 |
| NURS 615 | Regional Anesthesia | 3 |
| NURS 642 | Professional Aspects of Anesthesia Nursing | 1 |
| Total | 9 | |
| Fifth Semester (Spring) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 622 | Systems and Populations in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 672 | Principles of Anesthesia Nursing IV | 3 |
| NURS 673 | Anesthesia Nursing Practicum III | 5 |
| Total | 11 | |
| Sixth Semester (Summer) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NRSG 670 | Advanced Anesthesia Nursing Seminar I | 2 |
| NURS 674 | Anesthesia Nursing Practicum IV | 3 |
| Total | 5 | |
| Seventh Semester (Fall) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 659 | Organizations and Professional Dimensions of Nursing Practice |
3 |
| NURS 675 | Anesthesia Nursing Seminar II | 4 |
| NURS 676 | Anesthesia Nursing Practicum V | 5 |
| Total | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Faculty
Specialty Director:
Lou Heindel, DNP, MS, CRNA, Assistant Professor
E-mail: nurseanesthesia@son.umaryland.edu
Assistant Specialty Director:
Joseph Pellegrini, MS, DNP, PhD, CRNA
Associate Professor
Faculty:
Michelle Duell, MSN, CRNA
Specialty Coordinator:
Sheena Jackson, 410-706-1995
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of work experience is required to be eligibly to apply?
At least one year of acute care nursing experience is required at the time of application. We prefer experience in large, busy surgical or cardio-thoracic intensive care units. Nursing experience in ER, OR, PACU, NICU, step-down or telemetry units do NOT meet this acute care experience requirement. In the past our accepted applicants average work experience was 5 years.
Who should I ask to complete my reference letters?
At least one recommendation should be from your acute care unit manager or supervisor. This recommendation should address your overall work performance, team member activities and your experience with various critically ill patients and techniques such as but not limited to; central line monitoring, ventilator care and infusion therapy. Members may submit a separate word document with the narrative of the recommendation.
What should I include in my personal goal statement?
In addition to your personal and professional goal explanation, please include why and how you became interested in nurse anesthesia. Include a statement regarding why this specialty is well suited for you and why do you think you can successfully complete this program?
How competitive is the application process?
The selection process for the nurse anesthesia program is very competitive. The admissions committee evaluates individuals past academic performance, work experience and letters of recommendation. In the past the program has received approximately 150 applications per year.
Can I work during this program?
The nurse anesthesia program is a rigorous and demanding full-time program. Students are enrolled in approximately 15 graduate credits per semester the first two semesters. The clinical education phase beginnings the first summer and is full-time requiring between 40-50 hours per week.
Are there any additional things I can do to strengthen my application?
We highly recommend that you spend several hours shadowing (observing) a CRNA in your current workplace. Please try to arrange this in your hospital or medical center. Most anesthesia department are happy to assist you with this experience.
Additionally, many applicants have found it helpful to take a graduate level physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry or research course before entering the program. You may take these graduate courses at a University you prefer, UMB allows up to 6 transfer credits. I recommend taking UM SON’s NPHY 612 and NURS 701, if able.
Can I enroll in UMB SON to take a class or two before I apply to the NAP?
Yes, you can apply to the SON as a course-work-only (CWO) student. The SON allows up to two courses to be taken as a CWO student before you are accepted into one of the specialty tracks. Please review this information here »
How can I get additional information?
Please contact the program at: nurseanesthesia@son.umaryland.edu or 410-706-1995.
Other Resources