Earn a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA)
Designed for the baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse who wishes to become a nurse anesthetist
The program offers both didactic and clinical education to enable the graduate student to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence necessary to assume an advanced practice role.
Objectives
Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:
- Integrate chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetics of anesthesia and adjunct drugs into working care plans
- Recognize chemical structures of anesthesia and adjunct drugs and make lateral applications based upon drug profiles and kinetics
- Discuss normal physiology and anatomy of the central nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, renal system, endocrine system and digestive system
- Discuss the normal physiologic changes of pregnancy, the physiologic changes in disease/high risk states in pregnancy, and apply the information in the administration of anesthesia to the parturient for delivery and surgical conditions not resulting in delivery
- Explain the pathophysiology of various congenital heart diseases, coronary artery disease, and adult valvular heart disease Identify the anatomy necessary to safely administer regional anesthesia;
- Discuss issues related to the practice of nurse anesthesia, including ethics, history, reimbursement, managed care and the business of anesthesia Design and conduct a research project.
Why choose to get your MSNA at Newman?
- Significant percentages (app. 60%) of local CRNAs were trained by Newman University, including 85% of those hired within the past five years.
- Our graduates practice in 20 states.
- Our students pass their licensure exam at a 100% rate, and their clinical placements lead to job offers 100% of the time (statistics from the 2016-17 year).
- Newman University’s Nurse Anesthesia program is one of only two in the state of Kansas.
Non-Discrimination
Because of the nature and intensity of the work, disabled students will be assessed on an individual basis in relation to their ability to meet the didactic and clinical requirements of the curriculum.
About Our MSNA Program
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) Program is a twenty-four month course of study leading to a master's degree in nurse anesthesia. The six-semester graduate program is continuous and sequential. All academic courses will be taught by the faculty at Newman University, or adjunct faculty who are specialists in these areas.
This program includes a didactic portion conducted at Newman University and a clinical anesthesia component to be carried out at local and regional hospitals. The first semester is primarily didactic, allowing the student to acquire the basic and advanced skills necessary for the safe administration of anesthesia.
During the second semester the student continues didactic instruction and receives an introduction to the practice of clinical anesthesia under the supervision of adjunct faculty who are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) and anesthesiologists. As the student progresses through the program, didactic instruction lessens while clinical time and case complexity increases. Second year students explore professional leadership issues while assuming greater responsibility in the hospital through increased call and leadership.
The emphasis in the classroom is on anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, and pharmacology as they relate to anesthesia. The clinical component includes variety of anesthesia techniques and procedures for all types of surgery and obstetrics. The student will spend approximately 50 hours per week in the classroom and clinical area during 24-month program.
The programs consists of six continuously-running semesters throughout the year for a total of 60 credit hours.
View the curriculum for the MSNA program
Important Notice
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree in May 2019. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in August 2020. The August 2019 cohort (application deadline of Aug. 1, 2018) will be for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia. Further information regarding this transition may be obtained by contacting the program at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About Our Faculty
School of Nursing and Allied Health
Our faculty and staff have the knowledge and experience to help you prepare for a career as a registered nurse anesthetist (RNA). If you need clarification on a class assignment or advice on how to approach your future, you can feel confident that our faculty is available and ready to help.
Job Outlook
Nurse anesthetists administer approximately 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics given to patients in the U.S. each year, and have many opportunities for general or specialty practice throughout the U.S. CRNAs are one of the best-paid nursing specialties, reporting an average annual salary of $159,000 in 2013. Because Newman's CRNA Program is so thorough, its graduates are held in high regard and find they are in great demand in the job market. Currently, there is a 12 percent vacancy rate for nurse anesthesia positions.
Over the last five years, 90% of those students who attempt to take the certifying exam are successful the first time. The national average last year was at 86%.
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS NEAR NEWMAN UNIVERSITY
Program Outcomes
- Significant percentages (app. 60%) of local CRNAs were trained by Newman University, including 85% of those hired within the past five years.
- Our graduates practice in 20 states.
- Our students pass their licensure exam at a 100% rate, and their clinical placements lead to job offers 100% of the time.
What our students say about the Nurse Anesthesia program
"It was a very demanding program that required 100% of your time and effort, and I think that if you give that to the program, it gives it back to you. So I was very happy with the amount of effort it demanded and the amount of ability it gave me."
John Newcomer
Need more information? Contact us today.
