Anesthesia Programs Officially Recognized by IFNA

Anesthesia education programs holding Level 2: IFNA Recognition have met eligibility and application requirements for IFNA Recognition. Recognized programs have also undergone a successful curriculum audit to demonstrate substantial compliance with the “Content of Program Curriculum” in the Educational Standards. Information about a curriculum is current at date of application.

IFNA Recognition effective March 2011 – May 2016

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Option
Jill S. Detty Oswaks, DNSc, CRNA, Director
877 Madison Ave., Room 639
Memphis, TN 38163 USA

Information about the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Option Curriculum

DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DNP) NURSE ANESTHESIA CURRICULUM
POST-BSN OR MSN CNL

Plan of Study
Summer–Year 1
NSG 814 Biostatistics 3 (3-0) SUMMER
ANES 876 DNP Medical Physical Sciences for Anesthesia 3 (3-0) SUMMER
Fall -Year 1
NSG 911 Philosophy of Science 3(3-0) FALL
BIOE 712 Principles of Epidemiology 3(3-0) FALL
ANAT 815 DNP APN Anatomy 4 (3-1) FALL
PHAR 831 DNP Pharmacology I – Anesthesia 4 (4-0) FALL
Spring-Year 1
NSG 916 Concept & Theory Analysis 3(3-0) SPRING
HOPR 851 Leadership & Health Policy 3(3-0) SPRING
ANES 877 DNP Physiology/Pathology 5 (5-0) SPRING
PHAR 832 DNP Pharmacology II – Anesthesia 4 (4-0) SPRING
Summer – Year 2
ANES 878 Roles for DNP Advanced Nurse Anesthesia Practice 4 (4-0) SUMMER
ANES 879 Principles of DNP Anesthesia Practice I 5 (5-0) SUMMER
Fall – Year 2
HOPR 877 Health Care Economics 3(3-0) FALL
ANES 880 Principles of DNP Anesthesia Practice II 6 (5-1) FALL

CRNA Program Requirements Overview
The UTHSC Nurse Anesthesia Option is a 36-month (3 years) program of study
that culminates in the degree of Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a core
concentration in Anesthesia. This specialty tract prepares the graduate to practice
in settings where nurse anesthesia services are required. The DNP Nurse
Anesthesia program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE) and is also fully accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS). In addition, the DNP Nurse Anesthesia program of
study is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for the maximum length of 10 years.

Current clinical sites include the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Memphis;
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare hospitals - University Hospital, LeBonheur
Children's Medical Center, South and North Hospitals in Memphis, TN and
Methodist Germantown Hospital in Germantown, TN; and the Regional Medical
Center in Memphis, TN. Specialty rotations which occur during the full-time clinical
component include cardiothoracic anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, neurosurgical
anesthesia, OB anesthesia, trauma anesthesia, and rural site anesthesia. Other
sites for specialty rotations during the senior year St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital for a specialized rotation in pediatric oncology anesthesia, and the
Regional Medical Center at Memphis for OB, Trauma and Burn and general
anesthesia rotations, and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County in New Albany,
Mississippi for a rural anesthesia experience.

The front-loaded format includes 5 terms for didactic information. During the fifth
term, the student begins a clinical practicum while completing didactic course
work. The final four terms are dedicated full-time to clinical education with the
educational experience culminating in a project. The first portion of the program is
completed on campus at UTHSC and the University’s calendar is followed (go to
www.uthsc.edu/nursing then select Current Students and Academic Calendar).

DNP Nurse Anesthesia program requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.0 based
on a 4.0 scale, a baccalaureate degree (preferably a BSN), a minimum of one year
of recent, full-time critical care (ICU) nursing experience and completion of the
GRE (GRE Test Code is 1850) within five (5) years of application. Official scores
must be provided with application.

Cumulative GPA and Prior Degrees: The cumulative GPA computation is based
on all collegiate work. As a summary statement, we are looking for students whose
academic records clearly show their ability to be successful in graduate school.
Basic science grades are an important indicator of academic ability. Only
applicants with cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0 based on all collegiate work or cumulative
GPA ≥ 3.2 earned during applicant’s most recently completed degree program will
be considered for admission. GPA calculation for most recently completed degree
will be based only grades earned at degree-granting institution. Applicants may
submit additional documents to demonstrate professional scholarship and
leadership abilities that could make them more competitive

Definition of Critical Care Nursing Experience: Recent (within the two years
prior to application) adult and pediatric ICU nursing experience are the types of
critical nursing experience we are seeking. We do not consider operating room,
post-anesthesia recovery (PACU), labor and delivery or emergency room nursing
as critical care nursing experiences.

As an aside, most of our applicants have on average, 3-5 years of critical care
experience. CCRN certification is not yet required by our program but viewed
positively as another indicator of knowledge and expertise in critical care nursing.
It is important to understand the role, function, demands and expectations of
CRNAs within the health care community. This information can be obtained by
direct clinical observation of a CRNA and from the American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists website (http://www.aana.com). We are interested in applicants
with obvious maturity and a strong commitment to study and clinical excellence.