The purposes of the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) Program are to prepare nurses to assume an advanced role on the health care team as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and to provide for the continuing needs for nurse anesthetists in the community, state and region. 

Program Accreditation

*Accreditation update
Newman University nurse anesthesia program receives 10-year accreditation, new site approval from national agency.

The NU MSNA Program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, the Kansas State Board of Nursing and North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Council on Accreditation is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

Curriculum

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. 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.

Instructional Techniques

One-to-one instructor/student ratio, lecture, lab, self-directed study, and structured learning.  Clinical portion consists of hands-on approach to the administration of anesthesia. Primary clinical sites for the NU MSNA Program include:

• Via Christi-St. Francis Campus - Wichita, KS
• Wesley Medical Center - Wichita, KS
• Kansas Surgery and Recovery - Wichita, KS
• Wichita Clinic - Wichita, KS
• Kansas Medical Center - Wichita, KS
• Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital - El Dorado. KS
• St. Catherine's Hospital - Garden City, KS
• Hillcrest Medical Center - Tulsa, OK
• Freeman Health Systems - Joplin, MO

In addition, a new primary site has been developed in Oklahoma City, OK utulizing the following clinical sites:

• McBride Clinic Orthopedic Hospital
• Oklahoma City VA*
• Duncan Regional Hospital

*Note that the OKC primary site is not a distance learning facility and students will be on campus weekly for didactic classes.

Non-primary enrichment clinical sites are also available in Kansas:

• Topeka, KS
• Lawrence, KS
• Salina, KS
• Shawnee Mission, KS

Student Clinical Evaluation

Student Clinical Evaluation - Specialty

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.

For more information or if you have questions about this program page contact Director of CRNA Program Sharon Niemann C.R.N.A.; M.H.S