Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are anesthesia specialists. They administer approximately 49 million anesthetics given to patients each year in the United States. CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers in more than 65% of rural hospitals in the United States, enabling these health care facilities to provide obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. CRNAs provide anesthetics to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, and other qualified health care professionals. When anesthesia is administered by a nurse anesthetist, it is recognized as the practice of nursing; when administered by a physician anesthesiologist, it is recognized as the practice of medicine.

The 27-month Nurse Anesthesia Program consists of two phases. The first phase (4 quarters) provides the student with a strong foundation in the basic sciences, as well as courses that address all aspects of anesthesia equipment and anesthesia management. All coursework in the first phase of the program must be completed before starting the second phase of the program. The second phase (5 quarters) encompasses the clinical practicum and a research-based project related to anesthesia. The clinical phase begins in the summer of the second year of the program and provides students with the necessary hands-on experience to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential to the practice of nurse anesthesia in a variety of practice settings. All students will be considered for rotation to clinical sites in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington state, and all available clinical locations. Thus, a student may be assigned to rotations in any combination of these states as needed to ensure the best quality set of clinical rotations. Students must make their own arrangements for transportation and lodging at these clinical sites. The University does not provide for the cost of transportation or lodging. These sites will provide students with a broad scope of experiences in rural, urban, and suburban hospitals, as well as specialty rotations in cardiac surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program at Midwestern University provides students with a solid foundation in the basic sciences and teaches all aspects of anesthesia management. The clinical practicums challenge students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to actual administration of anesthesia under the guidance of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesiologists at multiple clinical sites in the region. Graduates will be able to work in a variety of settings including urban and rural hospitals, same-day surgery centers, doctors' offices, and pain clinics. The program is also committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in scholarly work that will contribute to their body of knowledge.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA; www.coacrna.org), 222 South Prospect Avenue, Suite 304, Park Ridge, IL 60068-4001, 847/655-1160. Accreditation was granted for the period of October 12, 2011 through October 31, 2021. State of Arizona Board of Private Postsecondary Education has approved all current degree programs at the Glendale Campus of Midwestern University.

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. In October 2020, the program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in December 2021. Further information regarding this transition may be obtained by contacting the program at 623-572-3760.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.

CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available. They administer every type of anesthetic, and provide care for every type of surgery (from open heart to cataract) or procedure, including pain management.

• Anesthesia specialist providing every type of anesthetic
• CRNAs safely administer 49 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, podiatrists, other health professional (Reference: American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (www.aana.com), Accessed November 5th, 2018)

To be considered for admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Midwestern University, students must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
2. Minimum science GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Courses included in the calculation of the science GPA include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, chemistry, physics, and microbiology courses.
3. Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing, granted by a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
4. Satisfactory completion (grades of C or better) of all prerequisite coursework prior to application (grades of C- are not acceptable).
5. Licensure to practice as a registered nurse: an unrestricted license to practice in at least one legal jurisdiction in the United States or its territories. The applicant possesses no previous sanctions or restrictions on the RN license.
6. Minimum of one year of critical care registered nursing experience prior to application. Critical care experience includes all types of Adult ICU, Pediatric ICU, and Emergency Room. Neonatal intensive care unit experience does not meet this requirement. Experience should include management of mechanical ventilation, invasive monitoring, and vasoactive medication infusions.
7. Demonstration of sincere understanding of and interest in nurse anesthesia.
8. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with faculty, patients, and colleagues.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis until the maximum enrollment for the program is reached. Typically, a class is filled by mid-December so applicants are strongly encouraged to have their applications submitted by July 1st.