Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

4.5 Quarter Units

Exploration of study designs, measurement tools, and data collection strategies in research and evidence-based practice data collection. Logic of statistical models used in the evaluation of research designs and measures. Identification of an evidence-based scholarly question pertinent to nurse anesthesia practice.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Program or prior approval from Academic Program Director

This course is a comprehensive examination of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics as well as the clinical application of advanced pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics for the advanced practice nurse managing complex and common disease conditions. The course integrates the pathophysiology of various disease states with underlying biochemical mediators and available drug treatments as well as new drug discovery, neurotransmission, the central nervous system, mediators of pain and inflammation, and renal and cardiovascular agents. Doctoral nurse anesthesia graduate students will learn the treatment of human diseases with pharmacological mediators.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Program or approval from Academic Program Director

Advanced Human Anatomy for Nurse Anesthesia uses an organ system approach for a comprehensive exploration of the normal microscopic and gross structures of the human body, as well as anatomical pathology based on the microscopic and macroscopic examination of organs and tissues. Doctoral nurse anesthesia graduate students will also investigate functions and embryological variations of many structures with special emphasis on how these topics relate to anesthesia management.

1.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Program or prior approval from Academic Program Director

Advanced Human Anatomy for Nurse Anesthesia Lab utilizes a systematic approach to a comprehensive exploration of the normal microscopic and gross structures of the human body, as well as anatomical pathology based on the microscopic and macroscopic examination of organs and tissues. Doctoral nurse anesthesia graduate students will also investigate functions of many structures with special emphasis on how these topics relate to anesthesia management. Three hours of laboratory work per week provide hands on study of scientific models and dissection of biological organs and organisms as well as microscope studies of histology.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course is a comprehensive examination of cellular, membrane, skeletal muscle and neurological physiology with particular emphasis on how these topics relate to anesthesia management. Doctoral nurse anesthesia graduate students will also investigate the pathophysiology of various disease states and the underlying biochemical mediators involved.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course presents the fundamental concepts of anesthesia and introduces the student to the procedures and principles of nurse anesthesia practice. Principles presented include monitoring and assessment skills, airway management (including endotracheal intubation), preoperative assessment, documentation, the anesthesia gas machine and related current technology.

1.5 Quarter Units

Corequisite: ANE 824 with a minimum grade of B-. minimum passing grade for the nurse anesthesia program is a B-

Advanced high fidelity simulation is designed to complement didactic learning, mirror clinical environments, and to provide learning through transformation of experience. Advanced high fidelity simulation learning activities are specifically used to enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and skills development appropriate for the doctoral nurse anesthesia student.

4.5 Quarter Units

Corequisite: ANE 824 with a minimum grade of B-. All nurse anesthesia courses must be completed with a B- or greater for continued program matriculation

The anesthesia pharmacology course examines the unique pharmacologic agents that are specific to anesthesia administration. Focus will be placed on inhalation agents, induction drugs, neuromuscular blocker, adrenergic agents, and local anesthetics. Exploration of current evidence related to pharmacologic therapies will serve as the course underpinning.

4.5 Quarter Units

Nurse Anesthesia Physiology II is the second of a three course physiology series. In this course a comprehensive examination of cardiovascular, immune, endocrine and gastro-intestinal physiology with particular emphasis on how these topics relate to anesthesia management will occur. Doctoral nurse anesthesia graduate students will also investigate the pathophysiology of various disease states regarding these respective systems and the underlying biochemical mediators involved.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 824 with a minimum grade of B-. Required grade for matriculation minimum passing grade is B-

Exploration of anesthetic delivery to patients with increasing co-morbidities and complex anesthesia needs. Airway management and ultrasound guided regional anesthesia techniques are thoroughly covered, with special attention given to acute and chronic pain management. Anesthetic techniques for the specialty practice of cardiac, thoracic, and vascular anesthesia is analyzed.

1.5 Quarter Units

Advanced high fidelity simulation is designed to complement didactic learning, mirror clinical environments, and to provide learning through transformation of experience. Advanced high fidelity simulation learning activities are specifically used to enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and skills development appropriate for the doctoral nurse anesthesia student.

4.5 Quarter Units

The second of a two-course anesthesia pharmacology sequence. Detailed exploration/investigation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthesia specific drugs. Factors modifying anesthetic management of perioperative patients are thoroughly explored.

4.5 Quarter Units

A detailed investigation of anesthesia care, including preoperative planning, implementation, and perianesthetic management for complex anesthesia delivery. Examination of specialty anesthesia practice, to include an in depth investigation of obstetrical, pediatric/neonatal, and ambulatory surgical populations. Development of a perioperative plan of care for patients undergoing Ear/Nose/Throat, laparoscopic, robotic, obstetrical, and gynecological procedures will be constructed and critiqued.

1.5 Quarter Units

Corequisite: ANE 828 (Lab component of the Principles of Anesthesia III lecture course.)

Advanced high fidelity simulation is designed to complement didactic learning, mirror clinical environments, and to provide learning through transformation of experience. Advanced high fidelity simulation learning activities are specifically used to enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and skills development appropriate for the doctoral nurse anesthesia student.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 821 with a minimum grade of B-. B- grades are required for program progression

Nurse Anesthesia Physiology III is a comprehensive examination of respiratory, renal and reproductive physiology with particular emphasis on how these topics relate to anesthesia management. Doctoral nurse anesthesia graduate students will also investigate the pathophysiology of various disease states regarding these respective systems and the underlying biochemical mediators involved.

4.5 Quarter Units

Development of advanced clinical reasoning and assessment skills to determine client health status and needs. Application of physiological, pathophysiological, and psychosocial concepts with implications for Nurse Anesthesia.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 824 with a minimum grade of B-. Minimum course grade for any anesthesia course is a B-, Curriculum in a cohort, lock-step model

Detailed study of anesthesia care preoperative planning, implementing, and perianesthetic management for complex anesthesia delivery. Specialty anesthesia practice foci of neuro-cranial and neuro-spine, trauma, critical care, transplant, hepatic, and renal surgery will be covered.

1.5 Quarter Units

Corequisite: ANE 830 with a minimum grade of B-. B- is the minimum allowable grade for matriculation in the program

Advanced high fidelity simulation is designed to complement didactic learning, mirror clinical environments, and to provide learning through transformation of experience. Advanced high fidelity simulation learning activities are specifically used to enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and skills development appropriate for the doctoral nurse anesthesia student.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course presents topics surrounding professional nurse anesthesia practice. Course topics include: Professional qualifications and capabilities of the Nurse Anesthetist, advanced practices roles and responsibilities, professional involvement and lobbying, governmental and non-governmental regulation of Nurse Anesthesia practice, Standards of Care within anesthesia, professional reimbursement, health care marketplace trends, influencing health care policy, assessing and selecting CRNA practice settings, the American Legal System and its impact on CRNA practice, the anatomy of malpractice litigation, clinical competency, continuous quality improvement, cultural competency, ethical issues and decision making.

4.5 Quarter Units

Course designed for advanced practice nurses. Topics include descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, one- and two-sample normal inference (point estimation, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals), power and sample size calculations, one- and two-sample binomial inference, underlying assumptions and diagnostic work. Includes primary statistical tools used in epidemiology and health services research; multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the didactic phase of the program.

Provides supervised clinical practicum experience for the student nurse anesthetist to begin administering anesthesia to patients with minimal co-morbidities or complex anesthesia requirements. The student will engage in the entire perioperative course under the direct supervision of a CRNA or Anesthesiologist.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 800 with a minimum grade of B-. Program policy for matriculation

Implementing evidence in nurse anesthesia practice extends knowledge of the basic principles of evidence-based practice. This on-line course examines the use of research in practice. Understanding, appraising and using evidence for practice are addressed. Evaluation of clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews form the foundation for implementing change in anesthesia practice. Professional advocacy and methods for change are evaluated.

4.5 Quarter Units

Critique and intensive review of the principles and applications of perioperative nurse anesthesia practice. Scholarly inquiry of specific anesthesia case studies and patient care management techniques. Thorough investigation of current evidence for anesthesia case management, to include critique of the current literature and development of case study review.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course will delve into the world of healthcare policy and advocacy as it relates to APRNs. We will talk about the process of how policy is created, discuss aspects which drive policy such as interest groups, lobbyists and organizations. We will discuss the IOM report and how it has impacted APRN healthcare related policy and how these impact APRN practice. We will discuss advocacy and the future of CRNA practice and involvement in driving and shaping policy.

4.5 Quarter Units

A clinical and seminar course that continues to add increasing anesthesia complexity, comorbidities, and autonomous clinical decision making. Scholarly inquiry of complex anesthesia case studies and patient care management techniques. Thorough investigation of current evidence for anesthesia case management, to include critique of the current literature and development of case study review.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course will analyze healthcare systems and various communication methods as each relates to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Exploration of the communication methods and systems APRNs interact with will drive the course discussions related to professional interactions, healthcare systems and communication including online. The course will evaluate communication methods and their impact on APRN practice as well as professional implications. Application activities related to communication within nurse anesthesia will occur at the practice level.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course is a critique and intensive review of the principles and applications of evidence-based nurse anesthesia practice. This course requires scholarly inquiry of specific anesthesia case studies and patient care management techniques. A thorough investigation of current evidence for anesthesia case management including critique of the current literature and the development of publishable case study is required. Inquiry in this course builds upon prior clinical rotation/seminar courses, increasing in complexity and depth of review.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 801 with a minimum grade of B-. B- required for matriculation in the program

Emphasizes the concepts and premises of the science of epidemiology. Methods of hypothesis formulation and evaluation are stressed. Techniques for quantifying the amount of disease (or other health indicator) in populations are introduced, followed by discussion of epidemiologic study designs useful for identifying etiologic factors and other relevant correlates of disease. Uses a series of case studies to teach the principles and practice of epidemiology, ranging from surveillance and descriptive epidemiology to outbreak investigations and analytic methods. Focuses on the use of sound epidemiologic judgment

4.5 Quarter Units

Corequisite: ANE 865 with a minimum grade of B-. Minimum allowable grade for metriculation

Critique and intensive review of the principles and applications of perioperative nurse anesthesia practice. Scholarly inquiry of specific anesthesia case studies and patient care management techniques. Thorough investigation of current evidence for anesthesia case management, to include critique of the current literature and development of case study review. Inquiry in this course builds upon prior clinical rotation/seminar courses, increasing in complexity and depth of review.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course will analyze healthcare economics and finance as it relates to the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Exploration of the process of economic policy creation and anesthesia practice finances, will drive the course discussions related to interest groups, healthcare models, efficiency and quality. The course will evaluate regulatory policies and their impact on the healthcare economics and APRN practice related policy. Application activities of economics within nurse anesthesia will occur at the practice level and practice models.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 870 with a minimum grade of B-. Minimum required for program progression

Critique and intensive review of the principles and applications of perioperative nurse anesthesia practice with advancing complexity and comorbidities. Scholarly inquiry of specific anesthesia case studies and patient care management techniques. Thorough investigation of current evidence for anesthesia case management, to include critique of the current literature and development of case study review. Inquiry in this course builds upon prior clinical rotation/seminar courses, increasing in complexity, autonomy, of clinical anesthesia case management.

4.5 Quarter Units

This course emphasizes the synthesis, critique, and application of learning gained in the program to support quality clinical practice and organizational systems. The DNAP candidate, in consultation with their academic advisor, proposes a project that begins with a thorough and scientific evaluation of a current healthcare issue requested by an approved healthcare entity. Following approval of the proposal by the academic chair and project committee, the DNAP candidate will complete the doctoral project within two academic years as evidenced by the rendering of recommendation(s) or design of an innovative clinical practice or program solving an actual healthcare issue.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: ANE 870 with a minimum grade of B-. Minimum grade for matriculation

Provides supervised clinical practicum experience for the senior student registered nurse anesthetist in advanced anesthesia clinical disciplines. The student will engage in the entire perioperative course under the direct supervision of a CRNA or Anesthesiologist. Advanced anesthesia specializations in these rotations for this course include: advanced ambulatory anesthesia; advanced thoracic/vascular anesthesia; advanced cardiac anesthesia; advanced neuroanesthesia; advanced obstetrical anesthesia; transplant anesthesia; advanced pediatric anesthesia; advanced regional anesthesia; non-surgical pain management; transition into practice.

4.5 Quarter Units

Advanced exploration of the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice role, and contributions graduates are prepared to make in nurse anesthesia practice, leadership, and education. Students explore the history, social context, and philosophical basis of the DNAP role. Students will also develop an understanding of the value of transformative leadership in healthcare through use of critical exploration of the literature. Students engage with leaders in administration, education, policy, and research. The role of individuals, teams, and consultants in leading change will be topics of discussion