Education

Nurse Anesthesiology Program

Center for Nurse Anesthesiology at Albany Medical College

The objectives of the MS Degree Program in Nurse Anesthesiology are to prepare skilled nurse anesthesia practitioners who will have the ability to participate in both the didactic and practicum components of educational programs; undertake independent study and research; and assume leadership roles in the profession.

The philosophy of the Nurse Anesthesiology Program is to develop competent nurse anesthesia professionals who understand their evolving role and recognize their significance in the health care delivery system.  Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), who render nursing anesthesia services, should demonstrate sound professional, moral and ethical standards in practice, and be accountable for the quality of services they provide.  They must be prepared to assume leadership roles in the profession of nursing and nurse anesthesia, and be knowledgeable about factors that influence their practice.  Active participation in assessment of the patient who undergoes a surgical procedure, anesthesia management, research and education provides the perspectives required for contemporary nurse anesthesia practice.

The Albany Medical College Nurse Anesthesiology is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program (COA), a specialized accrediting recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  The program is registered with the New York State Education Department.  Council and Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 South Prospect Avenue, Suite 304, Park Ridge, IL 60068; 847-655-1160.

The program offers a 28 consecutive month sequence of integrated didactic and clinical practicum courses with classes starting in August each year.

During the first year, graduate students complete courses in the basic sciences (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology), Nurse Anesthesiology, Research Techniques, Nurse Anesthesiology Practice and Clinical Practicum Laboratories, Professional Issues in Advanced Practice and a Research Project.  In the second year, graduate students continue the Clinical Practicum Laboratories, Nurse Anesthesiology courses, Professional Issues in Advanced Practice and Thesis requirements.

The program offers a part-time study option.  This option affords graduate students the opportunity to enroll in ANES 507A and ANES 511A during the fall semester, and ANES 507B and ANES 511B during the spring semester of the first year.  During the fall semester of the second year graduate students will enroll in ANES 502, ANES 502L, ANES 503, ANES 503L and ANES 515.  Full-time study is required for the remainder of the program.

The clinical practicum experiences allow graduate students to meet the requirements set forth by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs.  In addition to administering anesthesia to general, surgical and obstetric patients graduate students gain experience in administration of anesthesia in a tertiary care setting, to patients undergoing more complicated procedures in specialty areas such as pediatric, vascular, cardiac, oncological, kidney transplant, bone marrow transplant and neurological surgeries.  Observation rotations are provided for open-heart anesthesia.  Emergency experience is provided that allows graduate students opportunity to provide anesthesia services to trauma patients for a variety of other urgent and emergent surgeries.  Graduate students also gain experience outside of the surgical arena providing anesthesia service for emergencies, medical and diagnostic procedures.

Albany Medical Center Hospital, a tertiary care center, is the primary clinical campus.  The clinical portion of the program is enhanced by rotations to the following off-campus clinical sites:  St. Peter’s Hospital (Albany), Albany Memorial Hospital (Albany), Glens Falls Hospital (Glens Falls), Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital (Cooperstown), St. Joseph’s Hospital (Syracuse) and SUNY Upstate Medical Center (Syracuse).  These rotations enrich the learner’s experience in the areas of regional anesthesia administration, insertion of invasive monitoring catheters, administration of anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures, adapting to new experiences and different working environments.  Clinical rotations are subject to change.    

Faculty
Denise Martin-Sheridan, CRNA, PhD; Professor and Graduate Director
Sonja J. Myers, CRNA, MS; Assistant Professor and Associate Graduate Director
Lynne M. Van Wormer, CRNA, MSN; Assistant Professor and Clinical Graduate Director
David F. Cann, CRNA, MS; Assistant Professor and Assistant Clinical Graduate Director
Eileen A. Falcone, CRNA; Assistant Clinical Graduate Director

Administrative Staff
Helene M. Gregory; Program Coordinator

For more information, please contact us at:

Center for Nurse Anesthesiology
Albany Medical College
47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-131
Albany, New York 12208
Telephone: 518-262-4303
Facsimile: 518-262-5170
Email: amcnap@mail.amc.edu