Course Descriptions

FIRST YEAR - FALL SEMESTER

ANES 505   
ANATOMY FOR ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
(4 credits, Martino/Della Rocca)
This course will present and examine the anatomic concepts and conditions essential for critical thinking and decision making by the nurse in an advanced practice role.  Specifically, the course will provide the foundation upon which patient interventions may be based during the perioperative period.        

ANES 517              
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
(3 credits, Crawford/Della Rocca)
This course will present chemistry and metabolism of biological compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, enzymes and enzyme kinetics are presented.  Biosynthetic pathways, regulation by hormones and other modulators and interrelated pathways are also presented.  This course will enable the student to understand the cellular mechanisms that under grid physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, and analysis of abnormal findings required to develop a plan of patient management.  

ANES 507A 
PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
(3 credits, Carlson/Della Rocca)
The pharmacodynamics of drug absorption, distribution, biotransformation and elimination relative to clinical pharmacology are presented. Common dosages and administration routes are explored.  These concepts will enable the student to understand the variability of drug actions across patient populations and disease states, therapeutic actions and toxicities, as well as patient-specific indications and contraindications.  This is part A of a two part course.

ANES 512A
PHYSIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
(4 credits, Lowry/Della Rocca)
The principles of cell physiology and transport mechanisms are presented.  The respiratory and cardiovascular systems are presented extensively.  Presentation of neurophysiology includes electrophysiology and the autonomic nervous system.  The physiology and biomechanics of the upper airway will be discussed, as well as the renal system, and water and electrolyte metabolism.  This course will enable the student to understand physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms and disease processes in human systems.  Students will develop the skills to identify and analyze abnormal patient findings, and develop a plan of patient management required of the nurse in advanced practice.  This is part A of a two part course.  

ANES 500
PRINCIPLES OF ANESTHESIOLOGY
(1 Credit, Della Rocca)
This course will explore the physiologic, pharmacologic and psychologic concepts of advanced nurse anesthesiology practice, accurate and concise documentation of events during the perioperative period, procurement and analysis of health assessment and patient risk data, and the synthesis of the data in developing a plan of management based on the needs and predispositions of the patient, and cultural and environmental factors.  Topics are meant to provide the graduate student a broad orientation to the study and practice of anesthesia nursing, an opportunity to develop psychomotor skills specific to nurse anesthesia practice and develop critical thinking skills in the area of specialty.  Teaching format includes classroom instruction, laboratory simulation, and case discussions.  The course is designed to serve as the foundation for the clinical course sequence.

PRACTICUM CONFERENCE IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(No Credit, 1 hour weekly in conjunction with practicum, VanWormer)
Practicum conferences are held weekly when graduate students are participating in patient management in the clinical area.  During the practicum conference, graduate students lead discussion of case studies, journal articles and research, facilitated by faculty.  The purpose is to provide the graduate student an opportunity to integrate didactic and clinical knowledge and experiences in a guided format.  Over the course of the curriculum, the conferences also enable the student to develop and enhance the critical decision making skills required of an advanced practice nurse, identify strategies to assess health risk so they may counsel patients and remain cognizant of cultural factors that may alter a patient's response to health and illness.

PRACTICUM OBSERVATION
(No Credit, VanWormer and Faculty)
Building on undergraduate preparation, and principles presented in ANES 500, graduate students participate in patient management in an actual clinical setting.  Scheduled during four, 4-hour sessions over a period of four weeks, students are provided "one-on-one" experiences with the CRNA preceptor.  This is an opportunity for the graduate student to apply, in a structured environment, those analytical and assessment skills necessary to develop excellence in clinical decision making in nurse anesthesia practice.         

SPRING SEMESTER (January 1 – May 31)

ANES 507B 
PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
(3 credits, Carlson/Della Rocca)
This is part B of a two part course.  The pharmacodynamics of drug absorption, distribution, biotransformation and elimination relative to clinical pharmacology are presented. Common dosages and administration routes are explored.  These concepts will enable the student to understand the variability of drug actions across patient populations and disease states, therapeutic actions and toxicities, as well as patient-specific indications and contraindications. 

ANES 512B
PHYSIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE
(4 credits, Lowry/Della Rocca)
This is part B of a two part course.  This course will enable the student to understand physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms and disease processes in human systems.  Students will develop the skills to identify and analyze abnormal patient findings, and develop a plan of patient management required of the nurse in advanced practice.
 
ANES 502
PRINCIPLES OF ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIOLOGY PRACTICE I
(2 Credits, Della Rocca)
This course will focus on the principles of physics and mechanics involved in the utilization of contemporary anesthesia gas systems.  Preventive maintenance and the care of anesthesia gas systems and other anesthesia equipment will be explored in a lab setting. Lectures on the principles, tech techniques and application of the commonly used inhalation and intravenous anesthetic agents will be provided. The physiological and psychological assessment and preparation of the preoperative patient to serve as a foundation for the student to develop individualized anesthesia care plans. Students will have an opportunity to develop and present an anesthesia care plan in the classroom. The correct anatomical positioning of the surgical patient and the complications of positioning are presented. The structure and function of the larynx in relation to airway management and endotracheal intubation is discussed and demonstrated.

ANES 502L
CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(1 Credit, VanWormer and Faculty) 
Experience in the application of all anesthetic techniques as utilized during clinical anesthesia is gained through individually supervised instruction and practice.  Clinical experiences are structured to provide students the opportunity to apply theory to practice according to identified outcome criteria, in collaboration with appropriate health care individuals.  Students develop plans of care for the perioperative patient, from the basic to the complex, based on patient health and risk assessment interviews.  Experience (16 hours) with advanced interviewing, history taking and diagnostic reasoning are gained in the pre-anesthesia health assessment clinic under the supervision of nurse practitioner and anesthesiologist preceptors.  Practicum courses are viewed as a continuum whereby students master specific competencies in practice according to their level in the program.  Practice settings include the operating room, emergency department, intensive care unit, simulation laboratory and diagnostic suites.

ANES 503
PRINCIPLES OF ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE II
(2 Credits, Della Rocca)
This course will provide the graduate student an opportunity to apply physiological concepts to develop a plan of assessment and anesthesia care as they pertain to: pulmonary ventilation, as it is affected by surgical manipulation, position, positive pressure breathing and mechanical ventilators; colloid and crystalloid replacement methodology, based upon unique requirements of the surgical patient; the application of invasive monitoring modalities, as they are employed to assess cardiovascular and pulmonary homeostasis; the neurological patient with intracranial pathology affecting cerebral autoregulation and cerebral perfusion pressure; the patient requiring mechanical pacing as a result of cardiac conduction defects; the parturient and fetus during uncomplicated and high-risk gestation; the geriatric patient and the affects of senescence on the anesthetic process. This course will also discuss techniques and application of specific nerve conduction blocks; including spinal, epidural, caudal, and bier and selective interruption of conduction pathways in the clinical management of chronic pain.  Additionally, the socio-cultural considerations of pain assessment, evaluation and management will be included.

ANES 515
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES AND NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(2 Credits, Wade)
The course is designed to present theory/hypothesis construction and verification relative to the conduct of clinical research.  Topics include the use of various forms of research design, techniques of data collection, quantification and treatment of variables, methods of data analysis and the use of computers in research.  The student must complete the examination of researchers and develop a draft of the research project or proposal. Additionally, the graduate student will examine ethical issues of research (6.5 hours), academic integrity, scientific misconduct, scientific integrity, patient rights and researcher responsibilities. 
Topics in ANES 508 (Legal Aspects of Health Care for Advanced Practice Nurses) and ANES 510 (Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia Practice) also are part of the curriculum to enhance the discussions (5 hours).

PRACTICUM CONFERENCE IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(No Credit, 1-hour weekly in conjunction with practicum, VanWormer and Faculty)
Practicum conferences are held weekly when graduate students are participating in patient management in the clinical area.  During the practicum conference, graduate students lead discussion of case studies, journal articles and research, facilitated by faculty.  The purpose is to provide the graduate student an opportunity to integrate didactic and clinical knowledge and experiences in a guided format.  Over the course of the curriculum, the conferences also enable the student to develop and enhance their patient assessment skills and the critical decision making skills required of an advanced practice nurse.  During this semester, emphasis is placed on health, risk and homeostatic mechanisms, alterations likely to be encountered, standard measures to assess health and alterations, and the development of evidence-based plans to manage the patient.

SUMMER SEMESTER (June 1 – August 31)

ANES 503L
CLINICAL PRACTICUM FOR ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(3 Credits, VanWormer and Faculty)
Experience in the application of all anesthetic techniques as utilized during clinical anesthesia is gained through individually supervised instruction and practice.  Clinical experiences are structured to provide students the opportunity to apply theory to practice according to identified outcome criteria, in collaboration with appropriate health care individuals.  Students develop plans of care for the perioperative patient, from the basic to the complex, based on their assessment and patient interviews.  Practicum courses are viewed as a continuum whereby students master specific competencies in practice according to their level in the program.  Practice settings include the operating room, emergency department, intensive care unit, simulation laboratory and diagnostic suites.  

SECOND YEAR

FALL SEMESTER (September 1 – December 31)

ANES 501
RESEARCH PROJECT
(2 credits, Faculty)
This course will provide the graduate student the opportunity to complete a scholarly project or proposal.  The project or proposal provides the opportunity to investigate a topic, issue or concern relevant to advanced practice in anesthesia nursing.  A faculty mentor and a faculty reader will mentor the student through the process, critique and evaluate the project or proposal.  A student will prepare a scholarly project or proposal according to Center guidelines, as well as develop and make a formal presentation to the Center and the Department.  The project continues through June 30th of the Spring Semester II.

ANES 504
ADVANCED PRINCIPLES OF ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF PRE-EXISTING
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL STATES FOR NURSE ANESTHETISTS
(3 credits, Falcone)
This course will focus upon pathophysiological states existing at the time of the anesthetic.  These altered states may or may not be incidental to the site and nature of the pathology for which the surgery is performed.  Aspects of cardiac, vascular and neurosurgical procedures will be presented and discussed.  This material will be correlated with the selection, application, and administration of appropriate pharmacological intervention and anesthetic management.  This course will also present the unique physiological and psychological needs of the pediatric patient, correlated to appropriate anesthetic intervention.  The graduate student will conduct presentations on selected anesthesia topics.

ANES 504L
ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM FOR ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(2 credits, VanWormer and Faculty)
Experience in the application of all anesthetic techniques as utilized during clinical anesthesia is gained through individually supervised instruction and practice.  Clinical experiences are structured to provide students the opportunity to apply theory to practice according to identified outcome criteria.  Students develop plans of care for the perioperative patient, from the basic to the complex, based on their assessment and patient interviews.  Practicum courses are viewed as a continuum whereby students master specific competencies in practice according to their level in the program.  Practice settings include the operating room, emergency department, intensive care unit, simulation laboratory and diagnostic suites. 

ANES 516A
RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(2 credits, Wade)
This course will address selected topics in anesthesiology, and nurse anesthesia practice, using current and historical research.  Students will critically evaluate journal articles relevant to advanced practice in anesthesia nursing, and the evolving role of nurses in advanced clinical practice. 

PRACTICUM CONFERENCE IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(No Credit, 1 hour weekly in conjunction with practicum, VanWormer)
Practicum conferences are held weekly when graduate students are participating in patient management in the clinical area.  During the practicum conference, graduate students lead discussion of case studies, journal articles and research, facilitated by faculty.  The purpose is to provide the graduate student an opportunity to integrate didactic and clinical knowledge and experiences in a guided format.  Over the course of the curriculum, the conferences also enable the student to develop and enhance their patient assessment skills and the critical decision making skills required of an advanced practice nurse.  During this semester, emphasis is placed on health, risk and homeostatic mechanisms, alterations likely to be encountered, standard measures to assess health and alterations, and the development of evidence-based plans to manage the patient. 

SPRING SEMESTER (January 1 – June 30)

ANES 501
RESEARCH PROJECT
(0 credits, Faculty)
The project from the last semester and continues through June 30th.

ANES 510
PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS OF NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(2 Credits, Van Wormer) 
This course will enable the graduate student to focus on the global aspects of nurse anesthesia practice and the forces impacting contemporary health care.  The primary objective of this course is to provide graduate students the opportunity to examine factors that affect them as advanced practice nurses, outside of their direct clinical responsibilities.  Topics will include socialization, political-legal, economic, leadership, educational, ethical and philosophical forces currently appropriate.  Faculty will facilitate research and literature-based discussion of such diverse issues as: reimbursement, cost-effectiveness and quality; developing and evaluating standards of practice; advocacy for the profession and for patients; and strategies to understand public policy development and implementation to protect the scope of advanced nursing practice.  Guest faculty will include those with expertise in the contemporary issues identified.              

ANES 516B
RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(2 credits, Wade)
This course will address selected topics in anesthesiology using current and historical research.  Students will critically evaluate journal articles relevant to advanced practice in anesthesia nursing.  The course will be presented during the winter semester of the second year of study.

ANES 604
ADVANCED PRACTICE SEMINAR AND CURRENT TOPICS IN NURSE ANESTHESIOLOGY
(2 credits, Falcone)
This course will examine in depth a variety of specialized and timely areas, including multiple systems trauma, ambulatory surgery, massive transfusion protocol, and the application of fiber optic intubation techniques as a method of difficult airway management.  Problems associated with the chemically dependent health care provider, especially the anesthesiology practitioner will be presented.  Discussion groups will have as a goal the correlation of theoretical concepts to the practicum setting as a basis for rational decision making.  Other tools will include morbidity and mortality review, case studies and analysis of current literature.

ANES 604L
ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM FOR ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(2 credits, VanWormer and Faculty)
Experience in the application of all anesthetic techniques as utilized during clinical anesthesia is gained through individually supervised instruction and practice.  Clinical experiences are structured to provide students the opportunity to apply theory to practice according to identified outcome criteria.  Students develop plans of care for the perioperative patient, from the basic to the complex, based on their assessment and patient interviews.  Practicum courses are viewed as a continuum whereby students master specific competencies in practice according to their level in the program.  Practice settings include the operating room, emergency department, intensive care unit, simulation laboratory and diagnostic suites. 

ANES 608
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION REVIEW FOR ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE (1 credit, Falcone)

This course starts January 1 and ends October 31).
The purpose of this course is to prepare second-year graduate students for the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA) examination.  Successful completion of the CCNA examination is a prerequisite for entry into clinical practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).  ANES 608 is held from January 1st to October 31st during the second year of the program, and will consist of six comprehensive examinations.

PRACTICUM CONFERENCE IN ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(No credit, 1 hour weekly in conjunction with practicum, VanWormer)
Practicum conferences are held weekly when graduate students are participating in patient management in the clinical area.  During the practicum conference, graduate students lead discussion of case studies, journal articles and research, facilitated by faculty.  The purpose is to provide the graduate student an opportunity to integrate didactic and clinical knowledge and experiences in a guided format.  Over the course of the curriculum, the conferences also enable the student to develop and enhance their patient assessment skills and the critical decision making skills required of an advanced practice nurse.  During this semester, emphasis is placed on health, risk and homeostatic mechanisms, alterations likely to be encountered, standard measures to assess health and alterations, and the development of evidence-based plans to manage the patient. 

PRACTICUM RESIDENCY (July 1 – November 30)

ANES 608
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION REVIEW FOR ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE (1 credit, Falcone)

This course begins January 1 and ends October 31.
The purpose of this course is to prepare second-year graduate students for the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (CCNA) examination.  Successful completion of the CCNA examination is a prerequisite for entry into clinical practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).  ANES 608 is held from January 1st to October 31st during the second year of the program, and will consist of six comprehensive examinations.

ANES 607L
PRACTICUM RESIDENCY FOR ADVANCED NURSE ANESTHESIA PRACTICE
(4 Credits, VanWormer and Faculty)
Graduate students integrate their practical skills and theoretical knowledge to facilitate progressive independence within an established clinical model.  Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and decision-making facilitated by clinical faculty.  The practicum residency starts on July 1st and continues through graduation.