Nurse Anesthesia

Dr. Mary Jane S. Hanson, Director of Graduate Program
570-941-4060
Maryjane.hanson@scranton.edu

Carol Raskiewicz, Associate Director of Nurse Anesthesia Program
570-552-3680
craskiewicz@wvhcs.org

The Nurse Anesthesia (NA) program prepares registered nurses to function in the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). Upon completion of the program the graduate will be prepared to administer all types of anesthesia to diverse populations in a variety of clinical settings.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for CRNA from the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

CURRICULUM

The 60-credit NA master's degree program for baccalaureate prepared nurses is offered through an affiliation between The University of Scranton and the Wyoming Valley Health Care System - Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia. The NA program is also offered as a 48-credit post-master’s certificate for nurses already holding a nursing master’s degree in advanced practice. Transcripts of students with an entry level master’s in nursing degree will be evaluated on an individual basis for transfer credit.

In addition to course work, each student is required to complete a clinical practicum. The practicum (NURS 546, 556, 558, 566, 576, 598) is taken over two years (25 months) of full-time study.

ACCREDITATION

The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, Il 60068-4001, Telephone (847) 692-7050.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the requirements previously listed for graduate study in nursing, nurse anesthesia applicants must also have one year of critical care nursing experience, current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, and have completed two courses in college chemistry.

The deadline for applications is October 1 of the year prior to expected enrollment.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

A minimum of nine credits outside of the NA specialty curriculum must be taken at The University of Scranton.

SCHEDULING

The program can be completed in 25 months of full-time study. There is no part-time option. Students are accepted for the fall semester, with classes beginning the first week of August. Most classes and clinical practicums are scheduled during the day. However, evening classes and clinicals are also required.

TUITION/FEES

In addition to The University of Scranton tuition, anesthesia students pay $2,500 per year clinical fees. A one-time, nonrefundable fee of $2,800 is payable to Wyoming Valley Health Care System at the time of admission to the Nurse Anesthesia program. This fee assures the student’s place in class and will be applied to liability insurance, nurse anesthesia textbooks for the specialty courses, standardized examinations, and personal clinical equipment.