School of Nurse Anesthesia Accreditation
Code of Ethics
Admission/Application Deadlines
Non-Discrimination
Medical Requirements
General Information
Curriculum
Courses of Instruction

Mission

To prepare professional nurses for nurse anesthesia practice with advanced, specialized knowledge and skills in order to meet the health needs of a diverse population.

Program Goals

1. Support the University's mission, vision, and core values.
2. Prepare graduates to become competent Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, ready to serve society in an advanced role on the health care team.
3. Promote core values and behaviors that encourage respect for diversity, acknowledge human worth and dignity, and support professional nurse anesthesia practice.
4. Foster an appreciation for the necessity of learning, thinking critically, and continuing to grow personally and professionally.
5. Contribute to the nurse anesthesia profession and to society by engaging in expert clinical practice and by demonstrating commitment to ethical leadership and responsible citizenship.

Accreditation

TCU's School of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (DOE). (Council on Accreditation, 222 South Prospect Ave., Ste. 304, Park Ridge, IL 60068-4010)

The Standards and Guidelines for accreditation of nurse anesthesia educational programs/schools endorsed by the Council are merely guidelines for TCU to follow. They are not a contract between any member of the School of Nurse Anesthesia of TCU and should not be construed to give rise to any liability of TCU to any student enrolled in the School of Nurse Anesthesia. The program, the parent institution, or the clinical affiliates will not distort or misrepresent the program's accreditation status.

Code of Ethics

A code of ethics guiding the practice of students in programs preparing nurse anesthetists is published in the School handbook.

Admission/Application Deadlines

An application packet can be obtained from the website www.crna.tcu.edu or by telephoning the School at 817-257-7887. Deadlines and other important dates related to admission are also available on the website or by telephone.

All applicants meeting the following criteria will be considered for admission:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited school or college

  • Valid licensure as a registered nurse

  • Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal and quantitative > 1100) OR Miller Analogies (MAT) score (> 411)

  • Weighted GPA 3.0 or greater

  • A minimum of one year experience in adult critical care, emergency room, pediatric critical care, or equivalent; two years is highly recommended

  • Certification as ACLS, PALS, CCRN

  • Three strong professional references

  • A short essay

  • If English is not the first language, a score of at least 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language and a score of 6 on the institutional version of the Spoken English Test (SET)

  • International applicants should refer to that section in the TCU Graduate Bulletin


  • Candidates who satisfactorily meet these criteria will be invited for an interview. Candidates will be informed of admission status.

    Application deadlines:
    December 1 for early decision. Candidates will be notified of admission status by February 28.

    February 1 for regular decision. Candidates will be notified of admission status by April 15.

    Non-Discrimination

    TCU does not discriminate on the basis of personal status, individual characteristics, or group affiliation, including but not limited to classes protected under federal and state law.

    TCU complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. Disabled students will be individually assessed for their ability to meet the requirements of the curriculum and of practice. Students with questions about disabilities should contact the Director.

    Medical Requirements

    A documented health examination is required prior to the beginning of classes.

    Environmental Exposure
    Providers in anesthesia are advised that studies completed over the past several years have indicated that personnel who are chronically exposed to waste anesthetic gases may be at increased risk of certain adverse health problems, including spontaneous abortions. Dorsch, J. A., & Dorsch, S. E. (1999). Understanding Anesthesia Equipment (4th ed.). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

    Immunizations
    Each student must be in good physical and mental health, free of communicable disease when involved in patient care, and have a medical questionnaire and physician's certificate on file at the University prior to enrollment with proof of tuberculin testing (negative) and immunization against the diseases noted below.

    A student who contracts a communicable disease shall notify the Director or Associate Director as soon as possible after learning of same and shall be suspended immediately and indefinitely until the student is free from infection.

    Schedule for Immunizations
    Immunization needed/Schedule of immunization

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td)/Must have had one dose within past ten years.

  • Measles/Those born since January 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The two doses must be at least 30 days apart.

  • Mumps/Those born since January 1, 1957, must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.

  • Rubella/At least one dose since 12 months of age.

  • Hepatitis B/A complete series or proof of immunity is strongly encouraged prior to beginning direct patient care.


  • For more information, see the website www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/ or telephone the Texas School of Health, Immunization Division, 1-800-252-9152.

    Health Insurance
    Students must carry health insurance throughout the program. Although TCU offers a major medical insurance plan for students to purchase, students are advised to evaluate several plans before selection. Proof of coverage will be required. Students are not hospital employees and are not covered by Worker's Compensation.

    Statement on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
    The following policy is in accordance with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs' Statement on admissions inquiries regarding drug and alcohol use.

    1. Applicants will be asked if they are currently using illegal drugs, abusing prescription drugs, or engaging in intemperate alcohol use at the time of application. An affirmative answer is grounds for denial of admission.
    2. After acceptance into the School of Nurse Anesthesia but prior to enrollment, the student will be asked about prior illegal drug usage, abuse of prescription drugs, and prior intemperate alcohol use. Past users will be monitored, including but not limited to drug testing. Failure to comply with this policy or failure of a drug screen will result in dismissal from the program. The University or clinical training facility pays for the drug testing.
    3. All students will be required to submit to random or scheduled drug testing at any point in their training based on the decision of the University or clinical training site. Failure to comply with this policy or failure of a drug screen will result in immediate dismissal from the program. The University or clinical training facility pays for the drug testing.
    4. In the event of a failed drug screen, the University or clinical training site will provide information about rehabilitation. The University or the clinical training site will not incur any expense in this matter.
      In Texas, referrals are made to:
      Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (T-PAPN)
      7600 Burnet Road, Suite 440
      Austin, Texas 78757-1292
      Telephone: 1-800-288-5528
    5. Following successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program, students may apply for reinstatement in the program. Readmission is not automatic; cases are individually considered.
    6. Criminal background checks will be required for insurance coverage prior to entering the residency phase. Students with concerns or questions should contact the Director before beginning the program. Prior conviction(s) may result in denial of admission to the residency phase.

    General Information

    Housing and Meals
    Students are eligible for residence halls and meal plans at TCU. Contact Residential Services at 817-257-7865 or www.rlh.tcu.edu/GSA.HTM for further information. Students are responsible for their own housing and meals at their assigned clinical site.

    Financial Aid
    Both loans and limited scholarships are available for students. Deadlines are early in the semester prior to entry and students are encouraged to contact the Graduate Financial Aid Advisor, TCU Box 297012, Fort Worth, TX 76129 as soon as possible. TCU is recognized by the Veterans' Administration for financial assistance to eligible students. Stipends are currently available during Phase II at limited clinical sites.

    A student withdrawing from TCU within a limited time frame is eligible for tuition refund. Deadlines are printed in the University calendar every semester, and can be found in the Graduate Bulletin at www.graduate.tcu.edu/.

    The student is responsible for all books, supplies, and equipment as required by courses.

    The RRNA is provided with operating room attire during clinical instruction in both Phase I and Phase II except at a few rotation sites. The RRNA must provide a white lab coat.

    Technology
    Students should have sufficient computer literacy to manipulate multiple types of files. Students will need a Pentium Class PC with Windows 2000 or Windows XP, or a MAC with OS X v10.2 or better. Students are required to have Microsoft Office 2000 (with PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, or MAC compatible version), an Internet connection (preferably broadband), and a printer.

    Time Commitment
    The student's time commitment is approximately 64 hours during a seven-day week. This time commitment includes study time. One hour of classroom time generates two hours or more of study time. The student should expect a rotating schedule during Phase II.

    Employment
    Student employment is strongly discouraged. Students gain more from their academic and clinical experiences without the additional burden of work commitments. If student employment is absolutely necessary, the student must notify the Director in writing of the position and hours, documenting that there is no conflict in time between their job and program responsibilities. Students/RRNAs may not be employed to practice anesthesia. Clinical students/RRNAs may not work the shift prior to clinical time during Phase II.

    Curriculum

    Phase I - Lecture (FIRST 12 months)
    Phase I begins each August and is completed the following August. During this period, students earn forty (40) graduate credit hours. In order to begin Phase II of the program, students must complete Phase I within twelve (12) months of the beginning of their course work and maintain a 3.0 GPA or greater. In the event of emergencies, students may be granted a leave of absence (see Handbook for details).

    Distance Option
    All students must be in residence during the fall semester of Phase I. Students may arrange to complete the spring and summer semesters of Phase I by distance programming at clinical sites that offer this option. Distance option classes are presented via live video-broadcast. At least two students per site must elect this option in order to make programming feasible; once initiated for a group of students, distance programming will continue as long as needed by that group. A fee per credit hour is assessed to cover broadcasting costs (no students at distant sites are assessed broadcast fees during Phase II).

    Phase II - Clinical (MINIMUM 16 months)
    Upon completion of Phase I, students must immediately enter Phase II. This phase of the program begins in late August and lasts approximately sixteen (16) months. During this time, the student's learning is built upon the material covered during the first phase of the program and is primarily a clinical residency although the student also returns to the classroom on a weekly basis for extensive clinically related study. Phase II ends in December. At the end of Phase II the graduate receives a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia, a certificate in anesthesia and becomes eligible to write the National Certifying Examination for Nurse Anesthetists given by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. Graduates who successfully complete this written exam are eligible to be Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

    Phase II consists of the actual administration of general and regional anesthesia with qualified clinical instructors (anesthesiologists and/or anesthetists). Weekly classroom sessions consist of clinical conferences; journal club; and seminars dealing with current topics including, but not necessarily limited to, respiratory, cardiovascular, thoracic, neurosurgical, regional, obstetrical, pediatric, and special areas of anesthesia. Various special projects and competency examinations are administered throughout this phase.

    Phase II courses are offered in concurrent sequences. Each set, e.g., NRAN 60572 and 60583, must be taken together and successfully completed prior to beginning the next set.

    Phase I Curriculum (40 hours)
    Fall Semester - 16 credit hours
    NRAN 60113 Research and Theory in Nurse Anesthesia
    NRAN 60123 Physical Science in Nurse Anesthesia
    NRAN 60134 Advanced Pharmacology
    NRAN 60146 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology I

    Spring Semester - 12 credit hours
    NRAN 60235 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology II
    NRAN 60213 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology III
    NRAN 60224 Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents

    First Summer Session - 6 credit hours
    NRAN 60316 Principles of Anesthesia Practice I

    Second Summer Session - 6 credit hours
    NRAN 60416 Principles of Anesthesia Practice II

    Phase II Curriculum (19 Hours)
    Fall Semester - 5 credit hours
    NRAN 60572 Clinical Concepts I
    NRAN 60583 Clinical Residency I

    Spring Semester - 5 credit hours
    NRAN 60672 Clinical Concepts II
    NRAN 60683 Clinical Residency II

    First and Second Summer Sessions - 4 credit hours
    NRAN 60771 Selected Clinical Concepts
    NRAN 60782 Clinical Residency III
    NRAN 60871 Clinical Concepts III

    Fall Semester - 5 credit hours
    NRAN 60972 Clinical Concepts IV
    NRAN 60983 Clinical Residency IV

    These academic courses are accepted as Continuing Education by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas for Type I credit (If audited, contact the School of Nurse Anesthesia Director for instructions).

    Course Numbering System
    Courses numbered 60000 or above are graduate level courses. The first two numbers, 60, are standard in all courses. The third number indicates which semester in the sequenced program the course is placed, e.g., a 3 indicates the course is in the third semester. The summer sessions are numbered separately; there are nine semesters in the program. In Phase One courses, the fourth number has no significance. In Phase Two courses, the fourth number indicates whether the course is a residency (an 8) or a concepts course (a 7). The last number indicates the number of credit hours.

    Minimum Case Requirements
    The School of Nurse Anesthesia exceeds the general requirements as set forth by the Council on Accreditation, Standards and Guidelines for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs/Schools. Each RRNA is required to complete a minimum of 650 cases.

    Grading
    A grade is assigned for each course in which a student is regularly enrolled for graduate credit. A passing grade may be earned only if the student is enrolled for the duration of the course.

    The graduate program at TCU requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 for graduation; in the rare circumstance of repeated courses, only the most recent grades are counted. A course grade of at least "B" is required in the following courses:

      NRAN 60224 Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents
      NRAN 60235 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology II
      NRAN 60213 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathphysiology III
      NRAN 60316 Principles of Anesthesia Practice I
      NRAN 60416 Principles of Anesthesia Practice II
      NRAN 60572 Clinical Concepts I
      NRAN 60672 Clinical Concepts II
      NRAN 60871 Clinical Concepts III
      NRAN 60972 Clinical Concepts IV
    A course grade of less than "C" will not be accepted in any other course.
    No more than two course grades of "C" are accepted.
    A grade of "B" is required in a course that is repeated.

    Graduation Criteria
    All Phase I work is to be completed within one year from the date of program admission. Phase II is to be completed in sixteen (16) months. To qualify for graduation, a student must have completed a minimum of 59 semester hours of work with a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) overall grade point average. The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia degree will be awarded upon completion of Phase II.

    Courses of Instruction

    NRAN 60113 Research in Nurse Anesthesia. Emphasizes the evaluation and use of a variety of theories and research methods as a foundation for advanced practice in nurse anesthesia. Includes application of theory and research to improve practice and patient outcomes and identification of outcome studies needed to improve practice. Incorporates legal and ethical foundations of practice and policy.

    NRAN 60123 Physical Science in Nurse Anesthesia. Introduction to structural recognition and nomenclature of organic compounds. Includes an introduction to amino acids, lipids, membranes, protein structure and function, and overview of the bioenergetics of the cell.

    NRAN 60134 Advanced Pharmacology. Prerequisites: Permission of Director if not an admitted program student. Prepares the registered nurse (RN) for the anesthesia patient care team and in the administration of anesthesia by teaching the principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, uptake and distribution, and selected systemic pharmacology as applicable to anesthesiology. (Includes experiences with the human patient simulator.)

    NRAN 60146 Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I. Study of structure and function in health and disease of human nervous, endocrine, and excretory systems including fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance.

    NRAN 60213 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology III. Study of structure and function of health and disease in the human cardiovascular system.

    NRAN 60224 Pharmacology of Anesthesia Agents. Prepares the RN for a role on the anesthesia patient care team and in the administration of anesthesia by teaching analysis, synthesis, and evaluation skills in selecting and administering appropriate anesthesia drugs for use in patient care situations. (Includes experiences with the human patient simulator.)

    NRAN 60235 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology II. Study of structure and function of health and disease in the human respiratory, gastrointestinal tract, and endocrine systems.

    NRAN 60316 Principles of Anesthesia Practice I. Prerequisites: Progression to third semester Phase I. Prepares the RN for a role on the anesthesia care team and in the administration of anesthesia by teaching a basic level of expertise in the safe and competent use of anesthesia equipment. (Includes experiences with the human patient simulator.)

    NRAN 60416 Principles of Anesthesia Practice II. Prerequisites: NRAN 60316. Prepares the RN for a role on the anesthesia care team and in the administration of anesthesia. Emphasizes physiologic response to surgery, medications, and diseases. (Includes experiences with the human patient simulator.)

    NRAN 60572 Clinical Concepts I. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Phase I. An integrated series of lectures, clinical conferences, and seminars designed to provide the clinical resident with an in-depth education in the anesthetic management and considerations of various surgical procedures on patients with diverse pathological conditions. Topics include respiratory, thoracic, neurological, cardiovascular, regional, pediatric, and special areas of anesthesia. Integrates legal and ethical foundations from practice.

    NRAN 60583 Clinical Residency I. Initial exposure to the clinical arena. Provides the opportunity to develop the basic skills and master the objectives while being evaluated only in the formative format. The nurse anesthesia resident is responsible for the objectives as they pertain to American Society of Anesthesiologists' Classification I, I-E, and II patients and any assigned specialty rotations.

    NRAN 60672 Clinical Concepts II. Prerequisites: NRAN 60572, 60583. An integrated series of lectures, clinical conferences, and seminars designed to provide the clinical resident with an in-depth education in the anesthetic management and considerations of various surgical procedures on patients with diverse pathological conditions. Topics include respiratory, thoracic, neurological, cardiovascular, regional, pediatric, and special areas of anesthesia. Integrates legal and ethical foundations from practice.

    NRAN 60683 Clinical Residency II. Builds on theoretical knowledge acquired in Phase I. A formative period allows the nurse anesthesia resident to learn the new skills required in this practicum. The nurse anesthesia resident is responsible for the following objectives as they pertain to American Society of Anesthesiologists' Classification I, I-E, II, II-E, III, and III-E patients and any assigned specialty rotations.

    NRAN 60771 Selected Clinical Concepts. Prerequisites: NRAN 60683, 60672. Selected topics from both Phase I and Phase II, integrating research, basic sciences, and anesthetic problems, emphasizing complicated obstetrics.

    NRAN 60782 Clinical Residency III. Builds upon theoretical knowledge acquired in Phase I. A formative period allows the acquisition of new skills required in this residency. The nurse anesthesia resident is responsible for the following objectives as they pertain to ALL American Society of Anesthesiologists' Classifications of patients and assigned specialty rotations.

    NRAN 60871 Clinical Concepts III. Overview of practice, clinical, legal, ethical, unique goals, health, anesthesia care, management, and history.

    NRAN 60972 Clinical Concepts IV. Overview of practice, clinical, legal, ethical, unique goals, health, anesthesia care, management, and history.

    NRAN 60983 Clinical Residency IV. Builds upon the previous residency and the theoretical knowledge acquired in Phase I. A formative period is not included in this residency. The nurse anesthesia resident is responsible for the objectives as they pertain to all classes and types of patients and any assigned specialty rotation.

    Texas Christian University