WCU Nurse Anesthesia Program MSN Course of Study

NSG 679 Research Project, 1-2 credits
Development, implementation, and evaluation of a clinical research project. Emphasis on the new application of ideas rather than original research. S/U grading.
Schedule: On-campus, Semesters V-VI

NSG 688, NSG 689 Clinical Anesthesia Practicum I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII, variable credits 
Practicum in simulation laboratory, hospital, or outpatient surgical sites with graduated, guided instruction in the clinical management of patients receiving various types of anesthesia.  Each practicum builds on previously developed skills progressing from basic operating room orientation to the administration of anesthesia for patients exhibiting complicated pathophysiology.  Focus is on preparation, planning, and implementation of a safe anesthetic, and application of prior classroom learning.  Specialty areas such as pediatrics, obstetrics, cardiac, thoracic, trauma, urologic, vascular, orthopedic, neurologic, geriatrics and regional anesthesia are incorporated.  Human Patient Simulation modules will be used to reinforce clinical concepts.  Health care team communication, collaboration, and education are stressed.  A clinical coordinator at each clinical site will coordinate and monitor the student's progress.  It is expected that students will continue clinical rotations through university designated break periods. Selected topics, journal articles and case reports are presented, critically analyzed and discussed by presenters and participants once a week at a clinical and literature review conference. Prerequisite: Each practicum must be taken in sequential order; permission of instructor.
Course objectives:
         1. Be vigilant in the delivery of patient care.
         2. Protect patients from iatrogenic complications.
         3. Participate in the positioning of patients to prevent injury.
         4. Conduct a comprehensive and appropriate equipment check.
         5. Utilize standard precautions and appropriate infection control measures.
         6. Provide care throughout the perianesthetic continuum.
         7. Use a variety of current anesthesia techniques, agents, adjunctive drugs, and
             equipment while providing anesthesia
         8. Administer general anesthesia to patients of all ages and physical conditions for a 
             variety of surgical and medically related procedures.
         9. Provide anesthesia services to all patients, including trauma and emergency cases.
       10. Administer and manage a variety of regional anesthetics.
       11. Function as a resource person for airway and ventilatory management of patients.
       12. Deliver culturally competent perianesthetic care throughout the anesthesia experience.
       13. Apply theory to practice in decision-making and problem solving.
       14. Provide nurse anesthesia care based on sound principles and research evidence.
       15. Perform a preanesthetic assessment and formulate an anesthesia care plan for
             patients to whom they are assigned to administer anesthesia.
       16. Identify and take appropriate action when confronted with anesthetic 
             equipment-related malfunctions.
       17. Interpret and utilize data obtained from noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities.
       18. Calculate, initiate, and manage fluid and blood component therapy.
       19. Recognize and appropriately respond to anesthetic complications that occur during
             the perianesthetic period.
       20. Effectively communicate with all individuals influencing patient care.
       21. Utilize appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication in the delivery of
             perianesthetic care.
       22. Participate in activities that improve anesthesia care.
       23. Function within appropriate legal requirements as a registered professional nurse,
             accepting responsibility and accountability for his or her practice.
       24. Interact on a professional level with integrity.
       25. Teach others.
       26. Participate in continuing education activities to acquire new knowledge and improve
             his or her practice.
       27. Understands sound principles of anesthesia risk management to include preventive and
             procedural strategies.
       28. Present organized and clear evaluations and critiques of research, journal articles,
             and case presentations.
Schedule: Clinical practicum 1-4 days/week, 7 semesters
                   Clinical and journal review, 1 hour/week, 6 semesters
Evaluation: Evaluation tools are formulated to reflect the increased complexity of cases as the student progresses through the program.  The clinical instructor completes an evaluation tool after each clinical day (formative evaluation) and the total grade is calculated and conferred by the course instructor from the semester total evaluations (summative evaluation).  At least 4 comprehensive and acceptable care plans must be submitted each semester.  Clinical practicum is graded as Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U).

NSG 501 Roles and Issues, 2 credits 
This course provides an analysis of nurse anesthesia professional associations and councils, legal aspects governing nurse anesthesia practice, hospital and governmental regulatory agencies, nurse anesthesia scope of practice, informed consent, the impaired practitioner, cultural competency, and ethical and professional considerations relating to the nurse anesthesia profession.  Pre-requisite: permission of instructor.
Course objectives:
         1. Describe the historical development of an advanced practice nursing specialty.
         2. Analyze major legal and ethical issues related to an advanced practice nursing
             specialty.
         3. Differentiate advanced practice roles of nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist,
             nurse anesthetist, and nurse mid-wife.
         4. Describe the significance of scope of practice issues in an advanced practice
             nursing specialty.
         5. Analyze role stress and role strain experienced by students in advanced practice
             nursing programs.
         6. Critique own skill development in communication, negotiation, conflict negotiation,
             and self-care.
Schedule: 2 hours/week, Semester VII, lecture/discussion/audiovisuals/presentation