Nurse Anesthesia Program: Why Penn?
Penn's Nurse Anesthesia program uniquely offers you a primary clinical site for the full course of study enabling faculty to develop mentoring relationships with students while having the option to train at other clinical sites offer additional options to enrich the learning experience. The program is associated with some of the nation's top hospitals in the region, offering students the option to train close to home.
Program
The nurse anesthetist program is full-time, 24-month MSN program with optional admission into the MSN/Ph.D. program that completely integrates learning from the classroom, the simulation lab, and the clinical setting. Our mission is to further the science of nurse anesthesia practice by educating you to become a great practitioner, scholar, educator, researcher, or policy maker.
Certification
Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. As a graduate, you are eligible to take the national CRNA certification exam administered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and to be certified in Pennsylvania and every other state as a CRNA.
Simulated Operating Rooms
The Mathias J. Brunner Instructional Technology Lab and state-of-the-art simulation center afford students the opportunity to learn and practice various skills including the placement of regional anesthetics, various fiber optic intubating equipment, insertion of central venous catheters utilizing Site Rite ultrasound guidance, insertion of pulmonary artery catheters, insertion of chest tubes, performing needle cricothyroidotomy, and placement of double lumen endotracheal tubes.
Our two recently renovated operating rooms allow students to demonstrate newly acquired skills and integrate didactic principles into simulated anesthetics ranging from common complications to rare occurrences.
Technology
We use technology for a purpose, not just to add bells and whistles. The simulation lab provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice newly acquired skills, integration of these skills into clinical scenarios, and develop the ability to handle rarely seen anesthetic clinical situations including Malignant Hyperthermia and Operating Room fires. Click here to see how else we use technology.
Faculty
As practicing professionals, they are able to bring the real world into the classroom, sharing talents and experiences. In addition to practicing Anesthetists we have the leading researchers in their areas of expertise teaching our students the cutting edge of science. Learn more...
Clinical Sites
Classrooms and simulations are essential for learning, but the operating room is where it all comes together. Committed to evidence-based practice our clinical coordinators and preceptors are vested in our students receiving exceptional experiences. Our clinical faculty provide a supervised introduction to clinical experiences and remain mentors as they foster student independence, critical thinking, and autonomy. Our graduates exceed clinical minimum numbers by 50-100% prior to graduation. Our clinical sites are second to none.
Beyond the Classroom
Whether it involves travel, publication, contests or just plain fun, school is a place to work hard and play hard. We feel it is crucial to add another dimension to learning. Check out some of the things we do, with labs, lobbying, journals and conferences.
Location
Our program is part of one of the best graduate schools in the country, in a premier university. The University of Pennsylvania is also located in Philadelphia, a world class city with historical roots, and a train ride away from the NJ shore, New York City, Boston, or Washington D.C. Find out more about Penn's Campus in the City.