Academic Programs
The Nurse Anesthesia Program at Barnes-Jewish College is a 28-month course of study that offers a Master of Science Degree in Nursing with a Concentration in Nurse Anesthesia. The program prides itself in teaching excellent academic courses, including nurse anesthesia courses that incorporate a Patient Anesthesia Simulator for educational learning. The curriculum also includes an Anatomy course through Washington University that includes a cadaver lab. Clinical experience is conducted at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, North and South campuses, and also at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Barnes-Jewish Hospital has been listed as one of the top ten best hospitals in U.S. News and World Report and St. Louis Children’s Hospital has been listed as one of the top ten in Child Magazine. Barnes-Jewish Hospital is also recognized as a magnet hospital. Due to the high acuity of the patients at these hospitals, the clinical experience that will be experienced by the nurse anesthesia students will be indescribable.
Please see Nurse Anesthesia Frequently Asked Questions
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The primary purpose of the nurse anesthesia program is to prepare the Registered Professional Nurse to become an outstanding nurse anesthetist through critical thinking, creativity and excellence in practice. The Nurse Anesthesia Program at Barnes-Jewish College guides the nurse anesthesia student to accomplish this goal through formal didactic teaching in the classroom, seminars using high-fidelity human simulation, and clinical teaching in the operating room. The internally motivated student will gain increasing responsibility in anesthetic care through guidance and self-directed study. The curriculum offers the content needed to accomplish these goals.
The purposes of the Nurse Anesthesia Program are congruent with the purposes of Barnes-Jewish College. To achieve its mission, the program is committed to fostering excellence in teaching. It will provide an educational environment of inquiry and learning for the advanced practice nursing student. The learning environment will foster a commitment of care and service to the community and promote personal integrity, professional responsibility and ethical behavior of the highest caliber. The curriculum will integrate clinical practicum with a fundamental knowledge of research relating to anesthesia.
The program will prepare the student to become an excellent nurse anesthetist with outstanding clinical skills and an advanced understanding of applied clinical research. The student will also be fully prepared to function as a competent, safe practitioner in the anesthetic environment; as a teacher to other students and CRNAs; as a creative, capable, and culturally sensitive leader in the professional community; and as a clinical researcher in the field of anesthesia. The program will promote academic rigor, open exchange of ideas, and learning as a life-long process to continue past the formal training and throughout the professional career of the nurse anesthetist.
Upon completion of the program, the graduate nurse anesthetist will:
Successfully complete the didactic and practicum component of the educational program.
Clearly understand and practice the standards of the profession and be accountable for the quality of services he or she provides.
Function as a culturally competent health care professional who understands the evolving role of the CRNA and who recognizes his or her significance in a diverse health care delivery system.
Render nurse anesthesia services that demonstrate high quality, cost effective health care.
Practice with sound professional, educational, moral and ethical standards of practice.
Assume global leadership roles in the profession and be knowledgeable about the many forces that impact his or her practice.
Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills necessary to function as a competent Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Synthesize the knowledge that enables the graduate to practice as a safe, competent anesthesia provider.
Practice in a caring, nonjudgmental manner where the patient is treated with respect and empathy despite differences in personal beliefs and decisions.
Advance his or her education and be committed to professional values, lifelong learning, scholarship activities, and community service.
Have met all the requirements to be eligible to sit for the certification exam.
Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Requirements
PRIOR TO applying to the program, the following requirements must be completed:
- Completed application with a $50 application fee
- Official transcripts from each college attended
- BSN degree from a program regionally accredited by NLNAC or CCNE, or a registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree in a related field from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Current licensure as an RN (Missouri licensure required to start the program)
- Successful completion of the following undergraduate courses (3 credit hours each):
- Physics
- Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Statistics
- Health Assessment
- TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test and 213 on the computer-based test (required only for applicants whose native language is not English).
Upon completion of the above prerequisites, an applicant must submit a complete application form and the following supporting documentation:
- A current curriculum vitae (resume)
- A goals statement
- Two letters of reference addressing academic and clinical potential
- ACLS, PALS, BLS
A minimum of one year of recent nursing experience as an RN in an Acute Care Unit is required. Highest priority is given to applicants who have the most recent work in high acuity, large hospital ICUs or CCUs where the applicant is likely to have a broad base of invasive hemodynamic monitoring experience, vasoactive drug administration, and experience monitoring patients on ventilators and adjusting settings. Applicants who work in recovery rooms or in emergency rooms will be considered only if the candidate can demonstrate thee experience listed above.
If selected, there will be an on-site interview.
All credentials received become the property of Barnes-Jewish College. Providing incorrect information concerning previous enrollment at other colleges or universities will void admission to the College.
Deadline for receipt of application and all supporting documentation is
December 15.
For further information, please contact:
Pat Heflin, Secretary
Nurse Anesthesia Program
Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing
MS: 90-36-697
4483 Duncan Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Telephone: (314) 362-9277 or (314) 454-8473
Fax: (314) 362-4870
Program Requirements
- Earn a “Pass” grade in all practicum courses
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Meet all financial obligations to the College
- For Nurse Anesthesia students, discipline-specific nurse anesthesia courses may not be repeated unless approved by the Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Earn no more than one “C” in any required MSN core course
- For Nurse Anesthesia students, no less than a “B” may be earned in discipline-specific nurse anesthesia courses
Graduation Requirements
- Complete all course and clinical requirements as specified by the appropriate accrediting body of Barnes-Jewish College
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Earn a “Pass” in each practicum course
- Meet all financial obligations to the College
- Conduct an exit interview with the Director or Assistant Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
| HS 5001 | Graduate Physiology | 4 |
| HS 5010 | Graduate Anatomy | 5 |
| HS 5227 | Health Policy/Economics/Ethics | 3 |
| HS 5256 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HS 5401 | Scholarly Project/Thesis | 3 |
| NUR 5101 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 5110 | Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NUR 5715 | Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5208 | Advanced Nursing Theory | 3 |
| NUR 5217 | Ethics of Professional Practice | 3 |
| NUR 5700 | Basic Principles of Anesthesia #1 | 1 |
| NUR 5701 | Basic Principles of Anesthesia #2 | 3 |
| NUR 5702 | Adv. Principles of Anesthesia #1 | 3 |
| NUR 5703 | Adv. Principles of Anesthesia #2 | 3 |
| NUR 5710 | Chemistry & Physics Applied to Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5711 | Pharmacology Related to Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5720 | Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5730 | Clinical Experience I | 3 |
| NUR 5731 | Clinical Experience II | 3 |
| NUR 5732 | Clinical Experience III | 4 |
| NUR 5733 | Clinical Experience IV | 5 |
| NUR 5734 | Clinical Experience V | 5 |
| NUR 5740 | Clinical Correlation Conferences | 1.5 |
| NUR 5741 | Clinical Correlation Conferences | 1.5 |
SAMPLE FULL-TIME COURSE SEQUENCE
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Fall (16 Hours)
| HS 5010 | Graduate Anatomy | 5 |
| HS 5001 | Graduate Physiology | 4 |
| NUR 5700 | Basic Principles of Anesthesia #1 | 1 |
| NUR 5710 | Chemistry & Physics Applied to Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5711 | Pharmacology Related to Anesthesia | 3 |
Spring (15 Hours)
| NUR 5208 | Advanced Nursing Theory | 3 |
| NUR 5101 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 5110 | Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NUR 5715 | Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5701 | Basic Principles of Anesthesia #2 | 3 |
Summer (9 Hours)
| HS 5256 | Research Methods | 3 |
| NUR 5702 | Advanced Principles of Anesthesia #1 | 3 |
| NUR 5730 | Clinical Experience I (3 Days/Week: W-Th-F) | 3 |
Fall (12 Hours)
| HS 5401 | Thesis/Scholarly Project | 3 |
| NUR 5217 | Ethics of Professional Practice | 3 |
| NUR 5703 | Advanced Principles of Anesthesia #2 | 3 |
| NUR 5731 | Clinical Experience II (3 Days/Week: W-Th-F) | 3 |
Spring (10 Hours)
| HS 5227 | Health Policy, Economics, and Ethics | 3 |
| NUR 5720 | Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia | 3 |
| NUR 5732 | Clinical Experience III (4 Days/Week: T-W-Th-F) | 4 |
Summer (6.5 Hours)
| NUR 5733 | Clinical Experience IV (5 Days/Week) | 5 |
| NUR 5740 | Clinical Correlation Conferences | 1.5 |
Fall (6.5 Hours)
| NUR 5734 | Clinical Experience V (5 Days/Week) | 5 |
| NUR 5741 | Clinical Correlation Conferences | 1.5 |
| TOTAL | 75 |
HS 5001 - Graduate Physiology
4 credit hours (4 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate anatomy and physiology
Applies fundamental physiological mechanisms of cell biology to the function of the major organ systems of the body, namely, the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems.
HS 5010 - Graduate Anatomy
5 credit hours (3 didactic/2 laboratory)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate anatomy and physiology
Designed to provide the student with the anatomical and physiological foundations to administer safe anesthesia to the surgical patient. In the laboratory setting, students perform techniques and procedures, including intubation, placement of invasive catheters and administration of anesthetic blocks. Cadaver dissection is included in the laboratory experience.
HS 5227 - Health Policy, Economics, and Ethics
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Provides the foundation for monitoring and evaluating the effects of ethical professional practice. Resource limitation and allocation in prioritizing and providing care are discussed within the context of ethics and economics. Leadership responsibilities in organizations and in health care policy, reform, and legislation are examined.
HS 5256 - Research Methods
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Provides the scientific basis for the analysis and use of research to further develop a knowledge base that will maximize the efficacy of practice in a health care setting. Focuses on the critical evaluation of research, the importance of differing research paradigms, research utilization and application of research to establish evidence-based practice.
HS 5401 - Scholarly Project/Thesis
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Provides the student with a learning experience in research in which the student implements a research project under the direction of a graduate faculty member. Combines beginning research skills, theoretical knowledge, and clinical experience to study a topic of relevance to graduate level health care practice. Continuous enrollment is required until completion of the scholarly project.
NUR 5101 - Advanced Pathophysiology
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate Pathophysiology or graduate Physiology, CPR certification
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of underlying diseases and the changes in normal function that result in symptoms indicative of illness. Emphasis is placed on correlating symptoms and other health data with pathophysiological processes to formulate diagnostic hypotheses. Cross-listed with Washington University, Occupational Therapy Department, M11-572 and HS 5101.
NUR 5110 - Pharmacotherapeutics
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, and manage common health problems with drug therapy in a safe, high quality, cost-effective manner. The integration of pharmacology, pathophysiology, symptomatology, and client needs in prescriptive practice is addressed. The selection of drug therapy, use of monitoring parameters, the provision of client education, and the adherence to legal principles are stressed. Cross-listed with Washington University, Occupational Therapy Department, M11-570.
NUR 5208 - Advanced Nursing Theory
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Focuses on the analysis of nursing and related non-nursing philosophies, theories, models, and concepts for the development of nursing knowledge to further holistic practice, research, and education. Theoretical concerns are examined in light of prevailing and shifting intellectual ideas, sociocultural and/or historical circumstances, and trends in health care delivery. The relationships among knowledge, theory, research, and practice, as well as the role of empirics, ethics, aesthetics, and personal knowing in theory development are studied. Special emphasis is placed on identification of phenomena arising from the learner=s professional practice, in relationship to theoretical and epistemological concerns.
NUR 5217 - Ethics of Professional Practice
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Enrollment in Graduate Program
Traces the development of select moral concepts and values relevant for health care professionals: informed consent, conflict of interest, existential advocacy, confidentiality, accountability, care, competence, power relationships, and vulnerability. Students will use descriptive, evidence-based, and multi-disciplinary literature to analyze theories, concepts, methods, and research central to ethical professional role formation. Ethical reasoning skills, necessary for maintaining moral accountability in practice, will be developed. Explores models of independent, collaborative, and multidisciplinary practice for professional role acquisition.
NUR 5700 - Basic Principles of Anesthesia #1
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration
Introduces the art and science of nurse anesthesia. Involves the discussion of basic anesthetic principles, including anesthetic equipment and technology. Designed to give the student information regarding the safe administration of anesthesia. Guides the student through the preoperative preparation of the patient along with perioperative and postoperative anesthetic care.
NUR 5701 - Basic Principles of Anesthesia #2
3 credit hours (2 didactic/1 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5700: Basic Principles of Anesthesia #1
Continues with the presentation of basic principles of anesthesia, including general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia, and local and regional anesthesia.
NUR 5702 - Advanced Principles of Anesthesia #1
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: NUR 5700, NUR 5701
Teaches advanced anesthetic principles and how to provide anesthetic care for the patient having surgical procedures related to specific organ systems.
NUR 5703 - Advanced Principles of Anesthesia #2
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5700, NUR 5701, NUR 5702
Presents advanced anesthetic principles and how to provide anesthetic care for the high-risk patient having surgical procedures related to specific organ systems. Includes providing anesthetic care for the pediatric, geriatric and obstetric patient.
NUR 5710 - Chemistry and Physics Applied to Anesthesia
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration, undergraduate Inorganic or Organic Chemistry and Physics
Survey course designed to help the nurse anesthesia student begin integration of the principles of chemistry, biochemistry and physics into the practice of anesthesia.
NUR 5711 - Pharmacology Related to Anesthesia
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration, NUR 5110
Pharmacological principles of medications and agents utilized during the administration of anesthesia, including those used for general anesthesia as well as local and regional anesthesia.
NUR 5715 - Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia
3 credit hours (2 didactic/1 practicum)
Prerequisites: Undergraduate Health Assessment, NUR 5101, NUR 5110
The purpose of this course is to develop advanced health and physical assessment skills, allowing for a thorough understanding of the client and determination of appropriate and effective care in the critical care setting. Advanced assessment will include attention to physical, psychological, psychosocial and pathologic variations of the client, with integration of all findings into a comprehensive health assessment and plan of care using critical thinking and decision making skills.
NUR 5720 - Professional Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration
Presents multiple roles of the advanced practice nurse, especially the nurse anesthetist. Principles of education, legal issues, ethical and cultural issues, management, leadership, consultation, and collaboration will be discussed.
NUR 5730- Clinical Experience I
3 credit hours (0 didactic/3 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5701
Co-requisite: NUR 5702
Involves hands-on delivery of basic anesthesia care to the surgical patient under the direct 1:1 supervision of a CRNA or anesthesiologist.
NUR 5731- Clinical Experience II
3 credit hours (0 didactic/3 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5730
Co-requisite: NUR 5702
Involves hands-on delivery of basic anesthesia care to the surgical patient under the direct supervision of a CRNA or anesthesiologist. Student will administer anesthesia in a variety of areas.
NUR 5732 - Clinical Experience III
4 credit hours (0 didactic/4 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5731
Involves hands-on delivery of basic and advanced anesthesia care to the surgical patient under the direct supervision of a CRNA or anesthesiologist. Student will administer anesthesia in a variety of areas.
NUR 5733 - Clinical Experience IV
5 credit hours (0 didactic/5 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5732
Involves hands-on delivery of basic and advanced anesthesia care to the surgical patient under the direct supervision of a CRNA or anesthesiologist. Student will administer anesthesia in a variety of areas.
NUR 5734 - Clinical Experience V
5 credit hours (0 didactic/5 practicum)
Prerequisite: NUR 5733
Involves hands-on delivery of basic and advanced anesthesia care to the surgical patient under the direct supervision of a CRNA or anesthesiologist. Student will administer anesthesia in a variety of areas.
NUR 5740 - Clinical Correlation Conferences
1.5 credit hours (1.5 didactic/0 practicum)
Corequisite: NUR 4933
Involves attending a variety of conferences on anesthesia-related topics, including clinical issues along with morbidity and mortality reviews, case study presentations, and journal club articles for discussion.
NUR 5741 - Clinical Correlation Conferences
1.5 credit hours (1.5 didactic/0 practicum)
Corequisite: NUR 5733
Involves attending a variety of conferences on anesthesia-related topics, including clinical issues. Also includes attending morbidity and mortality reviews, case study presentations, and journal club discussion.
Mission Statement for the Nurse Anesthesia Program
The mission of the Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing Anesthesia Program is to be nationally recognized as an outstanding nurse anesthesia program. The program will successfully educate and train nurse anesthetists, specifically in the areas of clinical and academic anesthesia, as well as in the area of research. The teaching/learning process will be one of mutual respect and dynamic collaboration between faculty and students. This mission statement for the Nurse Anesthesia program is congruent with the Barnes-Jewish College’s mission statement in that the goal is to educate nurse anesthesia students to be safe, competent, caring, and socially responsible health care professionals.
Ethical Statement for the Nurse Anesthesia Program
The faculty, staff and students of the nurse anesthesia concentration will treat every patient with respect and dignity. They will value human diversities and similarities without bias or judgment. The administration of anesthesia will be taught to the students in a fashion that does not discriminate regardless of differences in race, gender, religion or culture. The student will function within the appropriate legal requirements as a Registered Professional Nurse, accepting responsibility and accountability for his or her practice. As the students grow in their knowledge and experience, the students will contribute to the future of anesthesia through research and development. The student nurse anesthetists will be guided by a variety of anesthesia providers to develop into strong, effective leaders of the nurse anesthesia profession.
The Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and has approval from the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (MCBHE).
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Accelerated Option and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Upper Division Option are approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
The Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
The Nurse Anesthesia Program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
The U.S. Department of Education certifies all programs as eligible for federal and state grants and loans. All clinical affiliates eligible for JCAHO accreditation are so accredited.
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
Telephone: (800) 621-7440
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
Telephone: (202) 887-6791
Fax: (202) 887-8476
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Telephone: (212) 363-5555, Ext. 153 OR (800) 669-1659, Ext. 153
Fax: (212) 812-0390
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
222 South Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-4010
Telephone: (847) 692-7050
These recognitions constitute assurance that other universities, colleges, professional schools and professions will recognize work satisfactorily completed at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College.