OHSU School of Nursing: A National Leader

Whatever role you seek as an advanced practice nurse, you’ll need knowledge, skills and experience. You’ll also need to be able to tap into information systems that help you stay current with today’s fast-paced health care environment. You’ll find all of this at Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, recognized nationally for excellence in practice-relevant research, renowned faculty, and the mission of teaching, healing, and research. OHSU’s SoN is ranked among the top 10 graduate schools of nursing in the country according to U.S. News and World Report.

Nurses were the first professional group to provide anesthesia services in the United States. Established in the late 1800s, nurse anesthesia has since become recognized as the first clinical nursing specialty. The discipline of nurse anesthesia developed in response to requests of surgeons seeking a solution to the high morbidity and mortality attributed to anesthesia at that time. Surgeons saw nurses as a cadre of professionals who could give their undivided attention to patient care during surgical procedures. Serving as pioneers in anesthesia, nurse anesthetists became involved in the full range of specialty surgical procedures, as well as in the refinement of anesthesia techniques and equipment and have continued to the present.

The OHSU School of Nursing is proud to offer the first Nurse Anesthetist program in the state. The program opened in response to a growing need for high quality Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the state of Oregon and Western U.S. Students are enrolled full-time throughout this 27 month program. Upon graduation, students will be conferred the masters degree as well as be prepared to successfully pass the National Certification Examination conducted by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists to be granted all the rights and responsibilities of being a Nurse Anesthetist.

What You Will Study and Learn

During the first 12 months of the program, our learner-centered curriculum focuses on building a solid foundation in basic sciences, principles of safe anesthesia practice, professional role development and evidenced-based practice. In addition, students and faculty are engaged in weekly lab sessions using our state-of-the-art clinical simulation center, as well as an introduction to daily anesthesia practice in several of our affiliated hospitals.

During the remaining 15 months of the program, students are engaged in supervised clinical practice at a variety of institutions and gain knowledge and experience in providing anesthesia services to all age groups undergoing a wide variety of surgical and diagnostic procedures. At the conclusion of the program, the student will be well-positioned to successfully pass the certification examination and to begin their new careers as safe, highly competent Nurse Anesthetists.

Nurse Anesthetist... Is this you?

• Are you a post-baccalaureate nurse with substantial prior experience working in critical care settings?
• Are you a seasoned RN who has a record of outstanding academic achievement?
• Are you a patient-care-focused, critical care RN?
• Do you desire the challenges found in anesthesia education?

If you answered yes to these questions and you have the necessary qualifications and experiences, you may be an ideal candidate for this program.

Check out the Nurse Anesthesia Requirements and why you should choose OHSU.

To learn more about nurse anesthesia, visit the American Association of Nurse Anesthesia Web site or contact our admissions counselors with your questions at 503-494-7725 or proginfo@ohsu.edu.

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