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Nurse Anesthesia - DNP-NA

The Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a collaborative initiative between Oakland University and nationally renowned Beaumont Health System. Working in concert, both institutions are able to provide an exceptional educational environment for educating Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The Nurse Anesthesia program is among the best of its kind in the country according to the latest education rankings released by U.S. News & World Report for 2024. The publication ranked the nurse anesthesia program 36th out of the nation's best programs.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) program prepares advanced practice nurses (APRNs) with a specialization in nurse anesthesia. The curriculum is an integration of DNP, APRN and nurse anesthesia specialty courses. Clinical internships provide the opportunity for students to apply theory to practice, gain experience in all specialty areas and to become experts capable of providing anesthesia care to patients across the lifespan at all levels of acuity, undergoing procedures of varying complexity.

After 36 months of full-time study, graduates are prepared to take the certification examination offered by the National Board of Certification and Re-certification for Nurse Anesthetists leading to the designation CRNA. 

The Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA). The program's next review by the COA is scheduled for March 2032.

Visit the http://coacrna.org website.
Contact the COA directly at 224-275-9130 or via 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906 Rosemont, IL 60018-5603


For questions about admissions, contact Andrea Bittinger at [email protected]

Watch a Clinical Day for an SRNA

 

Apply Now Request Information Financial Information Plan of Study

School of Nursing

Human Health Building, Room 3027
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 364-8733


M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. closed daily 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Mission
The mission of the Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia (OUBGPNA) is to provide the highest quality graduate educational program that prepares CRNA exemplars in clinical practice, education, research and leadership.

Philosophy
Faculty of the Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia believe that nurse anesthesia students bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and experiences with them thus providing a unique lens from which they view their rich educational experiences. We believe students possess natural intellectual curiosity, are highly motivated, and have a desire for self-direction and life-long learning.

Specific to learning the art and science of nurse anesthesia, the Faculty believes that experiences offered both in the classroom and clinical environment are specialized instruments to be embraced as progression to advanced practice nursing arises. Students are taught that anesthesia care is to be delivered holistically and without bias, discrimination, or prejudice. Competency is the ultimate outcome for each learner and the recipients of care entrust the faculty to uphold this commitment. We promote an educational environment of scholarly inquiry and each student is supported as they develop a multitude of cognitive, psychomotor, and psychosocial skills necessary for safe clinical practice. These skills include but are not limited to the ability to think critically, effectively communicate, respect the external environment, problem solve, and apply best evidence to practice.

Faculty are designers of active, goal directed learning processes who guide the students in translating the fund of knowledge they have acquired into an environment of mutually respectful exchange of ideas, discussion of new and innovative plans of care, and individualized perspectives. Graduate education is as a shared responsibility between student and faculty. Students must be intensely committed to achieving their goals through a consistent demonstration of purpose, motivation, responsibility to patients and colleagues, independence of thought, creativity and personal demeanor. Likewise, Faculty is committed to the responsibilities of acting as a competent resource, providing expert guidance and demonstrating a high level of professionalism.

As Faculty, we believe we have a responsibility to the profession which is expressed in our desire to prepare nurse anesthetists who will serve as an invaluable resource in support of the goals of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). The AANA mission is to advance patient safety, practice excellence and the profession of nurse anesthesia. Ultimately, we endeavor to provide an educational program that will ably prepare the nurse anesthetist to meet the health care needs of a culturally diverse population.

Five-Year Admission Statistics
Average Class Size: 25- 32
Average GPA: 3.7
Average Years of ICU at Time of Application: 2.75

Attrition, NCE Pass Rate, Employment
Attrition for Class of 2023: 4%
2023 National Certification Exam 1st Time Pass Rate: 88%
2023 Employment Rate Within Six Months of Graduation: 100%



U.S. News & World Report Ranking
Ranked 18th among the nation's best programs in the latest education rankings released by U.S. News & World Report for 2023.

Linda McDonald, DNAP, CRNA
Instructor of Practice and Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Anne Hranchook, DNP, CRNA
Associate Professor and Assistant Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Mary Golinski, Ph.D., CRNA, FAANA
Associate Professor and Faculty of the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Andrea Bittinger, DNP, CRNA
Instructor of Practice and Clinical / Admissions Coordinator of the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Lori Shannon, DNAP, CRNA
Instructor of Practice and Simulation Coordinator of the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Stefanie Glasgow, DNP, CRNA
Instructor of Practice and Simulation Coordinator of the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Holly Franson, DNP, CRNA
Instructor of Practice for the Nurse Anesthesia Program

Susan Davis
Program Coordinator of the Nurse Anesthesia Program


For further information about the program faculty and staff, visit the School of Nursing's Faculty and Staff Directory

We highly recommend that you complete the process as early as possible and allow ample time for all transcripts and evaluations to be returned prior to the deadline of July 15, 2024 for the early application deadline and December 15, 2024 for the standard application deadline. All applications submitted by both deadlines will be considered for Fall 2025 admission. Applicants will only interview once per year. To apply, please visit www.nursingCAS.org.

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received through the NursingCAS system. No application material should be sent to Oakland University or the Admissions Coordinator. Anyone with a transcript from a country outside the US must also submit a foreign transcript evaluation


Application Requirements
To be considered for an interview for the Oakland University - Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1.     BSN from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

2.     Undergraduate cumulative Nursing GPA must be a 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).

3.     Undergraduate required prerequisite science GPA must be a 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).

4.     Undergraduate required science courses. Grades in each of these courses must be a B/3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale):

        a.     Anatomy and physiology- 3 credits each course (if A & P is a combined course, must be no less than 5 credits)

        b.     Pharmacology- 3 credits (must be a stand-alone course; not embedded)

        c.     Biochemistry OR Organic chemistry-3 credits

5.     A minimum of 1 year of Intensive Care experience at the time of application. Applicants must currently be working in an Intensive Care Unit.

6.     Current BLS, ACLS, PALS & CCRN

7.     Current unrestricted Registered Nurse license.  A Michigan license is required at the start of program.

8.     Two satisfactory letters of recommendation are required. One must be from a current nurse manager or a healthcare professional in a supervisory role.

Applicants have the right to accurate information regarding the program. Any questions not answered by visiting this website can be directed to Andrea Bittinger at [email protected].

Types of Critical Care Experience Accepted

Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care. Those who have experience in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

Emergency room, recovery room and step-down units typically do not satisfy the ICU requirement.

Program Costs

Tuition for the program: $11,139 per semester *
SEE exam (x 2): $250 each
AANA Membership: $200
Books: $1000**
Conferences, Clinical sites travel and lodging: Variable***

*New tuition rates are set by the Oakland University Board of Trustees in mid to late summer. The Board reserves the right to change any and all tuition rates when circumstance make such a change necessary.

**Many required textbooks are available free to students online via the Oakland University Kresge Library

***Students are responsible for costs incurred for travel in the program associated with conferences and clinical site rotations including transportation, lodging and meals (approximately $8,500).

All students must carry health insurance and liability insurance for the duration of the program. Please make arrangements to have health insurance coverage by the start of the program.  Liability insurance must be purchased through the AANA once student membership has been established in the first semester.

Financial aid is available through http://www.oakland.edu/financialaid/.

Information Sessions
For information about program Information Sessions, please visit the School of Nursing advising page.

The program of study for nurse anesthesia is 87 credits and requires 36 months of full-time study commencing in September. Extensive time is required in the clinical setting beginning gradually in the second term. Clinical requirements by the accrediting body require a minimum of 600 cases in all specialty areas and 2000 clinical hours.

Course Descriptions
For course descriptions, please visit the Graduate Catalog.
Time Commitment

The time commitment involved in graduate study is extremely rigorous.

  • Students can expect to spend an average of 64 hours a week in class and/or clinical throughout the 36 months.
  • Students are expected to attend various in-state meetings and seminars, at their own cost.
  • Students spend an average of 1 day per month in the Simulation Lab.
  • Off-shift (midnight, afternoon and weekend) and on-call hours are required.
  • Students will rotate to rural and underserved clinical sites during the course of the program.
    • Most students spend 4 – 6 months away from home throughout the program
  • Students are given vacation days and/or sick time to use throughout the program
Affiliate Sites

Clinical rotations begin the second semester and advance throughout the program. The primary clinical site is Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, a 1,131-bed level-one trauma center in Royal Oak, Michigan. In 2004, the hospital completed a major expansion project, and became the first Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence in Michigan. In 2009, Beaumont, Royal Oak announced the formation of Beaumont Children's Hospital and most recently, in 2020, the hospital performed more 16, 484 inpatient and 32,308 outpatient surgeries.

The clinical education at Beaumont offers 14 surgical specialties including cardiovascular, pediatric, thoracic and vascular surgery. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs requires a minimum of 650 cases for all students matriculating into an accredited program on or after January 1, 2022. Students from the Oakland University - Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia class of 2021 had an average of 1, 044 cases at graduation. In addition to the Royal Oak campus, the Program also has access to the Beaumont hospitals in Troy, Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills and more than 30 affiliate sites. Students at distance campuses can connect to the classroom on Royal Oak, Beaumont’s campus via video conferencing equipment. Distance campuses are located in Kalamazoo, Marquette and Petoskey, MI. The program also enrolls a Toledo, Ohio cohort. These students attend class at the Royal Oak campus, but the majority of the clinical rotations are done in Toledo, Ohio.

Affiliate Site List

Ascension Borgess Allegan General Hospital
Allegan, Michigan

Ascension Borgess Medical Center
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Ascension Providence Hospital – Novi
Novi, Michigan

Ascension Providence Rochester
Rochester, Michigan

Ascension Providence Hospital - Southfield
Southfield, Michigan

Ascension St. John Hospital
Detroit, Michigan

Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital

Laurium, Michigan

Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Beaumont Royal Oak
Royal Oak, Michigan

Beaumont Hospital, Troy
Troy, Michigan

Bronson Methodist Hospital
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Children's Hospital of Michigan
Detroit, Michigan

Covenant Healthcare System
Saginaw, Michigan

Dickinson County Hospital
Iron Mountain, Michigan

Henry Ford Main Hospital
Detroit, Michigan

Henry Ford Allegiance Health
Jackson, Michigan

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital
Clinton Twp., Michigan

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
Detroit, Michigan

Lakeland Corewell

St. Joseph, Michigan

Mackinac Straits Health System
St. Ignace, Michigan

Mercy Health St. Mary’s
Grand Rapids, Michigan

McLaren Flint
Flint, Michigan

McLaren Bay Region
Bay City, Michigan

McLaren - Macomb
Mt. Clemens, Michigan

McLaren – Northern Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan

McLaren Port Huron Hospital
Port Huron, Michigan

Munson Medical Center
Traverse City, Michigan

Munson Otsego Memorial Hospital
Gaylord, Michigan 

MyMichigan Alpena

Alpena, Michigan

Oaklawn Hospital
Marshall, Michigan

Promedica Toledo Hospital
Toledo, Ohio

Scheurer Health
Pigeon, Michigan

Spectrum Health Ludington
Ludington, Michigan

Spectrum Health Pennock
Hastings, Michigan

Trinity Health – Muskegon

Muskegon, Michigan

UP-Health System - Marquette
Marquette, Michigan

UP Health System - Bell Hospital
Ishpeming, Michigan

UP Health System - Portage Hospital
Hancock, Michigan

Distance Education

The increasing use of technology in classroom instruction has grown exponentially over the years. The Oakland University - Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia (OUBGPNA) is a leader in the use of distance technology. In 2001, the Program was the first in the nation to receive a $300,000 grant to begin a distance education program.

As of 2018, more than 55 distance students have graduated from the program. The Council on Accreditation requires that distance education programs and courses meet the same standards and achieve the same outcomes as traditional educational offerings. The OUBGPNA distance education program evidences high quality through the achievement of its graduates. Many have been recipients of awards for academic and clinical excellence such as the prestigious Agatha Hodgins Award, the Edward Petrovich Scholarship, and many academic honors from Oakland University. Graduates have also moved into high-level anesthesia department managerial and administration roles.

One of the goals of OUBGPNA's distance education program is to overcome barriers of place and time. Distance learning allows education to reach those who are located at distance primary sites. The program endeavors to connect students in the classroom at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak with those off campus in an atmosphere that promotes a feeling of belonging and camaraderie by the use of video, audio, and active learning.

There are various off campus classrooms for students enrolled in the program. These classrooms are located either in or near the hospitals where students are accepted and like Beaumont, they are called primary sites. All students in the program regardless of location will rotate outside of their primary site. In addition, distance students have the opportunity and expectation to participate in the Simulation Lab and obtain clinical experiences at Beaumont Hospital when assigned. A description of each distance site follows:

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Students who are accepted into the program at Kalamazoo will obtain the majority of their clinical education at Bronson Methodist and Ascension Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The classroom for students accepted into the Kalamazoo cohort is located at the Bronson Navigation Center.

Marquette, Michigan

Students who are accepted into the program in Marquette will obtain the majority of their clinical education at UP-Health System - Marquette. The classroom for students accepted into the Marquette cohort is located directly within the hospital itself.

 

Toledo, Ohio

Students who are accepted into the program in Toledo will obtain the majority of their clinical education through Promedica Toledo Hospital. The students accepted for the Toledo cohort attend class on the Beaumont, Royal Oak campus.

Petoskey, Michigan

Students who are accepted into the program for the McLaren Northern Michigan cohort, will obtain the majority of their clinical education there. The students accepted for this cohort attend class on the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital campus.

Simulation

The Marcia & Eugene Applebaum Simulation Learning Institute at Beaumont, Royal Oak has two mock operating rooms where anesthesia students can approximate the complexities of anesthesia in a simulated environment to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills. This takes place under the educational guidance of Lori Shannon, DNAP, CRNA, and Stefanie Glasgow, DNP, CRNA Simulation Coordinators for the Oakland University - Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia.


The Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia offers the most advanced technology available including Human Patient Simulation Technology, online courses, and a well-established distance education program. The 5,500 square foot, $4.5 million Marcia & Eugene Applebaum Simulation Learning Institute is designed to educate surgical teams in advanced techniques through a combination of computer simulation and laboratory skills.

Here, students can rehearse everything from basic skills to management of difficult case scenarios including high frequency, low acuity cases. The simulation experience consists of a pre-briefing, establishing learning goals, technical introduction, a theory module, conduct of the clinical scenario and debriefing. The institute has everything from task trainers to high-tech classrooms with distance learning capabilities through two-way communication systems.