Otterbein University-OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program

Be the steady hand and sharp mind patients and physicians are expecting when administering anesthesia

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Emphasis on strong clinical proficiency and individual professional development 
• High board pass rates & low attrition rates,
• Partnership between Otterbein University & OhioHealth Grant Medical Center
• Regional clinical experience excellence
• Combines lab simulated experience with a high volume of clinical cases and hours
• Variety of clinical settings -  large metropolitan, pediatrics, Level 1 Trauma, rural etc.
• Our alumni are highly sought-after
• Anesthesia coursework in the Grant Medical Center education center, in residence, full time program.

The Otterbein University-Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia program provides a framework that prepares and develops knowledgeable, caring and compassionate nurse anesthetists who are committed to excellence in health care, preserving the dignity and rights of patients, and advancing the specialty practice of nurse anesthesia.  

The CRNA role requires a unique combination of clinical and communication skills, academic ability and personal traits.  Our applicants are assessed during the admissions process to ensure they not only have the critical care knowledge, but also, the motivation to thrive in our program. The art of administering anesthesia is a delicate balancing act.  Therefore, it is important that our students and alumni have the ability to thrive in high-pressure situations in a variety of practice settings.  

We are proud of the successes of our students.  The attrition rate for the program is well below the national average and the board pass rates are well above the national average.  

Our alumni are sought after by hospitals and healthcare facilities across the nation because of their thorough preparation which includes the opportunity for repeated clinical experiences of nurse anesthesia skills during the program.  

Your Experience at Otterbein

The Nurse Anesthesia courses are taught primarily at Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus with clinical sites located throughout central and rural Ohio.  You will thrive in our state-of-the-art facilities located in Grant Medical Center. We ensure you are prepared before entering the clinical experience through simulation and the opportunity to study and practice with your classmates. Our program directors have an open door policy and their offices are at the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.

When you first begin in our program, you will notice something unique – a focus on character that is as important as your clinical skillset. We believe you need to be prepared for the pressures that come with this career. In addition to the focus on the science and application of anesthesia, we spend time focusing on behavior, emotional intelligence, and the ability to accept constructive criticism. You will read and discuss literature covering emotional intelligence and other characteristics that employer’s desire.   You will be challenged to take on pressure situations with grace, precision, and a steady hand.

When you complete our nurse anesthesia program, you will be prepared to take on the responsibility of being a well-rounded, strong team member alongside your health care colleagues.

The program holds a 10 year accreditation from The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

222 S. Prospect Avenue  Park Ridge, Ill. 60068-4001
Phone: (847-655-1160)
Website address: http://home.coa.us.com

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022 or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in May of 2022. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in May of 2019. Further information regarding this transition may be obtained by contacting the program at 614-566-8879 (Tina Hugley, Program Coordinator).  Applications for this first cohort of entry level DNP students will be received by September 1^st, 2018 with subsequent applicant interviews in October of 2018.

Nurse Anesthesia MSN Program

• Admission Criteria

  Admission Criteria (Nurse Anesthesia)
  1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and/or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(CCNE).
  2. Current, valid and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the U.S. In addition, an applicant must not have had a previous revocation, denial, suspension, or restriction of their license from any state or country.  Enrolled NA students must have a current, valid and unrestricted Ohio license at least one semester prior to Nurse Anesthesia program clinical course work.
  3. Capacity for graduate study as demonstrated by:
     • A blended cumulative GPA average of 3.0 or higher
     • A blended undergraduate science course GPA of 3.0 or higher
     • A grade of B or higher in an undergraduate statistics course
     • Minimum of one (1) year full time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care unit within the last 3 years by the application deadline. (Experience in interpretation of invasive monitors, titration of vasoactive infusions, management of ventilated patients, and care of acutely ill patients. Operating room, PACU, emergency room and telemetry unit experience are not accepted as critical care experience). Flight nursing experience is accepted only if the applicant has prior ICU experience and actively manages patients on ventilators and vasoactive drips during transports.
     • Current ACLS recognition.
     • CCRN is required by the application deadline. 
     • Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.
     • Ability to articulate a clear understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role.
  4. (Optional)Submission of the Verification of Observation Form  observing a practicing CRNA or anesthesiologist in the Operating Room).
  5. Submission of the Practice Evaluation Form (to document critical care work experience).
  6. GRE is required by the application deadline for applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.

• Application Procedure

  Admission Procedure (Nurse Anesthesia) submit the following to the Graduate School.  Materials required for admission to the MSN program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below.  All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable. 

  1. Complete the online graduate nursing application .  Select Spring 2019 as the start term.
  2. Request separate official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended be sent to the Graduate School. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.  Allow 2-3 weeks for receipt and processing of ordered transcripts. We do accept official electronic transcripts.
  3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, science course GPA of 3.0 or higher, completion of an undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of B or higher.
  4. Submit a professional resume. ( include all educational institutions attended, RN work experience, certifications, professional organization membership, etc) Submit to  grad@otterbein.edu
  5. Give an Otterbein University Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form to two individuals that can support your application to pursue graduate studies (one reference from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer/supervisor. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation. Scan, email to grad@otterbein.edu
  6. Submit a 2-4 page essay (typewritten, double-spaced). The essay should describe your professional goals and how these goals will be achieved in the MSN program. Indicate how your past experiences and reflections have influenced these goals. Describe your understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role. Identify personal contributions that can be made to nursing and the greater community. Email to grad@otterbein.edu
  7. (Optional)Submit completed Verification of Observation form.
  8. Submit completed Practice Survey form. Email to grad@otterbein.edu
  9. Submit proof of ACLS recognition. Email to  grad@otterbein.edu
  10. Provide a current, valid, unrestricted US RN license number on the application for admission form. (The Graduate School will verify current RN license and add proof to your file).  Active, valid, current, and unrestricted Ohio RN license is required at least one semester prior to the Nurse Anesthesia program course work. .
  11. Provide proof of CCRN by application deadline. ( a scheduled date to take the test is not acceptable).  Copy of your certificate is required. Email to grad@otterbein.edu
  12. GRE scores required by application deadline for applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.  (a scheduled date to take the test is not acceptable). Please allow sufficient time for taking the test and having it scored and released to you. 

  All admission materials including transcripts may be submitted to:

  Email: grad@otterbein.edu

  or Mail to:
  The Graduate School
  
  Mailing address:
  Otterbein University 
  1 South Grove Street
  Westerville, OH 43081
  
  Electronic Official Transcripts are accepted by the Graduate School.
  
  Resume, essay, recommendation forms, etc  may be scanned and sent to grad@otterbein.edu
  
  

• Sample course grid

  See the sample course grid here.

• Faculty and staff

  Program Director
  Brian Garrett, DNP, MSN, CRNA

  Assistant Program Director
  Kacy Ballard, DNP, MSN, CRNA

  Faculty
  Greg Stockton, DNP, MSN, CRNA
  Patti Rabinowitz, MSN, CRNA
  Danielle Scharpf, DNP, MSN, CRNA
  John Reichert, MSN, CRNA
  Rick Vega, MSN, CRNA
  
  Medical Director
  Norman Smyke MD

  For application information, please contact:

  Graduate Nursing Admission Counselor
  Dorothy Crider Fleming MS, RN
  One South Grove Street
  Westerville, OH 43081-9980
  Office: (614) 823-3272 
  Email:  dcriderfleming@otterbein.edu

  For additional information, please contact:

  Program Administrator
  Tina Hugley
  Grant Medical Center
  285 E. State Street, Suite 670
  Columbus, OH 43215
  Office: 614-566-8879
  Fax: 614-566-8073
  Email: thugley@ohiohealth.com

• Nurse Anesthesia FAQs

  Q. How long is the program? 
  A. 28 months, seven semesters
  
  Q. How often do you admit? 
  A. Once per year in January (spring term) Please see question below about transitioning the doctoral degree in 2019 pending COA approval.
  
  Q. When do you anticipate transitioning to the doctoral (DNP) program?
  A. The Council on Accreditation(COA) requires all nurse anesthesia programs to transition to the doctoral degree by 2022. (students entering at this time would graduate in 2025).  We will be placing an application to the COA to transition to the doctoral degree in January of 2018.  If approved, the first cohort of doctoral students would begin in the summer term of 2019 ( interviews for this cohort would occur in October of 2018).
  
  Q. How many applicants apply to the program each year? 
  A. over 100 applicants 
  
  Q. How many applicants are interviewed each year? 
  A. 50-60 applicants 
  
  Q. What is the average GPA of those accepted into the program?
  A. 3.2 to 4.0 GPA
  
  Q. How many students do you admit (once per year)? 
  A. 15-20 
  
  Q. Can I work during the program? 
  A. Due to the extensive time commitment, it is very difficult, if not impossible to work even on a part time basis during the program. The average weekly time commitment may approach 60 hours per week. 
  
  Q. What type of ICU experience is best? 
  A. Critical care experience provides applicants with experience in interpretation of invasive monitors, titration of vasoactive infusions, management of ventilated patients, and care of acutely ill patients. Pediatric critical care experience will be considered. Operating Room, Emergency Department, cath lab and telemetry unit experience are not accepted as critical care experience. (Flight nursing experience is accepted only if the applicant has prior ICU experience and actively manages patients on ventilators and vasoactive drips during transports)
  
  Q. What is the average years of critical care experience of those accepted into the program? 
  A. 2 to 6 years
  
  Q. How much RN work experience is required? 
  A. One year full time RN critical care experience in a US or Federal hospital in the last 5 years (COA requirement).  CCRN is required by the time of the application deadline (this ensures that the applicant has the minimum COA requirement for critical care experience).
  
  Q. Is there a part time study option? 
  A. No, only a full time program is offered.
  
  Q. Is there a program track for persons who are not RN's? (this includes allied health professionals, MDs, etc) 
  A. No 
  
  Q. Can I apply if I am an associate degree nurse and still completing my BSN? 
  A. Yes, as long as you will finish your BSN by the end of the spring term in the year of your application deadline. You should include an additional note in your application regarding your expected BSN completion date. 
  
  Q. Which type of nursing master's degrees do you accept for the post master's NA program? 
  A. Applicants for the post-master’s certificate must have a previous Master’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program. Other Master’s degrees are not accepted. 
  
  Q. Can I apply if my statistics grade is less than a B, and I am still in the process of retaking statistics? 
  A. You must submit proof of enrollment in a statistics course upon application and must successfully complete the course with a grade of B or higher by the start of the program.  Failure to meet this requirement will prevent matriculation into the program and you will lose your seat (will need to reapply). 
  
  Q. Do you offer a program for CRNAs who earned their certificate prior to the master's being required? 
  A. We do not offer a CRNA master’s completion program. 
  
  Q. What times are classes offered?
  A. Nurse anesthesia classes are taught Monday to Friday during the day. Nursing core courses are offered in the evening and/or in an on-line format. Clinical courses are generally Monday through Friday.  Students may be assigned call shifts (weekends, nights and holidays) beginning in the second year and during specialty rotations. The COA requires programs to provide emergent case experience which can usually be accomplished by call or off shifts. 
  
  Q. Are any courses online? 
  A. Four of the nursing core courses are offered in an on-line format.  All of the nurse anesthesia didactic coursework is conducted in a classroom setting.
  
  Q. Where will students do clinicals? 
  A. Students participate in clinical experiences at Ohio Health Grant Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Mount Carmel West Hospital, Marion General Hospital, Knox Community Hospital, Adena Medical Center, Ohio Health Doctor's West Hospital, Ohio Health O' Bleness Hospital, Ohio Health Med Central Hospital, and the Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University.
  
  Students will administer anesthesia for patients of all ages with a variety of pre-existing conditions undergoing a full spectrum of surgical and diagnostic procedures. Clinical experiences include elective and emergent procedures, a call experience, OB, cardiac, ICU, regional, pediatric and rural rotations. 
  
  The nurse anesthesia major is organized within the context of the Graduate Nursing Program, and builds on the generalist preparation of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse. Graduates of the program are awarded a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and are eligible to take the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Examination (NCE) for initial recognition as a CRNA. The program meets or exceeds the COA's minimum academic and clinical requirements. 
  
  Q. Is there financial aid available? 
  A. Applicants should contact the Financial Aid Office to learn about typical sources of graduate student financial aid. Limited funds are available through federally supported Professional Nurse Traineeships and Nurse Anesthesia Traineeships. The AANA Foundation awards more than 50 scholarships for nurse anesthesia students. Requirements for each scholarship and the amounts awarded vary. 
  
  

  Q. When do admission interviews usually occur? 
  A. In October prior to the January start of the program (example, interviews in the fall of 2017 will occur for a January 2018 start).  This will allow students starting the program a full year to complete all six core nursing courses if they desire.  Those accepted would start the anesthesia courses in January 2019.  The program is in the process of completing the application to the transition to the doctoral degree.  Please see the third FAQ question concerning transition to the doctoral degree.

  Q. What should I be prepared to discuss in the admission interview?

  A. Applicants should anticipate that interviewers will ask a broad range of questions that attempt to elicit the applicant’s understanding of the nurse anesthetist’s role, motivation, goals and leadership potential as well as clinical knowledge. Clinical knowledge includes (but is not limited to) ventilator management, ABGs, vasoactive pharmacology, lab values, hemodynamics, cardiac, respiratory and neurophysiology. Questions will also focus around behavioral attributes such as emotional intelligence and handling criticism. Applicants are not just desired for academic and clinical abilities.  Nonacademic and non-clinical attributes such as behavioral skills, motivational qualities and adaptability characteristics are highly desired for success in the nurse anesthesia program.
  
  Q. Do you accept any graduate transfer credit? 
  A. We accept up to 2 courses of graduate transfer credit. Syllabi are evaluated after admission to the program. 
  
  Q. Are there any classes I can take as a non- degree student status while waiting to hear if I am accepted to the program? 
  A. Not at this time. You must be fully admitted to the program to take graduate nursing courses.
  
  Q. Can I enter Otterbein as a graduate student in another major and transfer to the NA program? 
  A. No, Otterbein requires you to be admitted to the program you wish to major in, due to space availability. Changing of major into the NA program is not an option. 
  
  Q. Do you accept transfer students from other Nurse anesthesia programs? 
  A. Transfer requests are evaluated on an individual basis 
  
  Q. What is the attrition rate for your program?
  A. The five year attrition rate for the program is 9% with 7.3% being for personal reasons.  (class of 2014 - 23.8%, 2015 - 5%, 2016 - 15%, 2017 0%, 2018 0%, 2019 0%, 2020 0%). The national average for all nurse anesthesia program is around 10%. Attrition most commonly includes students who stop out for personal reasons(illness, family situations, etc). The department does have a leave of absence policy in place for students.  Attrition rates less commonly include students who leave due to academic misconduct, clinical failure and administrative dismissal due to rules violations.  
  
  Q. What is your employment rate for your most recent graduates? 
  A. 99% of graduates were offered and accepted employment within six months of graduation (1 student chose not to take boards within the first six months after graduation).
  
  Q. Does the program offer an in-program review for the certification exam? 
  A.  Yes, there is an in-program certification exam and practice test in the final semester of the program. Students are also required to take the SEE exam twice during the program.  This allows the student to identify areas of weaknesses and assist in preparation for the NCE.
  
  Q. What is the first time pass rate for the National Certification Examination (NCE)?
  A. The pass rate for students who graduated in 2018  was 100%.  For the program's the five year average for the program is 97%. The 2nd attempt pass rate is 99%.  According to the NBCRNA (FY 2017), the national average first time pass rate is 82.6%.
  
  Q. Do you have an on-call list for applicants who are denied? 
  A. Applicants may be called from the on-call list up to two weeks prior to the program start.
  
  Q. If denied, can I reapply? 
  A. Yes, we review your file and make recommendations for strengthening your application.  Faculty meet with you and make suggestions specific to your situation.  We have had several first time denial applicants, complete faculty suggestion activities, apply again and successfully obtain admission to the program. 

• Cost of program

  • MSN Nursing Anesthesia Fees 2016-2017 (PDF)

• Application Forms

  • Online Graduate Nursing Application 
  • Otterbein University Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form 
  • Practice Survey Form
  • Verification of Observation form

• Application deadline

  Application Deadline

• Preparation for Interview Guide

  • NA Applicant Preparation: Interview Guide (DOCX)

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