Baccalaureate to DNAP Policies and Expenses

Background Checks & Drug Screens

Patient safety is a primary consideration for Texas Wesleyan and all clinical affiliates.  Consequently, background checks and drug screens are required for nurse anesthesia training participation.  Students will be given instructions on how to complete a required background check with their admission information after they have accepted a position in the program.

The background check must be completed using the system put in place by the program.  All students will be required to complete and pass a background check before acceptance to the program.  The cost of the initial background check is the students responsibility.  Clinical Affiliates reserve the right to deny training applicants whose background check is unacceptable as determined by the Anesthesia Department or Hospital Administration.

Drug screens will be conducted on a random basis throughout the program.  Students who refuse or fail a drug screen are not eligible to continue in the program.  The Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia follows state board of nursing regulations and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist guidelines related to substance abuse in professional nursing.  Substance abuse policies and education curriculum are available in the student handbook.

Nurse Anesthesia Professional, Intellectual, and Clinical Competencies

Texas Wesleyan University and the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding its students with disabilities.  It is the policy of Texas Wesleyan University that no student shall be denied access to or participation in the services, programs, and activities of the University solely on the basis of her/his disability.  However, all students must be able to perform all of the didactic accommodations.

Didactic and clinical professional and physical competency standards include:

• Ability to observe and communicate.  Nurse anesthetists must be able to observe, hear, and understand evidence about a patient's status quickly and accurately as well as communicate rapidly and clearly with patients, members of the healthcare team, and others;

• Physical capabilities and motor skills.  Nurse anesthetists are required to move, transfer, and position patients and to locate and arrange equipment as needed; to be sufficiently mobile to provide are to several patients at a time, and to have sufficient dexterity, hand/eye coordination, and stamina to operate complicated instruments and perform proceedings for prolonged periods as necessary;

• Cognitive skills and intellectual capacities. Nurse anesthetists are able to understand complex medical information related to patient needs and care; to transcribe and communicate that information quickly and accurately; and to distinguish standard from nonstandard patters of patient behaviors and responses; 

• Decision making skills. Nurse anesthetists are expected to demonstrate the capacity to gather, organize, assess, prioritize, make decisions, and then act on information appropriately so as to facilitate the prompt and timely delivery of patient care.

• Behavioral and social attributes. Nurse anesthetists should exhibit professionally appropriate behaviors at all times with patients, members of the healthcare delivery team, and the public.  These behaviors include capacities to establish rapport and trust including respect for team roles and norms; to preserve confidentiality; to communicate clearly with patients, other health care providers and the public; to complete work in a timely manner; and to demonstrate commitment to ensuring the quality of and upgrade the practice of nurse anesthesia;

• Ability to complete above competencies in the work environment.  The operating room environment (including all anesthetizing areas) is loud and often chaotic.  A nurse anesthesia provider, both CRNA and student, must be able to block out the confusion and maintain his/her patients safety.  This requires the nurse anesthesia provider to remain focused on the tasks at hand, evaluate and act in a timely fashion and communicate effectively with the other operating room personnel.  At times of extreme stress, when the patient requires the full attention of the nurse anesthesia provider, additional time and a quiet environment cannot be given.

Employment

Although it is nor recommended, students may be employed during their enrollment with the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia as long as there is no conflict in time between employment and program expectations and class attendance.  Students may not work the eight hours prior to anesthesia-committed time during Phase II.  Under no circumstances may a Nurse Anesthesia student be employed to practice anesthesia in either title or function.

Expenses and Fees

Additional cost are incurred by students enrolled in this program. The following is a list of the estimated expenses that students may be responsible for in addition to Texas Wesleyan University’s tuition and fees:

Catalog:

Most costs are estimates and are subject to change without written notice.

The student is responsible for all books, supplies, and equipment as required by instructors.

The Phase II student registered nurse anesthetist is provided with operating room attire during clinical instruction.

Most student registered nurse anesthetist will be required to rotate to various health care facilities to meet all clinical requirements for graduation. All costs including transportation, licensure, and housing are the student's responsibility. Rotations to enrichment sites may be up to four months in length during Phase II and the student is encouraged to budget accordingly.

Grading

Graduate students are required to maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale upon completion of the first 42 credit hours in order to proceed in the program. Additional program expectations and requirements are detailed in the Baccalaureate to DNAP Student Handbook. Graduate students who have less than a 3.0 overall GPA average will be awarded an MHS degree and will be dismissed from the Baccalaureate to DNAP Program. 

Academic Warning and Academic Probation
A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 will receive a letter of academic warning and will meet with her/his academic advisor.
A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 for 2 consecutive semesters will be placed on academic probation, and in collaboration with their academic advisor, must develop a personal plan for academic improvement.

eDNAP Program Dismissal
A student who has more than two "C" grades during the first 12 months of the program.
A student who receives a "D" or "F" in any course.
A student who has less than a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first 42 credit hours.
A student who does not meet all graduation requirements. 

Readmission Policy
Any dismissed student must officially reapply to the eDNAP program.

Student Health, Medical Requirements, & Health Insurance

Each student must be in good physical and mental health and may not have any communicable disease when involved in patient care. Clinical facilities require documentation of current vaccinations, a completed medical questionnaire and physician's certificate on file. Medical questionnaires and vaccination information will be provided to students with their acceptance information and in the student handbook. Students must comply with the clinical facility policies regarding all credentialing requirements including vaccinations and immunizations.

During Phase II, students must provide their own health insurance. Proof of coverage will be required. Failure to provide proof of health insurance will result in the removal of the student from the clinical residency.

The student is not an employee of the University or the hospital where the clinical training is provided. The student is not covered by Texas Wesleyan’s Workman's Compensation insurance (except where mandated by state law) and must use her/his individual health insurance to cover training related injuries (e.g. needle sticks, lifting injuries, etc.).

Transfer Credit

All Baccalaureate to DNAP (eDNAP) students must complete all program requirements at Texas Wesleyan University. No course or clinical work will be accepted through transfer of credit from another institution.