Policies and Expenses for MHS and MSNA

Background Checks & Drug Screens

Patient safety is a primary consideration for Texas Wesleyan and all clinical affiliates. Consequently, background checks and drug screening 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 between the date of the acceptance letter and May 1st of the year the student is scheduled to start the program. All students may be required to complete and pass a background check at the completion of Phase I to meet the requirements of clinical training facilities. 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 or his disability. However, all students must be able to perform all of the didactic and clinical requirements of the curriculum as well as the physical competency standards with or without reasonable 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 care 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 patterns 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 or 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.

Distance Learning Option

Distance learning is available to students in good academic standing who are assigned to clinical sites that have provided classrooms and clinical coordinator support for Phase I students. Classes are delivered live via two-way interactive video. Distance learning sites must be approved by the COA and SACSCOC.

Option 1: Students who select this option must attend Phase I - Fall semester at the Texas Wesleyan campus in Fort Worth and must attend spring and summer semesters through distance learning at their selected Primary Clinical Site. Students must attend a period of time on campus in the spring and summer semesters. Clinical sites that offer this option are identified in the affiliate section of this document and on the application documents. (Available for spring and summer.)

Option 2: Students who select this option must attend distance learning for Phase I - Fall, Spring and Summer semesters at selected Primary Clinical Sites. Students must attend a period of time on campus in the fall, spring and summer semesters. Clinical sites that offer this option are identified in the affiliate section of this document and on the application documents (Available for the full year.)

Distance Learning Policies for MSNA

• A minimum number of 2 distance-learning students are required for live interactive video broadcast to a distance learning clinical site;
• A student may take distance education courses at her/his assigned clinical training site only;
• Students must declare their intention to be a distance learner in advance so that simulation center experiences may be scheduled appropriately. Dates for distance learning selection are indicated in admission materials;
• Distance learning orientation is held each semester that includes the distance learning Code of Conduct;
• During Phase I distance learners are welcome to return to on-campus attendance at any time if they feel distance learning is not meeting their education needs.

Employment

Although it is not 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 circumstance may an RRNA 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 Nurse Anesthesia Resident is provided with operating room attire during clinical instruction.

Most NA Residents will be required to rotate to enrichment 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. Individual program requirements are detailed in the program's Student Handbook and as follows:

• Grading criteria for each course will be identified in the course syllabus;
• Degree seeking students may have no more than two “C” grades;
• Single course repetition is not an option for MSNA students. MSNA students with course grades that do not meet program criteria are subject to program dismissal. Readmission policies are available in the student handbook and from the program Director;
• The student must pay full tuition and fees for all courses retaken to achieve a higher grade;
• MSNA students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in the first 3 semesters to matriculate to Clinical Residency;
• MSNA Students must earn a course grade of “B” in critical anesthesia content. These courses are identified in the MSNA program requirements;
• Incompletes “I” are issued and resolved according to Texas Wesleyan University policies detailed in the University catalog.

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.

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

Candidates for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) and Master of Health Science (MHS) must complete all program requirements at Texas Wesleyan University. No course or clinical work will be accepted through transfer of credit from another institution.