The nurse anesthesia graduate program is based on a nursing and a pre-medical background of sciences and involves an in-depth application of these sciences to the art of anesthesia. The program is open to nurses who have a bachelor's degree in nursing or bio-medical sciences.

Graduates of this program, after successfully completing national boards, are qualified to work in every area of anesthesia as clinical practitioners, researchers, administrators, and educators throughout the United States and in the armed forces.

Each individual is a being with inherent value deserving respect and consideration. This theme is emphasized throughout the curriculum as issues of research, technology and values are discussed.

The Nurse Anesthesia program was preceded by the diploma program at Sacred Heart Hospital (Yankton) in 1942 and the baccalaureate program at Mount Marty initiated in 1971. It was upgraded to a Master's program in 1983. The program is located on our Sioux Falls, South Dakota campus.

Program
This 30-month program leads to a Master of Science degree is divided into two-phases. The program includes an initial didactic phase of 11 months, and a clinical phase lasting 19 months. The first semester is 100% didactic. The second and third semesters are 95% didactic and 5% clinical. The remaining semesters (19 months) are 95% clinical and 5% didactic . This program exceeds in courses, hours and techniques required by the Council along with teaching regional anesthesia.

The didactic classes are typically held in the morning leaving the afternoon open for independent or group study and human patient simulation laboratory activity. In regards to the clinical phase, students are assigned by a matching process to one of eleven primary affiliations. Most students spend four to twelve weeks at a secondary site(s) for a specialty rotation. Some clinical assignments involve rotation to different facilities.

Philosophy
Within the framework of the Mount Marty College Mission Statement, we as faculty and staff strive to provide quality education within the nurse anesthesia program, promoting personal growth, professional commitment, and service to the community. We believe that we serve, though the vehicle of the nurse anesthesia profession, all God's people. We strive to integrate the Mount Marty College core values of Awareness of God, Hospitality, Community, and Life Long Learning into our lives and into the nurse anesthesia program.

Objectives
The overall objective is the development of nurse anesthetists capable of safe anesthetic management throughout a patient's perioperative period. Such practitioners must be able to perform without constant supervision and possess consultative, research, and clinical skills.

Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Educational Programs (COA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

Program Outcomes (PDF)

Traits of Competitive Applicants

• Two or more years in a unit such as an adult ICU, PICU, NICU, or CCU within the last three years.
• Specialty certification such as CCRN
• Experience as a preceptor or ability to assume charge position duties on a given shift.
• Complete application satisfying admission requirements.
• Service to the community, church or nursing unit.
• Have a good sense of "self."
• Commitment to the nursing profession.
• Knowledge of the role of a nurse anesthetist through a shadowing experience.

Program Features:

• Hands-On Experience: Through the clinical phase and the human patient simulator, you gain hands-on experience.
• Flexible: Clinical positions are determined by a matching process.
• Specialized: Students will be able to engage in specialty rotations.
• Cohort Program: Students develop student study groups and networks through the cohort system.
• Variety of Experiences: All types of techniques and cases are available to the student in either primary affiliation or specialty rotation.

Contact Information:

Admissions
Admissions Office
1105 West 8th Street
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 668-1545
(800) 658-4552
mmcadmit@mtmc.edu

Program Information
Nurse Anesthesia Program
3932 South Western Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
(605) 322-8090
(877) 727-8672
msna@mtmc.edu