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UB School of Nursing
1040 Kimball Tower
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
716.829.3314

 Watch a Video on the UB Nurse Anesthetist Program

The Nurse Anesthesia Program offers the

• Master of Science (MS)

Our nurse anesthetist program — which was ranked 10th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report — prepares students for the challenges they'll face as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA).

The preparation for success begins from the very start. The small size of our accepted classes fosters a supportive, closely knit community. It also allows us to monitor carefully the abilities and progress of students to individualize clinical training experiences.

Helpful and accessible, our nationally recognized faculty are leaders, teachers, scholars, and researchers who practice what they teach. Program courses, taught exclusively by nurse specialists and CRNAs, are immediately applicable to nursing practice. The school's recently constructed health assessment lab, the Center for Nursing Research, and the newly remodeled computer lab further support student research and practice needs.

Our nurse anesthetist students receive an education that equips them to assume clinical, educational, research, and leadership positions within this advanced nursing specialty. Our Patient Simulation Center, which includes an operating room with advanced monitoring and gas-delivery systems, employs advanced technology to support the surgical and resuscitative care of a full-body, computerized mannequin (SAMSON). Used throughout the program for basic and advanced training, SAMSON enables our students to learn, practice, and gain confidence with various clinical procedures and provides training in managing rare and critical events and crises.

Prospective students must meet various criteria to be considered for admission to our nurse anesthetist program. For those interested in applying to the nurse anesthetist program, a list of Frequently Asked Questions have been complied to address many of your concerns.

Program

The nurse anesthetist program extends over five semesters and two summer sessions, beginning and ending in the fall semester. Anesthesia students may only follow the regimented curriculum outline of full-time study. Graduates of the program receive a Master of Science degree and are eligible to take the national certification exam offered by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

This program builds upon the foundation of a baccalaureate degree in nursing and critical care experience. Students gain a broad base of knowledge in the biophysical and behavioral sciences on which to develop expertise in the anesthesia management of patients in all phases of care. Prepared within the framework of graduate nursing education, our graduates are able to provide comprehensive anesthesia care to patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions that require anesthesia services as part of their health care.

Curriculum

The first year of study establishes the scientific and practice foundations of this advanced nursing specialty. These foundations include the study of advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, research, and the role of advanced practice nurses within the health care delivery system in which they provide care.

During the first year of study, select experiences within the Patient Simulation Center help prepare students for entry into their clinical practice, which occurs at the end of that year. Through these clinical experiences, first year graduate students are introduced to the fundamentals of safe anesthesia practice, anesthesia equipment, preanesthesia assessment of the patient, and specific anesthesia management and monitoring techniques.

Schedule of Study

YEAR 1

Fall
NUR503: Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)NUR505: Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing (4)
NUR512: Research Methods for Practice Professions (4)
NUR514: Advanced Practice Nursing Role: Evolution of the Role (1)
NUR515: Advanced Practice Nursing Role: Innovations in Advanced Nursing Practice (1)
NUR543: Principles of Anesthesia I (3)

Spring
NUR511: Health Care Systems, Policy, and Ethics (3)
NUR513: Research Practicum and Comprehensive Examination or NUR599: Project in Nursing (2)
NUR516: Advanced Practice Nursing Role: Financial Management Issues (1)
NUR518: Health Promotion and Risk Reduction (2)
NUR544: Principles of Anesthesia II (2)
NUR544L: Principles of Anesthesia II Lab (1)
NUR 575: Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nurses (2)
NUR672: Clinical Pharmacology of Anesthetic and Adjunctive Drugs (3)

Summer Clinical Residency 1
NUR 601 Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum 1 (3)

YEAR 2  

Fall Clinical Residency 1
NUR 545 Principles of Anesthesia III (3)
NUR 602 Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum 2 (3)

Spring Clinical Residency 1
NUR 546 Principles of Anesthesia IV (3)
NUR 603 Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum 3 (3)

Summer Clinical Residency 2
NUR 604 Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum 4 (3)

YEAR 3

Fall Clinical Residency Year 2
NUR 547 Principles of Anesthesia V (3)
NUR 605 Nurse Anesthesia Clinical Practicum 5 (3)

Faculty

Thomas E. Obst, PhD, CRNA
Clinical Professor & Program Director
tobst@buffalo.edu

Michael R. Lamparelli, MS, CRNA
Clinical Assistant Professor & Clinical Residency Coordinator
ml67@buffalo.edu

W. Scott Erdley, DNS, RN
Clinical Assistant Professor
erdley@buffalo.edu