Master of Science in Nurse Anesthestia
Associate Professor A. Chipas, Ph.D., program director; Instructor D. McKenna, assistant director

Nurse anesthesia was one of the original advanced practice nursing specialties. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an RN who, after graduate level education and training, provides anesthesia care for patients undergoing surgical procedures, invasive diagnostic studies or chronic pain management. Nurse anesthetists are employed in a variety of settings such as hospitals, medical centers, outpatient surgery centers, pain clinics and the armed forces. CRNAs, as compared with some nursing positions, enjoy a high level of professional autonomy with an accompanying degree of remuneration.