The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia/Keck School of Medicine
The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia offers an intense academic and comprehensive clinical curriculum. Students will gain experience in a variety of clinical specialty areas including general, cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, genitourinary, gynecologic, head and neck, plastic, orthopedic, trauma, burns, transplantation, robotics, obstetric, pediatric and outpatient procedures. Students have the most sophisticated anesthesia equipment at their disposal. Under the guidance of expert CRNA and physician faculty primarily provided by the Keck School of Medicine/Department of Anesthesiology faculty, student nurse anesthetists are responsible for the administration and management of general anesthesia, regional anesthetic techniques and modalities of invasive monitoring. Students also receive experience in acute and chronic pain management. The Program offers an optional Specialty Fellowship in a variety of anesthesia specialties. Clinical instruction is offered in numerous state of the art medical centers in Southern California. The ratio of students to faculty is usually 1:1 and never exceeds 2:1. Clinical instruction is provided by both CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists. By graduation, students must have provided anesthesia services for at least 550 cases and are expected to manage all aspects of perioperative care. The graduate students’ academic and clinical curriculum includes simulation in the USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia Simulation Center. High-fidelity simulation encompasses basic and advanced principles and performance assessment is formatted to the students’ level of training. Students will be prepared to become a valued member of the anesthesia care team and develop critical thinking skills that far exceed minimum standards for entry level practice. Graduates of the Program are academically and clinically prepared to provide quality anesthesia care to meet the health care needs of the community and its diverse population. Upon completion of all clinical and academic requirements, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination given by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited until 2019. The Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 222 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL, 60068, (847) 655-1160. The Program pass rate on the National Certifying examination is 97.4% for the past five years; attrition rate during this time is 5%.
THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Southern California is located in the heart of one of the world's most dynamic cities. For over 125 years USC has enjoyed a wonderful and rewarding relationship with the Los Angeles community. This culturally diverse city, together with the University, provides a unique environment in which to learn from and experience urban America. USC is the oldest independent research university in the western United States and currently ranks in the top ten of all universities in federal research support and endowment. USC offers graduate degrees in 189 disciplines through the Graduate School and its twenty professional schools. Its reputation for education and research is world-renowned.
KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
The Keck School of Medicine was the first medical school in Southern California and the oldest private university medical school in the West. The graduates of the Keck School of Medicine have fostered better health for people around the globe in all fields of medical care. The faculty direct the studies of over 600 medical students and more than 200 students pursuing graduate degrees in one of the school’s seven basic science departments and Master's degree offerings. The Master's degree programs include the Program of Nurse Anesthesia along with academic medicine, public health, global medicine and the physician assistant program. USC offers a rich blend of clinical experience, theory, management and research, the essential elements for practice and success in the changing health care environment.
The Department of Anesthesiology provides “state of the art” care for patients undergoing all types of surgical procedures. Faculty with expertise are available in areas such as cardiac anesthesia, neuroanesthesia, burns, trauma and organ transplant. The graduate students in nurse anesthesia have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of clinical situations.
The location of the Program of Nurse Anesthesia on the USC Health Sciences campus is ideal. The campus also houses the Keck School of Medicine, the School of Pharmacy, and the departments of Biokinesiology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Located approximately nine miles from the University Park Campus and adjacent to Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, the campus occupies over 15 acres. Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Research Facility, Keck Hospital of USC and Healthcare Consultation Center, and Doheny Eye Hospital and Clinic are all located on the campus.
Mission Statement
Scholarly education and professional development of future nurse anesthetists with the academic strength and leadership skills to advance our profession.