Degrees Offered
M.H.S. Master of Health Science
M.S.N.A. Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS++

Master of Health Science Degree (MHS)

Applicants meeting the following criteria will be evaluated for admission to the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia.

• A baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited college or university

• An official copy of the GRE. The University's institution code is 6828.

• Three categories considered for GPA:

               1.  Overall GPA

               2. Science GPA must be a minimum of 2.5(not including nursing

                   sciences)

               3.  Last 60 hours GPA

To qualify, a minimum of ONE of the above categories must be a 3.0 or higher.  If only one is 3.0, then a minimum of 1000 on the GRE is required.

• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (R.N.) in one of the fifty states.

• License must be unrestricted; free from probation, suspension or stipulations.

• A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who holds current Certification/Recertification recognition from the Council on Certification/Recertification.

Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA)

Applicants meeting the following criteria will be evaluated for admission to the program:

• A baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited college or university

• An official copy of the GRE. The University's institution code is 6828.

For consideration for acceptance, the applicant must meet two or more of the following four criteria:

• 1.     Total GRE score in verbal and quantitative of 1000 or greater
• 2.     Minimum overall GPA 3.0 or;
• 3.     GPA for last 60 hours of 3.0 or
• 4.     Science GPA--3.0

• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (R.N.) in one of the fifty states.
• License must be unrestricted; free from probation, suspension or stipulations.

• A minimum science GPA of at least 2.5 is required for admission consideration.

• A minimum of one calendar year of current experience as an R.N. in an intensive care patient setting (within 3 years of admission)
  • Preferably adult ICU
  • Pediatric ICU meets requirements
  • Two or more years is strongly recommended.
  • Emergency Room, cath lab and PACU do not  meet the work experience requirement.
  • Documentation of experience may be required.
  • The work experience requirement must be completed by February 1of the year of planned admission.

• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification
• CCRN recognition is encouraged for first time applicants and required for reapplication.

• All applicants who have previously attended and did not complete another nurse anesthesia program must submit a letter of reference from their prior program director on program/university letterhead.

• College level Chemistry course within 3 years of admission.

• Background check and drug screen will be required prior to beginning the program.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION/ FEE/MATERIAL

• Texas Wesleyan University, Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia application for admission form.
• $30.00 non-refundable application fee payable to Texas Wesleyan University.
• Official copy of the GRE. The University's institution code is 6828.
• An official transcript from each college/university attended.
  • Transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia from the college/university to be considered official.
• Three references; one each from: Physician, Supervisor, and Academic Instructor
• A copy of Registered Nursing license.
• A copy of ACLS, PALS and CCRN certification.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials beginning June 1st of the year preceding admission.  Complete applications, including the application fee, official transcripts, GRE scores and letters of reference must be submitted to the address below no later than December 1 of the year before the planned enrollment to be eligible for consideration for fall admission.

All of the material must be sent to the following address:

Texas Wesleyan University
Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76105-1536

International applicants should refer to the section titled “Admission of International Students” in the Texas Wesleyan University Graduate Catalog. Contact the Office of International Student Programs for an International Student Application Packet.

Texas Wesleyan University
Office of International Programs
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76105-1536
Telephone 817-531-5858

e-mail:  1world@txwes.edu

Responsibility for completion of the application process rests with the applicant.  No application will be processed without valid nursing licensure.  Applicants are encouraged to inquire into the status of their application and to submit application during the fall semester.

Applications that are incomplete at the application deadline date will not be considered.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Total enrollment of anesthesia students is limited. Therefore all applicants who might meet minimum requirements for admission may not necessarily be selected for the particular year in which the applicant wishes to enter. The admission of each class will be based upon the "best qualified" as determined by the Admissions Committee.
Selection will be based upon the following criteria:

• Personal interview in which the applicant demonstrates critical care knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Work experience
• Grade point average
• GRE score
• References that rate professional performance as excellent or above average
• Medical questionnaire/certification form demonstrating applicant's good mental and physical health.
• Completed application form
• ACLS and PALS
• CCRN certification (strongly suggested)

The Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant as determined by the Admissions Committee. All decisions by this committee are final and not subject to appeal.

Outstanding candidates may qualify for early acceptance.

The Graduate Program does not work on a "waiting list" system. If you are not selected for the year that you originally applied, you must submit the following to reapply for the next year:

1. Letter of intent and summary of your experiences
2. Reference from a supervisor (on our reference form)
3. Official transcripts from colleges/universities that you may have attended since applying to our program
4. CCRN certification.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COMPLETE A NEW APPLICATION OR SUBMIT AN ADDITIONAL APPLICATION FEE.

An applicant who has not been selected following his/her third interview will not be granted an additional interview.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS
Applicants who do not meet the GPA and/or the GRE minimum requirement for admission may take 6421 Medical Pharmacology I if the following requirements are satisfied:

1. Baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited college or university.
2. Official copy of the GRE. The University's institution code is 6828.
3. Texas licensure as a registered professional nurse
4. A minimum of one year current experience as an R.N. in an acute care patient setting (preferably adult ICU).
5. Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification
6. Permission from the Director of the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia and/or the course instructor.

Non-degree seeking students may be considered for an interview to the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia if their grade is at class average or higher.

TRANSFER CREDITS
Candidates for the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia must complete all Texas Wesleyan University Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia courses. No courses may be transferred into the University.

Candidates for the Master of Health Science may transfer into Wesleyan 15 credit hours, which must be approved by the Director, Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Examination
Prior to entering Phase I and Phase II a physical examination is required. Immediately prior to graduation from Phase II, a physical examination is recommended.

Environmental Exposure
Providers in anesthesia are advised that studies completed over the past several years have indicated that personnel exposed chronically to waste anesthetic gases may be at increased risk of having an adverse reproductive outcome such as spontaneous abortions.
Source: Understanding Anesthesia Equipment, Dorsch and Dorsch, 1999.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND STUDENT HEALTH
Each student must be in good physical and mental health, may not have any communicable disease when involved in patient care, and must have a medical questionnaire and physician's certificate on file at the university prior to enrollment with proof of tuberculin testing and immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and rubella.

If any student contracts a communicable disease, the student shall notify the Director or Associate Director of the Program as soon as possible after learning of same and shall be suspended immediately and indefinitely from the Program until such time as the said student is no longer infected with any communicable disease.

Schedule for Immunizations:

NON DISCRIMINATION
Texas Wesleyan University and the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or registrant in the course of study because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Disabled students will be assessed on an individual basis in relation to their ability to meet the didactic and clinical requirements of the curriculum.

Disability Services
Students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity can apply for accommodation according to the policies and procedures for students with disabilities. See “University Policies” in the Graduate Catalog or contact the Director of Counseling for specific information.

Academic or physical adjustments will be implemented in accordance with University Policies.