Curriculum

     The curriculum contains didactic classes in the principles and practices of all forms of anesthesia (general, regional and monitored anesthesia care) for all types of patients undergoing surgical and diagnostic procedures in all specialty areas. These include general surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, OB/Gyn, cardiac, vascular and thoracic surgery. Considerable course work is devoted to pathophysiology and pharmacology. Courses also cover the theoretical considerations of practice, professional practice issues and research.

     The program at FIU integrates a balance of classroom, simulation lab, and clinical experience throughout the curriculum. Didactic instruction is provided by masters and doctoral prepared faculty experts in their respective areas. Patient simulation experience is integrated throughout the curriculum for acquisition of basic anesthesia skills, practice of clinical decision making, and mock up experience in the diagnosis and management of emergency anesthetic events. Clinical instruction is provided at local teaching hospitals by CRNA and Anesthesiologist preceptors as well as university based CRNA faculty. There is no restriction on skills instruction at any facility or within the curriculum. FIU nurse anesthetist students do not compete for clinical cases with anesthesiologists residents at any of our facilities. However, we do train together in several settings which benefits both groups of learners who will each be working colleagues in the future.

     The curriculum is challenging; mentally, academically, clinically and physically. The time commitment is significant, but so is the responsibility and the reward. For all intents and purposes, CRNA education is analogous to a typical medical residency program. The total program entails 71 graduate credits, and 82 credits for those in the MSN Bridge program. This is a full time graduate education program. Out-side employment is strongly discouraged and logistically very difficult.

The following curriculum has been approved by the School of Nursing, College of Health and Urban Affairs, the FIU University Curriculum Committee, the State University System of the State of Florida, and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthetist Educational Programs.