Anesthesia (MS)

The program for the Master of Science Degree in Anesthesia has as its goal the preparation of a professional in nursing in anesthesia who will be able to perform activities related to the administration of anesthesia under the supervision of a physician for all types of surgical procedures.

The program aims to develop a professional in anesthesia that will be able to:

1. Acquire knowledge and skills inherent in the specialization that allow the performance of quality anesthesia care.
2. Acquire attitudes, communication and interpersonal relationship skills that facilitate the intervention with the patient, the family and the health team.
3. Utilize the nursing process in problem solving and decision making in the practice of nurse anesthesia.
4. Utilize the results of scientific research to strengthen the quality of anesthesia service.

The Program is accredited by the “Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs” (https://www.coacrna.org).

The Arecibo Campus is authorized to offer this Program.

Competencies Profile of Graduates

The Master of Science in Anesthesia is designed to develop the competencies that allow the student:

Knowledge

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Physical and biochemical concepts related to the administration of anesthesia.
2. Advanced physiological and pharmacological concepts related to the practice of anesthesia.

Skills

1. Apply a variety of current techniques for the administration of general and regional anesthetics, giving priority to patient safety and monitoring.
2. Formulate and apply a culturally competent perianesthetic care plan throughout the anesthesia experience.
3. Apply critical thinking skills to provide anesthesia services to patients of all ages and physical conditions in a variety of surgical procedures related to medicine.

Attitudes

1. Professionally interact with colleagues and patients in accordance with the legal requirements for the practice of nursing specialized in anesthesia.
2. Demonstrate commitment to the practice of nursing in anesthesia through learning for life.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission must:

1. Meet the requirements established in the section “Admission Requirements for Master’s Programs” of this Catalog.
2. Hold a Bachelor in Nursing from an accredited institution.
3. Have a grade point index of 3.00 or above in the last sixty (60) credit hours of academic work.
4. Have a professional license and membership in a professional nursing association.
5. Have at least one (1) year of experience in a critical care setting.
6. Send two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who have supervised the candidate in the work setting.
7. Be interviewed by an Admissions Committee.
8. Present the following documents:
   1. A health certificate.
   2. Vaccination certificate Hepatitis B.
   3. A Good Conduct Certificate issued by the Puerto Rico Police Department.
   4. A copy of a professional licensee and current professional association.
   5. Updated resume of professional experience.
9. Present in writing a commitment to take the National Certification Examination (NCE) within 120 days after having completed the graduation requirements established in the Graduate Catalog.
10. Pass a test in anatomy and physiology with a minimum of 75%.
11. Pass a test in English with a minimum of 75%.
12. In the case of not obtaining the required minimum score for each test, the student will have to pass the following courses according to each case:
    1. BIOL 3106: Anatomy and Physiology
    2. ENGL 397E: Special Topic course in the English area.
13. Have passed a three or more credit course with laboratory in chemistry.

Note: Students who are admitted to the Master of Science in Anesthesia will have to purchase a Review computerized program, recommended by the faculty of the program, before starting the first courses of the program.

Time Limit to Complete the Degree

Full-time Students: 28 months

Part-time students: 40 months

Graduation Requirements

1. Complete the graduation requirements for a master’s degree established in the Graduate Catalog of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico.
2. Present official evidence of having administered anesthesia in six hundred and fifty (650) surgeries in different specialties and a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical experience.
3. The student must approve the SEE with a minimum score of 450.
4. In cases in which the student does not achieve SEE required score after a third attempt, the student can request in writing to the Program Director to present a verbal exam before the Curriculum Committee. This exam must be approved with a minimum score of 90%.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Anesthesia

Specialization Requirements

52 credits

Specialization Requirements - 52 credits

ANES 5105	Biochemistry and Physics	3
ANES 5110	Introduction to Anesthesiology	2
ANES 5111	Pathophysiology I: Cellular	3
ANES 5112	Pathophysiology II: Blood, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal	3
ANES 5113	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
ANES 5121	Principles of Anesthesia I	2
ANES 5122	Advanced Physical Health Assessment in Anesthesia I	1
ANES 5131	Pharmacology Anesthetics I: Anesthetics	3
ANES 5132	Advanced Anesthetic Pharmacology	3
ANES 5221	Principles of Anesthesia II: General Surgery	2
ANES 5222	Clinical Practice on Principles of Anesthesia II	2
ANES 5307	Regional Anesthesia	2
ANES 5331	Principles of Anesthesia III: Obstetrics and Pediatrics	2
ANES 5332	Clinical Practice on Principles of Anesthesia III	2
ANES 5431	Principles of Anesthesia IV: Cardiothoracic and Neurological	2
ANES 5432	Clinical Practice on Principles of Anesthesia IV	2
ANES 5497	Trends and Controversies in Anesthesiology	2
ANES 6390	Clinical Analysis	1
ANES 6395	Research Process	3
ANES 6397	Administration and Supervision	2
ANES 6911	Integrated Supervised Practice I	2
ANES 6912	Integrated Supervised Practice II	2
ANES 6970	Integrated Seminar	3