Mount Marty School of Anesthesia

Mount Marty School of Anesthesia CRNA Program

Contact Information
Application questions:
mmcadmit@mtmc.edu (preferred)
605-668-1545
Prerequisite questions or questions about the program:
Alfred E Lupien, CRNA, PhD, FAAN, Program Director
ph: (605) 362-0100
tf: (877) 727-8672
fax: (605) 362-5706
email: msna@mtmc.edu (preferred)

Quick Facts

CRNA Degree (s) offered
Master of Science

Program Length
30 months, full time

Credit Hours
62 credit hours

Starting Month(s)
August

Application Deadline
September 15th

*Application Deadline Extension: The application deadline for Fall 2012 admission to the Nurse Anesthesia Program has been extended until all positions have been filled.


Entire Program Cost of CRNA School at Mount Marty College.

Please note that tuition is calculated at the 2010 rate. Tuition at most schools increases each academic year. Over the duration of the program, expect to pay a tuition that is slightly higher than what is shown here.

Cost of Tuition: $51,496
*Fees and expenses: $9,330
Grand Total: $60,826

*Includes $70 per credit hour (62 credits) student support fee + estimated $2,000 for books + health insurance and other miscellaneous fees.

Class Size
35-42 students each year. Their class size varies depending on the number of clinical positions available.

Number of Applicants
Approximately 150-200 applications per year

CRNA Training

This crna program (as well as all others that are accredited by the COA) prepares you to take the CCNA certification exam at the conclusion of the program, allowing you to become a CRNA.

CRNA Program Summary
Mount Marty School of Anesthesia is divided into two-phases: an initial didactic phase of 11 months, and a clinical phase lasting 19 months.

The first semester is 100% didactic. The second and third semesters are 95% didactic and 5% clinical. The remaining semesters (19 months) are 95% clinical and 5% didactic. This program exceeds in courses, hours and techniques required by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

The didactic classes are typically held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays leaving the other days open for independent or group study and human patient simulation laboratory activity.

In regards to the clinical phase, students are assigned by a matching process to one of eleven primary affiliations. These sites are located throughout SD, NE, MN and IA.

Most students spend four to twelve weeks at a secondary site(s) for a specialty rotation, which will require traveling, in many cases.

At Mount Marty School of Anesthesia, all types of techniques and cases are available to the student in either primary affiliation or specialty rotation.

Program Requirements

Some CRNA schools require much more out of their applicants than others. See how the requirements at Mount Marty School of Anesthesia compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.

CRNA Program Requirements

Required Bachelor Degree
Bachelor's degree in nursing or other appropriate baccalaureate degree. Graduation from an accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) nursing program.

RN:
Current licensure as an RN

Critical Care:
Minimum of 1 year (2 years preferred), full-time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. Most accepted students have two or more years of acute care experience within the last 3 years.

This experience should provide the skills for physical assessment; monitoring of CVP, PWCP, blood gasses, ECG, and ventilators; and I.V. therapy.

Examples of acceptable critical care experience include:

• Cardiovascular ICU
• Surgical ICU
• Medical ICU
• Neuro ICU
• Pediatric ICU
• Neonatal ICU
• Coronary Care Unit
• Open-heart recovery unit also meets requirement

You may apply to the crna program while you are completing the one-year required nursing experience. Your experience must be complete by the time you begin the program.

They do not accept:

• Step down or transitional care areas
• Post-coronary care
• Intermediate care units
• Progressive care units
• Recovery room/PACU
• Operating Room
• Emergency Room

GPA:
Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale.

Minimum GRE scores:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum score of 400 in both the verbal and quantitative sections.

International Students:
Minimum score of 500 or higher (paper-based test)

Minimum score of 175 or higher (computer-based test)

Minimum score of 60 or higher (internet-based test)

Certification:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• CCRN (though not required, is seen as more competitive)
• Other specialty certifications will also boost your application

To Stand Out at as an Applicant to Mount Marty School of Anesthesia, have:

• Experience as a preceptor or ability to assume charge position duties on a given shift.
• Service to the community, church or nursing unit.
• A good sense of "self."
• Commitment to the nursing profession.
• Knowledge of the role of a nurse anesthetist through a shadowing experience.

Course Prerequisites

• 2 courses in chemistry
• 1 course in elementary statistics or epidemiology

Mount Marty School of Anesthesia’s CRNA program website

CRNA School Performance

CRNA School Rankings - U.S. News & World Report (2011)
2.9 out of 5.0. Ranked 32 out of 107 CRNA programs.

*Please note: CRNA rankings are bias and subjective. Read disclaimer about how CRNA rankings are created.*

Accredited CRNA Programs are reviewed regularly.
Mount Marty School of Anesthesia was last reviewed 10/2004. It was given the maximum of 10 years accreditation and will be reviewed again 10/2014. This shows that the program is in full compliance with the COA’s accreditation standards.

Employment
100% of graduates have found employment within 6 months of graduation.

Attrition rate is below 2%

Certification Examination Pass Rates

The National Certification Examination first-time pass rate for Mount Marty graduates compares favorably with the national average.

CRNA Salaries

An average nurse anesthetist salary in South Dakota
South Dakota CRNA salaries are slightly higher than the national average and range from $160k-180k.

An average annual nurse anesthetist salary in the US is $163,467 (according to a 2008 study)

• Rural average: $174,214
• Metropolitan average: $164,148
• Suburban average: $156,630
• Average starting CRNA salaries range from: $110,000-$130,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply before my bachelor’s degree and course prerequisites are complete?
Yes. You must show proof of enrollment and current GPA. The program may grant admission on a contingent basis, pending completion of course work and degree.

What can I expect during the interview?
Interviews are conducted at the anesthesia program campus in Sioux Falls, SD, usually in December. Each applicant spends approximately 1/2 day with the program director, program faculty members and CRNA clinical instructors.

Applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions concerning program design. Current students are also available to answer questions and offer their perspective of the program.

Can I work as an RN while I’m in the program?
Becoming a nurse anesthetist is very demanding. Students at Mount Mary School of Anesthesia should expect to devote 60-70 hours per week to program requirements. Working is strongly discouraged. It may be possible to work 1-2 weekend shifts per month during the didactic phase, but it will be almost impossible to work during the clinical phase of the program.

If you have any questions or comments, you may use the chat or email joy@all-crna-schools.com.

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*This page is current as of March 5th, 2012*

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