Otterbein University/Grant Medical Center Post Masters Nurse Anesthesia

Admission Process

To be considered for admission in the Post Masters NA program, all admission materials must be submitted to the Graduate School according to the published deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline. The Nurse Anesthesia Program receives more applications from qualified applicants than can be accepted. After reviewing the completed application packets, the Nurse Anesthesia Program Admission's Committee invites approximately four applicants to interview for each available seat in the program. Applicants selected for an interview are notified 4-6 weeks after the application deadline and are scheduled for an interview within the following month.

The completed materials are reviewed by the Nursing Professional Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is admitted into the NA program. Applicants are notified of admission or denial by a letter sent to the home address. Questions about the admission process or admission status should be directed towards the Graduate School at 614-823-3210.

Admission Criteria

1. Bachelor's degree in nursing and Master's degree in nursing from institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission(NLNAC) and/or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
2. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse.
3. Evidence for capacity for graduate study. A blended cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate and graduate studies is required. (A grade of C or higher in statistics. Blended science course work GPA of 3.0 or higher.)
4. Minimum of one year of full time nursing work experience within the last 5 years in a critical care area. (Experience in interpretation of invasive monitors, titration of vasoactive infusions, management of ventilated patients, and care of acutely ill patients. Operating Room and telemetry unit experience are not accepted as critical care experience).
5. Current ACLS recognition. (CCRN is preferred but not required).
6. Ability to articulate a clear understanding of the nurse anesthetist's role.
7. Submission of the Verification of Observation Form (applicants are required to spend a minimum of one day observing a practicing CRNA or anesthesiologist in the Operating Room).
8. Submission of the Practice Evaluation Form (to document critical care work experience).
9. Ability to articulate one's professional goals and express one's self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay and interview.

Admission Procedure

Materials required for admission to the Post Master's program must be submitted to the Graduate School at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the University and are not returnable or transferable.

1. Complete the Graduate Nursing Application for Admission. Application deadlines are here.
2. Request separate official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended to be sent to the Graduate School. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be in sealed envelopes from the issuing institutions.
3. Submit a professional resume.
4. Give an Otterbein University Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form to two individuals that can support your application to pursue graduate study (one recommendation from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation form should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
5. Submit a 2-4 page essay (typewritten, double-spaced). The essay should describe your professional goals and how these goals will be achieved in the MSN program. Indicate how your past experiences and reflections have influenced these goals. Describe your understanding of the nurse anesthetist's role. Identify personal contributions that can be made to nursing and the greater community.
6. Submit completed Verification of Observation form.
7. Submit completed Practice Survey form.
8. Submit proof of ACLS recognition.
9. Provide a current RN license number on the application for admission form. (The Graduate School will verify the license with the board of nursing).
10.  Provide proof of CCRN (preferred, not required)

Send all admission materials to:
Otterbein University
The Graduate School
Roush Hall, Room 208
One South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081

/Additional Info

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