GRADUATE NURSING
STUDENT HANDBOOK
DOCTOR
OF
NURSE ANESTHESIA
PROGRAM
2024-2025
i
PREFACE
The School of Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Mobile is a school under the College of Health
Professions. This handbook was developed for DNAP students and faculty to define the philosophy and
mission of the graduate programs and to provide a comprehensive document about the Doctor of Nurse
Anesthesia Practice program. Information on requirements and coursework; advising, financial aid,
professional organizations, and policies and procedures are included. It is essential that students
understand the information presented in this handbook to facilitate their progression through the DNAP
program. All students in the UM Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia program are responsible for the
information contained in this handbook which details practices, procedures, and provisions of the school
pertaining to academic progress, professional expectations, and related matters.
The School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook is reviewed annually and as needed. The faculty in
the School of Nurse Anesthesia reserve the right to revise the requirements and policies, as deemed
necessary at any time, to prepare students for new and emerging roles in nurse anesthesia.
Disseminations of revisions will be made via class and online announcements, and/or notices or posted
on the designated School of Nurse Anesthesia website. An electronic copy is available to all students via
the School of Nurse Anesthesia website. In addition, the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook
will be incorporated into the UM online Graduate Catalog and Student Handbook. Students will be
notified of any changes made to the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook.
The School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook is not all-inclusive; rather it includes basic
information regarding the mission, goal, and expected outcomes of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia
Practice program, as well as the school policies and procedures that reflect national standards and
guidelines for the education of doctoral students in the nurse anesthesia profession.
Each student must sign a DNAP Student Handbook Acknowledgement (See Appendix A) indicating the
student has read and is responsible for the information contained in the School of Nurse Anesthesia
Student Handbook.
UM endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination. does not
discriminate on the bases of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran
status in admissions or the provision of services.
Students are held accountable for information and policies published in official UM documents,
including the online Graduate Catalog and Student Handbook.
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Dear DNAP Students:
Thank you for choosing the University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia. On behalf of the faculty
and staff, I am pleased and humbled that you chose to study with us at the University of Mobile.
To become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is to master the intersection of science and art. The
pathway to become a CRNA is a challenging and rewarding pursuit. As a CRNA, you will be responsible
for guiding a patient through their most vulnerable, perhaps terrifying, experiences. You will take
children from their parents’ arms, provide superior anesthesia care, and return them safely. You will
celebrate with new families upon the birth of a child and grieve alongside those with loss. The
opportunities to help all humankind lie ahead of you and I believe that you will leave the University of
Mobile prepared to make a profound impact.
The School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook provides you with information on policies,
procedures, and other guidelines that govern your doctoral education as a student in the School of
Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Mobile. You should use this handbook as your first point of
reference when you have questions regarding your program of study and/or academic policies within
the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program. I hope that you find this to be a valuable resource
during your study at the University of Mobile.
I commend you on reaching this milestone in your career and thank you for trusting the University of
Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia as we form a partnership in preparing you for the career ahead.
Best wishes!
Todd L. Hicks, DNP, MNA, CRNA
Executive Dean, College of Health Professions
Program Director, School of Nurse Anesthesia
Professor
School of Nurse Anesthesia
University of Mobile
iii
Faculty and Staff Directory
The following faculty are available to assist you in understanding the curriculum, policies, and
procedures in completing the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree.
Todd L. Hicks, DNP, MNA, CRNA
Executive Dean, College of Health Professions
Program Director, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program
Professor
School of Nurse Anesthesia
Weaver Hall Building, Office 201A
(251) 442-2203
Hunter Speeg, DNP, CRNA
Associate Program Director, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program
Assistant Professor
School of Nurse Anesthesia
Lauren Roberts, DNP, CRNA
Director of Clinical Education, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program
Assistant Professor
School of Nurse Anesthesia
Mrs. Lynnelle Kahalley
Program Administrator, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program
School of Nurse Anesthesia
Weaver Hall Building, 300
(251) 442.2295
lkahalley@umobile.edu
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE ......................................................................................................................................... 1
History of The University of Mobile
History of the School of Nurse Anesthesia
Administrative Structure of the College of Health Professions
School of Nurse Anesthesia Mission Statement
School of Nurse Anesthesia Philosophy
School of Nurse Anesthesia Goals
University Core Values
University Biblical Worldview
SECTION II: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................... 4
Accreditations and Approvals
Graduate Program Options
Graduate Program Descriptions
Graduate Program Expected Outcomes
School of Nurse Anesthesia Expected Outcomes
Curriculum Plan for Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
SECTION III: ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .............................................................. 8
Address/Name Changes
Americans with Disabilities Act/Student Disability Services
CoreScreening/Magnus
Commencement
Confidentiality and HIPAA
Communicating with Faculty
Core Performance Standards
CPR-AED/BLS Certification
Criminal Background Check Policy and Procedure
Disclosure of Legal/Criminal Convictions and Arrests
Drug Screen Policy and Procedure
E-Mail Policy
Graduation Application and Requirements
Health History
Immunizations
Lost and Found
Netiquette
Examity
Examplify
Professional Conduct
Program Vacation Policy
Purpose of a Syllabus
School of Nurse Anesthesia Location and Hours of Operation
Social Media/Networking Policy
Standard Precautions
Student ID Badges
Student Leave of Absence
v
Technology and Computer Requirements
Tobacco Use and Smoking Policy
Transportation Requirements
Typhon Electronic Student Tracking System
Unicheck Plagiarism Detection
University Rules and Regulations for Conduct
SECTION IV: ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ...................................................................... 27
Academic Integrity Policy
Academic Misconduct
Academic Probation
Adding, Dropping, or Withdrawing from Classes
Admission Paths
Admissions Standards and Requirements
Advising Responsibilities
Evaluation of DNAP Program
Grading
Grading Scale
Grievance Policy and Process
Incomplete Grade Policy
Limitation in Completion of Requirements
On-Campus Intensives for DNAP
Progression
Readmission after Dismissal/Appeal
Readmission After Voluntary Withdrawal or Transfer
Registering for Classes
SECTION V: CLINICAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .......................................................................... 36
Administrative Drop Policy for Failure to Submit Clinical Practice Requirements
Clinical Agency Agreements
Clinical Practice Preparation
Clinical Attendance and Absence Policy
Clinical Course Expectations
Clinical Hour Requirement for DNAP
Clinical Practice Experience
Clinical Practice Preparation
Clinical Site Assignment and Matriculation
Illness or Injury at Clinical Site
Nurse Anesthesia Competencies
Daily Clinical Performance Observation
Summative Clinical Evaluation
Professional Behavior in the Clinical Setting
Professional Dress in the Clinical Setting
SECTION VI: STUDENT RESOURCES AND SERVICES .......................................................................... 40
The U
Campus Security
Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice
vi
Library
Parking and Traffic Regulations
Postal Services
Registrar’s Office
Student Success Center
SECTION VII: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES ...................................................................................... 43
Ethical Practice
Liability Insurance
Licensure
Safe Clinical Practice
Student Conduct
SECTION VIII: APPENDICES............................................................................................................. 45
Appendix A – Nurse Anesthesia Program Student Handbook Acknowledgement
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SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
History of The University of Mobile
The university is a church-related institution of liberal arts and sciences chartered in 1961 as Mobile
College and affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State convention. The university is the creation of people
with a Christian Vision. It’s students are encouraged to become confident Christian men and women
who have mastered the body of knowledge required by the degree they hold; who know how to think;
who know what they believe and why they believe it; who possess the courage to live and work
according to those beliefs; and who possess the willingness and skill to use their influence in appropriate
and effective ways to change the world. The intent of the university is reflected in the preamble
statement, “changing lives to change the world.” As stated in the mission statement, the university
strives to establish and maintain a tradition of excellence in graduate programs.
History of the School of Nurse Anesthesia
The School of Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Mobile is a newly formed training program. The
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree is the first of its kind in the state of Alabama. The
School of Nurse Anesthesia was founded in 2020 by UM President Lonnie Burnett, PhD and the Board of
Trustees with former interim President Fred Wilson as Chairman. The inaugural Program Director of the
Nurse Anesthesia program is Todd Hicks, DNP, MNA, BS Ed, CRNA who was integral in the development
of the DNAP curriculum. The UM School of Nurse Anesthesia will graduate its first class in August, 2024.
Administrative Structure of the School of Nurse Anesthesia
The School of Nurse Anesthesia is currently incorporated under the University of Mobile College of
Health Professions.
Within the School of Nurse Anesthesia there is a single degree pathway, the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia
Practice (DNAP). The DNAP program is a 36-month, doctoral program culminating in the student being
made eligible to attempt the National Certification Examination (NCE) in order to become a Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
The School of Nurse Anesthesia has three administrative roles: Program Director (PD), Assistant Program
Director (APD), and Director of Clinical Education (DCE). These faculty form the Administrative Team
that manages the Nurse Anesthesia Program from admission to graduation as well as the Nurse
Anesthesia Leadership Council. The APD and the DCE report to the PD. The PD reports to the President.
The Administrative Team has the responsibility of the daily management of the Doctor of Nurse
Anesthesia Practice program, including didactic and clinical training, student progression, student
remediation, budget, service, scholarship, etc. This team also ensures that professional and
accreditation standards are met by the School of Nurse Anesthesia and Nurse Anesthesia program.
The Nurse Anesthesia Leadership Council is a larger group who govern the Nurse Anesthesia program. It
includes the Administrative Team as well as two representatives from each cohort and an at-large
member. The Council meets regularly and as needed to discuss and issues pertaining to the governance
of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program that are not of protected nature.
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School of Nurse Anesthesia Mission Statement
The UM School of Nurse Anesthesia is to produce superior quality nurse anesthesia providers who
deliver safe, efficient anesthesia services to the population of the gulf coast, Alabama, and beyond.
School of Nurse Anesthesia Philosophy
The School of Nurse Anesthesia provides exemplary, timely educational services and mentorship to
highly qualified nursing leaders in a personalized, family setting. Opportunities for didactic education,
clinical training, scholarship, scholarship, and service prepare students to provide anesthesia care across
the perioperative continuum to all populations in all settings.
School of Nurse Anesthesia Goals
• Didactic
o The DNAP student will obtain specialized academic preparation that provides the
necessary knowledge base to: (1) Assess patients; (2) Develop, implement and evaluate
individualized perioperative anesthesia plan; (3) Continually review and improve upon
the practice of nurse anesthesia
o The student will develop strong critical thought and problem solving skills for use in the
perioperative setting during the delivery of individualized anesthesia services
• Clinical
o The student shall design and implement an individualized anesthesia care plan for all
patient populations among all clinical settings
o The DNAP student will demonstrate clinical skills necessary for the full scope of nurse
anesthesia practice with fluency
o The student employs the use of outcomes evaluation to identify needed quality
improvement and develop strategies to make informed clinical decisions
• Scholarship
o The DNAP student will translate evidence and evaluate treatment outcomes among all
populations and all clinical settings
o The student will develop, implement, and disseminate a scholarly project with a specific
and meaningful goal in order to foment positive quality improvement in the delivery of
anesthesia care.
• Service
o The student will participate in professional organizations at the local, state, and national
levels in order to support the nurse anesthesia field and serve their members and the
public
o The DNAP student will develop as a healthcare leader by fully integrating their
knowledge base, clinical skills, scholarship, and service into the practice of nurse
anesthesia
3
University Core Values
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered academic community providing professional programs to
renew minds through intellectual and spiritual development for the fulfilling of one’s professional
calling. The core values of the university are supported by the nurse anesthesia faculty and reflected in
how we work and interact with others. The core values:
• Christ-centered
• Academically-focused
• Student-devoted
• Distinctively-driven
University Biblical Worldview
The faculty in the School of Nurse Anesthesia embrace the concept of teaching a biblical worldview to
our students. The biblical worldview serves as a pathway by which students are prepared to fulfill the
Great Commission as noted in God’s Word through:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...” | Describes our calling to Him. (Proverbs 9:10)
“Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;...” | Describes who we are in
Him. (Genesis 1:26)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
may provide what is that good and acceptable and perfect” | Describes our transformation in Him.
(Romans 12:2)
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SECTION II: PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Accreditation and Approvals
The University of Mobile is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission
on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions
about the accreditation of UM.
The DNAP curriculum offered by UM is accredited and approved by the Council on Accreditation of
Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068;
Telephone: (847) 655-1160; URL: http://www.coacrna.org. The program is accredited and approved by
the Alabama Board of Nursing and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges (SACSCOC).
Graduate Program Options
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice is the only graduate program of study available.
Graduate Program Descriptions
The graduate nursing programs build on the knowledge and competencies of baccalaureate nursing
education. The structure and process of the graduate programs provide for the attainment of advanced
knowledge and the skill in the practice of nursing.
The University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia has one program option:
1. Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Degree
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program is designed to prepare future Certified Registered
Nurse Anesthetists to provide safe and effective anesthesia care for all populations in all settings at
full scope of practice. It is designed to prepare tomorrow’s leaders with knowledge and skills to
provide an evidence-based clinical practice. The DNAP program also ensures that graduates have
strong ethics, understand business practice, know their value to the healthcare system, and are able
to behave professionally in all settings.
The DNAP is offered in a hybrid format, with some courses taught face-to-face while others are
online, but still with live interface. On-campus intensive experiences and high and low-fidelity
simulations are components of the curriculum. Daily clinical matriculation, in the final two years,
affords students the opportunity to practice newly learned clinical skills.
Graduate Program Expected Outcomes
Doctoral study builds upon prior baccalaureate education (BSN required) and is designed to prepare
scholarly nurse anesthetists who are capable of assuming leadership roles while providing safe and
efficient evidence-based anesthesia care. The DNAP provides students with diverse theoretical, clinical,
and leadership learning experiences, allowing them to develop skills inherent to the safe provision of
5
anesthesia care. DNAP students will develop specialized competencies and greater capacity to make
high-stakes decisions in highly stressful environments.
The curriculum guiding the University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia
Practice adheres to the requirements set by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia
Educational Programs (COA).
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program, the learner will:
1. Build upon prior nursing education and clinical/professional experiences to develop a sound
didactic knowledge base necessary to provide evidence-based, individualized, safe anesthesia
care for all populations and all settings.
2. Think critically and express themselves clearly and correctly.
3. Develop nurse anesthesia clinical skills in a variety of settings among all populations.
4. Develop physically, socially, spiritually, and professionally.
5. Provide culturally appropriate perianesthesia care.
6. Function as a leader in intra- and interprofessional settings.
7. Adhere to all AANA Standards of Care.
8. Interact professionally with integrity and of sound professional ethics, including providing cost-
effective care, displaying accountability, and analysis of outcomes to improve quality of care.
9. Disseminate scholarly work, including the DNAP Project.
School of Nurse Anesthesia Expected Outcomes
1. To prepare students with appropriate preparation to provide an opportunity of obtaining
appropriate credentials.
2. To provide students with an education broad enough to assure a career in nurse anesthesia.
3. To prepare DNAP graduates who are able to think critically and to express themselves clearly,
correctly, and succinctly both orally and in writing.
4. To provide opportunities for students to develop fully in areas including physical, social,
spiritual, and professional, as a leader and a team member.
5. To provide opportunities for DNAP students to develop nurse anesthesia skills among all
populations in a variety of settings.
6. To provide opportunities for the DNAP student to integrate evidence-based review into clinical
practice.
7. To prepare students to practice ethically and with integrity, focusing on both micro- and
macroscopic issues, such as diversity, population health and disparity, healthcare policy,
professional practice, and sound medicolegal decision-making.
Curriculum for Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
SEMESTER 1 (FALL)
NA700
Healthcare Systems for the Nurse Anesthetist
3
NA701
Ethics and Economics of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
3
NA710
Scientific Foundations of Anesthesia
4
Total Semester Hours
10
6
SEMESTER 2 (SPRING)
NA703
Evidence-based Decision Making in the Practice of Nurse Anesthesia
3
NA750
Advanced Health Assessment
3
NA777
Faith & Science
2
NA720
Advanced Pharmacology 1
3
Total Semester Hours
11
SEMESTER 3 (SUMMER)
NA721
Advanced Pharmacology 2
3
NA730
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 1
3
NA740
Principles of Anesthesia 1
4
NA775
Introduction to Clinical Practice
1
Total Semester Hours
11
SEMESTER 4 (FALL)
NA703
Organizational Leadership and Quality Improvement in Healthcare
3
NA731
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology 2
3
NA741
Principles of Anesthesia 2
4
NA780
Anesthesia Practicum 1
2
Total Semester Hours
12
SEMESTER 5 (SPRING)
NA704
Health Information Systems
2
NA705
Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice
3
NA742
Principles of Anesthesia 3
3
NA781
Anesthesia Practicum 2
4
Total Semester Hours
12
SEMESTER 6 (SUMMER)
NA770
Project Development 1
2
NA706
Health Policy
2
NA743
Principles of Anesthesia 4
2
NA782
Anesthesia Practicum 3
4
Total Semester Hours
10
SEMESTER 7 (FALL)
NA771
Project Development 2
2
NA790
Anesthesia Immersion 1
5
NA797
Anesthesia Seminar 1
1
Total Semester Hours
8
7
SEMESTER 8 (SPRING)
NA772
Project Implementation
2
NA791
Anesthesia Immersion 2
5
NA798
Anesthesia Seminar 2
1
Total Semester Hours
8
SEMESTER 9 (SUMMER)
NA792
Anesthesia Immersion 3
5
NA799
Review & Synthesis
1
Total Semester Hours
6
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SECTION III: ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Address/Name Change
It is important for the university to be able to locate and to send official correspondence to students.
Students are required to notify the School of Nurse Anesthesia of address and name changes through
the School of Nurse Anesthesia administrative coordinator. It is the student’s responsibility to keep
address, telephone numbers, and other directory information current.
Americans with Disabilities Act/Student Disability Services
The University of Mobile provides accommodations to enable students with disabilities to access the
university community, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C.
794(a)] and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) [42 U.S.C. 12101, et seq.]. Reasonable
accommodations are determined based on current documentation and are made on a case-by-case
basis. Adherence to academic standards that are essential to a course of study is generally considered
non- discriminatory. Students with disabilities are required to maintain the same level of responsibility
for their education as other students attending UM. These responsibilities including maintaining levels
of academic performance expected of all students, meeting class requirements, maintaining appropriate
behavior, and following the university’s policies and procedures.
Students requesting accommodations from UM must self-identify by contacting the Center for Student
Success. The university encourages students to request accommodations before the semester begins. If
the student chooses to delay providing documentation and/or making a request for accommodations.
UM will not provide accommodations in a retroactive manner but will upon the student’s request begin
the procedure for approving and implementing future accommodations. A reasonable amount of time
will be necessary and expected in order for the university to implement these accommodations.
Submitting an application for accommodations does not ensure that the student qualifies to receive
accommodations.
The Center for Student Success determines the student’s eligibility for accommodations and, for eligible
students, determines appropriate accommodation. UM will provide reasonable accommodation as long
as it does not fundamentally alter the nature of the program. In the event that a student is unable to
fulfill admission and progression standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will
not be admitted into, or be allowed to progress in the School of Nurse Anesthesia.
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program in the School of Nurse Anesthesia at UM is a mentally
and physically rigorous and places certain demands on the students enrolled in the program. All
students are expected to maintain a requisite GPA, pass all clinical competencies, and meet all standards
for graduate education as established by the COA. Additionally, DNAP students must complete all of the
academic and clinical requirements of the DNAP curriculum before they are eligible to graduate and
attempt the National Certification Examination provided by the National Board of Credentialing for
Nurse Anesthetists, allowing practice as a CRNA. The confidentiality of all documents will be maintained
by UM in accordance with all applicable law.
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CoreScreening and Magnus
The University of Mobile has contracted with CoreScreening for background checks and Magnus to
gather and maintain records and other required documentation for graduate nursing students. All
students must present documentation of all School of Nurse Anesthesia requirements to Magnus, the
designated non-affiliated vendor for the UM School of Nurse Anesthesia.
Students will receive and email from the School of Nurse Anesthesia with registration instructions for
CoreScreening before orientation. After, students will receive an email from CoreScreening with
instructions to complete the background check with an expiration date of 7 days from receipt of the
email. Additionally, students will be provided information regarding how to log on and activate an
account with Magnus. Within the Magnus account, students will be able to manage the requirements of
the graduate program, complete tasks as directed to meet deadlines, upload and store important
documents and records.
For assistance with Magnus, students should contact the Magnus Service Desk at 919.800.0356 or
service@magnushealthportal.com. For assistance with CoreScreening, students should contact
Customer Support at 208.813.1122 or support@corescreening.com.
Commencement
Degree-seeking DNAP students are expected to complete all requirements for graduation in order to
participate in commencement activities. Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degrees are awarded to all
School of Nurse Anesthesia students who have completed all required courses in their curriculum and
are students in good standing at the University of Mobile.
Students must submit an application for graduation to the Registrar’s Office during the semester prior to
graduation (Semester 2, Year 3). The deadline for this application is published each semester on the UM
website.
Confidentiality and HIPAA
The faculty and staff of the University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia recognizes the importance
of protecting the private and confidential information of patients/clients, their families, employees, staff
and peers as well as the operation(s) of agencies within which the faculty and students’ practice.
It is the legal and ethical responsibility of every student to abide by the laws relative to privacy including
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines. HIPAA regulations
require providers to protect patient confidentiality in all forms – oral, written, and electronic. All
information pertaining to patients/clients is considered confidential. Students must agree to abide by
the regulations promulgated by the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 (HITECH or Health
Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) as applicable to each clinical agency used
for clinical laboratory experience.
HIPAA regulations provide serious civil and criminal penalties for violation. Civil penalties can be as high
as $25,000 per violation. Even unintentional disclosure can involve serious penalties.
All School of Nurse Anesthesia faculty and DNAP students agree to:
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• Adhere to HIPAA and HITECH guidelines.
• Read, understand, and comply with confidentiality and privacy policies in each clinical
experience.
• Access, use or share confidential information only as it is essential and allowed by law. All
printouts, photocopies, written and electronic information produced for use during a clinical
shift must be secured at all times and destroyed prior to the end of that clinical shift. Notes and
work products, necessary for academic requirements, must have all identifiers removed.
• Never release protected health information to any unidentified source.
• Avoid discussion or disclosure of patient information outside of the academic setting. This
includes, but is not limited to, areas of public and social gatherings, on-line social networking,
social media, blogs, and any areas specified by the policy of the clinical setting. Students should
never talk about patients/clients in public, avoiding conversations in elevators, dining facilities,
and in situations where others may overhear.
• Avoid leaving patient/client records or information where unauthorized persons might see
them. No part of the medical record, or duplication thereof, may be removed from the clinical
setting. At all times, the medical record must be secured according to the clinical setting’s
policy.
• Avoid the use of patient/client’s names using initials only.
• Immediately report to the clinical and course faculty any incident or suspected incidents of
unauthorized access and/or disclosure of protected health information.
Communicating with Faculty
Students are encouraged to stay connected to their faculty advisors and course faculty. Faculty
members are available to provide assistance with concerns related to course content, examinations,
and writing assignments.
Several resources are available for students to communicate with faculty. All SNA faculty and staff
maintain a University of Mobile email account. Students are encouraged to email faculty and staff as
a primary means of communication. Faculty and staff will make every effort to respond to email
rapidly, but faculty are afforded 24 hours for response to routine email. Likely, responses will be
much faster. Appropriate faculty email addresses are published in the faculty directory on the
School of Nurse Anesthesia website.
If there is an urgent or emergent issue or request, students may use the UM voicemail system,
which is regularly accessed by SNA faculty and staff. If the individual you are attempting to contact
does not answer the telephone, the voicemail system is activated, and students may leave a succinct
message regarding the purpose of the call. In addition, student name, telephone number, and a time
that may be convenient for returning the call. It will be important that you speak slowly and
distinctly as you leave your information. A listing of appropriate telephone numbers is provided in
the faculty directory on the School of Nurse Anesthesia website.
In case of clinical urgency or emergency, students must contact the Director of Clinical Education or
the Program Director on their personal cell phone as soon as possible. These numbers are provided
in the DNAP program orientation and are to be used when appropriate.
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CPR-AED/BLS/ACLS/PALS Certification
Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications
must be maintained during enrollment and submitted after each renewal process. The copy of the
card must include the front and back, with appropriate signature. The course must be the American
Heart Association Healthcare Provider. The proof of CPR certification must be uploaded to and
approved by Magnus in order for the student to participate in graduate clinical learning experiences.
Once the student begins clinical matriculation, all certifications must be uploaded to TYPHON
Clinical Tracking System for review by clinical site coordinators prior to clinical embarkation.
An opportunity for these certifications will be provided during the preclinical period at the end of
year one of the curriculum as well as in the graduating semester to ensure that DNAP student
certification will extend throughout clinical training.
Criminal Background Check Policy and Procedure
The School of Nurse Anesthesia recognizes its role in maintaining a safe environment for students
and patients/clients. Health care agencies require employees and students to meet local and state
regulations. Therefore, a background check is required for all graduate nursing students enrolled in
the School of Nurse Anesthesia. Certain arrests or convictions, which could jeopardize the health
and safety of patients, may render a student ineligible for placement in a clinical agency. Ineligibility
for placement in a clinical agency to perform anesthesia care for completion of clinical objectives
will result in course failure and dismissal from the nurse anesthesia program.
The Joint Commission guidelines mandate criminal background checks on all employees, volunteers
and students. Additionally, healthcare agencies require background checks and drug testing for
DNAP students working in clinical settings. Therefore, all graduate students entering the School of
Nurse Anesthesia will consent to and complete a certified criminal background check. Failure to
submit a certified criminal background check will prevent enrollment in any DNAP courses as well as
suspend clinical matriculation which may encumber the DNAP student’s ability to graduate on time.
The criminal background check will include a local and national review of relevant records including
county of residence criminal records, residence history, Social Security alert, nationwide sexual
offender registry, and nationwide healthcare fraud and abuse scan.
Background Checks
• New students: Matriculation will be conditional on completion of a criminal background check.
Students may also be required to have additional checks once enrolled in the program. The
School of Nurse Anesthesia must certify to clinical agencies, where students participate in
clinical activities, that each student has had a background check with no adverse findings.
• Matriculated students: Supplemental or additional background checks may be required to meet
the requirements of a clinical agency. Once enrolled in the DNAP program, students are
compelled to disclosure any legal or criminal convictions or arrests within a three (3) day period.
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Consequences for a Criminal History
• If a criminal background report indicates any criminal history, the Program Director and the
School of Nurse Anesthesia will send a letter to the student requesting a written explanation of
the indicated incident(s).
• If the student challenges the information in the report as erroneous, the Program Director of the
School of Nurse Anesthesia will ask CoreScreening to investigate further to determine whether
the information is accurate.
• If the student responds that the criminal history report is accurate, the Program Director will
notify the student in writing that they will be unable to attend the School of Nurse Anesthesia
and withdrawal from the DNAP program is mandated.
• Students who have been convicted of a felony or have pleaded nolo contendere to a felony or a
crime involving moral turpitude are ineligible for clinical placement and are deemed unable to
complete program requirements and will not gain admission or achieve progression towards
graduation.
A student who engages in illegal and/or immoral activities and/or who exhibits unprofessional
conduct which directly or indirectly endangers the health or well-being of another will be subject to
immediate dismissal from the DNAP program.
The criminal background report will be held in the strictest confidence; only those individuals who
have a need to know related to the student’s enrollment and academic progress (e.g. clinical agency
placement) will have access to this information.
Disclosure of Legal/Criminal Convictions and Arrests
Students enrolled in the DNAP program must report any arrests or legal/criminal convictions including,
but not limited to, misdemeanors, felonies, sexual offender convictions, or government sanctions. If a
student is convicted of any criminal offense(s) other than minor traffic violations subsequent to the
criminal background check(s) obtained under this policy, the student is required to report the incident
within three (3) days after such conviction to the Program Director of the School of Nurse Anesthesia
supplying the date, nature of the conviction, and the court location. Failure to report arrests or legal
convictions will result in automatic and immediate dismissal from the School of Nurse Anesthesia. The
student will be ineligible for readmission to any University of Mobile DNAP program cohort.
Drug Screen Policy and Procedure
Alcohol and/or drug use/abuse can adversely influence the learning environment and impair an
individual’s judgment and decision-making capabilities preventing safe delivery of care in any healthcare
setting. The School of Nurse Anesthesia has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthy
environment for its students as well as the clients it serves. Any student under the influence of a drug or
alcohol during clinical may pose serious safety and health risks, not only to themselves, but to the
patients/clients they are providing care to.
As a result of The Joint Commission guidelines, healthcare agencies require drug testing for graduate
students working in clinical settings. Therefore, all graduate students entering the School of Nurse
Anesthesia will consent to and complete random drug testing. Failure to submit a drug screen will
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prevent enrollment in any DNAP courses as well as suspend clinical matriculation which may encumber
the DNAP student’s ability to graduate on time.
Admitted students will not be allowed to progress in coursework without completion of a negative drug
screen. (A negative drug screen is defined as absence of any cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates,
phencyclidine, or amphetamines in the student’s urine and/or blood.)
Drug Screening
• New students: Matriculation will be conditional on completion of a urine drug screen. Students
may also be required to have additional checks once enrolled in the program. The School of
Nurse Anesthesia must certify to clinical agencies, where students participate in clinical
activities, that each student has had a negative drug screen.
• Matriculated students: Supplemental or additional urine drug screens may be required to meet
the requirements of a clinical agency.
• Drug screen route: The presence of legal and illegal drugs may be assessed via obtaining urine,
hair, or saliva in an appropriate manner by a qualified professional in a professional setting.
Typically, a urine drug screen is employed, but for confirmation or refutation an alternate test
modality may be ordered.
Consequences for Positive Drug Test
• If the student’s drug screen is positive, the laboratory medical director will contact the student
requesting written proof of a prescription for drugs present, when appropriate. When detected
drug use is illicit or the student is unable to produce a prescription to substantiate legal usage of
the drug, the student will be dismissed from the School of Nurse Anesthesia DNAP program and
will not be eligible for readmission to any School of Nurse Anesthesia degree program cohort.
Students Found to be Under the Influence of Illicit Drugs and/or Alcohol
Each student is expected to uphold and demonstrate professional and personal moral standards.
The faculty subscribes to the intent of the university policy prohibiting the illegal possession, use or
distribution of drugs and/or alcohol by students on university property or as a part of any university
activity (on or off campus). Underage drinking is illegal.
Students manifesting behaviors in clinical settings including but not limited to, alcohol on breath,
pupillary changes, slurred speech, motor incapacities, or other signs and/or physical symptoms
suggesting impairment, will be questioned by nursing faculty or preceptor. If, in the faculty
member’s or preceptor’s judgment, it is reasonable to believe that an impairment exists, then the
student will be asked to leave the clinical setting immediately. The student may be asked to submit a
random drug screen at the time of the incident. A family member or friend will be contacted to
provide safe transportation for the student away from the clinical site.
Students in the School of Nurse Anesthesia must comply with the legal, moral and legislative
standards in accordance with the Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code. A student who
engages in illegal and/or immoral activities and/or who exhibits unprofessional conduct which
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directly or indirectly endangers the health or well-being of another will be subject to dismissal from
the program.
Reasonable Suspension of Drug/Alcohol Use
In addition to the pre-clinical screening process for substance abuse, for the protection of patients,
faculty, staff, and students, the School of Nurse Anesthesia has the right to require a student to
submit to testing for substance use/abuse at the student’s expense when a faculty member or
preceptor has reasonable cause to believe the student is under the influence of alcohol or other
drugs including:
1. Abnormal conduct or erratic behavior, absenteeism, tardiness or deterioration in performance.
2. Evidence of tampering with an ordered drug test.
3. Information that the student has caused or contributed to harm of self, visitors, staff, or a
patient/client while under the influence of drugs.
4. Evidence of involvement in the use, possession, sale, or solicitation of drugs.
5. An odor of alcohol on breath, pupillary changes, slurred speech, motor incapacities, or other
signs and/or physical symptoms suggesting impairment.
Confidentiality
The criminal background report and/or status of the drug screen will be held in the strictest
confidence; only those individuals who have a need to know related to the student’s enrollment and
academic progress (e.g. clinical agency placement) will have access to this information.
E-Mail Policy
All University of Mobile official communications with the student will be provided through the university
email address that is assigned to the student upon official admission and enrollment. All official
information including but not limited to, student billing, faculty-student communications, course
registration, financial aid information, student handbook changes, etc. will be sent to the students email
address representing official notification.
The university accepts no responsibility, for any forwarding of email that the student may choose from
their official university email account. The university is only responsible for ensuring that email gets to
the student’s email account that is maintained by the university. All students are responsible for
monitoring their university email account at least twice daily and respond to communication
expediently.
Only official UM email addresses will be used for communication by the School of Nurse Anesthesia.
Graduation Application and Requirements
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree is awarded to graduate students who have
completed all required courses in the DNAP curriculum and are in good standing at the university.
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Students must submit an application for graduation form to the Registrar’s Office the semester prior to
graduation (Semester 2, Year 3). The deadline for this application is published each semester on the
university website and/or is available in the Registrar’s Office.
Health History
Each student must complete a health history form through Magnus annually. Students without a
complete health history form will not be permitted to begin clinical rotations matriculation, resulting in
immediate course withdrawal, likely impacting timely graduation.
Immunizations
Healthcare workers, including students participating in clinical experiences, are at risk for contracting a
variety of communicable diseases. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has specific recommendations
for healthcare workers, in addition to the usual adult immunization requirements, to better protect
healthcare workers and the populations they serve.
The University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia requires its DNAP students to provide validation of
certain immunizations and/or immunities prior to the start of the clinical component and prior to clinical
placements. All clinical sites require proof of immunizations and/or immunities prior to clinical
placement.
Students who fail to provide proof of required immunizations and/or proof of immunity will not be
permitted to participate in clinical experiences that are necessary for program completion. Furthermore,
some clinical agencies may require additional immunizations in addition to those required by the School
of Nurse Anesthesia.
REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
Measles, Mumps, &
Rubella (MMR)
One of the following is required: two (2) vaccinations or positive antibody titer for
all 3 components or documentation by a medical provider of an allergic reaction. If
the titer is negative or equivocal, vaccinations are required.
Tetanus,
Diphtheria, and
Pertussis (Tdap)
Documentation of Tdap within the last ten (10) years or documentation by a
medical provider of an allergic reaction. The next action date will be set for ten (10)
years from the administered date of the vaccine.
Hepatitis B series
One of the following is required:
1. Three (3) vaccinations or
2. Positive antibody titer or
3. Documentation by a medical provider of an allergic reaction. If the series is
in process, the next action date will be set accordingly.
• If the titer is negative or equivocal, additional vaccinations are required.
Varicella
One of the following is required:
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1. Two (2) vaccinations or positive antibody titer or
2. Documentation by a medical provider of an allergic reaction.
• If the titer is negative or equivocal, additional vaccinations are required.
Tuberculosis
• A PPD-Mantoux test (one step) is required annually.
• A 2-step PPD test will be required if there is no evidence of a negative PPD
within the past 12 months.
• If PPD is positive, or student has previous history of a positive tuberculin skin
test, a normal chest x-ray is required within
12 months, unless history of INH therapy is documented.
• Repeat chest x-rays are not needed unless student displays symptoms or signs
of TB or a health care practitioner recommends a repeat chest x-ray.
• The health care provider performing the annual physical should screen for
signs and symptoms of TB.
A student may choose to do a blood test, QuantiFERON Gold, instead of a PPD. If
the blood test is positive for TB, the student must provide written documentation
from a healthcare provider defining treatment and release to work in a clinical
setting.
This is an annual requirement for all DNAP students.
Annual influenza
(Flu) vaccine
Submission of documentation of a flu shot administered for the current flu season
or documentation by a medical provider of an allergic reaction. The next action
date will be set for one (1) year.
COVID Vaccination
• COVID vaccine OR documentation by a medical provider of an allergic reaction.
• The UM School of Nurse Anesthesia policy regarding annual renewal of
vaccination/booster will be updated in adherence with CDC guidelines when
those recommendations are made public.
Waiver of Receipt of Required Immunizations
If a student is unable to receive the required immunizations due to a medical contraindication,
they must provide documentation by a licensed healthcare provider that they are unable to
fulfill the requirement. Students may not provide waiver documentation from a family member
or a close relative. Receipt of a waiver due to medical contraindication to vaccination does not
necessarily permit a student to matriculate in a clinical site and can affect clinical placement(s),
as clinical sites maintain their own requirements.
Uploading Relevant Information to Magnus
Students are supplied with detailed instructions on how to submit the completed documents to
the online service known as Magnus where student information and health records are
confidentially maintained. Submitted materials are reviewed to verify that the student is eligible
for participation in clinical courses. No student will be permitted in a clinical agency without
submission of a waiver or completely fulfilling the immunization requirements.
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Lost and Found
Any articles found in the School of Nurse Anesthesia should be surrendered to the SNA administrative
coordinator. If a DNAP student has lost any item, an inquiry should be made to Lynnelle Kahalley at
(251) 442.2295 or email lkahall[email protected].
Netiquette
Netiquette describes professional communication and behaviors for online communication and
interaction, email, discussion board postings, chats, blogs, etc., to ensure a forum for dynamic and
engaged learning. The expectations for netiquette are that all students are respectful and courteous in
all communications. Teaching and learning processes work best with free and open exchange of ideas,
yet in an electronic setting, without the benefit of facial expressions, body language or tonal cues,
miscommunication and misunderstanding may occur. Students should demonstrate respect and
courtesy by welcoming dissenting opinions, respecting personal privacy, and/or creating or maintaining
a culture of civility.
Conduct in the online setting is as important as face-to-face interaction. Appropriate communication
contributes to the perception of professionalism. Students should:
• Have honest and kind communication.
• Use clear, concise, and appropriate language.
• Use proper titles to address others (for example, Dr. Smith or Professor Jones), unless otherwise
requested by the person you are addressing.
• Be thoughtful, judicious, and professional about the use of emotions, sarcasm, jokes, or humor.
• Re-read, proof, and edit communications and discussion board postings before uploading and
sending.
• Compose written communication, discussion board posts, or other online assignments offline
before posting.
Examity
Students enrolled in courses with examinations are required by the School of Nurse Anesthesia to take
proctored exams online through an online exam proctoring service called Examity. The University of
Mobile has selected this company for all on-line testing.
Examity is an easy and effective way to maintain academic integrity in the classroom. The software
provides a scalable, online, on-demand exam proctoring service that can be accessed by test takers at
any time. Examity authenticates the student using facial recognition and maintains continuous identity
verification throughout the exam. The software monitors for a variety of events, behaviors, and patterns
typically associated with cheating referred to as anomalies.
The cost for a one-hour exam is fifteen (15) dollars and for a two-hour exam is twenty- two (22) dollars.
If for some reason, your exam had to be extended beyond the designated time, the cost would be an
additional seven (7) dollars for each hour extended. Although there is a window to take the exam, you
must schedule the time you would like to take the exam. You can take the exam without scheduling,
however, there is a five (5) dollar charge added for not scheduling your exam in advance.
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After students complete their examination, a detailed and optimized report of the proctor session is
emailed to the faculty member or test administrator for review. Highlighted in the report are the minute
and second where cheating-like behaviors occurred and allow the faculty member to determine if the
student was involved in a cheating behavior.
Examity® system requirements are:
• Desktop computer or laptop (not tablet)
• Webcam and microphone (built-in or external) – test your webcam at www.testmycam.com
• Connection to network with sufficient internet speed: at least 2 Mbps download speed and 2
Mbps upload – test internet speed at www.speedtest.net
• Operating systems: Windows XP or newer, Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) – or newer browser
with pop-up blocker disabled: Google Chrome v39 or later, Mozilla Firefox v34 or later, Internet
Explorer v8 or later, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari v6 or later
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Examity’s technical support team 24/7 via email at
[email protected]om or phone at (855)-392-6489.
Examplify
Examplify® is the student interface for Exam Soft®, The School of Nurse Anesthesia’s computer- based
testing software. Students complete all exams using Examplify®. Each student must have a personal
laptop that meets the minimum system requirements below. Each student must then download
Examplify® on to his/her personal devices.
Students are expected to install Examplify® on their personal laptop prior to attending orientation.
Examplify: Minimum System Requirements for Windows
Examplify cannot be used on virtual operating systems such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels,
VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual environments.
For exam taking best practices:
• Operating System: 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
• All Windows 10 Creators versions, including the Spring 1803 update are now supported with
Examplify version 1.5.0.
• Alternate versions of Windows 10, such as Windows RT, and Windows 10 S are NOT
supported at this time.
• Only genuine, U.S.-English versions of Windows Operating Systems are supported
• ExamSoft does not support Tablet devices other than Surface Pro as detailed below
• CPU Processor: 1.86Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo or greater
• RAM: highest recommended for the operating system or 2GB
• Hard Drive: highest recommended for the operating system or 1GB of available space
• For onsite support, a working USB port is required (Newer devices may require an adaptor)
• Internet connection for Examplify Download, Registration, Exam Download and
Upload
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• For technical troubleshooting, account passwords, including BitLocker keys, maybe required.
• Screen Resolution must be 1024x768 or higher
Surface Pro Requirements:
• Surface Pro, Surface Books, and Surface Laptop devices are supported (Non-Pro Surface devices
are NOT supported)
• Must be running a supported Operating System (See PC Requirements above)
• An external keyboard (USB or Bluetooth) is required. Bluetooth keyboards must be paired prior
to launching exam
• Hard Drive: 1GB or higher available space
• For onsite support, a working USB port is required (Newer devices may require an adaptor)
• Internet connection for Examplify Download, Registration, Exam Download and Upload
• Screen Resolution must be 1920x1080
Examplify: Minimum System Requirements for Mac OS X
Examplify can be used on most modern Mac OS X based computers (i.e. purchased within the last 3-4
years). Please see specific system requirements as noted below.
Examplify cannot be used on virtual operating systems such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels,
VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual environments.
In order to use Examplify on your Apple Macbook, Macbook Air, or Macbook Pro natively, you must
have:
• Internet connection for Examplify Download, Registration, Exam Download and Upload
• For onsite support, a working USB port is required (Newer devices may require an adapter)
• For technical troubleshooting, account passwords, including device passwords, may be
required.
• Server version of Mac OS X is not supported
• Screen Resolution must be 1024 x 768 or higher
• Operating System:
o Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
o Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
o Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
o Mac OS X 10.12 Sierra
o Mac OS X 10.13 High Sierra is supported!
• Hard Drive = 1 GB or higher free disk space
• RAM = 2 GB
• CPU = Intel processor
• Touchbars are supported
Professional Conduct
Professionalism is comprised of behaviors, practices, and communication styles that demonstrate core
values of nurse anesthetists working to achieve optimal health outcomes in patients, families, and
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communities. This includes conduct that applies the principles of excellence, caring, ethics, respect,
communication, and accountability. Students learn these principles through self-assessment,
responsible learning, effective communication, and continuous professional engagement.
A student who engages in illegal and/or immoral activities and/or who exhibit unprofessional conduct
which directly or indirectly endangers the health or well-being of another will be subject to dismissal
from the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program.
Program Vacation Policy
Policy Statement: Vacation time is an essential aspect of maintaining student well-being and work-life
balance during the Nurse Anesthesia Program. This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for
requesting and utilizing vacation time during the program.
Policy Details:
Vacation Allotment: Students will be allotted a total of 10 vacation days throughout the duration of the
program.
Approval Process: All vacation requests must be submitted in writing for approval to the Program
Director/Associate Program Director. Students who take vacation without prior approval will be placed
on clinical probation.
Utilization of Vacation Days: Vacation days encompass any time off requested by the student, including
sickness, vacations, personal days, or medical leave of absence.
Discretion of Program Leadership: The allocation of any time off is subject to the discretion of program
leadership.
Exceeding Allotted Days: Any days used beyond the 10 allotted vacation days must be made up prior to
graduation. This arrangement should be communicated in writing to program administration and
coordinated between the student and clinical coordinators.
Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. Course directors are not obligated to
adjust assignments or schedules to accommodate student vacations. Students are responsible for any
missed assignments as per individual course syllabi.
Vacation Balances: Students are not permitted to take vacation if they do not have available vacation
days. Negative balances are not permitted at any point in the program. In cases of extenuating
circumstances, time off will be coordinated with appropriate program faculty.
Duration of Vacations: Vacations lasting more than 5 consecutive class/clinical days will not be allowed,
including days allotted during the intersession. No vacation will be permitted during the initial clinical
experience (August-September, year 1).
Specialty Rotations: Vacations during specialty rotations are highly discouraged. Vacation requests
submitted during a specialty rotation will be subject to approval by the institution and the Program
Director/Associate Program Director/Director of Clinical Education.
Submission Timeline: Vacation requests should be submitted prior to schedule release. Requests made
after the release of the schedule will be honored at the discretion of the clinical site and the Program
Director/Associate Program Director/Director of Clinical Education.
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Implementation and Enforcement: This policy will be implemented at the beginning of each academic
year and will be enforced by the Program Director/Associate Program Director/Director of Clinical
Education. Any violations of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the program's
policies and procedures.
Review and Revision: This policy will be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to ensure alignment
with program goals and objectives, as well as any changes in accreditation standards or institutional
policies.
Purpose of a Syllabus
The course syllabus is designed by the instructor as a course guide and learning aid for the student. The
syllabus is not intended to be construed as a contract, either expressed or implied. The instructor
reserves the right to alter the syllabus as indicated. Students will be notified by email of any changes or
modifications to the course calendar or course requirements as specified in the syllabus.
School of Nurse Anesthesia Location and Hours of Operation
The School of Nurse Anesthesia is located on the second floor of Weaver Hall. The School of Nurse
Anesthesia is open from 7:30 AM until 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday.
Social Media/Networking Policy
The definition of social media is broad and constantly evolving. The term generally refers to internet-
based tools that allow individuals to communicate; to share information, ideas, personal messages,
images and in some cases, to collaborate with other users in real time. Social media is also referred to as
social networking. Social media and networking include but are not limited to:
• Blogs, and micro-blogs such as Twitter
• Social networks, such as Facebook
• Professional networks, such as LinkedIn
• Video sharing, such as YouTube, Second Life, and vlogs (video logs)
• Audio sharing, such as podcasts
• Photo sharing, such as Flickr, Instagram, and Photobucket
• Social bookmarking, such as Digg and Redditt
• User created web pages such as Wikis and Wikipedia, and
• Any other internet-based social media/social networking application similar in purpose or
function to those applications described above.
All University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia graduate students must adhere to regulations
provided by HIPAA, HITECH, AANA Code of Ethics, and assigned clinical agencies policies regarding any
usage of electronic devices in or out of the clinical or classroom setting.
• Permission may be granted by nursing faculty or assigned preceptors to use electronic devices
for enhancing learning in the classroom or patient care environment.
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Some electronic communication, networking and/or postings are subject to public view; therefore,
students are responsible for all content and are subject to disciplinary action if they engage in misuse or
abuse. Misuse of electronic devices includes but may not be all inclusive:
• Patient information
• Communication or postings of illegal, obscene, defamatory and/or slanderous statements
• Postings of obscene photos or videos
• Discrediting of any person(s) or group(s)
Students enrolled in the School of Nurse Anesthesia DNAP program are expected to be compliant with
the social media/networking policy. Appropriate and professional behaviors include:
• Maintain ethically prescribed professional boundaries surrounding the nurse- patient
relationship in the online environment in addition to the classroom.
• Follow HIPAA guidelines at all times. Identifiable information concerning patients/clinical
rotations must not be posted in any online forum or webpage.
• Report promptly any identified breach of confidentiality of privacy to faculty or other
appropriate authority. Avoid transmitting or placing online individually identifiable patient
information.
• Protect confidential, sensitive, and proprietary information. Do not post confidential or
proprietary information about the university, staff, students, patients/clients, clinical facilities,
or others with whom one has contact in the role of a University of Mobile nursing student.
• Practice restraint when disclosing personal information on social networking sites. Even
seemingly innocuous pictures and comments can impact the respect and trust patients and
others have for UM graduate nursing students.
• When posting your point of view, neither claim nor imply that you are speaking on UM’s behalf,
unless you are authorized to do so in writing.
• Understand that patients/clients, colleagues, peers, institutions, and employers may view
postings.
Standard Precautions
Due to the nature of the practice of nurse anesthesia, students may come in contact with patients or
specimens capable of causing disease. It is imperative that appropriate infection control techniques and
precautions be followed. Appropriate standard precautions and needle and sharp precautions, as
defined by the Centers for Disease Control are adhered to by the School of Nurse Anesthesia. In order to
limit transmission of blood borne diseases, students are not permitted to perform invasive procedures
on themselves or other students in the Anesthesia Skills Lab. Invasive procedures include, but not
limited to, any form of injection or venipuncture. Additionally, students may not practice invasive
procedures on themselves, other students, faculty, or agency staff in the clinical setting. Students are
permitted to perform invasive procedures only in clinical care settings on patients with supervision by
licensed personnel.
Despite careful and conscientious practice of standard precautions, it cannot be guaranteed that
students will not be exposed to blood or body fluids.
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All students should read and adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Basic
Infection Prevention and Control and Worker Guidelines at
www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/index.html.
General Procedure Following Exposure, Illness, or Injury
If an exposure/illness/injury occurs during student experiences, the student is responsible for
immediately reporting the incident to clinical faculty and to the agency where the incident occurred. The
initial care following any injury, illness, or exposure to blood or body fluid should be the same procedure
used for employees of the clinical agency. Regardless of the place for providing initial care, agency or
private medical provider, the student or the student’s insurance carrier will be responsible for any and
all charges incurred. The post-exposure or follow-up care should be conducted by the student’s choice
of private medical provider. All students are encouraged to maintain health insurance.
Student ID Badges
All students are required to have an official University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia photo I.D.
badge as a means of identification. The photo ID badge should be worn and be visible on the student’s
person in all classroom, simulation, and clinical experiences.
Student Leave of Absence
The faculty recognizes the nature and the pace of the graduate nursing programs are rigorous and
demanding. There may be times when the student’s personal, family, financial, medical, or work
situation may require an interruption in the planned course of study. The student requesting a leave of
absence must 1) submit a written request for a leave of absence, 2) confer with the course faculty and
the Graduate Program Chair, and 3) follow readmission application policy for the graduate nursing
program.
There is no guarantee that a student will be readmitted to the nurse anesthesia program, however with
any leave of absence or readmission that is granted by the University of Mobile School of Nurse
Anesthesia, the student must reclassify with the subsequent cohort.
Technology and Computer Requirements
All graduate nursing programs are distance-mediated programs offered online through a learning
management system (LMS). The University of Mobile currently utilizes Canvas as the university’s online
learning platform.
The mechanism of delivery for the nurse anesthesia program will be via live lectures, both on-campus
and distance, as well as pre-recorded podcasts, and live remote classroom sessions. There are required
on-campus intensives.
Participation in online courses requires the student to have access to a computer and the ability to send
and receive email. UM provides an email account for every student. Your professors must be able to
correspond with you through email and may require you to communicate with your classmates through
email. Course faculty and clinical preceptors will use your university student email account for all email
communication unless otherwise specified.
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By enrolling in an online course, the student is granting the faculty permission to post their name and
email address on the course website and otherwise distribute that information to other students in the
class.
University of Mobile’s network enables access to external facilities, systems, and other networks over
which UM has no control, including capabilities, which are incidental to providing such access. Some of
these resources may not support UM’s goals and objectives. Although UM does not exercise editorial or
censorship control of such external resources, UM expects that technology will not be used for
purposes, which are immoral, illegal, or inconsistent with the university’s mission. The UM Information
Technology Department monitors faculty and student for spam email.
Inappropriate uses of technology include but are not limited to those specifically prohibited by local,
state, or federal law. Without limitation, examples of inappropriate uses of technology include:
• Sending of harassing, threatening, or obscene material to minors and/or non- consenting adults
or any attempts to confuse or frustrate another user in achieving their objectives.
• Random or unauthorized bulk sending or mailing of messages.
• Inappropriate use of access.
• Unauthorized release of information and viewing of UM’S data outside of institutional
objectives.
• Any disregard for the security mechanisms that are in place or other attempts to gain
unauthorized access to technical resources. This includes possession of or attempts to acquire
another user’s password or allowing others access to technology resources that are not
allocated for their use;
• Malicious transmission of a computer virus.
Students are expected to:
• Utilize the university email system as the primary means of communication for university issues
between the student, faculty, and staff. To ensure a quality learning experience, students are
expected to check their email at least twice daily and respond to faculty with 24 hours of an
initial email.
• Practice good netiquette throughout each course by demonstrating respect.
• Assure that computer hardware and required software is installed.
• Assume a self-motivated, independent, and engaged learning role.
• Meet course deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information communicated related to patients, employers,
and other students.
• Obtain course work missed due to interruption in internet service or technology failure.
Extension of assignment deadlines will be considered at the discretion of the faculty.
Given the nature of online learning, and in consideration of the software programs required for students
in the graduate nursing program, the following is a list of minimum computer specifications. Please
ensure that your computer meets or exceeds these requirements, and that you have access to all
required software and hardware components.
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COMPONENT
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
PC User OS
Windows 10 or higher
Mac User OS X
Intel processor, OS X version 10.11.6
Internet
Broadband connection
RAM
4GB RAM
Compatible Web Browser
Google Chrome
Hardware
Speaker, Webcam
Desktop Software (for PC or Mac Hardware)
MS Office 2010 or higher, Word, PowerPoint,
Excel, Adobe Reader
UM emphasizes the ability to utilize computer skills alone with various software packages in the
educational setting. Computer skills needed to succeed in the nursing program include word processing
along with the use of internet and email. Microsoft Word and Google Chrome are recommended.
Tobacco Use and Smoking Policy
The School of Nurse Anesthesia has a vital interest in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for its
students as well as maintaining safe and healthful conditions for its patients/clients. Nurse anesthesia
students are not permitted to use tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, when acting as a
representative of the School of Nurse Anesthesia. This includes, but is not limited to, any clinical
function and/or any time the student is in professional dress wearing SNA Scrubs or monogrammed lab
jackets. Students are not permitted to smoke or use tobacco in any form when attending a professional
function required by the School of Nurse Anesthesia.
Transportation Requirements
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to all required on-campus interface,
including on-campus intensives, and to all clinical practice sites. Additionally, releasing the University of
Mobile and the School of Nurse Anesthesia and/or affiliated institutions from liability for any accidents
in which they may be involved while traveling to and from these learning experiences.
TYPHON Clinical Tracking System
Students enrolled in graduate nursing programs are required to purchase and utilize the TYPHON Nurse
Anesthesia Student Tracking System (NAST) software in all clinical courses as well as some didactic
courses. Typhon NAST system is web-based, HIPAA compliant and allows students to quickly and easily
document: 1) Clinical time logs; 2) Patient encounter information such as demographics, clinical
information, anesthesia type, case type, various case descriptors; 3) Achievement of program
competencies (https://www.typhongroup.net/anesthesia).
The necessary clinical and patient information should be entered into TYPHON within three (3) days
following each clinical day. TYPHON is set to lock students out from entering any information after the
three (3) day time period. Faculty will monitor the TYPHON logs regularly to ensure that students are
completing their clinical hours and have appropriate clinical experiences. Late entries will not be
accepted (https://www.typhongroup.net/anesthesia).
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At the end of each semester, students must provide a summary of their clinical time to the course
faculty member.
Unicheck Plagiarism Detection
The University of Mobile’s School of Nurse Anesthesia highly values academic integrity and is committed
to the fundamental value and obligation of preserving academic honesty among our students. UM uses
Unicheck software as a formative process to help students develop and improve scholarly writing skills,
while promoting academic honesty. This product is used to identify plagiarism and to help students
write academic papers more skillfully (http://www.unicheck.com).
In addition to determining the percentage of “originality” and “similarity” in the submitted paper, the
software also has other important features such as spell checker, grammar checker, online editing, and
automatic tips for proper citation (http://www.unicheck.com).
Appropriate references for the use of Unicheck Plagiarism Detection will appear in the course syllabus.
University Rules and Regulations for Conduct
The Graduate Student Handbook explains the rules and regulations of the university, defines standards
of personal and academic conduct expected of students, describes disciplinary procedures and actions,
and explains how students may have grievances heard and remedied.
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SECTION IV: ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Academic Integrity Policy
The University of Mobile has established a policy for students regarding academic integrity. The School
of Nurse Anesthesia adheres to this policy as it relates to academic dishonesty by nurse anesthesia
students.
Graduate students attending UM are expected to reflect a high standard of academic integrity and
conduct themselves in alignment with basic Christian principles and the mission of the university. Any
student found to be disruptive in class, copying, plagiarizing (with or without an intent to deceive),
cheating, engaging in unauthorized use of a test, forging or falsifying records (self or patient; university,
or clinical agency), or lying to a faculty member in order to complete a course assignment will be subject
to disciplinary action.
The following are violations of Academic Integrity Policy.
1. Cheating:
• Unauthorized use of any materials, notes, sources of information, study aids or tools during
an academic exercise. No hats, cell phones, calculators, computers, or other electronic
devices (including smart watches) allowed during exams.
• Unauthorized assistance of a person, other than the course faculty during an academic
exercise.
• Unauthorized viewing of another person’s work during an academic exercise.
• Unauthorized securing of all or any part of assignments or examinations in advance of the
submission by the faculty.
2. Fabrication/Falsification – the unauthorized invention or alteration of any information, citation,
data or means of verification in an academic exercise, official correspondence of a university
record, client record, or other professional documentation.
• Failure to report errors in the clinical area.
• Falsifying patient/client records by charting incorrect data or removing data.
• Releasing confidential information about patients/clients to persons who do not have the
right to such information.
• Rude, abusive, or unprofessional language to patients/clients, agency personnel, faculty.
• Jeopardizing a patient’s/client’s safety.
3. Plagiarism – submitting one’s own work or creating any material or an idea wholly or in part
created by another. This includes, but it not limited to:
• Oral, written, and graphical material.
• Both published and unpublished work.
• Any material(s) downloaded from the internet
4. Complicity – helping or attempting to assist someone to commit an act of academic dishonesty.
• Conveying exam information to other students.
• Reproducing information in duplicate for course assignments.
5. Unprofessional behavior (verbal, written, virtual, or live):
• Disrespectful to faculty, staff, or peers.
• Use of inappropriate language.
• Lack of accountability or responsibility for actions.
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• Disregarding the well-being and needs of patients: acts of commission or omission that
could adversely affect the patient, e.g. medication errors, failure to provide safe and
appropriate care, failure to follow preceptor/faculty instructions, breach of client
confidentiality.
6. Academic Performance – any reason that may place the student at risk for dismissal such as:
• Insufficient or lack of academic skills to support successful completion of graduate program
of study.
• Inconsistent or minimal participation in coursework.
• Poor writing or verbal communication skills.
• Frequent requests for exceptions or special accommodations not related to a documented
disability.
Each faculty member has the responsibility of defining academic expectations at the beginning of each
session. If a faculty member discovers a student violating the academic integrity code, they must either:
1) Assign a grade of “0” for the test or assignment if the infraction relates to an academic assignment;
and/or 2) Refer the incident to the Graduate Faculty Committee. After committee members complete
the investigation, the incident, along with supporting evidence, is to be reported in writing to the Vice-
President for Academic Affairs with a copy mailed to the student.
The office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs determines whether the incident is the student’s
second offense and, if so, refers the matter to the Academic Affairs Committee for disciplinary action. A
student found guilty of a second offense is subject to academic suspension for up to one academic year,
which requires re-application and matriculation with a subsequent cohort. No guarantees are made that
this student will be readmitted. A third offense will result in academic dismissal and will not be eligible
for program reapplication. The student is entitled to appeal any case involving allegations of academic
dishonesty or misconduct, in keeping with the appeal process as outlined.
Falsification of medical records may have legal consequences for which the student may be held
accountable.
Academic Misconduct
Academic integrity is a responsibility of each student attending the University of Mobile. Plagiarism,
cheating, falsifying records (self or patient, university, or clinical agency), lying and any other of
academic dishonesty are intolerable. The Graduate Faculty Committee will discipline any student,
participating in any form of academic dishonesty, after a thorough review.
Academic Probation
All graduate students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered in good standing and to be
eligible for graduation. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 is subject to program dismissal.
DNAP students must make grades of B or higher to maintain their position in the cohort. Grades below B
are considered course failures. Course failure results in eligibility for program dismissal.
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The School of Nurse Anesthesia reserves the right to require withdrawal from the graduate nursing
program of any graduate student whose health, academic record, clinical performance, or behavior is
judged unsatisfactory or potentially unsafe.
Adding, Dropping, or Withdrawing from Classes
During specified periods each semester, students may add, drop or withdraw from a course (see the
Academic Calendar page from the Registrar’s Office). Students must consult with the academic advisor
prior to adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a course.
If a student chooses to drop a course after the last official day to drop a course, a grade of “F” will be
recorded on the student’s transcript.
Admission Paths
• Regular Admission: Admission is granted to students who have completed all requirements of
the application process and who have demonstrated an acceptable level of academic
achievement in their undergraduate degree program, including meeting program specific,
minimum GPA requirements and demonstrating preparedness for work at the graduate level in
their field of specialization.
Admission Standards and Requirements
Applicants to the graduate programs must meet all university program requirements and be accepted
for admission to graduate study by the School of Nurse Anesthesia. Admission to the School of Nurse
Anesthesia is competitive and will be based on evaluation of the applicant’s overall academic
qualifications, clinical experience, personal references, and interview.
The University of Mobile and the School of Nurse Anesthesia accept students on the basis of academic
qualifications, character, personal interview, and evidence of the potential to benefit from the university
experience. The university accepts all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, place of
national origin, sex, age, or ethnic group.
Admission requirements for the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (BSN-DNAP) program.
• Application for admission must be complete by October 1 (or other appropriate date
determined by the Program Director) for each application cycle
• Submission of official transcripts for all academic work attempted and all institutions attended
must be submitted prior to October 1 (or other appropriate date determined by the Program
Director) in order for the application complete.
• Qualifying GRE score
• International students:
o Students with international transcripts must provide evaluation from World Educational
Services (http://www.wes.org/) for previous non-nursing coursework.
o International students must show proof of English proficiency. Applicants should
request that official TOEFF test scores be sent directly to Enrollment Services.
• Completion of BSN from a regionally accredited educational institution.
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o Transcripts must show successful completion of
▪ Anatomy (5 semester hours)*
▪ Physiology (5 semester hours)*
▪ College Chemistry and Lab (3 semester hours)^
▪ Microbiology (3 semester hours)
▪ Health statistics (2 semester hours)
*This requirement can be met by taking a two-course sequence of Anatomy and
Physiology that totals 10 semester hours
^This course must be of college level and cannot be an introduction/survey course
• Grade point average requirements:
o Overall = > 3.0/4.0
o Last 60 hours attempted = > 3.0/4.0
o Nursing school courses = > 3.0/4.0
o Science and math prerequisites = > 3.0/4.0
• Must hold and maintain an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in a state or
territory of the United States
• Must hold and maintain or be eligible for license to practice as a registered nurse in Alabama.
• Minimum of one (1) year of critical care nursing experience, subject to approval from the SNA
Program Director. This experience must include managing acutely and critically ill patients that
require advanced monitoring, titration of vasoactive substances, and/or care for a patient
undergoing mechanical ventilation.
• Submission of a clear background check and absence of criminal conviction.
• Submission of health history and record of required immunizations.
• Submission of record of American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS Healthcare Provider
Certification.
• A personal interview with the School of Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee, which may
include Program Director, Associate Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, other SNA
faculty, other UM faculty, clinical site coordinators, and public stakeholders, when appropriate.
• Submission of current personal health insurance coverage.
• Three reference forms from:
o Current critical care work supervisor or nurse manager who has direct knowledge of the
applicant’s skills in the clinical setting and how they will translate into the DNAP role.
o A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide a meaningful
assessment of the applicant’s academic record.
o A practicing CRNA who has served as a mentor and can speak about the applicant’s
ability as a nurse anesthetist and potential to become a DNAP.
• If the applicant has been dismissed from a nurse anesthesia training program, an additional
letter of reference is required from the program administrator of every program attended
• Current Curriculum Vita or resume is required. This document should include:
o Educational background including institutions, degrees awarded, degrees in progress,
dates of degrees awarded and/or anticipated date of receiving degrees.
o Relevant employment history, including:
▪ Job title, job description, and relevant duties performed.
▪ Employment dates of each position.
o Community service and/or volunteer experience.
o Awards, publications, presentations, memberships, and honors.
o Evidence of leadership and career progression.
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• Personal statement of no more than two pages discussing:
o How your previous education, experience, and professional interest have prepared you
to be successful in the DNAP program.
o Your professional goals and how completing the DNAP program will help you achieve
your professional goals.
o Your understanding of the DNAP role and your intentions regarding service as a DNAP
professional.
o Steps you have taken to prepare for success in this program.
o Your essay must be clear, succinct, and double-spaced.
Advising Responsibilities
Advising is an integral part of the student experience at the University of Mobile. It is a collaborative
process in which students are expected to assume primary responsibility for their academic planning
while faculty advisors provide expertise and support in the process.
Upon enrollment, each student is assigned a faculty advisor to assist the student with academic
concerns, execution of the program of study, and assuring that the DNAP timeline and all graduation
requirements are met.
Responsibilities of the faculty advisor include:
• Review the DNAP course of study and the DNAP timeline with the student.
• Communicate with the student to facilitate registration and registration deadlines.
• Keep informed of student progress though:
o Regular/routine communication with the student.
o Communicating and discussing concerns and problems with other School of Nurse
Anesthesia faculty.
o Monitoring grades, academic, and clinical (when applicable) progress at each semester
midpoint and conclusion.
o Referring the student to appropriate campus resources if requested.
o Communicating with university leadership when necessary.
• Completion of the midsemester and end-of-semester student evaluations/formative
evaluations.
Responsibilities of the DNAP student advisee:
• Clarify with the faculty advisor their contact information and virtual or in-person office hours.
• Communicate with the faculty advisor any concerns regarding course registration.
• Communicate with the faculty advisor in case of academic difficulty, interruption in program, or
potential change in academic status.
• Contact the faculty advisor if they fail an exam or if they suspect they have earned less than a B
for the course grade.
• Contact the faculty advisor for questions about campus resources to assist them with their
academic work.
• Maintain regular contact with the faculty advisor via email, telephone, face-to-face meetings.
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When a student is recommended for dismissal from SNA, the Program Director will provide a written
notification of dismissal. Students will be recommended for dismissal from the nurse anesthesia
program under the following conditions:
• Earning a grade less than a B in any course
• Exhibiting conduct that is unprofessional, incompetent, unethical, or illegal in the classroom or
clinical settings as outlined by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Code of Ethics
and/or School of Nurse Anesthesia clinical policies.
• Cheating on course examinations, plagiarism or improper documentation or falsification of
clinical records or activities.
• The School of Nurse Anesthesia retains the right to permanently dismiss from the program any
student who is deemed to violate the policies and procedures of the School of Nurse Anesthesia;
policies and procedures of clinical and affiliating facilities; professional behavior; and/or policies
of confidentiality.
Evaluation of DNAP Program
The faculty believes that a systematic ongoing evaluation is essential to the development of an
educationally sound academic program. Methodical evaluation promotes the search for effective,
efficient, and innovative approaches to learning and results in the continuing improvement of the
educational program. It provides a basis for making decisions regarding program modifications and
changes, resulting in the continuing improvement of the education program. The purposes of program
evaluation are to:
1. Determine to what extent students are prepared to meet the objectives of the professional
program.
2. Promote continuous improvement in the overall program.
3. Encourage personal/professional growth and responsibility of faculty and students through
participation in the evaluation of the educational program.
DNAP students participate in the evaluation process by providing electronic evaluations of all nurse
anesthesia courses. Additionally, DNAP students are provided opportunities to share information
through student representatives with the Graduate Faculty Committee and through other informal
channels of communication. Students complete anonymous program evaluations at regular intervals (6,
12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months).
Grading
Grades are earned through completion of course requirements. Points are awarded based on the level
of achievement of expected outcomes. Earned points for each learning activity (examination, written
assignment, presentation, etc.) and are posted on the Canvas Gradebook within the course. Students
are responsible for tracking their own progress. Questions or concerns regarding grades earned should
be addressed to the course faculty within one week of the grade posting. No grades will be reviewed
after the grades have been posted for one (1) week.
There is no rounding of test/exam grades in the nurse anesthesia program. All grades will be recoded to
the one hundredth (e.g 85.43). Upon course completion, grades will be averaged as specified in the
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course syllabus with the final grade determined to the nearest one hundredth (79.98 would not be
considered a passing grade). Extra credit opportunities are not available at the graduate level.
Course grades are earned by the student based on the criteria delineated by each course syllabus. If
there are questions or concerns, the student should refer to the course syllabus and consult the course
faculty member.
The instructor makes the final decision on a test/exam grade. If the student believes a course grade is
unfair, this may be discussed with the instructor, the Graduate Program Chair, and the Program
Director. The student appeal process should be followed in the appropriate sequence and is outlined in
the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook.
Grading Scale
Final grades are computer according to the following standard based on a total of 100%
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F < 60
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by the Registrar’s Office, and the following quality points
are assigned:
A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points
Grievance Policy and Process
The School of Nurse Anesthesia follows a Grievance Policy for the resolution of formal student
complaints or concerns. Formal complaints must be made in writing to the Program Director. The formal
complaint must include specific information, including the nature of the complaint and evidence
supporting the complaint. An investigation is initiated within seven (7) days of receipt. In cases of
alleged arbitrary, inconsistent, or discriminatory grading, the following review process will be followed
in the School of Nurse Anesthesia:
1. In on-campus courses, the student will request a meeting within (1) week with the course
faculty to review the basis for the grade. In online courses, the student will request an online or
telephone conference with the faculty to review the basis for the grade.
2. If the student perceives the outcome of meeting with the faculty is not appropriate, the
student may appeal to the Program Director within 14 days after the course faculty decision.
The Program Director will seek to mediate the issue between the student and the course
faculty.
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3. If the student is unsatisfied with the findings and recommendations by the
Program Director, the student may appeal to the senior university administration within 14
days of the Program Director’s decision. The Program Director will meet with the student,
confer with the course faculty member, and then make the final decision. The student should
be notified of the decision within fourteen (14) days of submission of their formal complaint.
Incomplete Grade Policy
A written request for a grade of incomplete (“I”) is initiated by a student when students are unable to
complete the work for a course due to reasons beyond their control (hospitalization, serious physical
and mental health issues, death of spouse/child/parents), etc.). The grade of “I” is only given in cases
where the incomplete is unavoidable and legitimate. Students may be required to provide formal
documentation to support an incomplete grade request. Students may not request an incomplete due
to failing course grades or poor course performance.
An Incomplete Grade Form that includes the reason for the incomplete, the work that must be
completed to earn a final course grade and the required completion date is generated when an “I” is
submitted as a course grade. The completion date must be no later than the last day of the next
scheduled academic term. The “I” is a temporary grade and will be automatically converted to an “F” if
the course has not been completed by the end of the next scheduled academic term. Extensions beyond
one scheduled term are not allowed for graduate courses. Students who seek an incomplete grade will
not be permitted to continue in their curriculum sequence until the incomplete grade is converted to a
numerical grade.
Limitation in Completion of Requirements
DNAP students must complete the DNAP curriculum in 3 years (36 months), following sequential course
progression.
Progression
DIDACTIC
Students matriculated in the School of Nurse Anesthesia will be dismissed from the DNAP
program with a grade of “C”, “D”, “F”, or “W” in any course.
Faculty will be assigned as student advisors. Faculty advisors and program administrators will
monitor student’s grades, and clinical performance at regular intervals; they will also initiate and
manage remediation and performance improvement plans for students identified with low
performance.
Students will take the Self-Evaluation Examination (SEE) twice during the program: in the sixth
and eighth semesters. They must achieve an overall scaled score for the total test at or above the
50
th
percentile for second-year examinees in the sixth semester and for third-year examinees in
the eighth semester. If the benchmarks are not met, the student will be placed on a remediation
plan, which may result in postponement of graduation in some cases.
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All DNAP students will take NA 799 Content Review & Synthesis during their final semester. As an
outcome of this course, DNAP students must score an 80% or greater on the Oral and Written
Comprehensive Final in order to earn a passing grade.
CLINICAL
Students matriculated in the School of Nurse Anesthesia take clinical practicum courses pass/fail.
Students who receive the grade of “F” in a clinical practicum will be dismissed from the DNAP
program.
Faculty will be assigned as student advisors. Faculty advisors and Pathway administrators will
monitor student clinical performance at regular intervals; they will also initiate and manage
remediation and performance improvement plans for students identified with low performance.
Readmission after Dismissal/Appeal
Students who do not meet the criteria for progression and are dismissed from the DNAP program are
not eligible for re-admission among any cohort in the SNA.
Readmission after Withdrawal
A graduate student who voluntarily withdraws from the DNAP program may be eligible for re-admission
to a subsequent cohort in SNA. This decision is left to the discretion of the Program Director.
Registration for Classes
Newly admitted DNAP students should register for the appropriate classes for their cohort and semester
during the designated registration period. Students are responsible for contacting their faculty advisor
each semester to ensure they are enrolling for the correct courses, according to the DNAP curriculum.
All graduate students must register using Colleague Self-Service.
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SECTION V: CLINICAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Administrative Drop Policy for Failure to Submit Clinical Practice Requirements
It is imperative that all graduate students are in compliance with clinical practice requirements for Code
of Conduct, immunizations, RN licensure, CPR certification, criminal background check and drug screen.
Students enrolled in a course that contains a clinical component are required to ensure all requirements
are submitted and are up to date. Students who fail to submit or update evidence of compliance with
required items within the first week of the semester will not be allowed to attend clinical and may be
administratively dropped from the clinical course for which they are registered.
The course instructor or School of Nurse Anesthesia Program Director may initiate the administrative
drop process if a student does not upload all required documents into Magnus and Typhon.
The process for administratively dropping a student for failure to submit evidence of the above
requirements will be as follows:
1. The Director of Clinical Education will provide a report to the Program Director the week
before the semester term commences. If a student has failed to submit the documents required
by the School of Nurse Anesthesia (complete and up to date), the Director of Clinical Education
will contact the student via university email, reminding the student of the submission
requirement and notifying the student they are out of compliance. The student will be given
seven (7) days to submit the required documents.
2. If the student fails to respond to the email directive, fails to submit the required documents
or fails to notify the clinical coordinator of their intent to rectify the situation, the instructor will
notify the Program Director of the School of Nurse Anesthesia requesting that the student be
administratively dropped from the course and that their access to the course be removed.
Clinical Agency Agreements
The School of Nurse Anesthesia has a legal responsibility to have written agreements with each agency
used for clinical practice. The Clinical Agency Affiliation Agreements are established and maintained
through the office of the School of Nurse Anesthesia.
The agreements delineate the university’s responsibility from the clinical agencies when students and
faculty are present. The School of Nurse Anesthesia and clinical agencies assume shared responsibilities
for the students’ educational experiences in the clinical setting.
Selected portions of the clinical agreement directly related to student responsibility are as follows:
• The university will instruct all DNAP students assigned to the clinical agencies to maintain strict
confidentiality of medical records and patient/client data imparted during the educational
experience.
• The university will not allow students to participate in clinical experiences who have not
documented their proof of immunization for tetanus, diphtheria, and polio; Hepatitis B series;
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Tuberculin skin test (chest x-ray if appropriate); QuantiFERON Gold blood test; influenza; proof
of immunity to rubella, chickenpox, MMR and COVID.
• If the clinical agency deems a student’s performance to be unsatisfactory and detrimental to its
healthcare responsibilities, the clinical site may suspend the student from utilizing the clinical
agency for clinical experience. The clinical site coordinator will communicate the student’s
unsatisfactory performance and the Program Director will investigate.
• The nature of this cooperative agreement is such that each party undertakes obligations to the
other without passage of funds between the university and the clinical agency or between the
personnel of their respective staffs.
Clinical Practice Preparation
Student enrolled in the School of Nurse Anesthesia, upon clinical matriculation in Year 2, will be assigned
to clinical sites on a typical 8-week rotational schedule. Assignments are made by the Director of Clinical
Education, under the review of the Program Director to ensure equity.
Each student will be assigned general surgical, obstetric (4 weeks), pediatric, cardiovascular (4 weeks),
and regional anesthesia (4 weeks) clinical rotations. The Director of Clinical Education, the Program
Director, and the student’s faculty advisor will monitor TYPHON Clinical Tracking System to ensure that
students are receiving adequate clinical opportunities. Adjustments to clinical schedule may be made at
any point and will be communicated to appropriate students.
Clinical Attendance and Absence Policy
Students are expected to exemplify professional behaviors at all times in clinical sites, and timely
attendance is a component of proper professional behavior. Attendance to clinical experiences is
mandatory and unexcused absences can lead to program failure. Each unexcused absence is treated as a
vacation day.
Students are required to notify the Director of Clinical Education, SNA administrative coordinator, and
clinical site coordinators prior to any absence for illness, etc. Certain absences may be considered for
preapproval, but this is an exception, not the standard. If a student does not attend clinic, the clinical
site coordinator will notify the Director of Clinical Education, who will investigate. Decisions regarding
the outcome of absences, both excused and unexcused, are at the discretion of the Program Director.
Clinical Course Expectations
The DNAP student is expected to behave professionally, as if he/she is already practicing independent of
training program construct. Expectations of clinical performance is along a continuum and each course
in the clinical education series (NA780, NA781, NA782, NA790, NA791, & NA792) contains expectations
listed as a component of the course syllabus.
Clinical Hour Requirements for DNAP Program
All DNAP students are required to serve a minimum of 2000 clinical hours, when they are involved in
direct patient care. This time shall not include simulation time, down-time during evening or call shifts,
or time spent on didactic/DNAP project pursuits. It is a COA standard that students receive 2000 hours
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of clinical training along with 500 hours logged in scholarly pursuit, which occurs with the completion of
the DNAP project.
The clinical hour requirement is met via completion of the clinical course series in which 1 credit hour
equates to 80 clinical hours served.
Illness and/or Injury at Clinical Sites
Students who are injured or become ill while providing patient care completing clinical hours must:
1. Notify the preceptor, clinical site coordinator, and Director of Clinical Education. (If the DCE is
not available, the student will report to the Program Director any illness or injury.)
2. Follow the agency’s policy and procedure for injury or illness, if appropriate.
Students should refrain from reporting to the clinical site when ill, experiencing an elevated
temperature, experiencing nausea/vomiting, diarrhea or any other symptom indicative of illness or
disease. Students should notify the clinical site coordinator and DCE of their clinical absence at least two
(2) hours prior to their assigned clinical time.
Clinical agencies are not compelled to provide medical care, free of charge for students who become ill
during the clinical experience. Students are responsible for any expense(s) incurred.
All students must maintain personal health care coverage.
Professional Behavior in the Clinical Setting
DNAP students present themselves as ambassadors of the University of Mobile, the School of Nurse
Anesthesia, and the DNAP program. Students are expected to be respectful to preceptors, faculty, staff,
patients and their families.
Reports of unprofessional behavior will result in the student being counseled and is subject to review by
the School of Nurse Anesthesia Program Director. Examples of unprofessional behaviors include
disorderly conduct, inappropriate or offensive language, damage or theft of property, disruption,
discrimination, behavior or conduct adversely reflecting upon the nursing profession or the School of
Nurse Anesthesia.
Students are permitted to have a cell phone, but they should remain in a pocket in their lab coat, or
otherwise stored, and on vibrate. Personal telephone calls shall not be made in patient rooms or
received in the presence of patients or families – violation will not be tolerated.
Each student is required to send their clinical site a thank you note using a School of Nurse Anesthesia
notecard (notecards can be obtained from the School of Nurse Anesthesia administrative coordinator).
A copy of the letter must be sent electronically to the Director of Clinical Education and will be included
with the final course evaluation.
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Professional Dress in the Clinical Setting
Students are expected to comply with dress code policies established by the School of Nurse Anesthesia,
as well as the policies of individual clinical facilities where they are assigned for clinical practice. Dress
code requirements will vary among healthcare agencies.
• Students are required to wear grey scrubs and photo University of Mobile ID name badge. Some
clinical sites may require alternate attire.
• Shorts, jeans, open-toed shoes or low-cut shirts are not considered appropriate attire.
• Fingernails must be clean and neatly trimmed (no more than 1⁄4 inch long). Artificial or painted
nails, gel nails, acrylic nails are not allowed.
• Visible jewelry in body piercings, including but not limited to nose, facial, or tongue studs, or
multiple ear piercings including those in the upper ear and ear gauges are not permitted. No
oral jewelry is allowed.
• Hair must be neat at all times. Hair of unnatural color, as well as, glitter spray, sequins and other
similar artificial adornments are not permissible. Devices used to restrain hair are to be
unobtrusive. Long hair should be pulled back or neatly restrained so it will not interfere with
clinical activities. Trends such as multiple colors, shaved eyebrows, extremes in bleaching,
dyeing or tinting, dreadlocks, mohawks, and long spiked hair (colored or natural) are not
appropriate.
• Jewelry. Students may wear only a watch, wedding band, and/or engagement ring.
No necklaces, chokers, or bracelets are allowed and an insult to proper sterile technique
necessary for certain clinical tasks.
• Perfumes, scented lotions, aftershaves, body sprays and other scented products
shall not be worn. Such products can cause iatrogenic injury to patient and other healthcare
providers.
• Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is not permitted while the student is in
professional dress before or during any clinical or laboratory activity.
• No fanny packs may be worn as they may interfere with the performance of
clinical duties and scarves/neckties are not permitted for student safety.
• Personal cleanliness is a prerequisite for patient/client care. Regular bathing, hair
washing and use of deodorant are part of personal cleanliness.
Students who fail to comply with the professional dress requirement will not be allowed to participate in
clinical practice. Faculty members or clinical site coordinators will have the right to remove a student
from a clinical area if, in their judgment, the student presents an unprofessional appearance or in any
way is a threat to patient safety or comfort. The University of Mobile shall have no obligation to refund
tuition, accommodate the student, or make any other special arrangements in the event the student is
unable to meet the dress code requirements of the clinical agency.
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SECTION VI: STUDENT RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Campus Store
The campus store, The U, is located in the J.L. Bedsole Library building on the first floor. Supplies such as
university gear and snacks may be purchased in the The U. MasterCard and Visa are accepted for
purchases. The hours of operation are 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday and 10:00 AM – 2:00
PM on Saturday.
For more information, students should call 251.307.1140 or email umstore@umobile.edu.
Campus Security
The University of Mobile maintains security guards on duty 24 hours per day. The security guard may be
contacted at 251.510.4273.
Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice
The School of Nurse Anesthesia maintains an operating room, nurse anesthesia skills laboratory, a
health assessment laboratory, and simulation center for students located on the second floor of the
Weaver Hall Building. These learning resources for the School of Nurse Anesthesia allow students to
develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for applying theory to the practice of nurse
anesthesia. This learning environment serves students in the School of Nurse Anesthesia by providing an
excellent opportunity for self-directed independent learning and the practice of basic and advanced
nursing skills. The simulation center is equipped with newborn, infant, child, adult, and maternal mid
and high-fidelity human patient simulators as well as a wide selection of task trainers. The lab is
equipped with cameras and recording equipment, which can be used for real-time, shared learning and
in debriefing areas. Center hours vary and are posted on the School of Nurse Anesthesia website.
The Simulation Center contains seven simulation rooms and a control room. The simulation suite
contains an adult medical-surgical simulator, a labor and delivery birthing simulator, an infant simulator,
and a pediatric simulator. Other learning tools kept in the simulation rooms include: defibrillator, 12
lead EKG, crash cart, IV and feeding tube pumps, etc. Both rooms have audio-video recording capability.
Library
The J.L. Bedsole library is available for student use with a primary emphasis of establishing and
maintaining library support of the academic curriculum. The library also seeks to provide instruction in
research skills that serve students during their studies the university and in the career paths they choose
after graduation.
Hours of Operation: 7:30 AM-12:00 AM, Monday-Friday; 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday, and 1:00 PM-
12:00 AM Sunday. The library can be accessed through https://umobile.edu/library/ or by calling
251.442.2246.
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Parking and Traffic Regulations
Any student who operates a motorized vehicle of any type on campus must register the vehicle with the
Office of Campus Operations. Students will receive a “hangtag” parking permit. Vehicles are registered
online via SelfService.
The university assumes no responsibility or liability for any vehicle on campus, whether or not school is
in session. In the event of damage to or theft of a vehicle on the campus, if the person who caused the
damage or committed the theft cannot be determine, the owner/operator of the vehicle and/or his
insurance company shall be responsible for any damages or loss.
Postal Services
A contract station of the United States Post Office is located on the first floor of the J.L. Bedsole Building
and offers all standard services. The post office is open to students from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday
through Thursday and on Friday 8:00 AM until 4:15 PM. The mailroom is closed daily from 12:30 PM
until 1:30 PM.
Registrar’s Office
The Registrar’s Office is located in the Rosemary Adams building. The office is responsible for
maintaining official student records and verifying that students are eligible to site for licensure
examinations. Official copies of transcripts are available from this office.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center provides academic consulting services to students enrolled at University of
Mobile. Academic consultants meet individually with students and provide assistance with developing
the skills and behaviors that are essential to academic success and professional development. Services
are available at no charge to the learner and may address a wide range of issues. These include
transition to professional school, time management, study skills, stress management, testing strategies,
interpersonal and communication skills, clarifying career goals, and coping strategies.
Professional counseling is also available to students through the Student Success Center located in the
Rosemary Adams Building. More specific contact information is located on the university webpage
under the quick link, Student Life. Resources can be located on the UM website under
Academics/Student Success.
Chora Godwin Learning & Writing Center (LWC)
The University of Mobile Learning Center helps students develop effective strategies related to
studying, note taking, test taking, and more. Meet with a study-strategies group, make a one-
on-one appointment with an LWC Tutor, or check out an upcoming Success Series session. Free
peer tutoring is held in the Chora Godwin Learning & Writing Center Fall and Spring semesters.
Tutoring services are offered the second week of classes and continue while classes are in
session. Resources can be located on the UM website under Academics/Student Success.
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UpToDate
Students are given free access to UptoDate. UpToDate is the only resource associated with
improved patient outcomes and hospital performance, and studies show that clinicians who use
UpToDate change their decisions 30 percent of the time. More than 6,900 world-renowned
physician authors, editors, and reviewers use a rigorous editorial process to synthesize the most
recent medical information into trusted, evidence-based recommendations. Every day, clinicians
view topics covering 25 specialties over 1.5 million times.
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SECTION VII: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Ethical Practice
The University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia follows closely COA guidelines, which includes
provided for an ethical practice of nurse anesthesia. Students receive learning opportunities during the
didactic phase of the DNAP curriculum which help them develop sound ethical reasoning. See the AANA
“CRNA Code of Ethics” for more information.
Liability Insurance
All DNAP students enrolled in clinical courses participate in the University of Mobile Nurse Anesthesia
Student Liability Insurance Program. There are no additional fees related to this liability coverage.
Licensure
The School of Nurse Anesthesia requires that DNAP students demonstrate a level of competence
commensurate with the educational and experiential prerequisites for admission and progression in the
program. DNAP students are required to maintain licensure as a registered nurse in Alabama and in their
state of residence to practice nursing as a registered nurse throughout their educational program at the
University of Mobile. Additionally, students must hold licensure as a registered nurse in any state where
the practice/practicum requirements are completed. The student is required to provide verification of
licensure from the appropriate state board.
UM’s residential campus is located in the state of Alabama; therefore, our students and faculty must
abide by the regulations of the Alabama Board of Nursing. Nursing courses with a clinical component
may not be taken by any individual who has been denied licensure by the Alabama Board of Nursing; or
whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any United States jurisdiction; or
whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to any
disciplinary action.
Safe Clinical Practice
The faculty and staff of the School of Nurse Anesthesia support the University of Mobile Preamble,
Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Biblical Worldview, and Statement of Christian Affirmation. The
faculty and administration have the expectation that learning, faith, and leadership will be reflected in
the interactions and actions of all individuals involved with the activities of the School of Nurse
Anesthesia. The intent of the university is reflected in the phrase, “Changing Lives to Change the World”
and is evident in the core values of being Christ-centered, Academically-focused, Student-devoted, and
Distinctively-driven. It is expected in clinical practice that these attributes be evident.
Safety in nurse anesthesia practice and research is required of all professional nurses and all students of
professional nursing. In order to ensure safe practices students are expected to:
• Assume responsibility for their own actions.
• Demonstrate self-discipline in meeting commitments and obligations, submitting written
assignments on time, keeping appointments, etc.
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• Prepare in advance for clinical experiences.
• Function within the guidelines and policies of the institution, in which they are practicing, and
within their scope of practice and according to all legal parameters.
• Communicate appropriately, accurately, and truthfully.
• Recognize own limitations and the need for appropriate supervision.
• Provide competent care for all individuals regardless of age, sex, race, or diagnosis.
• Obtain preceptor signature on all patient documentation, including charting.
• Notify the DNAP Program Director immediately of any change in licensure status, i.e. probation,
suspension, or revocation.
The following situations are considered unsafe and are absolute grounds for course failure and may
result in dismissal from the program:
• Preceptor or healthcare agency/institution refusal to continue working with the student due to
clinical safety issues.
• Student is under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or medications that impair
judgment in the clinical, classroom, and/or research setting.
• Positive drug test for non-prescribed or illegal drugs; or refusal of drug testing.
• Abuse or inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to intimidation, threats or acts of
violence to patients, staff, faculty, or other students.
• Fraudulent or dishonest behavior.
• Behavior or judgment that compromises the safety of a patient.
• Other unsafe clinical practice as deemed by faculty.
• Violation of rules of professional conduct established by accrediting or licensing bodies.
• Any act or behavior, which violates the objectives and/or policies of the School of Nurse
Anesthesia, Clinical Agency, the Alabama Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, or the Board of
Nursing Nurse Practice Act in the state where the student maintains licensure.
Student Conduct
As practicing professionals, students are responsible participants in their educational experiences at the
University of Mobile. Students are expected to display professionalism, respect, kindness in all aspects
of their work and study.
This includes, but is not limited to, email conversations, discussion board posts, phone calls and face-to-
face encounters with fellow students, faculty, staff, preceptors, clinical agencies, and patients.
Incidences of student incivility will be reported to the DNAP Program Director and the DNAP
Administrative Committee for appropriate action. Students will be given a written warning and may face
dismissal if episodes of incivility or inappropriate behavior continue.
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SECTION VIII: APPENDICES
Appendix A – DNAP Student Handbook Acknowledgement
The University of Mobile School of Nurse Anesthesia has distinct expectations of students that are
outlined in the university Catalog and the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook.
The purpose of this form is to disclose and document:
(1) I have been made aware of these official university documents,
(2) I have read the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook in its entirety,
(3) I have familiarized myself with the expectations contained in the document and all questions or
concerns have been clarified to my satisfaction,
(4) I will maintain responsibility for all updates to the Handbook each semester as a student in the
graduate nursing program at the University of Mobile, and
(5) I have read and understand the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook and agree to abide by
all policies and procedures throughout my enrollment in the School of Nurse Anesthesia.
Student Name: _________________________________________
UM ID Number: ___________________
Student Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __________________
