Nurse Anesthesia Educator Track

Learn about the Nurse Educator Track

Distinguish Yourself as a CRNA Educator

Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia’s Nurse Anesthesia Educator Track is meticulously crafted to elevate you as a Nurse Anesthesia Educator. You will master evidence-based teaching methodologies, innovative assessment strategies, curriculum design, development, and program evaluation meeting all the COA Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Educators. This 12-month course of study will prepare students to excel in the Nurse Educator role.

In an era where many nurse anesthetists possess Doctoral degrees, distinguish yourself by completing specialized education courses designed to help you stand out as an educator and position you as a leader in nurse anesthesia education. If you have ever envisioned shaping the future of nurse anesthetists, this program covers all facets of higher education, from advanced teaching strategies to comprehensive curriculum development.

The program includes three online didactic courses and three clinical practicum courses, meeting the Council on Accreditation (COA) standards for educators as well as the eligibility requirements of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Nurse Educator Certification. The curriculum uses the NLN Core Competencies (NLN-CC) of Academic Nurse Educators© as a framework. Upon completion of the Nurse Anesthesia Educator Track, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination developed by the NLN Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program (ANECP).

Application Period Opens	Application Deadline	Semester Start Date
Oct. 1, 2024	March 1, 2025	Sept. 1, 2025

We have a rolling admissions process so we encourage you to apply and submit all required materials at your earliest convenience to secure your spot ahead of the application deadline!

Click here to apply!

Program Information Quick Links:

Admission Requirements+--
APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS OCT. 1

• MSN or Doctorate Degree in Nurse Anesthesia

• MS or Doctorate in Nursing Degree and evidence of teaching in a Nurse Anesthesia Curriculum

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions

• 3.0 GPA on college coursework

• 3 Letters of Recommendation

• Personal Statement

• Other evidence of educating within a Nursing curriculum will be considered on an individual basis

Click here for full list and application

Course Descriptions & Sequence+--

DNED 700 Theoretical Foundations in Education and the Nurse Educator Role

Students are introduced to the Nurse Educator Role. This course explores educational theories, philosophies, and conceptual frameworks in education. Selected teaching and learning theories are examined in the context of nurse education. Students will engage in activities to identify their own learning style and how to use teaching and learning styles to help students meet learning outcomes. Students will engage in activities that promote socialization to the academic nurse educator role, emphasize the importance of leadership development in higher education, and functioning as a change agent within the nursing program, institution, and community. In addition, ethical and legal considerations for the nurse anesthesia educator are explored. Credit hours: 3
NLN-CC I, II, V, VI, VII

DNED 710 Teaching and Assessment Strategies for the Nurse Educator

This course builds on the theories, philosophies, and conceptual frameworks learned in Course 1 and guides the student in developing effective, evidence-based teaching strategies to address various student learning styles in diverse settings. Teaching methods that promote productive and supportive learning environments are explored. Students will gain an understanding of how to use and integrate a variety of technology tools as they prepare to deliver educational offerings in the classroom, online, and clinical settings. Various formative and summative evaluation strategies for assessment of learning and attainment of student learning outcomes in the classroom, clinical, and laboratory settings is also addressed. Credit hours: 3
NLN-CC I, II, III

DNED 720 Curriculum Development for the Nurse Anesthesia Educator

This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to effectively design, develop, implement, and evaluate nursing education focused curricula. Social/legal/ ethical issues, students with disabilities, the multicultural classroom, and diversity are examined. Accrediting bodies learning objectives, program and course objectives are evaluated and instruction and practice on aligning objectives is an integral part of this course. Current trends in nursing education and accreditation are explored and students take part in designing, implementing, and evaluating program curricula. In addition, students participate in faculty scholarship with poster presentations and written articles. Credit hours: 3
NLN CC IV, VI, VII

DNED 701 Nurse Educator Practicum 1

This course provides students opportunities to participate in mentored experiences in Nursing education and explore the role of the nurse anesthesia educator. Students will be introduced to theories and concepts in curriculum development, evaluation, various teaching strategies, and assessment of student learning in diverse teaching/learning environments with a focus on nurse education. Students will create and implement a personalized practicum experience under the supervision of faculty/preceptors in various teaching/learning environments. Credit hours: 1
NLN-CC I, II, VI,VII, VIII

DNED 711 Nurse Educator Practicum 2

This course provides students opportunities to synthesize knowledge from previous courses and participate in roles of the nurse anesthesia educator. Students will apply theories and concepts in various teaching strategies, and assessments of student learning in diverse teaching/learning environments with a focus on nurse education. Through the Nurse Educator Practicum, students will apply theoretical principles of education in implementing the nurse educator role. Students will create and implement a personalized practicum experience under the supervision of faculty/preceptors in various teaching/learning environments. Credit hours: 1
NLN CC: I, II, III, V, VI, VII, VII

DNED 721 Nurse Educator Practicum 3

This course provides students opportunities to synthesize knowledge from previous courses and expand on the role of the nurse anesthesia educator. Students will apply theories and concepts in curriculum development, evaluation, various teaching strategies, and assessment of student learning in diverse teaching/learning environments with a focus on nurse education. Through the Nurse Educator Practicum, students will apply theoretical principles of education in implementing the nurse educator role. Students will create and implement a personalized practicum experience under the supervision of faculty/preceptors in various teaching/learning environments. Credit hours: 1
NLN-CC I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII (I-VIII)

Course Sequence

Semester	Course
Semester 1	DNED 700 Theoretical Foundations in Education and the Nurse Educator Role
Semester 1	DNED 701 Nurse Educator Practicum 1
Semester 2	DNED 710 Teaching and Assessment Strategies for the Nurse Educator
Semester 2	DNED 711 Nurse Educator Practicum 2
Semester 3	DNED 720 Curriculum Development for the Nurse Anesthesia Educator
Semester 3	DNED 721 Nurse Educator Practicum 3

Save Up to 85% Off Your Tuition+--
MTSA is a recipient of the HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program grant. This grant allows educators to received up to 85% of tuition costs for this program in exchange for a career as a Nurse Educator including Clinical Preceptor following completion of the program. It is a great opportunity, the majority of our Nurse Educator students participate in. More information: Nurse Faculty Loan Program

“I chose MTSA’s DNAP Completion Program with the Nurse Educator track to gain the skills and credentials desired by anesthesia program accreditors to educate the next generation of nurses and CRNAs.” —Wendy Hoersting, MSN, CRNA, Dual enrolled DNAP-C/EDU class of 2024

“Without the Nurse Faculty Loan Program I would not have been able to achieve the goal of completing my DNAP while working full-time.” —Michael Heck, MSN, CRNA

Student Works, Awards and Recognition

Watch Our Student Testimonials and Nurse Ed Content Videos

Watch the Nurse Anesthesia Scholar Chronicles Episode 1

Meet the Director

Hallie Evans is the Program Director for the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Completion Program and Nurse Educator Track at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia. Her expertise includes a wide range of topics including Evidence-Based Practice, Health and Wellness, Grant Writing and Educating future Nurse Anesthesia Educators in the clinical, didactic and simulation settings, as well as curriculum planning and mapping. She serves as a Professor for both the Doctorate Completion Program and Nurse Educator Track. She displays her commitment to the next generation of CRNAs through innovative teaching methods and rigorous curriculum development.

Dr. Evans began her career in education as a clinical preceptor and upon earning her Post-Master’s Doctorate began working as faculty at Florida International university. She has taught across the anesthesia curriculum and joined the faculty at MTSA in 2020 before becoming the Program Director. She is passionate about incorporating health and wellness into curriculums for students and using evidence-based techniques to educate. She created a Micro-credential for Nurse Educators on Health and Wellness techniques to incorporate into curriculums. In addition, she believes service-based learning and giving back is a vital component to both education and wellness.

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Request Information

Our offices are open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST. To request more information or schedule a campus visit, please email Mandy Kelly, the program coordinator, at mandy.kelly@mtsa.edu.