Learn about the Nurse Anesthesia Educator Program

Distinguish Yourself as a CRNA Educator

Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia’s Nurse Anesthesia Educator Program is meticulously crafted to elevate you as a nurse anesthesia educator. In this 12-month course of study, you will master evidence-based teaching methodologies, innovative assessment strategies, curriculum design, development, and program evaluation, preparing you for your role as a highly skilled nurse anesthesia educator.

In an era where many nurse anesthetists possess Doctoral degrees, distinguish yourself by completing specialized education courses designed to help 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, providing you with an unmatched level of expertise in the field.

The program includes three online didactic courses and three clinical practicum courses, meeting 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 Program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination developed by the NLN Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program (ANECP).

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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!

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• Admission Requirements+--

  • Completed Application: Submission of a completed application with all requested information and supporting documents.

  • Official Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools and colleges previously attended.

  • If holding CRNA credential and license: Current of NBCRNA certification

  • Current licensure as CRNA (as well as APRN, and RN if state requires it), OR copy of MS or Doctorate degree in Nursing with letter of intent to teach in Nurse Anesthesia Program.

  • List of previous states you have been licensed as RN, APRN, or CRNA

  • Academic Performance: Evidence of academic performance minimum of 3.0 graduate nursing school grade point average based on 4.0 grading system from regionally accredited college or university in the United States

  • Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources.

  • Letter of Intent: A letter of intent describing the applicant’s interests and professional goals related to nursing anesthesia education.

  • Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae: A current resume or curriculum vitae detailing relevant experience and qualifications.

  • Personal Interview: A personal interview with one or more program faculty members.

  • Background Check

  • Detailed letter explaining any charges brought against you, even if they were dropped or expunged

  • Deposit

  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
  	DNED 701 Nurse Educator Practicum 1
  Semester 2	DNED 710 Teaching and Assessment Strategies for the Nurse Educator
  	DNED 711 Nurse Educator Practicum 2
  Semester 3	DNED 720 Curriculum Development for the Nurse Anesthesia Educator
  	DNED 721 Nurse Educator Practicum 3

• Save Up to 85% Off Your Tuition - FEDERAL NFLP FUNDING ON HOLD FOR 2025-2026+--

  FEDERAL NFLP FUNDING ON HOLD FOR 2025-2026

  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

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  Each year, the NFLP loan is dependent on the availability of funds. If NFLP is available for academic year 2025-2026, this webpage will be updated with application details in July 2025. Update as of July 7, 2025: MTSA has not received guidance about the availability of funds for academic year 2025-2026. Our staff is monitoring this issue closely and will update this webpage as information becomes available.

  ON HOLD for 2025-2026

• Program Fees+--

   

  	TUITION	FEES	TOTAL
  Semester 1	$3,900	$500 EIC-Conference $600 Conference Fee (NLN)	$5,000
  Semester 2	$3,900	$500 EIC-Conference $600 Conference Fee (EDGE)	$5,000
  Semester 3	$3,900	$500 CNE Exam	$4,400
  TOTAL			$14,400

   

Student Works, Awards and Recognition

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Kimberly S. King»

Watch Our Student Testimonials and Nurse Ed Content Videos

Watch the Nurse Anesthesia Scholar Chronicles Episode 1


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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 CE@mtsa.edu.

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