The Excela Health School of Anesthesia, in conjunction with Saint Vincent
College, Latrobe, now offers a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice entry
level degree program. Graduates of the school are eligible to sit for
the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board
on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
Students experience a “family” type environment with individualized
support from staff, clinicians and their cohorts. Competition here is
driven from within the individual, not among students. Faculty advisors
are provided, as well as mentors from the senior class to offer a supportive
environment for learning.
Excela Health anesthesia students are well recognized in the field as professionals
who are well-prepared and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s
health care world.
Our Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) entry level program will
begin January 2020. Please see the Admissions Criteria tab for more information.
We currently have more than 20 clinical affiliation sites in the tri-state
area where our students obtain a wide variety of anesthesia experiences.
Mission Statement
Excela Health School of Anesthesia is a graduate level institution that
provides education in the art and science of nurse anesthesia. Our primary
goal is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop
as competent and safe quality anesthesia practitioners. We strive to assimilate
new members into our profession through mentoring, serving as role models.
We seek to provide quality experiences that enhance the learning experience
through clinical hours as well as simulation experiences. We strive to
produce the highest quality professionals to serve as future generations
of nurse anesthetists.
History
In November 1954, the Westmoreland Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses
was founded by Dr. Frank D. Edgar Jr., Chief Anesthesiologist and Medical
Director of Westmoreland Hospital.
The program affiliated with Latrobe Hospital in 1965 under the direction
of Dr. U.W. Sipe, Chief Anesthesiologist, and became known as the Westmoreland-Latrobe
Hospitals' School of Anesthesia.
By 1991, under the leadership of Director Howard F. Armour, MS, CRNA, the
program became a Masters of Health Science in Nurse Anesthesia in association
with LaRoche College, Pittsburgh, Pa. The first class of masters-prepared
nurse anesthetists graduated in 1993.
In 2006, the school's name changed to Excela Health School of Anesthesia
and formed a joint graduate level program with Saint Vincent College,
Latrobe, Pa.
In October 2018, the school received approval to transition to a doctoral
entry program and will grant the degree of Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia
practice to graduates entering the program beginning January 2020.
Philosophy
Education is viewed as a continuing process that enables the individual
to mature intellectually and culturally. Through motivation and guidance
offered by the faculty, students are encouraged to develop qualities which
will enhance their contribution to the profession and society. Students
will be encouraged to expand their base of knowledge, advance their clinical
skills, and establish their commitment to continual learning as they evolve
into the next generation of nurse anesthetists.
This 36-month educational program is designed to provide students with
the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise to become proficient in
the administration and management of anesthesia, in an effort to serve
the communities in which they practice.
Our primary goals are to:
Educate registered nurses in the theory and clinical practice of anesthesia.
Educate these anesthetists to administer safe, effective anesthesia.
Provide a desire in our graduates to continually improve their skills through
utilization of evidence-based practice findings.
Clinical Affiliations
Excela Health School of Anesthesia offers student rotations through clinical
affiliations with the following hospitals:
Allegheny General Hospital
Altoona Regional Health Center
Altoona Advanced Center for Surgery
Conemaugh Medical Center
DuBois Regional Medical Center
Excela Health Frick Hospital
Excela Health Latrobe Hospital/Laurel Surgical Center
Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital/Excela Square at Norwin
Forbes Regional Hospital
Heritage Valley Hospital
Highlands Hospital
J.C. Blair Hospital
Jefferson Regional Medical Center
Monongalia General Hospital
Somerset Hospital
Southwestern Ambulatory Surgical Center
St. Clair Hospital
Trinity Hospital in Ohio
Uniontown Hospital
United Hospital Center
UPMC East Hospital
UPMC McKeesport Hospital
Western Maryland Health System
West Penn Hospital
WVU - Ruby Memorial Hospital
Accreditation Statement
Excela Health School of Anesthesia is accredited by the:
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
Phone: 224-275-9130
https://www.coacrna.org/
Current accreditation period is October 25, 2018 to October 31, 2028.
Graduating Class of 2023 Pass Rate:
90 % pass rate for first-time takers of the National Certification Exam,
and a 100% second-time pass rate.
Attrition
0 % for the 2023 graduating class
Employment Rate of graduates within six months of graduation
100 % for the 2023 graduating class
Contacts & Directions
Excela Health School of Anesthesia One Mellon Way
Latrobe, PA 15650
Located within Latrobe Hospital, first floor, next to Dialysis. Please
check in with the administrative assistant.
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