Master's Degree of Sciences in Anesthesia

Mission

PUDCJBR master program will be the leading program in the preparation of anesthetists in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, recognized by the institutions which we provide services, health care professionals and accreditation agencies. Our institution wishes to contribute to the fulfillment of the needs of service, education, development and improvement of the nursing discipline.

Goals of the Program

1. To contribute to the fulfillment of needs in the workforce of nurse anesthetists in PuertoRico. 
2. To contribute to the improvement and development of advanced practice in anesthesia nursing in Puerto Rico.

Curricular sequence

Part-Time Curricular sequence

Full-Time Curricular sequence

MSA Faculty

Admission Requirements

• Present evidence of full vaccination against Covid-19.
• Complete Application for Admission
• Possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited university
• Have a minimum average of 2.50 (B) in nursing concentration courses
• Official transcript from the university or universities where courses have been taken towards the baccalaureate in nursing degree.
• Have a current Puerto Rico Board of Nurse Examiners license as a generalist nurse.
• Copy of Good Standing of the nursing license (s)
• Evidence of active registry/currency of license
• Evidence of membership in the Puerto Rico College of Professional Nurses
• Evidence of approved course in Basic Statistics and Chemistry.
• Favorable recommendation from the admissions committee after being interviewed and evaluated.
• Payment of non-reimbursable $75.00 fee, with the application.
• Two letters of recommendation (one from a former teacher, one from employer) sent to the University by regular mail.
• Current health certificate (not older than six months from application date)
• Evidence of active health insurance.
• Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination.
• Certificate of negative criminal record.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Written analysis of a professional article (during admission interview).
• Evidence of a minimum one-year experience with hospitalized patients.  Preferably in critical care settings (special units such as emergency room, surgical or cardiac intensive care units, organ transplant units).
• * The one-year experience in a Critical/Intensive Care Unit may be substituted by a certified course in the specialty area with supervised practice (evidence must be submitted for evaluation by the University).
• Evidence of approved Chemistry and Statistics course (we can validate Biostatistics). Must be passed with A or B.
• PUDCJBR reserves the right to evaluate the design and other documents from the Critical Care course to determine its acceptance as a substitute for experience in critical care settings.
• *Other documents may be requested .

Admission Process for the MSN & MSA Programs

1. Application and payment. The candidate must complete the application for admission and pay the non-refundable application fee of $75.00.
2. Submission of documents and requirements. The candidate must submit the admission documents and requirements established for the academic program to which they are applying. It is the candidate's responsibility to make sure their file is complete within the established dates.
3. File evaluation. Once the corresponding requirements are received, the Admissions Committee will evaluate the candidate's file using the admission criteria established by the program.
4. Interview notification. Candidates who have completed the process required to be considered for an interview will be scheduled on the interview dates set by the Admissions Committee. The University will notify the candidate of the date, time, format and any additional instructions related to their interview.
5. Interview with the Admissions Committee. During the interview, the Committee will evaluate the candidate according to the criteria and the evaluation instrument established by the program. As part of the process, the candidate may be asked to analyze a brief article from a professional or academic journal. In addition, they must present an updated copy of their curriculum vitae (CV) if it is not already part of their file.
6. Comprehensive evaluation and selection. Once the interviews are concluded, the Committee will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the candidates, considering the academic requirements, the documentation submitted, the interview results and the other selection criteria established by the program. Admission will be competitive when the number of qualified candidates exceeds the available spaces.
7. Admission decision. Selected candidates will receive an official notification of the corresponding decision. Meeting the minimum admission requirements and participating in the interview do not guarantee admission to the program.

Clinical Settings

UPDCJBR has a variety of clinical settings in different regions of Puerto Rico. These experiences allow students to develop the competencies, abilities and skills required for their professional formation.

Students should keep in mind that their clinical rotations may be assigned in any region of the island, and must be prepared to complete their practice at the assigned setting.

Licensure Examination

Graduates may take the licensure examination (reválida) offered by the Puerto Rico Board of Nurse Examiners in Spanish or English, subject to the available options and to meeting the program and eligibility requirements established by the P.R. Board of Examiners.